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Lee JH, Shaker MR, Park SH, Sun W. Transcriptional Signature of Valproic Acid-Induced Neural Tube Defects in Human Spinal Cord Organoids. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:385-393. [PMID: 37643760 PMCID: PMC10686804 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc23012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In vertebrates, the entire central nervous system is derived from the neural tube, which is formed through a conserved early developmental morphogenetic process called neurulation. Although the perturbations in neurulation caused by genetic or environmental factors lead to neural tube defects (NTDs), the most common congenital malformation and the precise molecular pathological cascades mediating NTDs are not well understood. Recently, we have developed human spinal cord organoids (hSCOs) that recapitulate some aspects of human neurulation and observed that valproic acid (VPA) could cause neurulation defects in an organoid model. In this study, we identified and verified the significant changes in cell-cell junctional genes/proteins in VPA-treated organoids using transcriptomic and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, VPA-treated mouse embryos exhibited impaired gene expression and NTD phenotypes, similar to those observed in the hSCO model. Collectively, our data demonstrate that hSCOs provide a valuable biological resource for dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the currently unknown human neurulation process using destructive biological analysis tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mohammed R. Shaker
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Si-Hyung Park
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lopez-Virgen V, Gonzalez-Morales O, Gonzalez-Perez O. The ventricular-subventricular, subgranular and subcallosal zones: three niches of neural stem cells in the postnatal brain. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:1463-1470. [PMID: 37083843 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-023-06621-w] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
In the postnatal brain, three regions show high mitotic activity. These brain areas are neurogenic niches, and each niche harbors a microenvironment favorable for the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. These multipotential cells maintain the capacity to self-renew and generate intermediate precursors that will differentiate into neuronal and glial lineages (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). The most well-studied niches are the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) of the lateral ventricles, the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus, and the subcallosal zone (SCZ), located in the limit between the corpus callosum and the hippocampal formation. The discovery of these three neurogenic niches has gained much interest in the field because they may be a therapeutic alternative in neural regeneration and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we describe in brief all these regions and explain their potential impact on solving some neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Lopez-Virgen
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Colima, Av. Universidad 333, 28040, Colima, COL, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Morales
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, 45201, Zapopan, JAL, Mexico
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Colima, Av. Universidad 333, 28040, Colima, COL, México.
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Shaker MR, Kahtan A, Prasad R, Lee JH, Pietrogrande G, Leeson HC, Sun W, Wolvetang EJ, Slonchak A. Neural Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Like Protein 2 Is Expressed in Human Oligodendroglial Cell Types. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:803061. [PMID: 35265611 PMCID: PMC8899196 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.803061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural epidermal growth factor-like like 2 (NELL2) is a cytoplasmic and secreted glycosylated protein with six epidermal growth factor-like domains. In animal models, NELL2 is predominantly expressed in neural tissues where it regulates neuronal differentiation, polarization, and axon guidance, but little is known about the role of NELL2 in human brain development. In this study, we show that rostral neural stem cells (rNSC) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) exhibit particularly strong NELL2 expression and that NELL2 protein is enriched at the apical side of neural rosettes in hiPSC-derived brain organoids. Following differentiation of human rostral NSC into neurons, NELL2 remains robustly expressed but changes its subcellular localization from >20 small cytoplasmic foci in NSC to one–five large peri-nuclear puncta per neuron. Unexpectedly, we discovered that in human brain organoids, NELL2 is readily detectable in the oligodendroglia and that the number of NELL2 puncta increases as oligodendrocytes mature. Artificial intelligence-based machine learning further predicts a strong association of NELL2 with multiple human white matter diseases, suggesting that NELL2 may possess yet unexplored roles in regulating oligodendrogenesis and/or myelination during human cortical development and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Shaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amna Kahtan
- St Cloud Technical & Community College, St Cloud, MN, United States
| | - Renuka Prasad
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Giovanni Pietrogrande
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hannah C Leeson
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ernst J Wolvetang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrii Slonchak
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Klotho inhibits neuronal senescence in human brain organoids. NPJ Aging Mech Dis 2021; 7:18. [PMID: 34341344 PMCID: PMC8329278 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-021-00070-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a major risk factor for many neurodegenerative diseases. Klotho (KL) is a glycosylated transmembrane protein that is expressed in the choroid plexus and neurons of the brain. KL exerts potent anti-aging effects on multiple cell types in the body but its role in human brain cells remains largely unclear. Here we show that human cortical neurons, derived from human pluripotent stem cells in 2D cultures or in cortical organoids, develop the typical hallmarks of senescent cells when maintained in vitro for prolonged periods of time, and that moderate upregulation or repression of endogenous KL expression in cortical organoids inhibits and accelerates senescence, respectively. We further demonstrate that KL expression alters the expression of senescence-associated genes including, extracellular matrix genes, and proteoglycans, and can act in a paracrine fashion to inhibit neuronal senescence. In summary, our results establish an important role for KL in the regulation of human neuronal senescence and offer new mechanistic insight into its role in human brain aging.
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Shaker MR, Lee JH, Kim KH, Ban S, Kim VJ, Kim JY, Lee JY, Sun W. Spatiotemporal contribution of neuromesodermal progenitor-derived neural cells in the elongation of developing mouse spinal cord. Life Sci 2021; 282:119393. [PMID: 34004249 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS During vertebrate development, the posterior end of the embryo progressively elongates in a head-to-tail direction to form the body plan. Recent lineage tracing experiments revealed that bi-potent progenitors, called neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), produce caudal neural and mesodermal tissues during axial elongation. However, their precise location and contribution to spinal cord development remain elusive. MAIN METHODS Here we used NMP-specific markers (Sox2 and BraT) and a genetic lineage tracing system to localize NMP progeny in vivo. KEY FINDINGS Sox2 and BraT double positive cells were initially located at the tail tip, but were later found in the caudal neural tube, which is a unique feature of mouse development. In the neural tube, they produced neural progenitors (NPCs) and contributed to the spinal cord gradually along the AP axis during axial elongation. Interestingly, NMP-derived NPCs preferentially contributed to the ventral side first and later to the dorsal side at the lumbar spinal cord level, which may be associated with atypical junctional neurulation in mice. SIGNIFICANCE Our current observations detail the contribution of NMP progeny to spinal cord elongation and provide insights into how different species uniquely execute caudal morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Shaker
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeli Ban
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Veronica Jihyun Kim
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Shaker MR, Pietrogrande G, Martin S, Lee JH, Sun W, Wolvetang EJ. Rapid and Efficient Generation of Myelinating Human Oligodendrocytes in Organoids. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:631548. [PMID: 33815061 PMCID: PMC8010307 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.631548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human stem cell derived brain organoids are increasingly gaining attention as an ideal model system for investigating neurological diseases, particularly those that involve myelination defects. However, current protocols for generating brain organoids with sufficiently mature oligodendrocytes that deposit myelin on endogenously produced neurons are lengthy and complicated. Taking advantage of a human pluripotent stem cell line that reports on SOX10 expression, we developed a protocol that involves a 42 day exposure of neuroectoderm-derived organoids to a cocktail of growth factors and small molecules that collectively foster oligodendrocyte specification and survival. Importantly, the resulting day 42 brain organoids contain both myelinating oligodendrocytes, cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. These oligodendrocyte brain organoids therefore constitute a valuable and tractable platform for functional neurogenomics and drug screening for white matter diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R. Shaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Giovanni Pietrogrande
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sally Martin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ernst J. Wolvetang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Gender-specific effects of transthyretin on neural stem cell fate in the subventricular zone of the adult mouse. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19689. [PMID: 31873158 PMCID: PMC6927974 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56156-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Choroid plexus epithelial cells produce and secrete transthyretin (TTR). TTR binds and distributes thyroid hormone (TH) to brain cells via the cerebrospinal fluid. The adult murine subventricular zone (SVZ) is in close proximity to the choroid plexus. In the SVZ, TH determines neural stem cell (NSC) fate towards a neuronal or a glial cell. We investigated whether the loss of TTR also disrupted NSC fate choice. Our results show a decreased neurogenic versus oligodendrogenic balance in the lateroventral SVZ of Ttr knockout mice. This balance was also decreased in the dorsal SVZ, but only in Ttr knockout male mice, concomitant with an increased oligodendrocyte precursor density in the corpus callosum. Quantitative RTqPCR analysis following FACS-dissected SVZs, or marked-coupled microbeads sorting of in vitro neurospheres, showed elevated Ttr mRNA levels in neuronal cells, as compared to uncommitted precursor and glial cells. However, TTR protein was undetectable in vivo using immunostaining, and this despite the presence of Ttr mRNA-expressing SVZ cells. Altogether, our data demonstrate that TTR is an important factor in SVZ neuro- and oligodendrogenesis. They also reveal important gender-specific differences and spatial heterogeneity, providing new avenues for stimulating endogenous repair in neurodegenerative diseases.
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