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Rockley K, Roberts R, Jennings H, Jones K, Davis M, Levesque P, Morton M. An integrated approach for early in vitro seizure prediction utilizing hiPSC neurons and human ion channel assays. Toxicol Sci 2023; 196:126-140. [PMID: 37632788 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Seizure liability remains a significant cause of attrition throughout drug development. Advances in stem cell biology coupled with an increased understanding of the role of ion channels in seizure offer an opportunity for a new paradigm in screening. We assessed the activity of 15 pro-seizurogenic compounds (7 CNS active therapies, 4 GABA receptor antagonists, and 4 other reported seizurogenic compounds) using automated electrophysiology against a panel of 14 ion channels (Nav1.1, Nav1.2, Nav1.6, Kv7.2/7.3, Kv7.3/7.5, Kv1.1, Kv4.2, KCa4.1, Kv2.1, Kv3.1, KCa1.1, GABA α1β2γ2, nicotinic α4β2, NMDA 1/2A). These were selected based on linkage to seizure in genetic/pharmacological studies. Fourteen compounds demonstrated at least one "hit" against the seizure panel and 11 compounds inhibited 2 or more ion channels. Next, we assessed the impact of the 15 compounds on electrical signaling using human-induced pluripotent stem cell neurons in microelectrode array (MEA). The CNS active therapies (amoxapine, bupropion, chlorpromazine, clozapine, diphenhydramine, paroxetine, quetiapine) all caused characteristic changes to electrical activity in key parameters indicative of seizure such as network burst frequency and duration. The GABA antagonist picrotoxin increased all parameters, but the antibiotics amoxicillin and enoxacin only showed minimal changes. Acetaminophen, included as a negative control, caused no changes in any of the parameters assessed. Overall, pro-seizurogenic compounds showed a distinct fingerprint in the ion channel/MEA panel. These studies highlight the potential utility of an integrated in vitro approach for early seizure prediction to provide mechanistic information and to support optimal drug design in early development, saving time and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Roberts
- ApconiX, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
- Department of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 1TT, UK
| | | | | | - Myrtle Davis
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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Imredy JP, Roussignol G, Clouse H, Salvagiotto G, Mazelin-Winum L. Comparative assessment of Ca 2+ oscillations in 2- and 3-dimensional hiPSC derived and isolated cortical neuronal networks. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 123:107281. [PMID: 37390871 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2023.107281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Human induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC) derived neural cells offer great potential for modelling neurological diseases and toxicities and have found application in drug discovery and toxicology. As part of the European Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2) NeuroDeRisk (Neurotoxicity De-Risking in Preclinical Drug Discovery), we here explore the Ca2+ oscillation responses of 2D and 3D hiPSC derived neuronal networks of mixed Glutamatergic/GABAergic activity with a compound set encompassing both clinically as well as experimentally determined seizurogenic compounds. Both types of networks are scored against Ca2+ responses of a primary mouse cortical neuronal 2D network model serving as an established comparator assay. Parameters of frequency and amplitude of spontaneous global network Ca2+ oscillations and the drug-dependent directional changes to these were assessed, and predictivity of seizurogenicity scored using contingency table analysis. In addition, responses between models were compared between both 2D models as well as between 2D and 3D models. Concordance of parameter responses was best between the hiPSC neurospheroid and the mouse primary cortical neuron model (77% for frequency and 65% for amplitude). Decreases in spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation frequency and amplitude were found to be the most basic shared determinants of risk of seizurogenicity between the mouse and the neurospheroid model based on testing of clinical compounds with documented seizurogenic activity. Increases in spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation frequency were primarily observed with the 2D hIPSC model, though the specificity of this effect to seizurogenic clinical compounds was low (33%), while decreases to spike amplitude in this model were more predictive of seizurogenicity. Overall predictivities of the models were similar, with sensitivity of the assays typically exceeding specificity due to high false positive rates. Higher concordance of the hiPSC 3D model over the 2D model when compared to mouse cortical 2D responses may be the result of both a longer maturation time of the neurospheroid (84-87 days for 3D vs. 22-24 days for 2D maturation) as well as the 3-dimensional nature of network connections established. The simplicity and reproducibility of spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation readouts support further investigation of hiPSC derived neuronal sources and their 2- and 3-dimensional networks for neuropharmacological safety screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Imredy
- In Vitro Safety Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
| | | | - Holly Clouse
- In Vitro Safety Pharmacology, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
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Hartmann J, Henschel N, Bartmann K, Dönmez A, Brockerhoff G, Koch K, Fritsche E. Molecular and Functional Characterization of Different BrainSphere Models for Use in Neurotoxicity Testing on Microelectrode Arrays. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091270. [PMID: 37174670 PMCID: PMC10177384 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091270] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The currently accepted methods for neurotoxicity (NT) testing rely on animal studies. However, high costs and low testing throughput hinder their application for large numbers of chemicals. To overcome these limitations, in vitro methods are currently being developed based on human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) that allow higher testing throughput at lower costs. We applied six different protocols to generate 3D BrainSphere models for acute NT evaluation. These include three different media for 2D neural induction and two media for subsequent 3D differentiation resulting in self-organized, organotypic neuron/astrocyte microtissues. All induction protocols yielded nearly 100% NESTIN-positive hiPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (hiNPCs), though with different gene expression profiles concerning regional patterning. Moreover, gene expression and immunocytochemistry analyses revealed that the choice of media determines neural differentiation patterns. On the functional level, BrainSpheres exhibited different levels of electrical activity on microelectrode arrays (MEA). Spike sorting allowed BrainSphere functional characterization with the mixed cultures consisting of GABAergic, glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurons. A test method for acute NT testing, the human multi-neurotransmitter receptor (hMNR) assay, was proposed to apply such MEA-based spike sorting. These models are promising tools not only in toxicology but also for drug development and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hartmann
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Noah Henschel
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Kristina Bartmann
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arif Dönmez
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriele Brockerhoff
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Katharina Koch
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF-Leibniz-Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Auf'm Hennekamp 50, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
- DNTOX GmbH, Gurlittstraße 53, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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A kainic acid-induced seizure model in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons for studying the role of IL-6 in the functional activity. Stem Cell Res 2022; 60:102665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Roberts R, Authier S, Mellon RD, Morton M, Suzuki I, Tjalkens RB, Valentin JP, Pierson JB. Can We Panelize Seizure? Toxicol Sci 2021; 179:3-13. [PMID: 33165543 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa167] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Seizure liability remains a significant cause of attrition in drug discovery and development, leading to loss of competitiveness, delays, and increased costs. Current detection methods rely on observations made in in vivo studies intended to support clinical trials, such as tremors or other abnormal movements. These signs could be missed or misinterpreted; thus, definitive confirmation of drug-induced seizure requires a follow-up electroencephalogram study. There has been progress in in vivo detection of seizure using automated video systems that record and analyze animal movements. Nonetheless, it would be preferable to have earlier prediction of seizurogenic risk that could be used to eliminate liabilities early in discovery while there are options for medicinal chemists making potential new drugs. Attrition due to cardiac adverse events has benefited from routine early screening; could we reduce attrition due to seizure using a similar approach? Specifically, microelectrode arrays could be used to detect potential seizurogenic signals in stem-cell-derived neurons. In addition, there is clear evidence implicating neuronal voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels, GPCRs and transporters in seizure. Interactions with surrounding glial cells during states of stress or inflammation can also modulate ion channel function in neurons, adding to the challenge of seizure prediction. It is timely to evaluate the opportunity to develop an in vitro assessment of seizure linked to a panel of ion channel assays that predict seizure, with the aim of influencing structure-activity relationship at the design stage and eliminating compounds predicted to be associated with pro-seizurogenic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Roberts
- ApconiX, Alderley Park, SK10 4TG, UK.,University of Birmingham, B15 2SD, UK
| | | | - R Daniel Mellon
- US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland 20993
| | | | - Ikuro Suzuki
- Tohoku Institute of Technology, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan
| | - Ronald B Tjalkens
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
| | - Jean-Pierre Valentin
- UCB Biopharma SRL, Early Solutions, Development Science, Investigative Toxicology, Chemin du Foriest, B-1420, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Jennifer B Pierson
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, District of Columbia 20005
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