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González-Gil A, Sánchez-Maldonado B, Rojo C, Flor-García M, Queiroga FL, Ovalle S, Ramos-Ruiz R, Fuertes-Recuero M, Picazo RA. Proneurogenic actions of follicle-stimulating hormone on neurospheres derived from ovarian cortical cells in vitro. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:372. [PMID: 39160565 PMCID: PMC11334536 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04203-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) from extra-neural origin represent a valuable tool for autologous cell therapy and research in neurogenesis. Identification of proneurogenic biomolecules on NSPCs would improve the success of cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Preliminary data suggested that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) might act in this fashion. This study was aimed to elucidate whether FSH promotes development, self-renewal, and is proneurogenic on neurospheres (NS) derived from sheep ovarian cortical cells (OCCs). Two culture strategies were carried out: (a) long-term, 21-days NS culture (control vs. FSH group) with NS morphometric evaluation, gene expression analyses of stemness and lineage markers, and immunolocalization of NSPCs antigens; (b) NS assay to demonstrate FSH actions on self-renewal and differentiation capacity of NS cultured with one of three defined media: M1: positive control with EGF/FGF2; M2: control; and M3: M2 supplemented with FSH. RESULTS In long-term cultures, FSH increased NS diameters with respect to control group (302.90 ± 25.20 μm vs. 183.20 ± 7.63 on day 9, respectively), upregulated nestin (days 15/21), Sox2 (day 21) and Pax6 (days 15/21) and increased the percentages of cells immunolocalizing these proteins. During NS assays, FSH stimulated NSCPs proliferation, and self-renewal, increasing NS diameters during the two expansion periods and the expression of the neuron precursor transcript DCX during the second one. In the FSH-group there were more frequent cell-bridges among neighbouring NS. CONCLUSIONS FSH is a proneurogenic hormone that promotes OCC-NSPCs self-renewal and NS development. Future studies will be necessary to support the proneurogenic actions of FSH and its potential use in basic and applied research related to cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo González-Gil
- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro SN, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
| | - Belén Sánchez-Maldonado
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Concepción Rojo
- Department of Anatomy and Embriology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Miguel Flor-García
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CBMSO), Spanish Research Council (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Felisbina Luisa Queiroga
- Centre for the Study of Animal Science, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, Vila Real, 5000-801, Portugal.
| | - Susana Ovalle
- Genomic Unit Cantoblanco, Fundación Parque Científico de Madrid. C/ Faraday 7, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Ricardo Ramos-Ruiz
- Genomic Unit Cantoblanco, Fundación Parque Científico de Madrid. C/ Faraday 7, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Manuel Fuertes-Recuero
- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro SN, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Rosa Ana Picazo
- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro SN, Madrid, 28040, Spain
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2
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Cerutti L, Brofiga M. Unraveling brain diseases: The promise of brain-on-a-chip models. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110105. [PMID: 38460796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders, encompassing a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions, present a formidable challenge in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, the intricate complexity of the human brain still eludes comprehensive understanding, impeding the development of effective treatments. Recent advancements in microfluidics and tissue engineering have led to the development of innovative platforms known as "Brain-on-a-Chip" (BoC) i.e., advanced in vitro systems that aim to replicate the microenvironment of the brain with the highest possible fidelity. This technology offers a promising test-bed for studying brain disorders at the cellular and network levels, providing insights into disease mechanisms, drug screening, and, in perspective, the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the BoC models developed over the years to model and understand the onset and progression of some of the most severe neurological disorders in terms of incidence and debilitation (stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy). We also report some of the cutting-edge therapeutic approaches whose effects were evaluated by means of these technologies. Finally, we discuss potential challenges, and future perspectives of the BoC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Cerutti
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Brofiga
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; ScreenNeuroPharm s.r.l, Sanremo, Italy; Neurofacility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
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3
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Dowrey TW, Cranston SF, Skvir N, Lok Y, Gould B, Petrowitz B, Villar D, Shan J, James M, Dodge M, Belkina AC, Giadone RM, Sebastiani P, Perls TT, Andersen SL, Murphy GJ. A longevity-specific bank of induced pluripotent stem cells from centenarians and their offspring. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.12.584663. [PMID: 38559230 PMCID: PMC10979955 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.12.584663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Centenarians provide a unique lens through which to study longevity, healthy aging, and resiliency. Moreover, models of human aging and resilience to disease that allow for the testing of potential interventions are virtually non-existent. We obtained and characterized over 50 centenarian and offspring peripheral blood samples including those connected to functional independence data highlighting resistance to disability and cognitive impairment. Targeted methylation arrays were used in molecular aging clocks to compare and contrast differences between biological and chronological age in these specialized subjects. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were then successfully reprogrammed into high-quality induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines which were functionally characterized for pluripotency, genomic stability, and the ability to undergo directed differentiation. The result of this work is a one-of-a-kind resource for studies of human longevity and resilience that can fuel the discovery and validation of novel therapeutics for aging-related disease.
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4
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Balestri W, Sharma R, da Silva VA, Bobotis BC, Curle AJ, Kothakota V, Kalantarnia F, Hangad MV, Hoorfar M, Jones JL, Tremblay MÈ, El-Jawhari JJ, Willerth SM, Reinwald Y. Modeling the neuroimmune system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:32. [PMID: 38263227 PMCID: PMC10807115 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03024-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodegenerative disorders caused by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and familial factors. These diseases have distinct pathologies and symptoms that are linked to specific cell populations in the brain. Notably, the immune system has been implicated in both diseases, with a particular focus on the dysfunction of microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, contributing to neuronal loss and exacerbating symptoms. Researchers use models of the neuroimmune system to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and biological aspects of these neurodegenerative diseases and how they progress. Several in vitro and in vivo models, including 2D cultures and animal models, have been utilized. Recently, advancements have been made in optimizing these existing models and developing 3D models and organ-on-a-chip systems, holding tremendous promise in accurately mimicking the intricate intracellular environment. As a result, these models represent a crucial breakthrough in the transformation of current treatments for PD and AD by offering potential for conducting long-term disease-based modeling for therapeutic testing, reducing reliance on animal models, and significantly improving cell viability compared to conventional 2D models. The application of 3D and organ-on-a-chip models in neurodegenerative disease research marks a prosperous step forward, providing a more realistic representation of the complex interactions within the neuroimmune system. Ultimately, these refined models of the neuroimmune system aim to aid in the quest to combat and mitigate the impact of debilitating neuroimmune diseases on patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Balestri
- Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Victor A da Silva
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Bianca C Bobotis
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Annabel J Curle
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Vandana Kothakota
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Maria V Hangad
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Mina Hoorfar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Joanne L Jones
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Neurosciences Axis, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institute On Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jehan J El-Jawhari
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Stephanie M Willerth
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Yvonne Reinwald
- Department of Engineering, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
- Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
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5
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Pereira I, Lopez-Martinez MJ, Samitier J. Advances in current in vitro models on neurodegenerative diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1260397. [PMID: 38026882 PMCID: PMC10658011 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1260397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are identified but their causes and cure are far from being well-known. The problem resides in the complexity of the neural tissue and its location which hinders its easy evaluation. Although necessary in the drug discovery process, in vivo animal models need to be reduced and show relevant differences with the human tissues that guide scientists to inquire about other possible options which lead to in vitro models being explored. From organoids to organ-on-a-chips, 3D models are considered the cutting-edge technology in cell culture. Cell choice is a big parameter to take into consideration when planning an in vitro model and cells capable of mimicking both healthy and diseased tissue, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), are recognized as good candidates. Hence, we present a critical review of the latest models used to study neurodegenerative disease, how these models have evolved introducing microfluidics platforms, 3D cell cultures, and the use of induced pluripotent cells to better mimic the neural tissue environment in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Pereira
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria J. Lopez-Martinez
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red: Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier
- Nanobioengineering Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red: Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Xue H, Gate S, Gentry E, Losert W, Cao K. Development of an accelerated cellular model for early changes in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18384. [PMID: 37884611 PMCID: PMC10603068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45826-5] [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: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Current cellular models for AD often require several months to exhibit phenotypic features due to the lack of an aging environment in vitro. Lamin A is a key component of the nuclear lamina. Progerin, a truncated protein resulting from specific lamin A mutations, causes Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a disease that prematurely ages individuals. Studies have reported that lamin A expression is induced in the brains of AD patients, and overlapping cellular phenotypes have been observed between HGPS and AD cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous progerin expression on neural progenitor cells carrying familial AD mutations (FAD). Within three to four weeks of differentiation, these cells exhibited robust AD phenotypes, including increased tau phosphorylation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and an elevated Aβ42 to Aβ40 ratio. Additionally, progerin expression significantly increased AD cellular phenotypes such as cell death and cell cycle re-entry. Our results suggest that progerin expression could be used to create an accelerated model for AD development and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Xue
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sylvester Gate
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emma Gentry
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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7
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Ko EC, Spitz S, Pramotton FM, Barr OM, Xu C, Pavlou G, Zhang S, Tsai A, Maaser-Hecker A, Jorfi M, Choi SH, Tanzi RE, Kamm RD. Accelerating the in vitro emulation of Alzheimer's disease-associated phenotypes using a novel 3D blood-brain barrier neurosphere co-culture model. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1251195. [PMID: 37901842 PMCID: PMC10600382 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1251195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
High failure rates in clinical trials for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease have been linked to an insufficient predictive validity of current animal-based disease models. This has created an increasing demand for alternative, human-based models capable of emulating key pathological phenotypes in vitro. Here, a three-dimensional Alzheimer's disease model was developed using a compartmentalized microfluidic device that combines a self-assembled microvascular network of the human blood-brain barrier with neurospheres derived from Alzheimer's disease-specific neural progenitor cells. To shorten microfluidic co-culture times, neurospheres were pre-differentiated for 21 days to express Alzheimer's disease-specific pathological phenotypes prior to the introduction into the microfluidic device. In agreement with post-mortem studies and Alzheimer's disease in vivo models, after 7 days of co-culture with pre-differentiated Alzheimer's disease-specific neurospheres, the three-dimensional blood-brain barrier network exhibited significant changes in barrier permeability and morphology. Furthermore, vascular networks in co-culture with Alzheimer's disease-specific microtissues displayed localized β-amyloid deposition. Thus, by interconnecting a microvascular network of the blood-brain barrier with pre-differentiated neurospheres the presented model holds immense potential for replicating key neurovascular phenotypes of neurodegenerative disorders in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunkyung Clare Ko
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Sarah Spitz
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Francesca Michela Pramotton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Olivia M. Barr
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Ciana Xu
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Georgios Pavlou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alice Tsai
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Anna Maaser-Hecker
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Mehdi Jorfi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Se Hoon Choi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
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Esteves F, Brito D, Rajado AT, Silva N, Apolónio J, Roberto VP, Araújo I, Nóbrega C, Castelo-Branco P, Bragança J. Reprogramming iPSCs to study age-related diseases: Models, therapeutics, and clinical trials. Mech Ageing Dev 2023; 214:111854. [PMID: 37579530 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111854] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented rise in life expectancy observed in the last decades is leading to a global increase in the ageing population, and age-associated diseases became an increasing societal, economic, and medical burden. This has boosted major efforts in the scientific and medical research communities to develop and improve therapies to delay ageing and age-associated functional decline and diseases, and to expand health span. The establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by reprogramming human somatic cells has revolutionised the modelling and understanding of human diseases. iPSCs have a major advantage relative to other human pluripotent stem cells as their obtention does not require the destruction of embryos like embryonic stem cells do, and do not have a limited proliferation or differentiation potential as adult stem cells. Besides, iPSCs can be generated from somatic cells from healthy individuals or patients, which makes iPSC technology a promising approach to model and decipher the mechanisms underlying the ageing process and age-associated diseases, study drug effects, and develop new therapeutic approaches. This review discusses the advances made in the last decade using iPSC technology to study the most common age-associated diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, brain stroke, cancer, diabetes, and osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Esteves
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - David Brito
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Ana Teresa Rajado
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Nádia Silva
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Joana Apolónio
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Vânia Palma Roberto
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; ABC Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Integrated Aging and Rejuvenation Solutions (ABC CoLAB), 8100-735 Loulé, Portugal
| | - Inês Araújo
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; ABC Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Integrated Aging and Rejuvenation Solutions (ABC CoLAB), 8100-735 Loulé, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Clévio Nóbrega
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; ABC Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Integrated Aging and Rejuvenation Solutions (ABC CoLAB), 8100-735 Loulé, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Castelo-Branco
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; ABC Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Integrated Aging and Rejuvenation Solutions (ABC CoLAB), 8100-735 Loulé, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Bragança
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; ABC Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Integrated Aging and Rejuvenation Solutions (ABC CoLAB), 8100-735 Loulé, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMCB), University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus, Bld. 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
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9
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Ulaganathan S, Pitchaimani A. Spontaneous and familial models of Alzheimer's disease: Challenges and advances in preclinical research. Life Sci 2023:121918. [PMID: 37422070 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121918] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that is progressive and irreversible in nature. Even after decades of dedicated research and paradigm-shifting hypotheses of AD etiology, very few well-founded credible improvements have been foreseen in understanding the actual underlying mechanisms involved in the development of the disorder. As for any disease to be well-comprehended, AD also requires optimal modelling strategies, which will then pave way for effective therapeutic interventions. Most of the clinical trials and research towards better treatment of AD fail in translation, due to the inefficacy of explored animal models to mimic the actual AD pathology, precisely. The majority of the existing AD models are developed based on the mutations found in the familial form of AD (fAD) which accounts for less than 5 % of the incidence of AD. Further, the investigations also face more challenges due to the additional complexities and lacunae found in etiology of sporadic form of AD (sAD), which accounts for 95 % of total AD. This review illustrates the gaps found in different models of AD, both sporadic and familial variants with additional focus on recent avenues for accurate simulation of AD pathology using in vitro and chimeric AD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryapriya Ulaganathan
- Precision Nanomedicine and Microfluidic Lab, Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, TN, India; School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, TN, India
| | - Arunkumar Pitchaimani
- Precision Nanomedicine and Microfluidic Lab, Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics (CBCMT), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, TN, India; School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, TN, India.
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10
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D'Antoni C, Mautone L, Sanchini C, Tondo L, Grassmann G, Cidonio G, Bezzi P, Cordella F, Di Angelantonio S. Unlocking Neural Function with 3D In Vitro Models: A Technical Review of Self-Assembled, Guided, and Bioprinted Brain Organoids and Their Applications in the Study of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10762. [PMID: 37445940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the complexities of the human brain and its associated disorders poses a significant challenge in neuroscience. Traditional research methods have limitations in replicating its intricacies, necessitating the development of in vitro models that can simulate its structure and function. Three-dimensional in vitro models, including organoids, cerebral organoids, bioprinted brain models, and functionalized brain organoids, offer promising platforms for studying human brain development, physiology, and disease. These models accurately replicate key aspects of human brain anatomy, gene expression, and cellular behavior, enabling drug discovery and toxicology studies while providing insights into human-specific phenomena not easily studied in animal models. The use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells has revolutionized the generation of 3D brain structures, with various techniques developed to generate specific brain regions. These advancements facilitate the study of brain structure development and function, overcoming previous limitations due to the scarcity of human brain samples. This technical review provides an overview of current 3D in vitro models of the human cortex, their development, characterization, and limitations, and explores the state of the art and future directions in the field, with a specific focus on their applications in studying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara D'Antoni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Mautone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Sanchini
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Tondo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Grassmann
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cidonio
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- D-Tails s.r.l., 00165 Rome, Italy
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11
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Muzzi L, Di Lisa D, Falappa M, Pepe S, Maccione A, Pastorino L, Martinoia S, Frega M. Human-Derived Cortical Neurospheroids Coupled to Passive, High-Density and 3D MEAs: A Valid Platform for Functional Tests. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10040449. [PMID: 37106636 PMCID: PMC10136157 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10040449] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With the advent of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and differentiation protocols, methods to create in-vitro human-derived neuronal networks have been proposed. Although monolayer cultures represent a valid model, adding three-dimensionality (3D) would make them more representative of an in-vivo environment. Thus, human-derived 3D structures are becoming increasingly used for in-vitro disease modeling. Achieving control over the final cell composition and investigating the exhibited electrophysiological activity is still a challenge. Thence, methodologies to create 3D structures with controlled cellular density and composition and platforms capable of measuring and characterizing the functional aspects of these samples are needed. Here, we propose a method to rapidly generate neurospheroids of human origin with control over cell composition that can be used for functional investigations. We show a characterization of the electrophysiological activity exhibited by the neurospheroids by using micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) with different types (i.e., passive, C-MOS, and 3D) and number of electrodes. Neurospheroids grown in free culture and transferred on MEAs exhibited functional activity that can be chemically and electrically modulated. Our results indicate that this model holds great potential for an in-depth study of signal transmission to drug screening and disease modeling and offers a platform for in-vitro functional testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Muzzi
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Donatella Di Lisa
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Matteo Falappa
- 3Brain AG, 8808 Pfäffikon, Switzerland
- Corticale Srl., 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pastorino
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sergio Martinoia
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
| | - Monica Frega
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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12
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Whitehouse C, Corbett N, Brownlees J. 3D models of neurodegeneration: implementation in drug discovery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2023; 44:208-221. [PMID: 36822950 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
A lack of in vitro models that robustly represent the complex cellular pathologies underlying neurodegeneration has resulted in a translational gap between in vitro and in vivo results, creating a bottleneck in the development of new therapeutics. In the past decade, new and complex 3D models of the brain have been published at an exponential rate. However, many novel 3D models of neurodegeneration overlook the validation and throughput requirements for implementation in drug discovery. This therefore represents a knowledge gap that could hinder the translation of these models to drug discovery efforts. We review the recent progress in the development of 3D models of neurodegeneration, examining model design benefits and validation techniques, and discuss opportunities and standards for 3D models of neurodegeneration to be implemented in drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Corbett
- MSD R&D Innovation Centre, 120 Moorgate, London EC2M 6UR, UK
| | - Janet Brownlees
- MSD R&D Innovation Centre, 120 Moorgate, London EC2M 6UR, UK
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13
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Sreenivasamurthy S, Laul M, Zhao N, Kim T, Zhu D. Current progress of cerebral organoids for modeling Alzheimer's disease origins and mechanisms. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10378. [PMID: 36925717 PMCID: PMC10013781 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that has emerged as a leading risk factor for dementia associated with increasing age. Two-dimensional (2D) cell culture and animal models, which have been used to analyze AD pathology and search for effective treatments for decades, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the mechanism of AD. Despite their successes, 2D and animal models can only capture a fraction of AD mechanisms due to their inability to recapitulate human brain-specific tissue structure, function, and cellular diversity. Recently, the emergence of three-dimensional (3D) cerebral organoids using tissue engineering and induced pluripotent stem cell technology has paved the way to develop models that resemble features of human brain tissue more accurately in comparison to prior models. In this review, we focus on summarizing key research strategies for engineering in vitro 3D human brain-specific models, major discoveries from using AD cerebral organoids, and its future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Sreenivasamurthy
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Mahek Laul
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Nan Zhao
- Institute for NanobiotechnologyJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Tiffany Kim
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
| | - Donghui Zhu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringStony Brook UniversityStony BrookNew YorkUSA
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14
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Hebisch M, Klostermeier S, Wolf K, Boccaccini AR, Wolf SE, Tanzi RE, Kim DY. The Impact of the Cellular Environment and Aging on Modeling Alzheimer's Disease in 3D Cell Culture Models. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205037. [PMID: 36642841 PMCID: PMC10015857 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Creating a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that accurately recapitulates disease pathology has been a longstanding challenge. Recent studies showed that human AD neural cells, integrated into three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel matrix, display key features of AD neuropathology. Like in the human brain, the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in determining the rate of neuropathogenesis in hydrogel-based 3D cellular models. Aging, the greatest risk factor for AD, significantly alters brain ECM properties. Therefore, it is important to understand how age-associated changes in ECM affect accumulation of pathogenic molecules, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in AD patients and in vitro models. In this review, mechanistic hypotheses is presented to address the impact of the ECM properties and their changes with aging on AD and AD-related dementias. Altered ECM characteristics in aged brains, including matrix stiffness, pore size, and composition, will contribute to disease pathogenesis by modulating the accumulation, propagation, and spreading of pathogenic molecules of AD. Emerging hydrogel-based disease models with differing ECM properties provide an exciting opportunity to study the impact of brain ECM aging on AD pathogenesis, providing novel mechanistic insights. Understanding the role of ECM aging in AD pathogenesis should also improve modeling AD in 3D hydrogel systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hebisch
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
| | - Stefanie Klostermeier
- Institute of Medical PhysicsFriedrich‐Alexander Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91052ErlangenGermany
- Max‐Planck‐Zentrum für Physik und Medizin91054ErlangenGermany
| | - Katharina Wolf
- Department of Medicine 1Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91054ErlangenGermany
| | - Aldo R. Boccaccini
- Institute of BiomaterialsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91058ErlangenGermany
| | - Stephan E. Wolf
- Institute of Glass and CeramicsDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringFriedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg91058ErlangenGermany
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
| | - Doo Yeon Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research UnitMcCance Center for Brain health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative DiseaseMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMA02129USA
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15
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Theerasri A, Janpaijit S, Tencomnao T, Prasansuklab A. Beyond the classical amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease: Molecular insights into current concepts of pathogenesis, therapeutic targets, and study models. WIREs Mech Dis 2023; 15:e1591. [PMID: 36494193 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the progressive neurodegenerative disorders and the most common cause of dementia in the elderly worldwide causing difficulties in the daily life of the patient. AD is characterized by the aberrant accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and tau protein-containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain giving rise to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic failure, and eventual neuronal cell death. The total cost of care in AD treatment and related health care activities is enormous and pharmaceutical drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration have not manifested sufficient efficacy in protection and therapy. In recent years, there are growing studies that contribute a fundamental understanding to AD pathogenesis, AD-associated risk factors, and pharmacological intervention. However, greater molecular process-oriented research in company with suitable experimental models is still of the essence to enhance the prospects for AD therapy and cell lines as a disease model are still the major part of this milestone. In this review, we provide an insight into molecular mechanisms, particularly the recent concept in gut-brain axis, vascular dysfunction and autophagy, and current models used in the study of AD. Here, we emphasized the importance of therapeutic strategy targeting multiple mechanisms together with utilizing appropriate models for the discovery of novel effective AD therapy. This article is categorized under: Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsadang Theerasri
- Graduate Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sakawrat Janpaijit
- Graduate Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tewin Tencomnao
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Prasansuklab
- Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Anti-ageing Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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16
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Kang YJ, Xue Y, Shin JH, Cho H. Human mini-brains for reconstituting central nervous system disorders. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:964-981. [PMID: 36644973 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00897a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders in the central nervous system (CNS) are progressive and irreversible diseases leading to devastating impacts on patients' life as they cause cognitive impairment, dementia, and even loss of essential body functions. The development of effective medicines curing CNS disorders is, however, one of the most ambitious challenges due to the extremely complex functions and structures of the human brain. In this regard, there are unmet needs to develop simplified but physiopathologically-relevant brain models. Recent advances in the microfluidic techniques allow multicellular culture forming miniaturized 3D human brains by aligning parts of brain regions with specific cells serving suitable functions. In this review, we overview designs and strategies of microfluidics-based human mini-brains for reconstituting CNS disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), vascular dementia (VD), and environmental risk factor-driven dementia (ERFD). Afterward, the applications of the mini-brains in the area of medical science are introduced in terms of the clarification of pathogenic mechanisms and identification of promising biomarkers. We also present expanded model systems ranging from the CNS to CNS-connecting organ axes to study the entry pathways of pathological risk factors into the brain. Lastly, the advantages and potential challenges of current model systems are addressed with future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Jung Kang
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yingqi Xue
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hee Shin
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansang Cho
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Intelligent Precision Healthcare Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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17
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Microfabrication methods for 3D spheroids formation and their application in biomedical engineering. KOREAN J CHEM ENG 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11814-022-1327-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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18
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Yazdani N, Willits RK. Mimicking the neural stem cell niche: An engineer’s view of cell: material interactions. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.1086099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells have attracted attention in recent years to treat neurodegeneration. There are two neurogenic regions in the brain where neural stem cells reside, one of which is called the subventricular zone (SVZ). The SVZ niche is a complicated microenvironment providing cues to regulate self-renewal and differentiation while maintaining the neural stem cell’s pool. Many scientists have spent years understanding the cellular and structural characteristics of the SVZ niche, both in homeostasis and pathological conditions. On the other hand, engineers focus primarily on designing platforms using the knowledge they acquire to understand the effect of individual factors on neural stem cell fate decisions. This review provides a general overview of what we know about the components of the SVZ niche, including the residing cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors, their interactions, and SVZ niche changes during aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, an overview will be given on the biomaterials used to mimic neurogenic niche microenvironments and the design considerations applied to add bioactivity while meeting the structural requirements. Finally, it will discuss the potential gaps in mimicking the microenvironment.
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19
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Park H, Kim J, Ryou C. A three-dimensional spheroid co-culture system of neurons and astrocytes derived from Alzheimer's disease patients for drug efficacy testing. Cell Prolif 2023:e13399. [PMID: 36628615 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell culture systems derived from the progenitor cells of human patients have many advantages over animal models for therapeutic drug testing and studies of disease pathogenesis. Here we describe a three-dimensional (3D) spheroid co-culture system of neurons and astrocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells-neural precursor cells (iPSCs-NPCs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients or healthy individuals that can provide information on drug efficacy unobtainable by 2D co-culture or monoculture approaches. iPSCs-NPCs of healthy controls or AD patients were seeded onto 96-well U-bottom plates and incubated with neuronal differentiation medium for one week and with astrocytic medium for two weeks to replicate the temporal order of cell maturation during brain development. These 3D spheroid models expressed marker proteins for mature neurons and astrocytes. In particular, patient-derived spheroids showed beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation as revealed by thioflavin T (ThT) staining and ELISA. Aggregation of Aβ induced caspase activation and cell death, while the neuroprotectants nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and curcumin (CU) reduced the levels of both ThT and caspase staining. Taken together, these results demonstrate the feasibility of our 3D spheroids combined with ThT and caspase staining as a patient-based anti-AD drug screening platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- HyunJung Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyeon Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chongsuk Ryou
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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20
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Modeling Central Nervous System Injury In Vitro: Current Status and Promising Future Strategies. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010094. [PMID: 36672601 PMCID: PMC9855387 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) injury, which occurs because of mechanical trauma or ischemia/hypoxia, is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in the modern society. Until know, despite the fact that numerous preclinical and clinical studies have been undertaken, no significant neuroprotective strategies have been discovered that could be used in the brain trauma or ischemia treatment. Although there are many potential explanations for the failure of those studies, it is clear that there are questions regarding the use of experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro, when studying CNS injury and searching new therapeutics. Due to some ethical issues with the use of live animals in biomedical research, implementation of experimental strategies that prioritize the use of cells and tissues in the in vitro environment has been encouraged. In this review, we examined some of the most commonly used in vitro models and the most frequently utilized cellular platforms in the research of traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia. We also proposed some future strategies that could improve the usefulness of these studies for better bench-to-bedside translational outcomes.
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21
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Phadke L, Lau DHW, Aghaizu ND, Ibarra S, Navarron CM, Granat L, Magno L, Whiting P, Jolly S. A primary rodent triculture model to investigate the role of glia-neuron crosstalk in regulation of neuronal activity. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1056067. [DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1056067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation and hyperexcitability have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease, and new models are required to investigate the cellular crosstalk involved in these processes. We developed an approach to generate a quantitative and reproducible triculture system that is suitable for pharmacological studies. While primary rat cells were previously grown in a coculture medium formulated to support only neurons and astrocytes, we now optimised a protocol to generate tricultures containing neurons, astrocytes and microglia by culturing in a medium designed to support all three cell types and adding exogenous microglia to cocultures. Immunocytochemistry was used to confirm the intended cell types were present. The percentage of ramified microglia in the tricultures decreases as the number of microglia present increases. Multi-electrode array recordings indicate that microglia in the triculture model suppress neuronal activity in a dose-dependent manner. Neurons in both cocultures and tricultures are responsive to the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine, suggesting that neurons remained viable and functional in the triculture model. Furthermore, suppressed neuronal activity in tricultures correlates with decreased densities of dendritic spines and of the postsynaptic protein Homer1 along dendrites, indicative of a direct or indirect effect of microglia on synapse function. We thus present a functional triculture model, which, due to its more complete cellular composition, is a more relevant model than standard cocultures. The model can be used to probe glia-neuron interactions and subsequently aid the development of assays for drug discovery, using neuronal excitability as a functional endpoint.
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22
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Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment Strategies and Their Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213954. [PMID: 36430432 PMCID: PMC9697769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent case of neurodegenerative disease and is becoming a major public health problem all over the world. Many therapeutic strategies have been explored for several decades; however, there is still no curative treatment, and the priority remains prevention. In this review, we present an update on the clinical and physiological phase of the AD spectrum, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for AD treatment with a focus on prevention strategies, then research models used in AD, followed by a discussion of treatment limitations. The prevention methods can significantly slow AD evolution and are currently the best strategy possible before the advanced stages of the disease. Indeed, current drug treatments have only symptomatic effects, and disease-modifying treatments are not yet available. Drug delivery to the central nervous system remains a complex process and represents a challenge for developing therapeutic and preventive strategies. Studies are underway to test new techniques to facilitate the bioavailability of molecules to the brain. After a deep study of the literature, we find the use of soft nanoparticles, in particular nanoliposomes and exosomes, as an innovative approach for preventive and therapeutic strategies in reducing the risk of AD and solving problems of brain bioavailability. Studies show the promising role of nanoliposomes and exosomes as smart drug delivery systems able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target brain tissues. Finally, the different drug administration techniques for neurological disorders are discussed. One of the promising therapeutic methods is the intranasal administration strategy which should be used for preclinical and clinical studies of neurodegenerative diseases.
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23
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Eichmüller OL, Knoblich JA. Human cerebral organoids - a new tool for clinical neurology research. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:661-680. [PMID: 36253568 PMCID: PMC9576133 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00723-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The current understanding of neurological diseases is derived mostly from direct analysis of patients and from animal models of disease. However, most patient studies do not capture the earliest stages of disease development and offer limited opportunities for experimental intervention, so rarely yield complete mechanistic insights. The use of animal models relies on evolutionary conservation of pathways involved in disease and is limited by an inability to recreate human-specific processes. In vitro models that are derived from human pluripotent stem cells cultured in 3D have emerged as a new model system that could bridge the gap between patient studies and animal models. In this Review, we summarize how such organoid models can complement classical approaches to accelerate neurological research. We describe our current understanding of neurodevelopment and how this process differs between humans and other animals, making human-derived models of disease essential. We discuss different methodologies for producing organoids and how organoids can be and have been used to model neurological disorders, including microcephaly, Zika virus infection, Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and neurodevelopmental diseases, such as Timothy syndrome, Angelman syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. We also discuss the current limitations of organoid models and outline how organoids can be used to revolutionize research into the human brain and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver L Eichmüller
- IMBA-Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juergen A Knoblich
- IMBA-Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Neurology, Vienna, Austria.
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Wang G, Xu Y, Wang Q, Chai Y, Sun X, Yang F, Zhang J, Wu M, Liao X, Yu X, Sheng X, Liu Z, Zhang J. Rare and undiagnosed diseases: From disease-causing gene identification to mechanism elucidation. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 2:918-928. [PMID: 38933382 PMCID: PMC11197726 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare and undiagnosed diseases substantially decrease patient quality of life and have increasingly become a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Because of the challenges in disease-causing gene identification and mechanism elucidation, patients are often confronted with difficulty obtaining a precise diagnosis and treatment. Due to advances in sequencing and multiomics analysis approaches combined with patient-derived iPSC models and gene-editing platforms, substantial progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and undiagnosed diseases. The aforementioned techniques also provide an operational basis for future precision medicine studies. In this review, we summarize recent progress in identifying disease-causing genes based on GWAS/WES/WGS-guided multiomics analysis approaches. In addition, we discuss recent advances in the elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms and treatment of diseases with state-of-the-art iPSC and organoid models, which are improved by cell maturation level and gene editing technology. The comprehensive strategies described above will generate a new paradigm of disease classification that will significantly promote the precision and efficiency of diagnosis and treatment for rare and undiagnosed diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Yuyan Xu
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qintao Wang
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Chai
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiangwei Sun
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fan Yang
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mengchen Wu
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xufeng Liao
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaomin Yu
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xin Sheng
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
- National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems & Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Center of Gene/Cell Engineering and Genome Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310058, China
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25
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Pinals RL, Tsai LH. Building in vitro models of the brain to understand the role of APOE in Alzheimer's disease. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202201542. [PMID: 36167428 PMCID: PMC9515460 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201542] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating, complex, and incurable disease that represents an increasingly problematic global health issue. The etiology of sporadic AD that accounts for a vast majority of cases remains poorly understood, with no effective therapeutic interventions. Genetic studies have identified AD risk genes including the most prominent, APOE, of which the ɛ4 allele increases risk in a dose-dependent manner. A breakthrough discovery enabled the creation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that can be differentiated into various brain cell types, facilitating AD research in genetically human models. Herein, we provide a brief background on AD in the context of APOE susceptibility and feature work employing hiPSC-derived brain cell and tissue models to interrogate the contribution of APOE in driving AD pathology. Such models have delivered crucial insights into cellular mechanisms and cell type-specific roles underlying the perturbed biological functions that trigger pathogenic cascades and propagate neurodegeneration. Collectively, hiPSC-based models are envisioned to be an impactful platform for uncovering fundamental AD understanding, with high translational value toward AD drug discovery and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pinals
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Rickner HD, Jiang L, Hong R, O'Neill NK, Mojica CA, Snyder BJ, Zhang L, Shaw D, Medalla M, Wolozin B, Cheng CS. Single cell transcriptomic profiling of a neuron-astrocyte assembloid tauopathy model. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6275. [PMID: 36271092 PMCID: PMC9587045 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34005-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of iPSC derived brain organoid models to study neurodegenerative disease has been hampered by a lack of systems that accurately and expeditiously recapitulate pathogenesis in the context of neuron-glial interactions. Here we report development of a system, termed AstTau, which propagates toxic human tau oligomers in iPSC derived neuron-astrocyte assembloids. The AstTau system develops much of the neuronal and astrocytic pathology observed in tauopathies including misfolded, phosphorylated, oligomeric, and fibrillar tau, strong neurodegeneration, and reactive astrogliosis. Single cell transcriptomic profiling combined with immunochemistry characterizes a model system that can more closely recapitulate late-stage changes in adult neurodegeneration. The transcriptomic studies demonstrate striking changes in neuroinflammatory and heat shock protein (HSP) chaperone systems in the disease process. Treatment with the HSP90 inhibitor PU-H71 is used to address the putative dysfunctional HSP chaperone system and produces a strong reduction of pathology and neurodegeneration, highlighting the potential of AstTau as a rapid and reproducible tool for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lulu Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Rui Hong
- Program in Bioinformatics, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Chromewell A Mojica
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Benjamin J Snyder
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Lushuang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Dipan Shaw
- Informatics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Maria Medalla
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Benjamin Wolozin
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Christine S Cheng
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Program in Bioinformatics, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Informatics Group, J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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27
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Zhou B, Lu JG, Siddu A, Wernig M, Südhof TC. Synaptogenic effect of APP-Swedish mutation in familial Alzheimer's disease. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn9380. [PMID: 36260691 PMCID: PMC9894682 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn9380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in β-amyloid (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) probably by enhancing Aβ peptides production from APP. An antibody targeting Aβ (aducanumab) was approved as an AD treatment; however, some Aβ antibodies have been reported to accelerate, instead of ameliorating, cognitive decline in individuals with AD. Using conditional APP mutations in human neurons for perfect isogenic controls and translational relevance, we found that the APP-Swedish mutation in familial AD increased synapse numbers and synaptic transmission, whereas the APP deletion decreased synapse numbers and synaptic transmission. Inhibition of BACE1, the protease that initiates Aβ production from APP, lowered synapse numbers, suppressed synaptic transmission in wild-type neurons, and occluded the phenotype of APP-Swedish-mutant neurons. Modest elevations of Aβ, conversely, elevated synapse numbers and synaptic transmission. Thus, the familial AD-linked APP-Swedish mutation under physiologically relevant conditions increased synaptic connectivity in human neurons via a modestly enhanced production of Aβ. These data are consistent with the relative inefficacy of BACE1 and anti-Aβ treatments in AD and the chronic nature of AD pathogenesis, suggesting that AD pathogenesis is not simply caused by overproduction of toxic Aβ but rather by a long-term effect of elevated Aβ concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jacqueline G. Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alberto Siddu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas C. Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford 94305, USA
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28
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Tarricone G, Carmagnola I, Chiono V. Tissue-Engineered Models of the Human Brain: State-of-the-Art Analysis and Challenges. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:146. [PMID: 36135581 PMCID: PMC9501967 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13030146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders affect billions of people across the world, making the discovery of effective treatments an important challenge. The evaluation of drug efficacy is further complicated because of the lack of in vitro models able to reproduce the complexity of the human brain structure and functions. Some limitations of 2D preclinical models of the human brain have been overcome by the use of 3D cultures such as cell spheroids, organoids and organs-on-chip. However, one of the most promising approaches for mimicking not only cell structure, but also brain architecture, is currently represented by tissue-engineered brain models. Both conventional (particularly electrospinning and salt leaching) and unconventional (particularly bioprinting) techniques have been exploited, making use of natural polymers or combinations between natural and synthetic polymers. Moreover, the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has allowed the co-culture of different human brain cells (neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia), helping towards approaching the central nervous system complexity. In this review article, we explain the importance of in vitro brain modeling, and present the main in vitro brain models developed to date, with a special focus on the most recent advancements in tissue-engineered brain models making use of iPSCs. Finally, we critically discuss achievements, main challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Tarricone
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- PolitoBioMedLab, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principle in Teaching and Research, Centro 3R, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Nanobiointeractions & Nanodiagnostics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Irene Carmagnola
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- PolitoBioMedLab, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principle in Teaching and Research, Centro 3R, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Chiono
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- PolitoBioMedLab, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principle in Teaching and Research, Centro 3R, 56122 Pisa, Italy
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29
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Tran HN, Gautam V. Micro/nano devices for integration with human brain organoids. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 218:114750. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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30
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Tran HN, Gautam V. Micro- and nanodevices for integration with human brain organoids. Biosens Bioelectron 2022:114734. [PMID: 36990931 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Nguyen Tran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Vini Gautam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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31
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Sokolova V, Ebel JF, Kollenda S, Klein K, Kruse B, Veltkamp C, Lange CM, Westendorf AM, Epple M. Uptake of Functional Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles in 3D Gut Cell Models. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2201167. [PMID: 35712760 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (2 nm) easily penetrate the membranes of intestinal murine epithelial cells (MODE-K) and colorectal cancer cells (CT-26). They are also taken up by 3D spheroids (400 µm) of these cell types and primary gut organoids (500 µm). In contrast, dissolved dyes are not taken up by any of these cells or 3D structures. The distribution of fluorescent ultrasmall gold nanoparticles inside cells, spheroids, and gut organoids is examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Nanoparticles conjugated with the cytostatic drug doxorubicin and a fluorescent dye exhibit significantly greater cytotoxicity toward CT-26 tumor spheroids than equally concentrated dissolved doxorubicin, probably because they enter the interior of a spheroid much more easily than dissolved doxorubicin. Comprehensive analyses show that the cellular uptake of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles occurs by different endocytosis pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriya Sokolova
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Jana-Fabienne Ebel
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kollenda
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Kai Klein
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Kruse
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany
| | - Claudia Veltkamp
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian M Lange
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Transplantation Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen, Germany
| | - Astrid M Westendorf
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, Essen, Germany
| | - Matthias Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany
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32
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Zhang SY, Zhao J, Ni JJ, Li H, Quan ZZ, Qing H. Application and prospects of high-throughput screening for in vitro neurogenesis. World J Stem Cells 2022; 14:393-419. [PMID: 35949394 PMCID: PMC9244953 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i6.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, high-throughput screening (HTS) has made great contributions to new drug discovery. HTS technology is equipped with higher throughput, minimized platforms, more automated and computerized operating systems, more efficient and sensitive detection devices, and rapid data processing systems. At the same time, in vitro neurogenesis is gradually becoming important in establishing models to investigate the mechanisms of neural disease or developmental processes. However, challenges remain in generating more mature and functional neurons with specific subtypes and in establishing robust and standardized three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models with neural cells cultured in 3D matrices or organoids representing specific brain regions. Here, we review the applications of HTS technologies on in vitro neurogenesis, especially aiming at identifying the essential genes, chemical small molecules and adaptive microenvironments that hold great prospects for generating functional neurons or more reproductive and homogeneous 3D organoids. We also discuss the developmental tendency of HTS technology, e.g., so-called next-generation screening, which utilizes 3D organoid-based screening combined with microfluidic devices to narrow the gap between in vitro models and in vivo situations both physiologically and pathologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Aerospace Medical Center, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jun-Jun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Quan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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33
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Hasan MF, Trushina E. Advances in Recapitulating Alzheimer's Disease Phenotypes Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based In Vitro Models. Brain Sci 2022; 12:552. [PMID: 35624938 PMCID: PMC9138647 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of death among older individuals. Available treatment strategies only temporarily mitigate symptoms without modifying disease progression. Recent studies revealed the multifaceted neurobiology of AD and shifted the target of drug development. Established animal models of AD are mostly tailored to yield a subset of disease phenotypes, which do not recapitulate the complexity of sporadic late-onset AD, the most common form of the disease. The use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) offers unique opportunities to fill these gaps. Emerging technology allows the development of disease models that recapitulate a brain-like microenvironment using patient-derived cells. These models retain the individual's unraveled genetic background, yielding clinically relevant disease phenotypes and enabling cost-effective, high-throughput studies for drug discovery. Here, we review the development of various HiPSC-based models to study AD mechanisms and their application in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Fayad Hasan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Eugenia Trushina
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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34
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Ning S, Jorfi M, Patel SR, Kim DY, Tanzi RE. Neurotechnological Approaches to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:854992. [PMID: 35401082 PMCID: PMC8989850 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.854992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, clinically defined by progressive cognitive decline and pathologically, by brain atrophy, neuroinflammation, and accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Neurotechnological approaches, including optogenetics and deep brain stimulation, have exploded as new tools for not only the study of the brain but also for application in the treatment of neurological diseases. Here, we review the current state of AD therapeutics and recent advancements in both invasive and non-invasive neurotechnologies that can be used to ameliorate AD pathology, including neurostimulation via optogenetics, photobiomodulation, electrical stimulation, ultrasound stimulation, and magnetic neurostimulation, as well as nanotechnologies employing nanovectors, magnetic nanoparticles, and quantum dots. We also discuss the current challenges in developing these neurotechnological tools and the prospects for implementing them in the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Ning
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mehdi Jorfi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Engineering in Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Mehdi Jorfi,
| | - Shaun R. Patel
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Doo Yeon Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Rudolph E. Tanzi,
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35
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Josephine Boder E, Banerjee IA. Alzheimer's Disease: Current Perspectives and Advances in Physiological Modeling. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:211. [PMID: 34940364 PMCID: PMC8698996 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8120211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, complete disease-modifying treatments are yet to be fully attained. Until recently, transgenic mice constituted most in vitro model systems of AD used for preclinical drug screening; however, these models have so far failed to adequately replicate the disease's pathophysiology. However, the generation of humanized APOE4 mouse models has led to key discoveries. Recent advances in stem cell differentiation techniques and the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have facilitated the development of novel in vitro devices. These "microphysiological" systems-in vitro human cell culture systems designed to replicate in vivo physiology-employ varying levels of biomimicry and engineering control. Spheroid-based organoids, 3D cell culture systems, and microfluidic devices or a combination of these have the potential to replicate AD pathophysiology and pathogenesis in vitro and thus serve as both tools for testing therapeutics and models for experimental manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ipsita A. Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA;
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Sharma NS, Karan A, Lee D, Yan Z, Xie J. Advances in Modeling Alzheimer's Disease In Vitro. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Navatha Shree Sharma
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE 68198 USA
| | - Anik Karan
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE 68198 USA
| | - Donghee Lee
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE 68198 USA
| | - Zheng Yan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Department of Biomedical Biological and Chemical Engineering University of Missouri Columbia MO 65211 USA
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha NE 68198 USA
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering College of Engineering University of Nebraska Lincoln Lincoln NE 68588 USA
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Bubnys A, Tsai LH. Harnessing cerebral organoids for Alzheimer's disease research. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 72:120-130. [PMID: 34818608 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder affecting the aging population. Despite many studies, there remains an urgent need to identify the root causes of AD, together with potential treatments. Cerebral organoid technology has made it possible to model human neurophysiology and disease with increasing accuracy in patient-derived tissue cultures. Here, we review the most recent advances in modeling AD in organoids and other engineered three-dimensional cell culture systems. Early studies demonstrated that familial AD patient-derived organoids robustly develop disease pathology. Ongoing work has expanded this focus to investigate the genetic and environmental causes of late-onset sporadic AD and harness organoids for high-throughput drug screens. Future organoid models will need to incorporate additional cell types and tissues implicated in disease pathogenesis, including microglia and vasculature. We anticipate the continuation of this rapid progress in developing cerebral organoid technology toward facilitating our understanding of and informing treatment strategies for AD.
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Snow AD, Cummings JA, Lake T. The Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease: Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans/Glycosaminoglycans Are Key as First Hypothesized Over 30 Years Ago. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:710683. [PMID: 34671250 PMCID: PMC8521200 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.710683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The updated "Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease" (AD) is described that links all the observed neuropathology in AD brain (i.e., plaques, tangles, and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits), as well as inflammation, genetic factors (involving ApoE), "AD-in-a-Dish" studies, beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) as a microbial peptide; and theories that bacteria, gut microflora, gingivitis and viruses all play a role in the cause of AD. The common link is the early accumulation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). HS GAG accumulation and/or decreased HS GAG degradation is postulated to be the key initiating event. HS GAGs and highly sulfated macromolecules induce Aβ 1-40 (but not 1-42) to form spherical congophilic maltese-cross star-like amyloid core deposits identical to those in the AD brain. Heparin/HS also induces tau protein to form paired helical filaments (PHFs). Increased sulfation and/or decreased degradation of HSPGs and HS GAGs that occur due to brain aging leads to the formation of plaques and tangles in AD brain. Knockout of HS genes markedly reduce the accumulation of Aβ fibrils in the brain demonstrating that HS GAGs are key. Bacteria and viruses all use cell surface HS GAGs for entry into cells, including SARS-CoV-2. Bacteria and viruses cause HS GAGs to rapidly increase to cause near-immediate aggregation of Aβ fibrils. "AD-in-a-dish" studies use "Matrigel" as the underlying scaffold that spontaneously causes plaque, and then tangle formation in a dish. Matrigel mostly contains large amounts of perlecan, the same specific HSPG implicated in AD and amyloid disorders. Mucopolysaccharidoses caused by lack of specific HS GAG enzymes lead to massive accumulation of HS in lysosomal compartments in neurons and contribute to cognitive impairment in children. Neurons full of HS demonstrate marked accumulation and fibrillization of Aβ, tau, α-synuclein, and prion protein (PrP) in mucopolysaccharidosis animal models demonstrating that HS GAG accumulation is a precursor to Aβ accumulation in neurons. Brain aging leads to changes in HSPGs, including newly identified splice variants leading to increased HS GAG sulfation in the AD brain. All of these events lead to the new "Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease" that further implicates HSPGs /HS GAGs as key (as first hypothesized by Snow and Wight in 1989).
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Kim JJ, Jorfi M, Tanzi RE, Kim DY, Doyle PS, Irimia D. Patterning of interconnected human brain spheroids. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3532-3540. [PMID: 34286713 PMCID: PMC9142085 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01112f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Brain spheroids are emerging as valuable in vitro models that are accelerating the pace of research in various diseases. For Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, these models are enhanced using genetically engineered human neural progenitor cells and novel cell culture methods. However, despite these advances, it remains challenging to study the progression of AD in vitro as well as the propagation of pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau tangles between diseased and healthy neurons using the brain spheroids model. To address this need, we designed a microfluidic system of connected microwells for arranging two types of brain spheroids in complex patterns and enabling the formation of thick bundles of neurites between the brain spheroids and the accumulation of pathogenic Aβ within the spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Jung Kim
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mehdi Jorfi
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Doo Yeon Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patrick S Doyle
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel Irimia
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
- Shriners Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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40
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Brémond Martin C, Simon Chane C, Clouchoux C, Histace A. Recent Trends and Perspectives in Cerebral Organoids Imaging and Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:629067. [PMID: 34276279 PMCID: PMC8283195 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.629067] [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] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Since their first generation in 2013, the use of cerebral organoids has spread exponentially. Today, the amount of generated data is becoming challenging to analyze manually. This review aims to overview the current image acquisition methods and to subsequently identify the needs in image analysis tools for cerebral organoids. Methods: To address this question, we went through all recent articles published on the subject and annotated the protocols, acquisition methods, and algorithms used. Results: Over the investigated period of time, confocal microscopy and bright-field microscopy were the most used acquisition techniques. Cell counting, the most common task, is performed in 20% of the articles and area; around 12% of articles calculate morphological parameters. Image analysis on cerebral organoids is performed in majority using ImageJ software (around 52%) and Matlab language (4%). Treatments remain mostly semi-automatic. We highlight the limitations encountered in image analysis in the cerebral organoid field and suggest possible solutions and implementations to develop. Conclusions: In addition to providing an overview of cerebral organoids cultures and imaging, this work highlights the need to improve the existing image analysis methods for such images and the need for specific analysis tools. These solutions could specifically help to monitor the growth of future standardized cerebral organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Brémond Martin
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
- WITSEE, Paris, France
| | - Camille Simon Chane
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
| | | | - Aymeric Histace
- ETIS Laboratory UMR 8051, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, Cergy, France
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41
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Staicu CE, Jipa F, Axente E, Radu M, Radu BM, Sima F. Lab-on-a-Chip Platforms as Tools for Drug Screening in Neuropathologies Associated with Blood-Brain Barrier Alterations. Biomolecules 2021; 11:916. [PMID: 34205550 PMCID: PMC8235582 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and organ-on-a-chip (OOC) devices are highly versatile platforms that enable miniaturization and advanced controlled laboratory functions (i.e., microfluidics, advanced optical or electrical recordings, high-throughput screening). The manufacturing advancements of LOCs/OOCs for biomedical applications and their current limitations are briefly discussed. Multiple studies have exploited the advantages of mimicking organs or tissues on a chip. Among these, we focused our attention on the brain-on-a-chip, blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-a-chip, and neurovascular unit (NVU)-on-a-chip applications. Mainly, we review the latest developments of brain-on-a-chip, BBB-on-a-chip, and NVU-on-a-chip devices and their use as testing platforms for high-throughput pharmacological screening. In particular, we analyze the most important contributions of these studies in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and their relevance in translational personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Elena Staicu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
- Center for Advanced Laser Technologies, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Măgurele, Romania; (F.J.); (E.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Florin Jipa
- Center for Advanced Laser Technologies, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Măgurele, Romania; (F.J.); (E.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Emanuel Axente
- Center for Advanced Laser Technologies, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Măgurele, Romania; (F.J.); (E.A.); (F.S.)
| | - Mihai Radu
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, ‘Horia Hulubei’ National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 077125 Măgurele, Romania;
| | - Beatrice Mihaela Radu
- Department of Anatomy, Animal Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Felix Sima
- Center for Advanced Laser Technologies, National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Măgurele, Romania; (F.J.); (E.A.); (F.S.)
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42
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Bang S, Lee S, Choi N, Kim HN. Emerging Brain-Pathophysiology-Mimetic Platforms for Studying Neurodegenerative Diseases: Brain Organoids and Brains-on-a-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002119. [PMID: 34028201 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the structural and functional integrity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Millions of people suffer from degenerative brain diseases worldwide, and the mortality continues to increase every year, causing a growing demand for knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and development of therapeutic targets. Conventional 2D-based cell culture platforms and animal models cannot fully recapitulate the pathophysiology, and this has limited the capability for estimating drug efficacy. Recently, engineered platforms, including brain organoids and brain-on-a-chip, have emerged. They mimic the physiology of brain tissue and reflect the fundamental pathophysiological signatures of neurodegenerative diseases, such as the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins, structural abnormalities, and functional loss. In this paper, recent advances in brain-mimetic platforms and their potential for modeling features of neurodegenerative diseases in vitro are reviewed. The development of a physiologically relevant model should help overcome unresolved neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul 02792 Republic of Korea
| | - Songhyun Lee
- Department of Medical Engineering Yonsei University College of Medicine Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul 02792 Republic of Korea
- KU‐KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology Korea University Seoul 02841 Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul 02792 Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio‐Medical Science & Technology KIST School Korea University of Science and Technology (UST) Seoul 02792 Republic of Korea
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43
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Oyefeso FA, Muotri AR, Wilson CG, Pecaut MJ. Brain organoids: A promising model to assess oxidative stress-induced central nervous system damage. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:653-670. [PMID: 33942547 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the most significant propagators of systemic damage with implications for widespread pathologies such as vascular disease, accelerated aging, degenerative disease, inflammation, and traumatic injury. OS can be induced by numerous factors such as environmental conditions, lifestyle choices, disease states, and genetic susceptibility. It is tied to the accumulation of free radicals, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insufficient antioxidant protection, which leads to cell aging and tissue degeneration over time. Unregulated systemic increase in reactive species, which contain harmful free radicals, can lead to diverse tissue-specific OS responses and disease. Studies of OS in the brain, for example, have demonstrated how this state contributes to neurodegeneration and altered neural plasticity. As the worldwide life expectancy has increased over the last few decades, the prevalence of OS-related diseases resulting from age-associated progressive tissue degeneration. Unfortunately, vital translational research studies designed to identify and target disease biomarkers in human patients have been impeded by many factors (e.g., limited access to human brain tissue for research purposes and poor translation of experimental models). In recent years, stem cell-derived three-dimensional tissue cultures known as "brain organoids" have taken the spotlight as a novel model for studying central nervous system (CNS) diseases. In this review, we discuss the potential of brain organoids to model the responses of human neural cells to OS, noting current and prospective limitations. Overall, brain organoids show promise as an innovative translational model to study CNS susceptibility to OS and elucidate the pathophysiology of the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foluwasomi A Oyefeso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics/Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christopher G Wilson
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD, Center for Perinatal Biology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Michael J Pecaut
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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44
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Amponsah AE, Guo R, Kong D, Feng B, He J, Zhang W, Liu X, Du X, Ma Z, Liu B, Ma J, Cui H. Patient-derived iPSCs, a reliable in vitro model for the investigation of Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2021; 32:379-402. [PMID: 33550785 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and a common cause of dementia among elderly individuals. The disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, accumulation of senile amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Human-derived cell models of AD are scarce, and over the years, non-human-derived models have been developed to recapitulate clinical AD, investigate the disease's pathogenesis and develop therapies for the disease. Several pharmacological compounds have been developed for AD based on findings from non-human-derived cell models; however, these pharmacological compounds have failed at different phases of clinical trials. This necessitates the application of human-derived cell models, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in their optimized form in AD mechanistic studies and preclinical drug testing. This review provides an overview of AD and iPSCs. The AD-relevant phenotypes of iPSC-derived AD brain cells and the usefulness of iPSCs in AD are highlighted. Finally, the various recommendations that have been made to enhance iPSC/AD modelling are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiamah Ernest Amponsah
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Ruiyun Guo
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Desheng Kong
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Baofeng Feng
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Jingjing He
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Zhenhuan Ma
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Boxin Liu
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Human Anatomy Department, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Hebei Medical University-National University of Ireland Galway Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China.,Human Anatomy Department, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province050017, China
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45
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Kang SM, Kim D, Lee JH, Takayama S, Park JY. Engineered Microsystems for Spheroid and Organoid Studies. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001284. [PMID: 33185040 PMCID: PMC7855453 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
3D in vitro model systems such as spheroids and organoids provide an opportunity to extend the physiological understanding using recapitulated tissues that mimic physiological characteristics of in vivo microenvironments. Unlike 2D systems, 3D in vitro systems can bridge the gap between inadequate 2D cultures and the in vivo environments, providing novel insights on complex physiological mechanisms at various scales of organization, ranging from the cellular, tissue-, to organ-levels. To satisfy the ever-increasing need for highly complex and sophisticated systems, many 3D in vitro models with advanced microengineering techniques have been developed to answer diverse physiological questions. This review summarizes recent advances in engineered microsystems for the development of 3D in vitro model systems. The relationship between the underlying physics behind the microengineering techniques, and their ability to recapitulate distinct 3D cellular structures and functions of diverse types of tissues and organs are highlighted and discussed in detail. A number of 3D in vitro models and their engineering principles are also introduced. Finally, current limitations are summarized, and perspectives for future directions in guiding the development of 3D in vitro model systems using microengineering techniques are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Min Kang
- Department of Green Chemical Engineering, Sangmyung University, Cheonan, Chungnam, 31066, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehan Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Lee
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Shuichi Takayama
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Joong Yull Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
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46
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Cenini G, Hebisch M, Iefremova V, Flitsch LJ, Breitkreuz Y, Tanzi RE, Kim DY, Peitz M, Brüstle O. Dissecting Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis in human 2D and 3D models. Mol Cell Neurosci 2021; 110:103568. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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47
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Caffrey TM, Button EB, Robert J. Toward three-dimensional in vitro models to study neurovascular unit functions in health and disease. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:2132-2140. [PMID: 33818484 PMCID: PMC8354124 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.310671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The high metabolic demands of the brain require an efficient vascular system to be coupled with neural activity to supply adequate nutrients and oxygen. This supply is coordinated by the action of neurons, glial and vascular cells, known collectively as the neurovascular unit, which temporally and spatially regulate local cerebral blood flow through a process known as neurovascular coupling. In many neurodegenerative diseases, changes in functions of the neurovascular unit not only impair neurovascular coupling but also permeability of the blood-brain barrier, cerebral blood flow and clearance of waste from the brain. In order to study disease mechanisms, we need improved physiologically-relevant human models of the neurovascular unit. Advances towards modeling the cellular complexity of the neurovascular unit in vitro have been made using stem-cell derived organoids and more recently, vascularized organoids, enabling intricate studies of non-cell autonomous processes. Engineering and design innovations in microfluidic devices and tissue engineering are progressing our ability to interrogate the cerebrovasculature. These advanced models are being used to gain a better understanding of neurodegenerative disease processes and potential therapeutics. Continued innovation is required to build more physiologically-relevant models of the neurovascular unit encompassing both the cellular complexity and designed features to interrogate neurovascular unit functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Caffrey
- Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health; Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emily B Button
- Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health; Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jerome Robert
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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48
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Li YCE, Jodat YA, Samanipour R, Zorzi G, Zhu K, Hirano M, Chang K, Arnaout A, Hassan S, Matharu N, Khademhosseini A, Hoorfar M, Shin SR. Toward a neurospheroid niche model: optimizing embedded 3D bioprinting for fabrication of neurospheroid brain-like co-culture constructs. Biofabrication 2020; 13:10.1088/1758-5090/abc1be. [PMID: 33059333 PMCID: PMC8387028 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abc1be] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A crucial step in creating reliablein vitroplatforms for neural development and disorder studies is the reproduction of the multicellular three-dimensional (3D) brain microenvironment and the capturing of cell-cell interactions within the model. The power of self-organization of diverse cell types into brain spheroids could be harnessed to study mechanisms underlying brain development trajectory and diseases. A challenge of current 3D organoid and spheroid models grown in petri-dishes is the lack of control over cellular localization and diversity. To overcome this limitation, neural spheroids can be patterned into customizable 3D structures using microfabrication. We developed a 3D brain-like co-culture construct using embedded 3D bioprinting as a flexible solution for composing heterogenous neural populations with neurospheroids and glia. Specifically, neurospheroid-laden free-standing 3D structures were fabricated in an engineered astrocyte-laden support bath resembling a neural stem cell niche environment. A photo-crosslinkable bioink and a thermal-healing supporting bath were engineered to mimic the mechanical modulus of soft tissue while supporting the formation of self-organizing neurospheroids within elaborate 3D networks. Moreover, bioprinted neurospheroid-laden structures exhibited the capability to differentiate into neuronal cells. These brain-like co-cultures could provide a reproducible platform for modeling neurological diseases, neural regeneration, and drug development and repurposing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chen Ethan Li
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung 40724, Taiwan
| | - Yasamin A Jodat
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey 07030, United States of America
| | - Roya Samanipour
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna V1V 1V7, BC, Canada
| | - Giulio Zorzi
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Kai Zhu
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Minoru Hirano
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- Future Vehicle Research Department, Toyota Research Institute North America, Toyota Motor North America Inc. 1555 Woodridge Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, United States of America
| | - Karen Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Adnan Arnaout
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Shabir Hassan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Navneet Matharu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States of America
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States of America
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States of America
- Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of California–Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States of America
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States of America
| | - Mina Hoorfar
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna V1V 1V7, BC, Canada
| | - Su Ryon Shin
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02139, United States of America
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Garcia-Leon JA, Caceres-Palomo L, Sanchez-Mejias E, Mejias-Ortega M, Nuñez-Diaz C, Fernandez-Valenzuela JJ, Sanchez-Varo R, Davila JC, Vitorica J, Gutierrez A. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells as a Relevant Platform for Drug Screening in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186867. [PMID: 32962164 PMCID: PMC7558359 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular amyloid-beta deposition and intraneuronal Tau-laden neurofibrillary tangles are prime features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The pathology of AD is very complex and still not fully understood, since different neural cell types are involved in the disease. Although neuronal function is clearly deteriorated in AD patients, recently, an increasing number of evidences have pointed towards glial cell dysfunction as one of the main causative phenomena implicated in AD pathogenesis. The complex disease pathology together with the lack of reliable disease models have precluded the development of effective therapies able to counteract disease progression. The discovery and implementation of human pluripotent stem cell technology represents an important opportunity in this field, as this system allows the generation of patient-derived cells to be used for disease modeling and therapeutic target identification and as a platform to be employed in drug discovery programs. In this review, we discuss the current studies using human pluripotent stem cells focused on AD, providing convincing evidences that this system is an excellent opportunity to advance in the comprehension of AD pathology, which will be translated to the development of the still missing effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Antonio Garcia-Leon
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.A.G.-L.); (A.G.); Tel.: +34-952131935 (J.A.G.-L.); +34-952133344 (A.G.)
| | - Laura Caceres-Palomo
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Elisabeth Sanchez-Mejias
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Marina Mejias-Ortega
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Cristina Nuñez-Diaz
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Juan Jose Fernandez-Valenzuela
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Varo
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Jose Carlos Davila
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Javier Vitorica
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
- Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (E.S.-M.); (M.M.-O.); (C.N.-D.); (J.J.F.-V.); (R.S.-V.); (J.C.D.)
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.A.G.-L.); (A.G.); Tel.: +34-952131935 (J.A.G.-L.); +34-952133344 (A.G.)
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50
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Dos Reis RS, Sant S, Keeney H, Wagner MCE, Ayyavoo V. Modeling HIV-1 neuropathogenesis using three-dimensional human brain organoids (hBORGs) with HIV-1 infected microglia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15209. [PMID: 32938988 PMCID: PMC7494890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72214-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by neuroinflammation and glial activation that, together with the release of viral proteins, trigger a pathogenic cascade resulting in synaptodendritic damage and neurodegeneration that lead to cognitive impairment. However, the molecular events underlying HIV neuropathogenesis remain elusive, mainly due to lack of brain-representative experimental systems to study HIV-CNS pathology. To fill this gap, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) human brain organoid (hBORG) model containing major cell types important for HIV-1 neuropathogenesis; neurons and astrocytes along with incorporation of HIV-infected microglia. Both infected and uninfected microglia infiltrated into hBORGs resulting in a triculture system (MG-hBORG) that mirrors the multicellular network observed in HIV-infected human brain. Moreover, the MG-hBORG model supported productive viral infection and exhibited increased inflammatory response by HIV-infected MG-hBORGs, releasing tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and thereby mimicking the chronic neuroinflammatory environment observed in HIV-infected individuals. This model offers great promise for basic understanding of how HIV-1 infection alters the CNS compartment and induces pathological changes, paving the way for discovery of biomarkers and new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta S Dos Reis
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Shilpa Sant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
| | - Hannah Keeney
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Marc C E Wagner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Velpandi Ayyavoo
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
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