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Couvrette LJ, Walker KLA, Bui TV, Pelling AE. Plant Cellulose as a Substrate for 3D Neural Stem Cell Culture. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1309. [PMID: 38002433 PMCID: PMC10669287 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111309] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cell (NSC)-based therapies are at the forefront of regenerative medicine strategies for various neural defects and injuries such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. For several clinical applications, NSC therapies require biocompatible scaffolds to support cell survival and to direct differentiation. Here, we investigate decellularized plant tissue as a novel scaffold for three-dimensional (3D), in vitro culture of NSCs. Plant cellulose scaffolds were shown to support the attachment and proliferation of adult rat hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs). Further, NSCs differentiated on the cellulose scaffold had significant increases in their expression of neuron-specific beta-III tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein compared to 2D culture on a polystyrene plate, indicating that the scaffold may enhance the differentiation of NSCs towards astrocytic and neuronal lineages. Our findings suggest that plant-derived cellulose scaffolds have the potential to be used in neural tissue engineering and can be harnessed to direct the differentiation of NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren J. Couvrette
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 5N5, Canada
| | - Krystal L. A. Walker
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, 150 Louis Pasteur Pvt., Ottawa, ON K1N 5N5, Canada
| | - Tuan V. Bui
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 5N5, Canada
| | - Andrew E. Pelling
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Gendron Hall, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 5N5, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, STEM Complex, 150 Louis Pasteur Pvt., Ottawa, ON K1N 5N5, Canada
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2
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Moon S, Ito Y. Vasculature cells control neuroglial co-localization and synaptic connection in a central nervous system tissue mimic system. Hum Cell 2023; 36:1938-1947. [PMID: 37470936 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00955-x] [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] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite the development of neural tissue differentiation methods using a wide variety of stem cells and compartments, there is no standardized strategy for establishing synapses. As the neuronal network is developed in parallel with blood vessel angiogenesis in the central nervous system (CNS) from the embryonic period, we examined neuron-astrocyte-vasculature interactions to understand the effect of the vasculature on the development and stabilization of neurological morphogenesis. We generated a cellular co-culture module targeting the CNS that was embedded in a collagen-based extracellular matrix (ECM) gel. Our neuron-astrocyte-vascular complex module identified the neurological co-localization effect by endothelial cells, as well as the pericyte-induced improvement of synaptic connections. Furthermore, it was suggested that the PDGF, BDNF, IGF, and WNT/BMP pathways were upregulated in synaptic connections enhanced conditions, which are composed of neurexin. These results suggest that the integrity of the vasculature cells in the CNS is important for the establishment of neuronal networks and for synapse connection.
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Affiliation(s)
- SongHo Moon
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences (Bioindustrial Sciences), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8972, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Ito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences (Bioindustrial Sciences), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tenno-Dai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8972, Japan.
- Life Science Development Department, Frontier Business Division, Chiyoda Corporation, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
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3
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Muangsanit P, Chailangkarn T, Tanwattana N, Wongwanakul R, Lekcharoensuk P, Kaewborisuth C. Hydrogel-based 3D human iPSC-derived neuronal culture for the study of rabies virus infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1215205. [PMID: 37692167 PMCID: PMC10485840 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1215205] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rabies is a highly fatal infectious disease that poses a significant threat to human health in developing countries. In vitro study-based understanding of pathogenesis and tropism of different strains of rabies virus (RABV) in the central nervous system (CNS) is limited due to the lack of suitable culture models that recapitulate the complex communication pathways among host cells, extracellular matrices, and viruses. Therefore, a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture that mimics cell-matrix interactions, resembling in vivo microenvironment, is necessary to discover relevant underlying mechanisms of RABV infection and host responses. Methods The 3D collagen-Matrigel hydrogel encapsulating hiPSC-derived neurons for RABV infection was developed and characterized based on cell viability, morphology, and gene expression analysis of neuronal markers. The replication kinetics of two different strains of RABV [wild-type Thai (TH) and Challenge Virus Standard (CVS)-11 strains] in both 2D and 3D neuronal cultures were examined. Differential gene expression analysis (DEG) of the neuropathological pathway of RABV-infected 2D and 3D models was also investigated via NanoString analysis. Results The 3D hiPSC-derived neurons revealed a more physiologically interconnected neuronal network as well as more robust and prolonged maturation and differentiation than the conventional 2D monolayer model. TH and CVS-11 exhibited distinct growth kinetics in 3D neuronal model. Additionally, gene expression analysis of the neuropathological pathway observed during RABV infection demonstrated a vast number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 3D model. Unlike 2D neuronal model, 3D model displayed more pronounced cellular responses upon infection with CVS-11 when compared to the TH-infected group, highlighting the influence of the cell environment on RABV-host interactions. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment of DEGs in the infected 3D neuronal culture showed alterations of genes associated with the inflammatory response, apoptotic signaling pathway, glutamatergic synapse, and trans-synaptic signaling which did not significantly change in 2D culture. Conclusion We demonstrated the use of a hydrogel-based 3D hiPSC-derived neuronal model, a highly promising technology, to study RABV infection in a more physiological environment, which will broaden our understanding of RABV-host interactions in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papon Muangsanit
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Thanathom Chailangkarn
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Nathiphat Tanwattana
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, Thailand
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ratjika Wongwanakul
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Porntippa Lekcharoensuk
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Advance Studies in Agriculture and Food, KU Institute Studies, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Challika Kaewborisuth
- Virology and Cell Technology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathumthani, Thailand
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics, Graduate School, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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4
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Lange J, Gillham O, Flower M, Ging H, Eaton S, Kapadia S, Neueder A, Duchen MR, Ferretti P, Tabrizi SJ. PolyQ length-dependent metabolic alterations and DNA damage drive human astrocyte dysfunction in Huntington’s disease. Prog Neurobiol 2023; 225:102448. [PMID: 37023937 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the Huntingtin gene. Astrocyte dysfunction is known to contribute to HD pathology, however our understanding of the molecular pathways involved is limited. Transcriptomic analysis of patient-derived PSC (pluripotent stem cells) astrocyte lines revealed that astrocytes with similar polyQ lengths shared a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Notably, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) modules from iPSC derived astrocytes showed significant overlap with WGCNA modules from two post-mortem HD cohorts. Further experiments revealed two key elements of astrocyte dysfunction. Firstly, expression of genes linked to astrocyte reactivity, as well as metabolic changes were polyQ length-dependent. Hypermetabolism was observed in shorter polyQ length astrocytes compared to controls, whereas metabolic activity and release of metabolites were significantly reduced in astrocytes with increasing polyQ lengths. Secondly, all HD astrocytes showed increased DNA damage, DNA damage response and upregulation of mismatch repair genes and proteins. Together our study shows for the first time polyQ-dependent phenotypes and functional changes in HD astrocytes providing evidence that increased DNA damage and DNA damage response could contribute to HD astrocyte dysfunction.
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Chaineau M, Franco-Flores AK, Haghi G, Carrillo-Valenzuela D, Reintsch WE, Chen CXQ, Durcan TM. An Optimized Workflow to Generate and Characterize iPSC-Derived Motor Neuron (MN) Spheroids. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040545. [PMID: 36831212 PMCID: PMC9954647 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A multitude of in vitro models based on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) have been developed to investigate the underlying causes of selective MN degeneration in motor neuron diseases (MNDs). For instance, spheroids are simple 3D models that have the potential to be generated in large numbers that can be used across different assays. In this study, we generated MN spheroids and developed a workflow to analyze them. To start, the morphological profiling of the spheroids was achieved by developing a pipeline to obtain measurements of their size and shape. Next, we confirmed the expression of different MN markers at the transcript and protein levels by qPCR and immunocytochemistry of tissue-cleared samples, respectively. Finally, we assessed the capacity of the MN spheroids to display functional activity in the form of action potentials and bursts using a microelectrode array approach. Although most of the cells displayed an MN identity, we also characterized the presence of other cell types, namely interneurons and oligodendrocytes, which share the same neural progenitor pool with MNs. In summary, we successfully developed an MN 3D model, and we optimized a workflow that can be applied to perform its morphological, gene expression, protein, and functional profiling over time.
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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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7
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Van Breedam E, Ponsaerts P. Promising Strategies for the Development of Advanced In Vitro Models with High Predictive Power in Ischaemic Stroke Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137140. [PMID: 35806146 PMCID: PMC9266337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although stroke is one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability, and more than a thousand candidate neuroprotective drugs have been proposed based on extensive in vitro and animal-based research, an effective neuroprotective/restorative therapy for ischaemic stroke patients is still missing. In particular, the high attrition rate of neuroprotective compounds in clinical studies should make us question the ability of in vitro models currently used for ischaemic stroke research to recapitulate human ischaemic responses with sufficient fidelity. The ischaemic stroke field would greatly benefit from the implementation of more complex in vitro models with improved physiological relevance, next to traditional in vitro and in vivo models in preclinical studies, to more accurately predict clinical outcomes. In this review, we discuss current in vitro models used in ischaemic stroke research and describe the main factors determining the predictive value of in vitro models for modelling human ischaemic stroke. In light of this, human-based 3D models consisting of multiple cell types, either with or without the use of microfluidics technology, may better recapitulate human ischaemic responses and possess the potential to bridge the translational gap between animal-based in vitro and in vivo models, and human patients in clinical trials.
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Jury M, Matthiesen I, Rasti Boroojeni F, Ludwig SL, Civitelli L, Winkler TE, Selegård R, Herland A, Aili D. Bioorthogonally Cross-Linked Hyaluronan-Laminin Hydrogels for 3D Neuronal Cell Culture and Biofabrication. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102097. [PMID: 35114074 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Laminins (LNs) are key components in the extracellular matrix of neuronal tissues in the developing brain and neural stem cell niches. LN-presenting hydrogels can provide a biologically relevant matrix for the 3D culture of neurons toward development of advanced tissue models and cell-based therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders. Biologically derived hydrogels are rich in fragmented LN and are poorly defined concerning composition, which hampers clinical translation. Engineered hydrogels require elaborate and often cytotoxic chemistries for cross-linking and LN conjugation and provide limited possibilities to tailor the properties of the materials. Here a modular hydrogel system for neural 3D cell cultures, based on hyaluronan and poly(ethylene glycol), that is cross-linked and functionalized with human recombinant LN-521 using bioorthogonal copper-free click chemistry, is shown. Encapsulated human neuroblastoma cells demonstrate high viability and grow into spheroids. Long-term neuroepithelial stem cells (lt-NES) cultured in the hydrogels can undergo spontaneous differentiation to neural fate and demonstrate significantly higher viability than cells cultured without LN. The hydrogels further support the structural integrity of 3D bioprinted structures and maintain high viability of bioprinted and syringe extruded lt-NES, which can facilitate biofabrication and development of cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Jury
- Laboratory of Molecular Materials Division of Biophysics and Bioengineering Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Linköping 581 83 Sweden
| | - Isabelle Matthiesen
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm 100 44 Sweden
| | - Fatemeh Rasti Boroojeni
- Laboratory of Molecular Materials Division of Biophysics and Bioengineering Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Linköping 581 83 Sweden
| | - Saskia L. Ludwig
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm 100 44 Sweden
| | - Livia Civitelli
- Laboratory of Molecular Materials Division of Biophysics and Bioengineering Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Linköping 581 83 Sweden
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences John Radcliffe Hospital West Wing University of Oxford Oxford OX3 9DU UK
| | - Thomas E. Winkler
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm 100 44 Sweden
- Institute of Microtechnology Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig 38106 Germany
| | - Robert Selegård
- Laboratory of Molecular Materials Division of Biophysics and Bioengineering Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Linköping 581 83 Sweden
| | - Anna Herland
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm 100 44 Sweden
- AIMES, Center for Integrated Medical and Engineering Science Department of Neuroscience Karolinska Institute Solna 171 65 Sweden
- Division of Nanobiotechnology Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory KTH Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm 17165 Sweden
| | - Daniel Aili
- Laboratory of Molecular Materials Division of Biophysics and Bioengineering Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Linköping 581 83 Sweden
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Van Breedam E, Nijak A, Buyle-Huybrecht T, Di Stefano J, Boeren M, Govaerts J, Quarta A, Swartenbroekx T, Jacobs EZ, Menten B, Gijsbers R, Delputte P, Alaerts M, Hassannia B, Loeys B, Berneman Z, Timmermans JP, Jorens PG, Vanden Berghe T, Fransen E, Wouters A, De Vos WH, Ponsaerts P. Luminescent Human iPSC-Derived Neurospheroids Enable Modeling of Neurotoxicity After Oxygen-glucose Deprivation. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:550-569. [PMID: 35289376 PMCID: PMC9226265 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01212-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the considerable impact of stroke on both the individual and on society, a neuroprotective therapy for stroke patients is missing. This is partially due to the current lack of a physiologically relevant human in vitro stroke model. To address this problem, we have developed a luminescent human iPSC-derived neurospheroid model that enables real-time read-out of neural viability after ischemia-like conditions. We subjected 1- and 4-week-old neurospheroids, generated from iPSC-derived neural stem cells, to 6 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and measured neurospheroid luminescence. For both, we detected a decrease in luminescent signal due to ensuing neurotoxicity, as confirmed by conventional LDH assay and flow cytometric viability analysis. Remarkably, 1-week-old, but not 4-week-old neurospheroids recovered from OGD-induced injury, as evidenced by their reduced but overall increasing luminescence over time. This underscores the need for more mature neurospheroids, more faithfully recapitulating the in vivo situation. Furthermore, treatment of oxygen- and glucose-deprived neurospheroids with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK did not increase overall neural survival, despite its successful attenuation of apoptosis, in a human-based 3D environment. Nevertheless, owing to its three-dimensional organization and real-time viability reporting potential, the luminescent neurospheroids may become readily adopted in high-throughput screens aimed at identification of new therapeutic agents to treat acute ischemic stroke patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Van Breedam
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Nijak
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tamariche Buyle-Huybrecht
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Julia Di Stefano
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marlies Boeren
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jonas Govaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alessandra Quarta
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tine Swartenbroekx
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Eva Z Jacobs
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Viral Vector Core (LVVC), KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Delputte
- Laboratory for Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Maaike Alaerts
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Behrouz Hassannia
- Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), VIB-UGent, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bart Loeys
- Cardiogenomics Group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Zwi Berneman
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Philippe G Jorens
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Tom Vanden Berghe
- Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), VIB-UGent, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
- Human Molecular Genetics group, Center of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - An Wouters
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Lange J, Gillham O, Alkharji R, Eaton S, Ferrari G, Madej M, Flower M, Tedesco FS, Muntoni F, Ferretti P. Dystrophin deficiency affects human astrocyte properties and response to damage. Glia 2022; 70:466-490. [PMID: 34773297 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In addition to progressive muscular degeneration due to dystrophin mutations, 1/3 of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients present cognitive deficits. However, there is currently an incomplete understanding about the function of the multiple dystrophin isoforms in human brains. Here, we tested the hypothesis that dystrophin deficiency affects glial function in DMD and could therefore contribute to neural impairment. We investigated human dystrophin isoform expression with development and differentiation and response to damage in human astrocytes from control and induced pluripotent stem cells from DMD patients. In control cells, short dystrophin isoforms were up-regulated with development and their expression levels changed differently upon neuronal and astrocytic differentiation, as well as in 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional astrocyte cultures. All DMD-astrocytes tested displayed altered morphology, proliferative activity and AQP4 expression. Furthermore, they did not show any morphological change in response to inflammatory stimuli and their number was significantly lower as compared to stimulated healthy astrocytes. Finally, DMD-astrocytes appeared to be more sensitive than controls to oxidative damage as shown by their increased cell death. Behavioral and metabolic defects in DMD-astrocytes were consistent with gene pathway dysregulation shared by lines with different mutations as demonstrated by bulk RNA-seq analysis. Together, our DMD model provides evidence for altered astrocyte function in DMD suggesting that defective astrocyte responses may contribute to neural impairment and might provide additional potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Lange
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olivia Gillham
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Reem Alkharji
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Eaton
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giulia Ferrari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Monika Madej
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael Flower
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tedesco
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, UK
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
| | - Patrizia Ferretti
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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11
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Walczak PA, Perez-Esteban P, Bassett DC, Hill EJ. Modelling the central nervous system: tissue engineering of the cellular microenvironment. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:507-517. [PMID: 34524411 PMCID: PMC8589431 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210245] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, improved models of the central nervous system (CNS) will improve our understanding of neurophysiology and pathogenesis, whilst enabling exploration of novel therapeutics. Studies of brain physiology have largely been carried out using in vivo models, ex vivo brain slices or primary cell culture from rodents. Whilst these models have provided great insight into complex interactions between brain cell types, key differences remain between human and rodent brains, such as degree of cortical complexity. Unfortunately, comparative models of human brain tissue are lacking. The development of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has accelerated advancement within the field of in vitro tissue modelling. However, despite generating accurate cellular representations of cortical development and disease, two-dimensional (2D) iPSC-derived cultures lack an entire dimension of environmental information on structure, migration, polarity, neuronal circuitry and spatiotemporal organisation of cells. As such, researchers look to tissue engineering in order to develop advanced biomaterials and culture systems capable of providing necessary cues for guiding cell fates, to construct in vitro model systems with increased biological relevance. This review highlights experimental methods for engineering of in vitro culture systems to recapitulate the complexity of the CNS with consideration given to previously unexploited biophysical cues within the cellular microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige A. Walczak
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Patricia Perez-Esteban
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
| | - David C. Bassett
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Eric James Hill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, School of Biosciences, Aston University, Birmingham, U.K
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