1
|
Xu Z, Yang J, Xin X, Liu C, Li L, Mei X, Li M. Merits and challenges of iPSC-derived organoids for clinical applications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1188905. [PMID: 37305682 PMCID: PMC10250752 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1188905] [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: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have entered an unprecedented state of development since they were first generated. They have played a critical role in disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell replacement therapy, and have contributed to the evolution of disciplines such as cell biology, pathophysiology of diseases, and regenerative medicine. Organoids, the stem cell-derived 3D culture systems that mimic the structure and function of organs in vitro, have been widely used in developmental research, disease modeling, and drug screening. Recent advances in combining iPSCs with 3D organoids are facilitating further applications of iPSCs in disease research. Organoids derived from embryonic stem cells, iPSCs, and multi-tissue stem/progenitor cells can replicate the processes of developmental differentiation, homeostatic self-renewal, and regeneration due to tissue damage, offering the potential to unravel the regulatory mechanisms of development and regeneration, and elucidate the pathophysiological processes involved in disease mechanisms. Herein, we have summarized the latest research on the production scheme of organ-specific iPSC-derived organoids, the contribution of these organoids in the treatment of various organ-related diseases, in particular their contribution to COVID-19 treatment, and have discussed the unresolved challenges and shortcomings of these models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Lequn Branch, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiaxu Yang
- Department of Neonatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xianyi Xin
- Department of Pediatric Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Chengrun Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lisha Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xianglin Mei
- Department of pathology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Meiying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tromp A, Mowry B, Giacomotto J. Neurexins in autism and schizophrenia-a review of patient mutations, mouse models and potential future directions. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:747-760. [PMID: 33191396 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the family of neurexins (NRXN1, NRXN2 and NRXN3) have been repeatedly identified in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). However, it remains unclear how these DNA variants affect neurexin functions and thereby predispose to these neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding both the wild-type and pathologic roles of these genes in the brain could help unveil biological mechanisms underlying mental disorders. In this regard, numerous studies have focused on generating relevant loss-of-function (LOF) mammalian models. Although this has increased our knowledge about their normal functions, the potential pathologic role(s) of these human variants remains elusive. Indeed, after reviewing the literature, it seems apparent that a traditional LOF-genetic approach based on complete LOF might not be sufficient to unveil the role of these human mutations. First, these genes present a very complex transcriptome and total-LOF of all isoforms may not be the cause of toxicity in patients, particularly given evidence that causative variants act through haploinsufficiency. Moreover, human DNA variants may not all lead to LOF but potentially to intricate transcriptome changes that could also include the generation of aberrant isoforms acting as a gain-of-function (GOF). Furthermore, their transcriptomic complexity most likely renders them prone to genetic compensation when one tries to manipulate them using traditional site-directed mutagenesis approaches, and this could act differently from model to model leading to heterogeneous and conflicting phenotypes. This review compiles the relevant literature on variants identified in human studies and on the mouse models currently deployed, and offers suggestions for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Tromp
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Bryan Mowry
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jean Giacomotto
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kathuria A, Lopez-Lengowski K, Watmuff B, Karmacharya R. Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Cerebral Organoids and Cortical Neuron Cultures Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1370-1381. [PMID: 32862797 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be differentiated along various neuronal lineages to generate two-dimensional neuronal cultures as well as three-dimensional brain organoids. Such iPSC-derived cellular models are being utilized to study the basic biology of human neuronal function and to interrogate the molecular underpinnings of disease biology. The different cellular models generated from iPSCs have varying properties in terms of the diversity and organization of the cells as well as the cellular functions that are present. To understand transcriptomic differences in iPSC-derived monolayer neuronal cultures and three-dimensional brain organoids, we differentiated eight human iPSC lines from healthy control subjects to generate cerebral organoids and cortical neuron monolayer cultures from the same set of iPSC lines. We undertook RNA-seq experiments in these model systems and analyzed the gene expression data to identify genes that are differentially expressed in cerebral organoids and two-dimensional cortical neuron cultures. In cerebral organoids, gene ontology analysis showed enrichment of genes involved in tissue development, response to stimuli, and the interferon-γ pathway, while two-dimensional cortical neuron cultures showed enrichment of genes involved in nervous system development and neurogenesis. We also undertook comparative analysis of these gene expression profiles with transcriptomic data from the human fetal prefrontal cortex (PFC). This analysis showed greater overlap of the fetal PFC transcriptome with cerebral organoid gene expression profiles compared to monolayer cortical neuron culture profiles. Our studies delineate the transcriptomic differences between cortical neuron monolayer cultures and three-dimensional cerebral organoids and can help inform the appropriate use of these model systems to address specific scientific questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Kathuria
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kara Lopez-Lengowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bradley Watmuff
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rakesh Karmacharya
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Chemical Biology Program, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA.,Program in Neuroscience, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Program in Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|