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Herrera ML, Paraíso-Luna J, Bustos-Martínez I, Barco Á. Targeting epigenetic dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00162-X. [PMID: 38971705 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.06.004] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a range of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behaviors, collectively affecting almost 1% of the worldwide population. Deciphering the etiology of ASD has proven challenging due to the intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors and the variety of molecular pathways affected. Epigenomic alterations have emerged as key players in ASD etiology. Their research has led to the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and pinpointed specific gene targets for therapeutic interventions. This review examines the role of epigenetic alterations, resulting from both genetic and environmental influences, as a central causative factor in ASD, delving into its contribution to pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena L Herrera
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan Paraíso-Luna
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Bustos-Martínez
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Ángel Barco
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
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2
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Bellon A. Comparing stem cells, transdifferentiation and brain organoids as tools for psychiatric research. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:127. [PMID: 38418498 PMCID: PMC10901833 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02780-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The inaccessibility of neurons coming directly from patients has hindered our understanding of mental illnesses at the cellular level. To overcome this obstacle, six different cellular approaches that carry the genetic vulnerability to psychiatric disorders are currently available: Olfactory Neuroepithelial Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Pluripotent Monocytes, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Induced Neuronal cells and more recently Brain Organoids. Here we contrast advantages and disadvantages of each of these six cell-based methodologies. Neuronal-like cells derived from pluripotent monocytes are presented in more detail as this technique was recently used in psychiatry for the first time. Among the parameters used for comparison are; accessibility, need for reprograming, time to deliver differentiated cells, differentiation efficiency, reproducibility of results and cost. We provide a timeline on the discovery of these cell-based methodologies, but, our main goal is to assist researchers selecting which cellular approach is best suited for any given project. This manuscript also aims to help readers better interpret results from the published literature. With this goal in mind, we end our work with a discussion about the differences and similarities between cell-based techniques and postmortem research, the only currently available tools that allow the study of mental illness in neurons or neuronal-like cells coming directly from patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Bellon
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Hershey, PA, USA.
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, Hershey, PA, USA.
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3
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Pandamooz S, Salehi MS, Jurek B, Meinung CP, Azarpira N, Dianatpour M, Neumann ID. Oxytocin Receptor Expression in Hair Follicle Stem Cells: A Promising Model for Biological and Therapeutic Discovery in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2510-2524. [PMID: 37548806 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10603-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The intricate nature of the human brain and the limitations of existing model systems to study molecular and cellular causes of neuropsychiatric disorders represent a major challenge for basic research. The promising progress in patient-derived stem cell technology and in our knowledge on the role of the brain oxytocin (OXT) system in health and disease offer new possibilities in that direction. In this study, the rat hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) were isolated and expanded in vitro. The expression of oxytocin receptors (OXTR) was evaluated in these cells. The cellular viability was assessed 12 h post stimulation with OXT. The activation of OXTR-coupled intracellular signaling cascades, following OXT treatment was determined. Also, the influence of OXT on neurite outgrowth and cytoskeletal rearrangement were defined. The assessment of OXTR protein expression revealed this receptor is expressed abundantly in HFSCs. As evidenced by the cell viability assay, no adverse or cytotoxic effects were detected following 12 h treatment with different concentrations of OXT. Moreover, OXTR stimulation by OXT resulted in ERK1/2, CREB, and eEF2 activation, neurite length alterations, and cytoskeletal rearrangements that reveal the functionality of this receptor in HFSCs. Here, we introduced the rat HFSCs as an easy-to-obtain stem cell model that express functional OXTR. This cell-based model can contribute to our understanding of the progression and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders with oxytocinergic system deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sareh Pandamooz
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mohammad Saied Salehi
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
- Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Carl-Philipp Meinung
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Dianatpour
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Inga D Neumann
- Department of Molecular and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
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Unzueta-Larrinaga P, Barrena-Barbadillo R, Ibarra-Lecue I, Horrillo I, Villate A, Recio M, Meana JJ, Diez-Alarcia R, Mentxaka O, Segarra R, Etxebarria N, Callado LF, Urigüen L. Isolation and Differentiation of Neurons and Glial Cells from Olfactory Epithelium in Living Subjects. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:4472-4487. [PMID: 37118325 PMCID: PMC10293402 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03363-2] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The study of psychiatric and neurological diseases requires the substrate in which the disorders occur, that is, the nervous tissue. Currently, several types of human bio-specimens are being used for research, including postmortem brains, cerebrospinal fluid, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and induced neuronal (iN) cells. However, these samples are far from providing a useful predictive, diagnostic, or prognostic biomarker. The olfactory epithelium is a region close to the brain that has received increased interest as a research tool for the study of brain mechanisms in complex neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. The olfactory sensory neurons are replaced by neurogenesis throughout adult life from stem cells on the basement membrane. These stem cells are multipotent and can be propagated in neurospheres, proliferated in vitro and differentiated into multiple cell types including neurons and glia. For all these reasons, olfactory epithelium provides a unique resource for investigating neuronal molecular markers of neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. Here, we describe the isolation and culture of human differentiated neurons and glial cells from olfactory epithelium of living subjects by an easy and non-invasive exfoliation method that may serve as a useful tool for the research in brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Unzueta-Larrinaga
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Rocío Barrena-Barbadillo
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Nursery, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Inés Ibarra-Lecue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Igor Horrillo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitor Villate
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- PiE-UPV/EHU, Plentzia, ItsasEstazioa, Areatza Pasealekua, 48620, Plentzia, Spain
| | - Maria Recio
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - J Javier Meana
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Diez-Alarcia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oihane Mentxaka
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Rafael Segarra
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Nestor Etxebarria
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- PiE-UPV/EHU, Plentzia, ItsasEstazioa, Areatza Pasealekua, 48620, Plentzia, Spain
| | - Luis F Callado
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leyre Urigüen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain.
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Hicks EM, Seah C, Cote A, Marchese S, Brennand KJ, Nestler EJ, Girgenti MJ, Huckins LM. Integrating genetics and transcriptomics to study major depressive disorder: a conceptual framework, bioinformatic approaches, and recent findings. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:129. [PMID: 37076454 PMCID: PMC10115809 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric syndrome with genetic and environmental influences. In addition to neuroanatomical and circuit-level disturbances, dysregulation of the brain transcriptome is a key phenotypic signature of MDD. Postmortem brain gene expression data are uniquely valuable resources for identifying this signature and key genomic drivers in human depression; however, the scarcity of brain tissue limits our capacity to observe the dynamic transcriptional landscape of MDD. It is therefore crucial to explore and integrate depression and stress transcriptomic data from numerous, complementary perspectives to construct a richer understanding of the pathophysiology of depression. In this review, we discuss multiple approaches for exploring the brain transcriptome reflecting dynamic stages of MDD: predisposition, onset, and illness. We next highlight bioinformatic approaches for hypothesis-free, genome-wide analyses of genomic and transcriptomic data and their integration. Last, we summarize the findings of recent genetic and transcriptomic studies within this conceptual framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Hicks
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Carina Seah
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Alanna Cote
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Shelby Marchese
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Matthew J Girgenti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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Dixon TA, Muotri AR. Advancing preclinical models of psychiatric disorders with human brain organoid cultures. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:83-95. [PMID: 35948659 PMCID: PMC9812789 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01708-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are often distinguished from neurological disorders in that the former do not have characteristic lesions or findings from cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalograms (EEGs), or brain imaging, and furthermore do not have commonly recognized convergent mechanisms. Psychiatric disorders commonly involve clinical diagnosis of phenotypic behavioral disturbances of mood and psychosis, often with a poorly understood contribution of environmental factors. As such, psychiatric disease has been challenging to model preclinically for mechanistic understanding and pharmaceutical development. This review compares commonly used animal paradigms of preclinical testing with evolving techniques of induced pluripotent cell culture with a focus on emerging three-dimensional models. Advances in complexity of 3D cultures, recapitulating electrical activity in utero, and disease modeling of psychosis, mood, and environmentally induced disorders are reviewed. Insights from these rapidly expanding technologies are discussed as they pertain to the utility of human organoid and other models in finding novel research directions, validating pharmaceutical action, and recapitulating human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Anthony Dixon
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
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Pranty AI, Shumka S, Adjaye J. Bilirubin-Induced Neurological Damage: Current and Emerging iPSC-Derived Brain Organoid Models. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172647. [PMID: 36078055 PMCID: PMC9454749 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilirubin-induced neurological damage (BIND) has been a subject of studies for decades, yet the molecular mechanisms at the core of this damage remain largely unknown. Throughout the years, many in vivo chronic bilirubin encephalopathy models, such as the Gunn rat and transgenic mice, have further elucidated the molecular basis of bilirubin neurotoxicity as well as the correlations between high levels of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) and brain damage. Regardless of being invaluable, these models cannot accurately recapitulate the human brain and liver system; therefore, establishing a physiologically recapitulating in vitro model has become a prerequisite to unveil the breadth of complexities that accompany the detrimental effects of UCB on the liver and developing human brain. Stem-cell-derived 3D brain organoid models offer a promising platform as they bear more resemblance to the human brain system compared to existing models. This review provides an explicit picture of the current state of the art, advancements, and challenges faced by the various models as well as the possibilities of using stem-cell-derived 3D organoids as an efficient tool to be included in research, drug screening, and therapeutic strategies for future clinical applications.
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Brandão-Teles C, Zuccoli GS, Smith BJ, Vieira GM, Crunfli F. Modeling Schizophrenia In Vitro: Challenges and Insights on Studying Brain Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1400:35-51. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97182-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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