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Bernal-Conde LD, Peña-Martínez V, Morato-Torres CA, Ramos-Acevedo R, Arias-Carrión Ó, Padilla-Godínez FJ, Delgado-González A, Palomero-Rivero M, Collazo-Navarrete O, Soto-Rojas LO, Gómez-Chavarín M, Schüle B, Guerra-Crespo M. Alpha-Synuclein Gene Alterations Modulate Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons in a Parkinson's Disease Animal Model. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:728. [PMID: 38929711 PMCID: PMC11204703 DOI: 10.3390/life14060728] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) caused by SNCA gene triplication (3XSNCA) leads to early onset, rapid progression, and often dementia. Understanding the impact of 3XSNCA and its absence is crucial. This study investigates the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived floor-plate progenitors into dopaminergic neurons. Three different genotypes were evaluated in this study: patient-derived hiPSCs with 3XSNCA, a gene-edited isogenic line with a frame-shift mutation on all SNCA alleles (SNCA 4KO), and a normal wild-type control. Our aim was to assess how the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) microenvironment, damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), influences tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (Th+) neuron differentiation in these genetic variations. This study confirms successful in vitro differentiation into neuronal lineage in all cell lines. However, the SNCA 4KO line showed unusual LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 alpha (Lmx1a) extranuclear distribution. Crucially, both 3XSNCA and SNCA 4KO lines had reduced Th+ neuron expression, despite initial successful neuronal differentiation after two months post-transplantation. This indicates that while the SNpc environment supports early neuronal survival, SNCA gene alterations-either amplification or knock-out-negatively impact Th+ dopaminergic neuron maturation. These findings highlight SNCA's critical role in PD and underscore the value of hiPSC models in studying neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Daniel Bernal-Conde
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Verónica Peña-Martínez
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - C. Alejandra Morato-Torres
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Rodrigo Ramos-Acevedo
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Óscar Arias-Carrión
- Movement and Sleep Disorders Unit, Dr. Manuel Gea González General Hospital, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | - Francisco J. Padilla-Godínez
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Alexa Delgado-González
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Marcela Palomero-Rivero
- Neurodevelopment and Physiology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Omar Collazo-Navarrete
- National Laboratory of Genomic Resources, Institute of Biomedical Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Luis O. Soto-Rojas
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis, Laboratory 4, Building A4, Medical Surgeon Career, Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 54090, Mexico;
| | - Margarita Gómez-Chavarín
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
| | - Birgitt Schüle
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA;
| | - Magdalena Guerra-Crespo
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (L.D.B.-C.); (V.P.-M.); (C.A.M.-T.); (R.R.-A.); (F.J.P.-G.); (A.D.-G.); (M.G.-C.)
- Molecular Neuropathology Department, Neuroscience Division, Institute of Cell Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Tao X, Liu K, Li W, Zhao S, Liu C, Dai Q, Dong T, Wei P, Duan J, Wang J, Xi M. Saponin of Aralia taibaiensis promotes angiogenesis through VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 317:116771. [PMID: 37308026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aralia taibaiensis is known for its ability to promote blood circulation and dispel blood stasis, activate meridians and remove arthralgia. The saponins of Aralia taibaiensis (sAT) are the main active components that are often used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it has not been reported whether sAT can improve ischemic stroke (IS) by promoting angiogenesis. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we investigated the potential of sAT to promote post-ischemic angiogenesis in mice and determined the underlying mechanism through in vitro experiments. METHODS To establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice model in vivo. First of all, we examined the neurological function, brain infarct volume, and degree of brain swelling in MCAO mice. We also observed pathological changes in brain tissue, ultrastructural changes in blood vessels and neurons, and the degree of vascular neovascularization. Additionally, we established the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) -human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model in vitro to detect the survival, proliferation, migration and tube formation of OGD/R HUVECs. Finally, we verified the regulatory mechanism of Src and PLCγ1 siRNA on sAT promoting angiogenesis by cell transfection technique. RESULTS In the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice, sAT distinctly improved the cerebral infarct volume, brain swelling degree, neurological dysfunction, and brain histopathological morphology due to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. It also increased the double positive expression of BrdU and CD31 in brain tissue, promoted the release of VEGF and NO and decreased the release of NSE and LDH. In the OGD/R HUVECs, sAT significantly improved cell survival, proliferation, migration and tube formation, promoted the release of VEGF and NO, and increased the expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, PLCγ1, ERK1/2, Src and eNOS. Surprisingly, the effect of sAT on angiogenesis was inhibited by Src siRNA and PLCγ1 siRNA in OGD/R HUVECs. CONCLUSION The results proved that sAT promotes angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice and its mechanism is to regulate VEGF/VEGFR2 and then regulate Src/eNOS and PLCγ1/ERK1/2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingru Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China; College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Kedi Liu
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Weihong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Shi Zhao
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Chengzhao Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Qi Dai
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Taiwei Dong
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Peifeng Wei
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712000, China.
| | - Jialin Duan
- Institute of Medicine, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710072, China.
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China.
| | - Miaomiao Xi
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China; National Drug Clinical Trial Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712000, China.
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Patrigeon M, Brot S, Bonnet ML, Belnoue L, Gaillard A. Host-to-graft Propagation of α-synuclein in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease: Intranigral Versus Intrastriatal Transplantation. Transplantation 2023; 107:e201-e212. [PMID: 36944598 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) in Lewy bodies. Ectopic transplantation of human fetal ventral mesencephalic DA neurons into the striatum of PD patients have provided proof-of-principle for the cell replacement strategy in this disorder. However, 10 to 22 y after transplantation, 1% to 27% of grafted neurons contained α-syn aggregates similar to those observed in the host brain. We hypothesized that intrastriatal grafts are more vulnerable to α-syn propagation because the striatum is not the ontogenic site of nigral DA neurons and represents an unfavorable environment for transplanted neurons. Here, we compared the long-term host-to-graft propagation of α-syn in 2 transplantation sites: the SNpc and the striatum. METHODS Two mouse models of PD were developed by injecting adeno-associated-virus2/9-human α-syn A53T into either the SNpc or the striatum of C57BL/6 mice. Mouse fetal ventral mesencephalic DA progenitors were grafted into the SNpc or into the striatum of SNpc or striatum of α-syn injected mice, respectively. RESULTS First, we have shown a degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway associated with motor deficits after nigral but not striatal adeno-associated-virus-hαsyn A53T injection. Second, human α-syn preferentially accumulates in striatal grafts compared to nigral grafts. However, no differences were observed for phosphorylated α-syn, a marker of pathological α-syn aggregates. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that the ectopic site of the transplantation impacts the host-to-graft transmission of α-syn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlig Patrigeon
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Sébastien Brot
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers Cedex, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bonnet
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers Cedex, France
- CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Laure Belnoue
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers Cedex, France
- CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers Cedex, France
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Nie L, Yao D, Chen S, Wang J, Pan C, Wu D, Liu N, Tang Z. Directional induction of neural stem cells, a new therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic stroke. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:215. [PMID: 37393356 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01532-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the limited capacity of the adult mammalian brain to self-repair and regenerate, neurological diseases, especially neurodegenerative disorders and stroke, characterized by irreversible cellular damage are often considered as refractory diseases. Neural stem cells (NSCs) play a unique role in the treatment of neurological diseases for their abilities to self-renew and form different neural lineage cells, such as neurons and glial cells. With the increasing understanding of neurodevelopment and advances in stem cell technology, NSCs can be obtained from different sources and directed to differentiate into a specific neural lineage cell phenotype purposefully, making it possible to replace specific cells lost in some neurological diseases, which provides new approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases as well as stroke. In this review, we outline the advances in generating several neuronal lineage subtypes from different sources of NSCs. We further summarize the therapeutic effects and possible therapeutic mechanisms of these fated specific NSCs in neurological disease models, with special emphasis on Parkinson's disease and ischemic stroke. Finally, from the perspective of clinical translation, we compare the strengths and weaknesses of different sources of NSCs and different methods of directed differentiation, and propose future research directions for directed differentiation of NSCs in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luwei Nie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dabao Yao
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shiling Chen
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dongcheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Wuhan Hamilton Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhouping Tang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Embryoid Body Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Overexpressing Dopaminergic Transcription Factors Survive and Initiate Neurogenesis via Neural Rosettes in the Substantia Nigra. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020329. [PMID: 36831872 PMCID: PMC9954545 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020329] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of immature dopaminergic neurons or neural precursors derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) is a potential therapeutic approach for functional restitution of the nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, further studies are needed to understand the effects of the local microenvironment on the transplanted cells to improve survival and specific differentiation in situ. We have previously reported that the adult SNpc sustains a neurogenic microenvironment. Non-neuralized embryoid body cells (EBCs) from mouse ESCs (mESCs) overexpressing the dopaminergic transcription factor Lmx1a gave rise to many tyrosine hydroxylase (Th+) cells in the intact and damaged adult SNpc, although only for a short-term period. Here, we extended our study by transplanting EBCs from genetically engineered naive human ESC (hESC), overexpressing the dopaminergic transcription factors LMX1A, FOXA2, and OTX2 (hESC-LFO), in the SNpc. Unexpectedly, no graft survival was observed in wild-type hESC EBCs transplants, whereas hESC-LFO EBCs showed viability in the SNpc. Interestingly, neural rosettes, a developmental hallmark of neuroepithelial tissue, emerged at 7- and 15-days post-transplantation (dpt) from the hESC-LFO EBCs. Neural rosettes expressed specification dopaminergic markers (Lmx1a, Otx2), which gave rise to several Th+ cells at 30 dpt. Our results suggest that the SNpc enables the robust initiation of neural differentiation of transplanted human EBCs prompted to differentiate toward the midbrain dopaminergic phenotype.
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Lelos MJ. Investigating cell therapies in animal models of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease: Current challenges and considerations. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2022; 166:159-189. [PMID: 36424091 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapeutics have entered into an exciting era, with first-in-person clinical trials underway for Parkinson's disease and novel cell therapies in development for other neurodegenerative diseases. In the hope of ensuring successful translation of these novel cell products to the clinic, a significant amount of preclinical work continues to be undertaken. Rodent models of neural transplantation are required to thoroughly assess the survival, safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics. It is critical to produce robust and reliable preclinical data, in order to increase the likelihood of clinical success. As a result, significant effort has been driven into generating ever more relevant model systems, from genetically modified disease models to mice with humanized immune systems. Despite this, several challenges remain in the quest to assess human cells in the rodent brain long-term. Here, with a focus on models of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, we discuss key considerations for choosing an appropriate rodent model for neural transplantation. We also consider the challenges associated with long-term survival and assessment of functional efficacy in these models, as well as the need to consider the clinical relevance of the model. While the choice of model will be dependent on the scientific question, by considering the caveats associated with each model, we identify opportunities to optimize the preclinical assessment and generate reliable data on our novel cell therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah J Lelos
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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Seng C, Luo W, Földy C. Circuit formation in the adult brain. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4187-4213. [PMID: 35724981 PMCID: PMC9546018 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system display an enormous capacity for circuit formation during development but not later in life. In principle, new circuits could be also formed in adult brain, but the absence of the developmental milieu and the presence of growth inhibition and hundreds of working circuits are generally viewed as unsupportive for such a process. Here, we bring together evidence from different areas of neuroscience—such as neurological disorders, adult‐brain neurogenesis, innate behaviours, cell grafting, and in vivo cell reprogramming—which demonstrates robust circuit formation in adult brain. In some cases, adult‐brain rewiring is ongoing and required for certain types of behaviour and memory, while other cases show significant promise for brain repair in disease models. Together, these examples highlight that the adult brain has higher capacity for structural plasticity than previously recognized. Understanding the underlying mechanisms behind this retained plasticity has the potential to advance basic knowledge regarding the molecular organization of synaptic circuits and could herald a new era of neural circuit engineering for therapeutic repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Seng
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wenshu Luo
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Földy
- Laboratory of Neural Connectivity, Brain Research Institute, Faculties of Medicine and Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
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Brot S, Thamrin NP, Bonnet ML, Francheteau M, Patrigeon M, Belnoue L, Gaillard A. Long-Term Evaluation of Intranigral Transplantation of Human iPSC-Derived Dopamine Neurons in a Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101596. [PMID: 35626637 PMCID: PMC9140181 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). One strategy for treating PD is transplantation of DA neuroblasts. Significant advances have been made in generating midbrain DA neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. Before these cells can be routinely used in clinical trials, extensive preclinical safety studies are required. One of the main issues to be addressed is the long-term therapeutic effectiveness of these cells. In most transplantation studies using human cells, the maturation of DA neurons has been analyzed over a relatively short period not exceeding 6 months. In present study, we generated midbrain DA neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and grafted these neurons into the SNpc in an animal model of PD. Graft survival and maturation were analyzed from 1 to 12 months post-transplantation (mpt). We observed long-term survival and functionality of the grafted neurons. However, at 12 mpt, we observed a decrease in the proportion of SNpc DA neuron subtype compared with that at 6 mpt. In addition, at 12 mpt, grafts still contained immature neurons. Our results suggest that longer-term evaluation of the maturation of neurons derived from human stem cells is mandatory for the safe application of cell therapy for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Brot
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Nabila Pyrenina Thamrin
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Marie-Laure Bonnet
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
- CHU Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Maureen Francheteau
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Maëlig Patrigeon
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Laure Belnoue
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
- CHU Poitiers, 86022 Poitiers, France
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM 1084, 86022 Poitiers, France; (S.B.); (N.P.T.); (M.-L.B.); (M.F.); (M.P.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-54-945-3873
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Extracellular Matrix Biomimetic Hydrogels, Encapsulated with Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1, Improve the Composition of Foetal Tissue Grafts in a Rodent Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094646. [PMID: 35563037 PMCID: PMC9101815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies have provided evidence for dopamine (DA) cell replacement therapy in Parkinson’s Disease. However, grafts derived from foetal tissue or pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) remain heterogeneous, with a high proportion of non-dopaminergic cells, and display subthreshold reinnervation of target tissues, thereby highlighting the need to identify new strategies to improve graft outcomes. In recent work, Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF1), secreted from meninges, has been shown to exert many roles during ventral midbrain DA development and DA-directed differentiation of PSCs. Related, co-implantation of meningeal cells has been shown to improve neural graft outcomes, however, no direct evidence for the role of SDF1 in neural grafting has been shown. Due to the rapid degradation of SDF1 protein, here, we utilised a hydrogel to entrap the protein and sustain its delivery at the transplant site to assess the impact on DA progenitor differentiation, survival and plasticity. Hydrogels were fabricated from self-assembling peptides (SAP), presenting an epitope for laminin, the brain’s main extracellular matrix protein, thereby providing cell adhesive support for the grafts and additional laminin–integrin signalling to influence cell fate. We show that SDF1 functionalised SAP hydrogels resulted in larger grafts, containing more DA neurons, increased A9 DA specification (the subpopulation of DA neurons responsible for motor function) and enhanced innervation. These findings demonstrate the capacity for functionalised, tissue-specific hydrogels to improve the composition of grafts targeted for neural repair.
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Better Outcomes with Intranigral versus Intrastriatal Cell Transplantation: Relevance for Parkinson’s Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071191. [PMID: 35406755 PMCID: PMC8997951 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrastriatal embryonic ventral mesencephalon grafts have been shown to integrate, survive, and reinnervate the host striatum in clinical settings and in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. However, this ectopic location does not restore the physiological loops of the nigrostriatal pathway and promotes only moderate behavioral benefits. Here, we performed a direct comparison of the potential benefits of intranigral versus intrastriatal grafts in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. We report that intranigral grafts promoted better survival of dopaminergic neurons and that only intranigral grafts induced recovery of fine motor skills and normalized cortico-striatal responses. The increase in the number of toxic activated glial cells in host tissue surrounding the intrastriatal graft, as well as within the graft, may be one of the causes of the increased cell death observed in the intrastriatal graft. Homotopic localization of the graft and the subsequent physiological cell rewiring of the basal ganglia may be a key factor in successful and beneficial cell transplantation procedures.
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11
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A combined cell and gene therapy approach for homotopic reconstruction of midbrain dopamine pathways using human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:434-448.e5. [PMID: 35180398 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons can be replaced in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) in order to provide long-term improvement in motor functions. The limited capacity for long-distance axonal growth in the adult brain means that cells are transplanted ectopically, into the striatal target. As a consequence, several mDA pathways are not re-instated, which may underlie the incomplete restoration of motor function in patients. Here, we show that viral delivery of GDNF to the striatum, in conjunction with homotopic transplantation of human pluripotent stem-cell-derived mDA neurons, recapitulates brain-wide mDA target innervation. The grafts provided re-instatement of striatal dopamine levels and correction of motor function and also connectivity with additional mDA target nuclei not well innervated by ectopic grafts. These results demonstrate the remarkable capacity for achieving functional and anatomically precise reconstruction of long-distance circuitry in the adult brain by matching appropriate growth-factor signaling to grafting of specific cell types.
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12
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Nishimura K, Takata K. Combination of Drugs and Cell Transplantation: More Beneficial Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Therapies Targeting Neurological Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22169047. [PMID: 34445753 PMCID: PMC8396512 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22169047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation therapy using pluripotent/multipotent stem cells has gained attention as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ischemic stroke, and spinal cord injury. To fully realize the potential of cell transplantation therapy, new therapeutic options that increase cell engraftments must be developed, either through modifications to the grafted cells themselves or through changes in the microenvironment surrounding the grafted region. Together these developments could potentially restore lost neuronal function by better supporting grafted cells. In addition, drug administration can improve the outcome of cell transplantation therapy through better accessibility and delivery to the target region following cell transplantation. Here we introduce examples of drug repurposing approaches for more successful transplantation therapies based on preclinical experiments with clinically approved drugs. Drug repurposing is an advantageous drug development strategy because drugs that have already been clinically approved can be repurposed to treat other diseases faster and at lower cost. Therefore, drug repurposing is a reasonable approach to enhance the outcomes of cell transplantation therapies for neurological diseases. Ideal repurposing candidates would result in more efficient cell transplantation therapies and provide a new and beneficial therapeutic combination.
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13
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Gordián-Vélez WJ, Chouhan D, España RA, Chen HI, Burdick JA, Duda JE, Cullen DK. Restoring lost nigrostriatal fibers in Parkinson's disease based on clinically-inspired design criteria. Brain Res Bull 2021; 175:168-185. [PMID: 34332016 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting around 10 million people worldwide. The death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the axonal fibers that constitute the nigrostriatal pathway leads to a loss of dopamine in the striatum that causes the motor symptoms of this disease. Traditional treatments have focused on reducing symptoms, while therapies with human fetal or stem cell-derived neurons have centered on implanting these cells in the striatum to restore its innervation. An alternative approach is pathway reconstruction, which aims to rebuild the entire structure of neurons and axonal fibers of the nigrostriatal pathway in a way that matches its anatomy and physiology. This type of repair could be more capable of reestablishing the signaling mechanisms that ensure proper dopamine release in the striatum and regulation of other motor circuit regions in the brain. In this manuscript, we conduct a review of the literature related to pathway reconstruction as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, delve into the limitations of these studies, and propose the requisite design criteria to achieve this goal at a human scale. We then present our tissue engineering-based platform to fabricate hydrogel-encased dopaminergic axon tracts in vitro for later implantation into the brain to replace and reconstruct the pathway. These tissue-engineered nigrostriatal pathways (TE-NSPs) can be characterized and optimized for cell number and phenotype, axon growth lengths and rates, and the capacity for synaptic connectivity and dopamine release. We then show original data of advances in creating these constructs matching clinical design criteria using human iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons and a hyaluronic acid hydrogel. We conclude with a discussion of future steps that are needed to further optimize human-scale TE-NSPs and translate them into clinical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisberty J Gordián-Vélez
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dimple Chouhan
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rodrigo A España
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jason A Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John E Duda
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Corporal Michael Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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14
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Torikoshi S, Morizane A, Shimogawa T, Samata B, Miyamoto S, Takahashi J. Exercise Promotes Neurite Extensions from Grafted Dopaminergic Neurons in the Direction of the Dorsolateral Striatum in Parkinson's Disease Model Rats. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 10:511-521. [PMID: 31929121 PMCID: PMC7242856 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-191755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Cell transplantation is expected to be a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD), in which re-innervation of the host striatum by grafted dopamine (DA) neurons is essential. In particular, the dorsolateral part of the striatum is important because it is the target of midbrain A9 DA neurons, which are degenerated in PD pathology. The effect of exercise on the survival and maturation of grafted neurons has been reported in several neurological disease models, but never in PD models. Objective: We investigated how exercise influences cell transplantation for PD, especially from the viewpoint of cell survival and neurite extensions. Methods: Ventral mesencephalic neurons from embryonic (E12.5) rats were transplanted into the striatum of adult 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. The host rats then underwent treadmill training as exercise after the transplantation. Six weeks after the transplantation, they were sacrificed, and the grafts in the striatum were analyzed. Results: The addition of exercise post-transplantation significantly increased the number of surviving DA neurons. Moreover, it promoted neurite extensions from the graft toward the dorsolateral part of the striatum. Conclusions: This study indicates a beneficial effect of exercise after cell transplantation in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaharu Torikoshi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Asuka Morizane
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takafumi Shimogawa
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Bumpei Samata
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Susumu Miyamoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jun Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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Björklund A, Parmar M. Dopamine Cell Therapy: From Cell Replacement to Circuitry Repair. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 11:S159-S165. [PMID: 33814467 PMCID: PMC8543294 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-212609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cell therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) is aimed to replace the degenerated midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons and restore DA neurotransmission in the denervated forebrain targets. A limitation of the intrastriatal grafting approach, which is currently used in clinical trials, is that the mDA neurons are implanted into the target area, in most cases the putamen, and not in the ventral midbrain where they normally reside. This ectopic location of the cells may limit their functionality due to the lack of appropriate afferent regulation from the host. Homotopic transplantation, into the substantia nigra, is now being pursued in rodent PD models as a way to achieve more complete circuitry repair. Intranigral grafts of mDA neurons, derived from human embryonic stem cells, have the capacity to re-establish the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic pathways in their entirety and restore dense functional innervations in striatal, limbic and cortical areas. Tracing of host afferent inputs using the rabies tracing technique shows that the afferent connectivity of grafts implanted in the nigra matches closely that of the intrinsic mDA system, suggesting a degree of circuitry reconstruction that exceeds what has been achieved before. This approach holds great promise, but to match the larger size of the human brain, and the 10 times greater distance between substantia nigra and its forebrain targets, it may be necessary to find ways to improve the growth capacity of the grafted mDA neurons, pointing to a combined approach where growth promoting factors are used to enhance the performance of mDA neuron grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Björklund
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Dakik H, Mantash S, Nehme A, Kobeissy F, Zabet-Moghaddam M, Mirzaei P, Mechref Y, Gaillard A, Prestoz L, Zibara K. Analysis of the Neuroproteome Associated With Cell Therapy After Intranigral Grafting in a Mouse Model of Parkinson Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:621121. [PMID: 33776636 PMCID: PMC7991918 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.621121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in large-scale proteomics analysis have been very useful in understanding pathogenesis of diseases and elaborating therapeutic strategies. Proteomics has been employed to study Parkinson disease (PD); however, sparse studies reported proteome investigation after cell therapy approaches. In this study, we used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and systems biology to identify differentially expressed proteins in a translational mouse model of PD after cell therapy. Proteins were extracted from five nigrostriatal-related brain regions of mice previously lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine in the substantia nigra. Protein expression was compared in non-grafted brain to 1 and 7 days after intranigral grafting of E12.5 embryonic ventral mesencephalon (VM). We found a total of 277 deregulated proteins after transplantation, which are enriched for lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation and PD, thus confirming that our animal model is similar to human PD and that the presence of grafted cells modulates the expression of these proteins. Notably, seven proteins (Acta1, Atp6v1e1, Eci3, Lypla2, Pip4k2a, Sccpdh, and Sh3gl2) were commonly down-regulated after engraftment in all studied brain regions. These proteins are known to be involved in the formation of lipids and recycling of dopamine (DA) vesicle at the synapse. Moreover, intranigral transplantation of VM cells decreased the expression of proteins related to oxidative stress, especially in the nigrostriatal pathway containing the DA grafted neurons. In the same regions, an up-regulation of several proteins including α-synuclein and tyrosine hydroxylase was observed, whereas expression of tetraspanin 7 was shut down. Overall, these results suggest that intranigral transplantation of VM tissue in an animal model of PD may induce a decrease of oxidative stress in the nigrostriatal pathway and a restoration of the machinery of neurotransmitters, particularly DA release to promote DA transmission through a decrease of D2 DA receptors endocytosis. Identification of new mechanistic elements involved in the nigrostriatal reconstruction process, using translational animal models and systems biology, is a promising approach to enhance the repair of this pathway in PD patients undergoing cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Dakik
- ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Sarah Mantash
- ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,INSERM, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Ali Nehme
- ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Masoud Zabet-Moghaddam
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Parvin Mirzaei
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Yehia Mechref
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- INSERM, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Laetitia Prestoz
- INSERM, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Kazem Zibara
- ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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17
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Huntington TE, Srinivasan R. Astrocytic mitochondria in adult mouse brain slices show spontaneous calcium influx events with unique properties. Cell Calcium 2021; 96:102383. [PMID: 33676316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes govern critical aspects of brain function via spontaneous calcium signals in their soma and processes. A significant proportion of these spontaneous astrocytic calcium events are associated with mitochondria, however, the extent, sources, or kinetics of astrocytic mitochondrial calcium influx have not been studied in the adult mouse brain. To measure calcium influx into astrocytic mitochondria in situ, we generated an adeno-associated virus (AAV) with the astrocyte-specific GfaABC1D promoter driving expression of the genetically encoded calcium indicator, GCaMP6f tagged to mito7, a mitochondrial matrix targeted signal sequence. Using this construct, we observed AAV-mediated expression of GCaMP6f in adult mouse astrocytic mitochondria that co-localized with MitoTracker deep red (MTDR) in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and in the hippocampal stratum radiatum (HPC). Astrocytic mitochondria co-labeled with MTDR and GCaMP6f displayed robust, spontaneous calcium influx events in situ, with subcellular differences in calcium influx kinetics between somatic, branch, and branchlet mitochondria, and inter-regional differences between mitochondria in DLS and HPC astrocytes. Calcium influx into astrocytic mitochondria was strongly dependent on endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores, but did not require the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, MCU. Exposure to either glutamate, D1 or D2 dopamine receptor agonists increased calcium influx in some mitochondria, while simultaneously decreasing calcium influx in other mitochondria from the same astrocyte. These findings show that astrocytic mitochondria possess unique properties with regard to their subcellular morphology, mechanisms of calcium influx, and responses to neurotransmitter receptor agonists. Our results have important implications for understanding the role of astrocytic mitochondria during pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Huntington
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rahul Srinivasan
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience (TAMIN), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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18
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Ucar B, Kajtez J, Foidl BM, Eigel D, Werner C, Long KR, Emnéus J, Bizeau J, Lomora M, Pandit A, Newland B, Humpel C. Biomaterial based strategies to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway in organotypic slice co-cultures. Acta Biomater 2021; 121:250-262. [PMID: 33242639 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.11.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Protection or repair of the nigrostriatal pathway represents a principal disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) holds great therapeutic potential for PD, but its efficacious delivery remains difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of different biomaterials (hydrogels, microspheres, cryogels and microcontact printed surfaces) for reconstructing the nigrostriatal pathway in organotypic co-culture of ventral mesencephalon and dorsal striatum. The biomaterials (either alone or loaded with GDNF) were locally applied onto the brain co-slices and fiber growth between the co-slices was evaluated after three weeks in culture based on staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Collagen hydrogels loaded with GDNF slightly promoted the TH+ nerve fiber growth towards the dorsal striatum, while GDNF loaded microspheres embedded within the hydrogels did not provide an improvement. Cryogels alone or loaded with GDNF also enhanced TH+ fiber growth. Lines of GDNF immobilized onto the membrane inserts via microcontact printing also significantly improved TH+ fiber growth. In conclusion, this study shows that various biomaterials and tissue engineering techniques can be employed to regenerate the nigrostriatal pathway in organotypic brain slices. This comparison of techniques highlights the relative merits of different technologies that researchers can use/develop for neuronal regeneration strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buket Ucar
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Janko Kajtez
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Bettina M Foidl
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dimitri Eigel
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Germany
| | - Katherine R Long
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Emnéus
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering), Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Joëlle Bizeau
- SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mihai Lomora
- SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Abhay Pandit
- SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ben Newland
- Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Germany; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Humpel
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer's Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
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19
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Adler AF, Cardoso T, Nolbrant S, Mattsson B, Hoban DB, Jarl U, Wahlestedt JN, Grealish S, Björklund A, Parmar M. hESC-Derived Dopaminergic Transplants Integrate into Basal Ganglia Circuitry in a Preclinical Model of Parkinson's Disease. Cell Rep 2020; 28:3462-3473.e5. [PMID: 31553914 PMCID: PMC6899556 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell replacement is currently being explored as a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative disease. Using stem cells as a source, transplantable progenitors can now be generated under conditions compliant with clinical application in patients. In this study, we elucidate factors controlling target-appropriate innervation and circuitry integration of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived grafts after transplantation to the adult brain. We show that cell-intrinsic factors determine graft-derived axonal innervation, whereas synaptic inputs from host neurons primarily reflect the graft location. Furthermore, we provide evidence that hESC-derived dopaminergic grafts transplanted in a long-term preclinical rat model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) receive synaptic input from subtypes of host cortical, striatal, and pallidal neurons that are known to regulate the function of endogenous nigral dopamine neurons. This refined understanding of how graft neurons integrate with host circuitry will be important for the design of clinical stem-cell-based replacement therapies for PD, as well as for other neurodegenerative diseases. Pattern of graft-derived innervation is determined by phenotype of grafted cells Synaptic inputs from host-to-graft depend on location of graft Intrastriatal dopaminergic grafts receive correct excitatory and inhibitory host inputs Individual host neurons provide inputs to both dopaminergic grafts and the host nigra
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Adler
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Tiago Cardoso
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Nolbrant
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Mattsson
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Deirdre B Hoban
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulla Jarl
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Nelander Wahlestedt
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Shane Grealish
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Björklund
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden.
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20
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Grønning Hansen M, Laterza C, Palma-Tortosa S, Kvist G, Monni E, Tsupykov O, Tornero D, Uoshima N, Soriano J, Bengzon J, Martino G, Skibo G, Lindvall O, Kokaia Z. Grafted human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons integrate into adult human cortical neural circuitry. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 9:1365-1377. [PMID: 32602201 PMCID: PMC7581452 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Several neurodegenerative diseases cause loss of cortical neurons, leading to sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Studies in different animal models have raised the possibility that transplantation of human cortical neuronal progenitors, generated from pluripotent stem cells, might be developed into a novel therapeutic strategy for disorders affecting cerebral cortex. For example, we have shown that human long‐term neuroepithelial‐like stem (lt‐NES) cell‐derived cortical neurons, produced from induced pluripotent stem cells and transplanted into stroke‐injured adult rat cortex, improve neurological deficits and establish both afferent and efferent morphological and functional connections with host cortical neurons. So far, all studies with human pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons have been carried out using xenotransplantation in animal models. Whether these neurons can integrate also into adult human brain circuitry is unknown. Here, we show that cortically fated lt‐NES cells, which are able to form functional synaptic networks in cell culture, differentiate to mature, layer‐specific cortical neurons when transplanted ex vivo onto organotypic cultures of adult human cortex. The grafted neurons are functional and establish both afferent and efferent synapses with adult human cortical neurons in the slices as evidenced by immuno‐electron microscopy, rabies virus retrograde monosynaptic tracing, and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Our findings provide the first evidence that pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons can integrate into adult host neural networks also in a human‐to‐human grafting situation, thereby supporting their potential future clinical use to promote recovery by neuronal replacement in the patient's diseased brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Palma-Tortosa
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Giedre Kvist
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Monni
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oleg Tsupykov
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology and State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Daniel Tornero
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Naomi Uoshima
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jordi Soriano
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johan Bengzon
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gianvito Martino
- Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Galyna Skibo
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology and State Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Olle Lindvall
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Zaal Kokaia
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Restorative Neurology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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21
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Björklund A, Parmar M. Neuronal Replacement as a Tool for Basal Ganglia Circuitry Repair: 40 Years in Perspective. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:146. [PMID: 32547369 PMCID: PMC7272540 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of new neurons to promote repair of brain circuitry depends on their capacity to re-establish afferent and efferent connections with the host. In this review article, we give an overview of past and current efforts to restore damaged connectivity in the adult mammalian brain using implants of fetal neuroblasts or stem cell-derived neuronal precursors, with a focus on strategies aimed to repair damaged basal ganglia circuitry induced by lesions that mimic the pathology seen in humans affected by Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease. Early work performed in rodents showed that neuroblasts obtained from striatal primordia or fetal ventral mesencephalon can become anatomically and functionally integrated into lesioned striatal and nigral circuitry, establish afferent and efferent connections with the lesioned host, and reverse the lesion-induced behavioral impairments. Recent progress in the generation of striatal and nigral progenitors from pluripotent stem cells have provided compelling evidence that they can survive and mature in the lesioned brain and re-establish afferent and efferent axonal connectivity with a remarkable degree of specificity. The studies of cell-based circuitry repair are now entering a new phase. The introduction of genetic and virus-based techniques for brain connectomics has opened entirely new possibilities for studies of graft-host integration and connectivity, and the access to more refined experimental techniques, such as chemo- and optogenetics, has provided new powerful tools to study the capacity of grafted neurons to impact the function of the host brain. Progress in this field will help to guide the efforts to develop therapeutic strategies for cell-based repair in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions involving damage to basal ganglia circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Björklund
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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22
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Precious SV, Smith GA, Heuer A, Jaeger I, Lane EL, Dunnett SB, Li M, Kelly CM, Rosser AE. Dopaminergic Progenitors Derived From Epiblast Stem Cells Function Similarly to Primary VM-Derived Progenitors When Transplanted Into a Parkinson's Disease Model. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:312. [PMID: 32317925 PMCID: PMC7154167 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural transplantation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) offers to replace cells lost during the progression of the disease process. Primary fetal ventral mesencephalon (VM), the origin of bona fide midbrain dopaminergic (DAergic) precursors, is currently the gold standard source of cells for transplantation in PD. However, the use of tissue from this source raises ethical and logistical constraints necessitating the need for alternative supplies of donor cells. The requirement of any alternative donor cell source is to have the capability to generate authentic mature DAergic neurons, which could be utilized in cell-replacement strategies. Mouse pluripotent stem cells can efficiently generate electrochemically mature midbrain DAergic precursors in vitro using a stepwise control of FGF signaling. Here, we have compared DAergic transplants derived from two progenitor cell sources in an allograft system: mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSC) and primary fetal mouse VM tissue. Cells were transplanted into the striatum of 6-OHDA lesioned mice pre-treated with L-DOPA. Drug-induced rotations, a number of motor tests and drug-induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) were assessed. Functional improvements were demonstrated post-transplantation in some behavioral tests, with no difference in graft volume or the number of TH immuno-positive cells in the grafts of the two transplant groups. L-DOPA-induced AIMs and amphetamine-induced AIMs were observed in both transplant groups, with no differences in rate or severity between the two groups. Collectively, in this mouse-to-mouse allograft system, we report no significant differences in the functional ability between the gold standard primary VM derived and pluripotent stem cell-derived DAergic transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie V Precious
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Gaynor A Smith
- School of Medicine, UK Dementia Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Heuer
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ines Jaeger
- Stem Cell Neurogenesis Group, School of Medicine and Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L Lane
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen B Dunnett
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Meng Li
- Stem Cell Neurogenesis Group, School of Medicine and Biosciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Claire M Kelly
- School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Anne E Rosser
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,Wales Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics Unit, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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23
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Adler AF, Björklund A, Parmar M. Transsynaptic tracing and its emerging use to assess graft-reconstructed neural circuits. Stem Cells 2020; 38:716-726. [PMID: 32101353 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fetal neural progenitor grafts have been evaluated in preclinical animal models of spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease for decades, but the initial reliance on primary tissue as a cell source limited the scale of their clinical translatability. With the development of robust methods to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells to specific neural subtypes, cell replacement therapy holds renewed promise to treat a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and injuries at scale. As these cell sources are evaluated in preclinical models, new transsynaptic tracing methods are making it possible to study the connectivity between host and graft neurons with greater speed and detail than was previously possible. To date, these studies have revealed that widespread, long-lasting, and anatomically appropriate synaptic contacts are established between host and graft neurons, as well as new aspects of host-graft connectivity which may be relevant to clinical cell replacement therapy. It is not yet clear, however, whether the synaptic connectivity between graft and host neurons is as cell-type specific as it is in the endogenous nervous system, or whether that connectivity is responsible for the functional efficacy of cell replacement therapy. Here, we review evidence suggesting that the new contacts established between host and graft neurons may indeed be cell-type specific, and how transsynaptic tracing can be used in the future to further elucidate the mechanisms of graft-mediated functional recovery in spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Adler
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Björklund
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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24
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Viral Delivery of GDNF Promotes Functional Integration of Human Stem Cell Grafts in Parkinson's Disease. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 26:511-526.e5. [PMID: 32059808 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic neurons (DAns), generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), are capable of functionally integrating following transplantation and have recently advanced to clinical trials for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, pre-clinical studies have highlighted the low proportion of DAns within hPSC-derived grafts and their inferior plasticity compared to fetal tissue. Here, we examined whether delivery of a developmentally critical protein, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), could improve graft outcomes. We tracked the response of DAns implanted into either a GDNF-rich environment or after a delay in exposure. Early GDNF promoted survival and plasticity of non-DAns, leading to enhanced motor recovery in PD rats. Delayed exposure to GDNF promoted functional recovery through increases in DAn specification, DAn plasticity, and DA metabolism. Transcriptional profiling revealed a role for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling downstream of GDNF. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of neurotrophic gene therapy strategies to improve hPSC graft outcomes.
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25
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Chen ZZ, Niu YY. Stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease using non-human primate models. Zool Res 2019; 40:349-357. [PMID: 31343853 PMCID: PMC6755115 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2019.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy (SCT) for Parkinson's disease (PD) has received considerable attention in recent years. Non-human primate (NHP) models of PD have played an instrumental role in the safety and efficacy of emerging PD therapies and facilitated the translation of initiatives for human patients. NHP models of PD include primates with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism, who are responsive to dopamine replacement therapies, similar to human PD patients. Extensive research in SCT has been conducted to better treat the progressive dopaminergic neurodegeneration that underlies PD. For effective application of SCT in PD, however, a number of basic parameters still need to be tested and optimized in NHP models, including preparation and storage of cells for engraftment, methods of transplantation, choice of target sites, and timelines for recovery. In this review, we discuss the current status of NHP models of PD in stem cell research. We also analyze the advances and remaining challenges for successful clinical translation of SCT for this persistent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming Yunnan 650500, China
- Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming Yunnan 650500
| | - Yu-Yu Niu
- Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming Yunnan 650500, China; E-mail:
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26
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Collazo-Navarrete O, Hernández-García D, Guerrero-Flores G, Drucker-Colín R, Guerra-Crespo M, Covarrubias L. The Substantia Nigra Is Permissive and Gains Inductive Signals When Lesioned for Dopaminergic Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:1104-1115. [PMID: 31140356 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of dopaminergic (DA) cells into the striatum can rescue from dopamine deficiency in a Parkinson's disease condition, but this is not a suitable procedure for regaining the full control of motor activity. The minimal condition toward recovering the nigrostriatal pathway is the proper innervation of transplanted DA neurons or their precursors from the substancia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) to their target areas. However, functional integration of transplanted cells would require first that the host SNpc is suitable for their survival and/or differentiation. We recently reported that the intact adult SNpc holds a strong neurogenic environment, but primed embryonic stem cells (ie, embryoid body cells, EBCs) could not derive into DA neurons. In this study, we transplanted into the intact or lesioned SNpc, EBCs derived from embryonic stem cells that were prompt to differentiate into DA neurons by the forced expression of Lmx1a in neural precursor cells (R1B5/NesE-Lmx1a). We observed that, 6 days posttransplantation (dpt), R1B5 or R1B5/NesE-Lmx1a EBCs gave rise to Nes+ and Dcx+ cells within the host SNpc, but a large number of Th+ cells derived only from EBCs exogenously expressing Lmx1a. In contrast, when transplantation was carried out into the 6-hydroxidopamine-lesioned SNpc, the emergence of Th+ cells from EBCs was independent of exogenous Lmx1a expression, although these cells were not found by 15 dpt. These results suggest that the adult SNpc is not only a permissive niche for initiation of DA differentiation of non-neuralized cells but also releases factors upon damage that promote the acquisition of DA characteristics by transplanted EBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Collazo-Navarrete
- 1Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,2Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - David Hernández-García
- 2Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Gilda Guerrero-Flores
- 2Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - René Drucker-Colín
- 1Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Magdalena Guerra-Crespo
- 1Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Covarrubias
- 2Department of Developmental Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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27
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Ghosh B, Zhang C, Ziemba KS, Fletcher AM, Yurek DM, Smith GM. Partial Reconstruction of the Nigrostriatal Circuit along a Preformed Molecular Guidance Pathway. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 14:217-227. [PMID: 31417940 PMCID: PMC6690717 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The overall goal of our research is to establish a preformed molecular guidance pathway to direct the growth of dopaminergic axons from embryonic ventral mesencephalon (VM), tissue placed within the substantia nigra (SN), into the striatum to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway in a hemi-Parkinson's disease rat model. Guidance pathways were prepared by injecting lentivirus encoding either GFP or a combination of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) with either GDNF family receptor α1 (GFRα1) or netrin1. In another cohort of animals, adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was injected within the striatum after guidance pathway formation. GDNF combined with either GFRα1 or netrin significantly increased growth of dopaminergic axons out of transplants and along the pathway, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of amphetamine-induced rotations. Retrograde tract tracing showed that the dopaminergic axons innervating the striatum were from A9 neurons within the transplant. Increased dopaminergic innervation of the striatum and improved behavioral recovery were observed with the addition of BDNF. Preformed guidance pathways using a combination of GDNF and netrin1 can be used to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway and improve motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswarup Ghosh
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Kristine S. Ziemba
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Anita M. Fletcher
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - David M. Yurek
- Department of Neurosurgery and University of Kentucky Nanobiotechnology Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - George M. Smith
- Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding author: George M. Smith, Center for Neural Repair and Rehabilitation, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad St., MERB 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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28
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Ballout N, Rochelle T, Brot S, Bonnet ML, Francheteau M, Prestoz L, Zibara K, Gaillard A. Characterization of Inflammation in Delayed Cortical Transplantation. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:160. [PMID: 31293384 PMCID: PMC6603085 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that embryonic motor cortical neurons transplanted 1-week after lesion in the adult mouse motor cortex significantly enhances graft vascularization, survival, and proliferation of grafted cells, the density of projections developed by grafted neurons and improves functional repair and recovery. The purpose of the present study is to understand the extent to which post-traumatic inflammation following cortical lesion could influence the survival of grafted neurons and the development of their projections to target brain regions and conversely how transplanted cells can modulate host inflammation. For this, embryonic motor cortical tissue was grafted either immediately or with a 1-week delay into the lesioned motor cortex of adult mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was performed to determine the density and cell morphology of resident and peripheral infiltrating immune cells. Then, in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed to analyze the distribution and temporal mRNA expression pattern of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines following cortical lesion. In parallel, we analyzed the protein expression of both M1- and M2-associated markers to study the M1/M2 balance switch. We have shown that 1-week after the lesion, the number of astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and CD45+ cells were significantly increased along with characteristics of M2 microglia phenotype. Interestingly, the majority of microglia co-expressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, supporting the hypothesis that microglial activation is also neuroprotective. Our results suggest that the modulation of post-traumatic inflammation 1-week after cortical lesion might be implicated in the improvement of graft vascularization, survival, and density of projections developed by grafted neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nissrine Ballout
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France.,Laboratory of Stem Cells, PRASE, DSST, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tristan Rochelle
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Sebastien Brot
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Marie-Laure Bonnet
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France.,CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Maureen Francheteau
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Laetitia Prestoz
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Kazem Zibara
- Laboratory of Stem Cells, PRASE, DSST, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Université de Poitiers, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
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29
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Mendes-Pinheiro B, Teixeira FG, Anjo SI, Manadas B, Behie LA, Salgado AJ. Secretome of Undifferentiated Neural Progenitor Cells Induces Histological and Motor Improvements in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Stem Cells Transl Med 2018; 7:829-838. [PMID: 30238668 PMCID: PMC6216452 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that results from the death of dopamine (DA) neurons. Over recent years, differentiated or undifferentiated neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation has been widely used as a means of cell replacement therapy. However, compelling evidence has brought attention to the array of bioactive molecules produced by stem cells, defined as secretome. As described in the literature, other cell populations have a high‐neurotrophic activity, but little is known about NSCs. Moreover, the exploration of the stem cell secretome is only in its initial stages, particularly as applied to neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, we have characterized the secretome of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) through proteomic analysis and investigated its effects in a 6‐hydroxidopamine (6‐OHDA) rat model of PD in comparison with undifferentiated hNPCs transplantation. Results revealed that the injection of hNPCs secretome potentiated the histological recovery of DA neurons when compared to the untreated group 6‐OHDA and those transplanted with cells (hNPCs), thereby supporting the functional motor amelioration of 6‐OHDA PD animals. Additionally, hNPCs secretome proteomic characterization has revealed that these cells have the capacity to secrete a wide range of important molecules with neuroregulatory actions, which are most likely support the effects observed. Overall, we have concluded that the use of hNPCs secretome partially modulate DA neurons cell survival and ameliorate PD animals’ motor deficits, disclosing improved results when compared to cell transplantation approaches, indicating that the secretome itself could represent a route for new therapeutic options for PD regenerative medicine. stem cells translational medicine2018;7:829–838
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Mendes-Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fábio G Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandra I Anjo
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Manadas
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Leo A Behie
- Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
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30
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Cardoso T, Adler AF, Mattsson B, Hoban DB, Nolbrant S, Wahlestedt JN, Kirkeby A, Grealish S, Björklund A, Parmar M. Target-specific forebrain projections and appropriate synaptic inputs of hESC-derived dopamine neurons grafted to the midbrain of parkinsonian rats. J Comp Neurol 2018; 526:2133-2146. [PMID: 30007046 PMCID: PMC6175216 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising unlimited source of cells for cell replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD). A number of studies have demonstrated functionality of DA neurons originating from hESCs when grafted to the striatum of rodent and non‐human primate models of PD. However, several questions remain in regard to their axonal outgrowth potential and capacity to integrate into host circuitry. Here, ventral midbrain (VM) patterned hESC‐derived progenitors were grafted into the midbrain of 6‐hydroxydopamine‐lesioned rats, and analyzed at 6, 18, and 24 weeks for a time‐course evaluation of specificity and extent of graft‐derived fiber outgrowth as well as potential for functional recovery. To investigate synaptic integration of the transplanted cells, we used rabies‐based monosynaptic tracing to reveal the origin and extent of host presynaptic inputs to grafts at 6 weeks. The results reveal the capacity of grafted neurons to extend axonal projections toward appropriate forebrain target structures progressively over 24 weeks. The timing and extent of graft‐derived dopaminergic fibers innervating the dorsolateral striatum matched reduction in amphetamine‐induced rotational asymmetry in the animals where recovery could be observed. Monosynaptic tracing demonstrated that grafted cells integrate with host circuitry 6 weeks after transplantation, in a manner that is comparable with endogenous midbrain connectivity. Thus, we demonstrate that VM patterned hESC‐derived progenitors grafted to midbrain have the capacity to extensively innervate appropriate forebrain targets, integrate into the host circuitry and that functional recovery can be achieved when grafting fetal or hESC‐derived DA neurons to the midbrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Cardoso
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Andrew F Adler
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bengt Mattsson
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Deirdre B Hoban
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Nolbrant
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Nelander Wahlestedt
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Agnete Kirkeby
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Danish Stem Cell Center (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shane Grealish
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Björklund
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Moriarty N, Parish CL, Dowd E. Primary tissue for cellular brain repair in Parkinson's disease: Promise, problems and the potential of biomaterials. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 49:472-486. [PMID: 29923311 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The dopamine precursor, levodopa, remains the "gold standard" treatment for Parkinson's disease, and, although it provides superlative efficacy in the early stages of the disease, its long-term use is limited by the development of severe motor side effects and a significant abating of therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there remains a major unmet clinical need for the development of effective neuroprotective, neurorestorative or neuroreparatory therapies for this condition. The relatively selective loss of dopaminergic neurons from the nigrostriatal pathway makes Parkinson's disease an ideal candidate for reparative cell therapies, wherein the dopaminergic neurons that are lost in the condition are replaced through direct cell transplantation into the brain. To date, this approach has been developed, validated and clinically assessed using dopamine neuron-rich foetal ventral mesencephalon grafts which have been shown to survive and reinnervate the denervated brain after transplantation, and to restore motor function. However, despite long-term symptomatic relief in some patients, significant limitations, including poor graft survival and the impact this has on the number of foetal donors required, have prevented this therapy being more widely adopted as a restorative approach for Parkinson's disease. Injectable biomaterial scaffolds have the potential to improve the delivery, engraftment and survival of these grafts in the brain through provision of a supportive microenvironment for cell adhesion, growth and immune shielding. This article will briefly review the development of primary cell therapies for brain repair in Parkinson's disease and will consider the emerging literature which highlights the potential of using injectable biomaterial hydrogels in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Moriarty
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Clare L Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eilís Dowd
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Struzyna LA, Browne KD, Brodnik ZD, Burrell JC, Harris JP, Chen HI, Wolf JA, Panzer KV, Lim J, Duda JE, España RA, Cullen DK. Tissue engineered nigrostriatal pathway for treatment of Parkinson's disease. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2018; 12:1702-1716. [PMID: 29766664 PMCID: PMC6416379 DOI: 10.1002/term.2698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The classic motor deficits of Parkinson's disease are caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, resulting in the loss of their long-distance axonal projections that modulate the striatum. Current treatments only minimize the symptoms of this disconnection as there is no approach capable of replacing the nigrostriatal pathway. We are applying microtissue engineering techniques to create living, implantable constructs that mimic the architecture and function of the nigrostriatal pathway. These constructs consist of dopaminergic neurons with long axonal tracts encased within hydrogel microcolumns. Microcolumns were seeded with dopaminergic neuronal aggregates, while lumen extracellular matrix, growth factors, and end targets were varied to optimize cytoarchitecture. We found a 10-fold increase in axonal outgrowth from aggregates versus dissociated neurons, resulting in remarkable axonal lengths of over 6 mm by 14 days and 9 mm by 28 days in vitro. Axonal extension was also dependent upon lumen extracellular matrix, but did not depend on growth factor enrichment or neuronal end target presence. Evoked dopamine release was measured via fast scan cyclic voltammetry and synapse formation with striatal neurons was observed in vitro. Constructs were microinjected to span the nigrostriatal pathway in rats, revealing survival of implanted neurons while maintaining their axonal projections within the microcolumn. Lastly, these constructs were generated with dopaminergic neurons differentiated from human embryonic stem cells. This strategy may improve Parkinson's disease treatment by simultaneously replacing lost dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and reconstructing their long-projecting axonal tracts to the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Struzyna
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - Kevin D. Browne
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Zachary D. Brodnik
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - James P. Harris
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - H. Isaac Chen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - John A. Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kate V. Panzer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - James Lim
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - John E. Duda
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rodrigo A. España
- Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
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O'Keeffe GW, Sullivan AM. Evidence for dopaminergic axonal degeneration as an early pathological process in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2018; 56:9-15. [PMID: 29934196 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder presenting with a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. The motor symptoms manifest as a result of the progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. The axons of these neurons project to the striatum as the nigrostriatal pathway, which is a crucial part of the basal ganglia circuitry controlling movement. In addition to the neuronal degeneration, abnormal intraneuronal α-synuclein protein inclusions called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites increase in number and spread throughout the nervous system as the disease progresses. While the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is well-established as being central to motor symptoms, there is an increasing focus on the timing of nigrostriatal degeneration, with preclinical evidence suggesting that early axonal degeneration may play a key role in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. Here we review recent evidence for early midbrain dopaminergic axonal degeneration in patients with Parkinson's disease, and explore the potential role of α-synuclein accumulation in this process, with a focus on studies in human populations at the imaging, post-mortem, cellular and molecular levels. Finally, we discuss the implications of this for neurotrophic factor therapies for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Cork Neuroscience Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Aideen M Sullivan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Cork Neuroscience Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Gong L, Cao L, Shen Z, Shao L, Gao S, Zhang C, Lu J, Li W. Materials for Neural Differentiation, Trans-Differentiation, and Modeling of Neurological Disease. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1705684. [PMID: 29573284 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201705684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuron regeneration from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) differentiation or somatic cells trans-differentiation is a promising approach for cell replacement in neurodegenerative diseases and provides a powerful tool for investigating neural development, modeling neurological diseases, and uncovering the mechanisms that underlie diseases. Advancing the materials that are applied in neural differentiation and trans-differentiation promotes the safety, efficiency, and efficacy of neuron regeneration. In the neural differentiation process, matrix materials, either natural or synthetic, not only provide a structural and biochemical support for the monolayer or three-dimensional (3D) cultured cells but also assist in cell adhesion and cell-to-cell communication. They play important roles in directing the differentiation of PSCs into neural cells and modeling neurological diseases. For the trans-differentiation of neural cells, several materials have been used to make the conversion feasible for future therapy. Here, the most current applications of materials for neural differentiation for PSCs, neuronal trans-differentiation, and neurological disease modeling is summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Gong
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lining Cao
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Zhenmin Shen
- The VIP Department, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Li Shao
- The VIP Department, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jianfeng Lu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weida Li
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy and Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
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35
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Kordower JH, Burke RE. Disease Modification for Parkinson's Disease: Axonal Regeneration and Trophic Factors. Mov Disord 2018; 33:678-683. [PMID: 29603370 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease modification and structural neuroprotection have been the holy grail for Parkinson's disease (PD) experimental therapeutics. Theoretically, there are a number of ways to implement such therapeutics, but to date all have failed. This review examines the potential of axonal regeneration and trophic factor delivery for the nigrostriatal system as 2 such approaches that historically have initiated much excitement. However, we conclude this discussion with the following question: has science passed these approaches by? © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey H Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert E Burke
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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36
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Kalaani J, Roche J, Hamade E, Badran B, Jaber M, Gaillard A, Prestoz L. Axon guidance molecule expression after cell therapy in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2018; 34:877-895. [PMID: 27858721 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-150587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell therapy is a promising approach for Parkinson's disease (PD). Others and we have previously shown that transplantation of ventral mesencephalic fetal cells into substantia nigra (SN) in an animal model of PD enables anatomical and functional repair of the degenerated pathway. However, the molecular basis of this repair is still largely unknown. OBJECTIVE In this work, we studied the expression of several axon guidance molecules that may be implicated in the repair of the degenerated nigrostriatal pathway. METHODS The expression of axon guidance molecules was analyzed using qRT-PCR on five specific regions surrounding the nigrostriatal pathway (ventral mesencephalon (VM), thalamus (Thal), medial forebrain bundle (MFB), nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and caudate putamen (CPu)), one and seven days after lesion and transplantation. RESULTS We showed that mRNA expression of specific axon guidance molecules and their receptors is modified in structures surrounding the nigrostriatal pathway, suggesting their involvement in the axon guidance of grafted neurons. Moreover, we highlight a possible new role for semaphorin 7A in this repair. CONCLUSION Overall, our data provide a reliable basis to understand how axons of grafted neurons are able to navigate towards their targets and interact with the molecular environment in the adult brain. This should help to improve the efficiency of cell replacement approaches in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kalaani
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC), Poitiers, France
| | - Joëlle Roche
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC), Poitiers, France
| | - Eva Hamade
- Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology (DSST-PRASE), Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Bassam Badran
- Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology (DSST-PRASE), Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC), Poitiers, France.,CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC), Poitiers, France
| | - Laetitia Prestoz
- Université de Poitiers, INSERM U-1084, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC), Poitiers, France
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Stroke promotes survival of nearby transplanted neural stem cells by decreasing their activation of caspase 3 while not affecting their differentiation. Neurosci Lett 2017; 666:111-119. [PMID: 29278729 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Although transplantation of stem cells improves recovery of the nervous tissue, little is known about the influence of different brain regions on transplanted cells. After we confirmed that cells with uniform differentiation potential can be generated in independent experiments, one million of neural stem cells isolated from B6.Cg-Tg(Thy1-YFP)16Jrs/J mouse embryos were transplanted into the brain 24 h after induction of stroke. The lateral ventricles, the corpus callosum and the striatum were tested. Two and four weeks after the transplantation, the cells transplanted in all three regions have been attracted to the ischemic core. The largest number of attracted cells has been observed after transplantation into the striatum. Their differentiation pattern and expression of neuroligin 1, SynCAM 1, postsynaptic density protein 95 and synapsin 1 followed the same pattern observed during in vitro cultivation and it did not differ among the tested regions. Differentiation pattern of the cells transplanted in the stroke-affected and healthy animals was the same. On the other hand, neural stem cells transplanted in the striatum of the animals affected by stroke exhibited significantly increased survival rates reaching 260 ± 19%, when compared to cells transplanted in their wild type controls. Surprisingly, improved survival two and four weeks after transplantation was not due to increased proliferation of the grafted cells and it was accompanied by decreased levels of activity of Casp3 (19.56 ± 3.1% in the stroke-affected vs. 30.14 ± 2.4% in healthy animals after four weeks). We assume that the decreased levels of Casp3 in cells transplanted near the ischemic region was linked to increased vasculogenesis, synaptogenesis, astrocytosis and axonogenesis detected in the host tissue affected by ischemia.
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38
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Padmanabhan S, Burke RE. Induction of axon growth in the adult brain: A new approach to restoration in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2017; 33:62-70. [PMID: 29205486 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert E Burke
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Llewellyn-Smith IJ, Basbaum AI, Bráz JM. Long-term, dynamic synaptic reorganization after GABAergic precursor cell transplantation into adult mouse spinal cord. J Comp Neurol 2017; 526:480-495. [PMID: 29134656 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transplanting embryonic precursors of GABAergic neurons from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) into adult mouse spinal cord ameliorates mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in peripheral nerve injury models of neuropathic pain. Although Fos and transneuronal tracing studies strongly suggest that integration of MGE-derived neurons into host spinal cord circuits underlies recovery of function, the extent to which there is synaptic integration of the transplanted cells has not been established. Here, we used electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to assess directly integration of GFP-expressing MGE-derived neuronal precursors into dorsal horn circuitry in intact, adult mice with short- (5-6 weeks) or long-term (4-6 months) transplants. We detected GFP with pre-embedding avidin-biotin-peroxidase and GABA with post-embedding immunogold labeling. At short and long times post-transplant, we found host-derived synapses on GFP-immunoreactive MGE cells bodies and dendrites. The proportion of dendrites with synaptic input increased from 50% to 80% by 6 months. In all mice, MGE-derived terminals formed synapses with GFP-negative (host) cell bodies and dendrites and, unexpectedly, with some GFP-positive (i.e., MGE-derived) dendrites, possibly reflecting autoapses or cross talk among transplanted neurons. We also observed axoaxonic appositions between MGE and host terminals. Immunogold labeling for GABA confirmed that the transplanted cells were GABAergic and that some transplanted cells received an inhibitory GABAergic input. We conclude that transplanted MGE neurons retain their GABAergic phenotype and integrate dynamically into host-transplant synaptic circuits. Taken together with our previous electrophysiological analyses, we conclude that MGE cells are not GABA pumps, but alleviate pain and itch through synaptic release of GABA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida J Llewellyn-Smith
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Human Physiology and Centre for Neuroscience, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.,Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Allan I Basbaum
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - João M Bráz
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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40
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Wianny F, Vezoli J. Transplantation in the nonhuman primate MPTP model of Parkinson's disease: update and perspectives. Primate Biol 2017; 4:185-213. [PMID: 32110706 PMCID: PMC7041537 DOI: 10.5194/pb-4-185-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to calibrate stem cell exploitation for cellular therapy in neurodegenerative diseases, fundamental and preclinical research in NHP (nonhuman primate) models is crucial. Indeed, it is consensually recognized that it is not possible to directly extrapolate results obtained in rodent models to human patients. A large diversity of neurological pathologies should benefit from cellular therapy based on neural differentiation of stem cells. In the context of this special issue of Primate Biology on NHP stem cells, we describe past and recent advances on cell replacement in the NHP model of Parkinson's disease (PD). From the different grafting procedures to the various cell types transplanted, we review here diverse approaches for cell-replacement therapy and their related therapeutic potential on behavior and function in the NHP model of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Wianny
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Julien Vezoli
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
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Boronat-García A, Guerra-Crespo M, Drucker-Colín R. Historical perspective of cell transplantation in Parkinson’s disease. World J Transplant 2017; 7:179-192. [PMID: 28698835 PMCID: PMC5487308 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v7.i3.179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell grafting has been considered a therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s disease (PD) since the 1980s. The classical motor symptoms of PD are caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to a decrement in dopamine release in the striatum. Consequently, the therapy of cell-transplantation for PD consists in grafting dopamine-producing cells directly into the brain to reestablish dopamine levels. Different cell sources have been shown to induce functional benefits on both animal models of PD and human patients. However, the observed motor improvements are highly variable between individual subjects, and the sources of this variability are not fully understood. The purpose of this review is to provide a general overview of the pioneering studies done in animal models of PD that established the basis for the first clinical trials in humans, and compare these with the latest findings to identify the most relevant aspects that remain unanswered to date. The main focus of the discussions presented here will be on the mechanisms associated with the survival and functionality of the transplants. These include the role of the dopamine released by the grafts and the capacity of the grafted cells to extend fibers and to integrate into the motor circuit. The complete understanding of these aspects will require extensive research on basic aspects of molecular and cellular physiology, together with neuronal network function, in order to uncover the real potential of cell grafting for treating PD.
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Seiler S, Di Santo S, Andereggen L, Widmer HR. Antagonization of the Nogo-Receptor 1 Enhances Dopaminergic Fiber Outgrowth of Transplants in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:151. [PMID: 28603490 PMCID: PMC5445167 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrastriatal transplantation of fetal human ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons is an experimental therapy for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The success of this approach depends on several host brain parameters including neurotrophic factors and growth inhibitors that guide survival and integration of transplanted neurons. While the potential of neurotrophic factors has been extensively investigated, repression of growth inhibitors has been neglected, despite the significant effects reported in various CNS injury models. Recently, we demonstrated that infusion of neutralizing antibodies against Nogo-A into the lateral ventricles of hemi-parkinsonian rats significantly enhanced graft function. Since the Nogo-receptor 1 also interacts with other neurite growth inhibitors, we investigated whether a direct antagonization of the receptor would result in more robust effects. Therefore, rats with unilateral striatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesions were grafted with ventral mesencephalic tissue in combination with intraventricular infusions of the Nogo-receptor 1 antagonist NEP1-40. Transplanted rats receiving saline infusions served as controls. To test whether NEP1-40 treatment alone affects the remaining dopaminergic striatal fibers, rats with unilateral striatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesions were infused with NEP1-40 or saline without receiving a transplant. Motor behavior was assessed prior to the lesion as well as prior and 1, 3, and 5 weeks after the transplantations. At the end of the experimental period the number of graft-derived dopaminergic fibers growing into the host brain, the number of surviving dopaminergic neurons and graft volume were analyzed. In rats without a transplant, the density of dopaminergic fibers in the striatum was analyzed. We detected that NEP1-40 treatment significantly enhanced graft-derived dopaminergic fiber outgrowth as compared to controls while no effects were detected for graft volume and survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons. Notably, the enhanced dopaminergic fiber outgrowth was not sufficient to improve the functional recovery as compared to controls. Moreover, NEP1-40 infusions in hemi-parkinsonian rats without a transplant did not result in enhanced striatal dopaminergic fiber densities and consequently did not improve behavior. In sum, our findings demonstrate that antagonization of the Nogo-receptor 1 has the capacity to support the engraftment of transplanted mesencephalic tissue in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Seiler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter and Regenerative Neuroscience Cluster, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland University of BernBern, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, University of BernBern, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Di Santo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter and Regenerative Neuroscience Cluster, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland University of BernBern, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, University of BernBern, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Andereggen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter and Regenerative Neuroscience Cluster, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland University of BernBern, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, University of BernBern, Switzerland
| | - Hans R Widmer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter and Regenerative Neuroscience Cluster, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland University of BernBern, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, University of BernBern, Switzerland
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43
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Dunnett SB, Björklund A. Mechanisms and use of neural transplants for brain repair. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2017; 230:1-51. [PMID: 28552225 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Under appropriate conditions, neural tissues transplanted into the adult mammalian brain can survive, integrate, and function so as to influence the behavior of the host, opening the prospect of repairing neuronal damage, and alleviating symptoms associated with neuronal injury or neurodegenerative disease. Alternative mechanisms of action have been postulated: nonspecific effects of surgery; neurotrophic and neuroprotective influences on disease progression and host plasticity; diffuse or locally regulated pharmacological delivery of deficient neurochemicals, neurotransmitters, or neurohormones; restitution of the neuronal and glial environment necessary for proper host neuronal support and processing; promoting local and long-distance host and graft axon growth; formation of reciprocal connections and reconstruction of local circuits within the host brain; and up to full integration and reconstruction of fully functional host neuronal networks. Analysis of neural transplants in a broad range of anatomical systems and disease models, on simple and complex classes of behavioral function and information processing, have indicated that all of these alternative mechanisms are likely to contribute in different circumstances. Thus, there is not a single or typical mode of graft function; rather grafts can and do function in multiple ways, specific to each particular context. Consequently, to develop an effective cell-based therapy, multiple dimensions must be considered: the target disease pathogenesis; the neurodegenerative basis of each type of physiological dysfunction or behavioral symptom; the nature of the repair required to alleviate or remediate the functional impairments of particular clinical relevance; and identification of a suitable cell source or delivery system, along with the site and method of implantation, that can achieve the sought for repair and recovery.
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Integrin α5β1 expression on dopaminergic neurons is involved in dopaminergic neurite outgrowth on striatal neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42111. [PMID: 28176845 PMCID: PMC5296761 DOI: 10.1038/srep42111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During development, dopaminergic neurons born in the substantia nigra extend their axons toward the striatum. However, the mechanisms by which the dopaminergic axons extend the striatum to innervate their targets remain unclear. We previously showed that paired-cultivation of mesencephalic cells containing dopaminergic neurons with striatal cells leads to the extension of dopaminergic neurites from the mesencephalic cell region to the striatal cell region. The present study shows that dopaminergic neurites extended along striatal neurons in the paired-cultures of mesencephalic cells with striatal cells. The extension of dopaminergic neurites was suppressed by the pharmacological inhibition of integrin α5β1. Using lentiviral vectors, short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of integrin α5 in dopaminergic neurons suppressed the neurite outgrowth to the striatal cell region. In contrast, the knockdown of integrin α5 in non-dopaminergic mesencephalic and striatal cells had no effect. Furthermore, overexpression of integrin α5 in dopaminergic neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells enhanced their neurite outgrowth on striatal cells. These results indicate that integrin α5β1 expression on dopaminergic neurons plays an important role in the dopaminergic neurite outgrowth on striatal neurons.
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Pignataro D, Sucunza D, Rico AJ, Dopeso-Reyes IG, Roda E, Rodríguez-Perez AI, Labandeira-Garcia JL, Broccoli V, Kato S, Kobayashi K, Lanciego JL. Gene therapy approaches in the non-human primate model of Parkinson's disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2017; 125:575-589. [PMID: 28130586 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-017-1681-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The field of gene therapy has recently witnessed a number of major conceptual changes. Besides the traditional thinking that comprises the use of viral vectors for the delivery of a given therapeutic gene, a number of original approaches have been recently envisaged, focused on using vectors carrying genes to further modify basal ganglia circuits of interest. It is expected that these approaches will ultimately induce a therapeutic potential being sustained by gene-induced changes in brain circuits. Among others, at present, it is technically feasible to use viral vectors to (1) achieve a controlled release of neurotrophic factors, (2) conduct either a transient or permanent silencing of any given basal ganglia circuit of interest, (3) perform an in vivo cellular reprogramming by promoting the conversion of resident cells into dopaminergic-like neurons, and (4) improving levodopa efficacy over time by targeting aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase. Furthermore, extensive research efforts based on viral vectors are currently ongoing in an attempt to better replicate the dopaminergic neurodegeneration phenomena inherent to the progressive intraneuronal aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Finally, a number of incoming strategies will soon emerge over the horizon, these being sustained by the underlying goal of promoting alpha-synuclein clearance, such as, for instance, gene therapy initiatives based on increasing the activity of glucocerebrosidase. To provide adequate proof-of-concept on safety and efficacy and to push forward true translational initiatives based on these different types of gene therapies before entering into clinical trials, the use of non-human primate models undoubtedly plays an instrumental role.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pignataro
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - D Sucunza
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - A J Rico
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - I G Dopeso-Reyes
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - E Roda
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - A I Rodríguez-Perez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J L Labandeira-Garcia
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - V Broccoli
- Division of Neuroscience, Ospedale San Raffaele, 20132, Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - S Kato
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - K Kobayashi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - José L Lanciego
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pio XII Ave 55, Edificio CIMA, 31008, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
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A Delay between Motor Cortex Lesions and Neuronal Transplantation Enhances Graft Integration and Improves Repair and Recovery. J Neurosci 2017; 37:1820-1834. [PMID: 28087762 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2936-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that embryonic motor cortical neurons transplanted immediately after lesions in the adult mouse motor cortex restored damaged motor cortical pathways. A critical barrier hindering the application of transplantation strategies for a wide range of traumatic injuries is the determination of a suitable time window for therapeutic intervention. Here, we report that a 1 week delay between the lesion and transplantation significantly enhances graft vascularization, survival, and proliferation of grafted cells. More importantly, the delay dramatically increases the density of projections developed by grafted neurons and improves functional repair and recovery as assessed by intravital dynamic imaging and behavioral tests. These findings open new avenues in cell transplantation strategies as they indicate successful brain repair may occur following delayed transplantation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cell transplantation represents a promising therapy for cortical trauma. We previously reported that embryonic motor cortical neurons transplanted immediately after lesions in the adult mouse motor cortex restored damaged cortical pathways. A critical barrier hindering the application of transplantation strategies for a wide range of traumatic injuries is the determination of a suitable time window for therapeutic intervention. We demonstrate that a 1 week delay between the lesion and transplantation significantly enhances graft vascularization, survival, proliferation, and the density of the projections developed by grafted neurons. More importantly, the delay has a beneficial impact on functional repair and recovery. These results impact the effectiveness of transplantation strategies in a wide range of traumatic injuries for which therapeutic intervention is not immediately feasible.
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Kirkeby A, Nolbrant S, Tiklova K, Heuer A, Kee N, Cardoso T, Ottosson DR, Lelos MJ, Rifes P, Dunnett SB, Grealish S, Perlmann T, Parmar M. Predictive Markers Guide Differentiation to Improve Graft Outcome in Clinical Translation of hESC-Based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease. Cell Stem Cell 2017; 20:135-148. [PMID: 28094017 PMCID: PMC5222722 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are expected to reach clinical trials soon. Most of the approaches currently under development involve transplantation of immature progenitors that subsequently undergo phenotypic and functional maturation in vivo, and predicting the long-term graft outcome already at the progenitor stage remains a challenge. Here, we took an unbiased approach to identify predictive markers expressed in dopamine neuron progenitors that correlate with graft outcome in an animal model of Parkinson's disease through gene expression analysis of >30 batches of grafted human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived progenitors. We found that many of the commonly used markers did not accurately predict in vivo subtype-specific maturation. Instead, we identified a specific set of markers associated with the caudal midbrain that correlate with high dopaminergic yield after transplantation in vivo. Using these markers, we developed a good manufacturing practice (GMP) differentiation protocol for highly efficient and reproducible production of transplantable dopamine progenitors from hESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete Kirkeby
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Human Neural Development, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Sara Nolbrant
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Katarina Tiklova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Branch, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Heuer
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nigel Kee
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Branch, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tiago Cardoso
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniella Rylander Ottosson
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mariah J Lelos
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, South Wales, UK
| | - Pedro Rifes
- Human Neural Development, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Stephen B Dunnett
- Brain Repair Group, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, South Wales, UK
| | - Shane Grealish
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas Perlmann
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Branch, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden.
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Teixeira FG, Carvalho MM, Panchalingam KM, Rodrigues AJ, Mendes‐Pinheiro B, Anjo S, Manadas B, Behie LA, Sousa N, Salgado AJ. Impact of the Secretome of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Brain Structure and Animal Behavior in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Stem Cells Transl Med 2016; 6:634-646. [PMID: 28191785 PMCID: PMC5442797 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2016-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in the last decade strongly suggests that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐mediated therapeutic benefits are mainly due to their secretome, which has been proposed as a possible therapeutic tool for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Indeed, it has been shown that the MSC secretome increases neurogenesis and cell survival, and has numerous neuroprotective actions under different conditions. Additionally, using dynamic culturing conditions (through computer‐controlled bioreactors) can further modulate the MSC secretome, thereby generating a more potent neurotrophic factor cocktail (i.e., conditioned medium). In this study, we have characterized the MSC secretome by proteomic‐based analysis, investigating its therapeutic effects on the physiological recovery of a 6‐hydroxidopamine (6‐OHDA) PD rat model. For this purpose, we injected MSC secretome into the substantia nigra (SNc) and striatum (STR), characterizing the behavioral performance and determining histological parameters for injected animals versus untreated groups. We observed that the secretome potentiated the increase of dopaminergic neurons (i.e., tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells) and neuronal terminals in the SNc and STR, respectively, thereby supporting the recovery observed in the Parkinsonian rats’ motor performance outcomes (assessed by rotarod and staircase tests). Finally, proteomic characterization of the MSC secretome (through combined mass spectrometry analysis and Bioplex assays) revealed the presence of important neuroregulatory molecules, namely cystatin C, glia‐derived nexin, galectin‐1, pigment epithelium‐derived factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin‐6, and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor. Overall, we concluded that the use of human MSC secretome alone was able to partially revert the motor phenotype and the neuronal structure of 6‐OHDA PD animals. This indicates that the human MSC secretome could represent a novel therapeutic for the treatment of PD. Stem Cells Translational Medicine2017;6:634–646
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio G. Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Miguel M. Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Krishna M. Panchalingam
- Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ana J. Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Mendes‐Pinheiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandra Anjo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Manadas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Biocant ‐ Biotechnology Innovation Center, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Leo A. Behie
- Pharmaceutical Production Research Facility, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António J. Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's ‐ PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Grow DA, McCarrey JR, Navara CS. Advantages of nonhuman primates as preclinical models for evaluating stem cell-based therapies for Parkinson's disease. Stem Cell Res 2016; 17:352-366. [PMID: 27622596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The derivation of dopaminergic neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells brings new hope for a patient-specific, stem cell-based replacement therapy to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) and related neurodegenerative diseases; and this novel cell-based approach has already proven effective in animal models. However, there are several aspects of this procedure that have yet to be optimized to the extent required for translation to an optimal cell-based transplantation protocol in humans. These challenges include pinpointing the optimal graft location, appropriately scaling up the graft volume, and minimizing the risk of chronic immune rejection, among others. To advance this procedure to the clinic, it is imperative that a model that accurately and fully recapitulates characteristics most pertinent to a cell-based transplantation to the human brain is used to optimize key technical aspects of the procedure. Nonhuman primates mimic humans in multiple ways including similarities in genomics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, immunogenetics, and age-related changes in immune function. These characteristics are critical to the establishment of a relevant model in which to conduct preclinical studies to optimize the efficacy and safety of cell-based therapeutic approaches to the treatment of PD. Here we review previous studies in rodent models, and emphasize additional advantages afforded by nonhuman primate models in general, and the baboon model in particular, for preclinical optimization of cell-based therapeutic approaches to the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. We outline current unresolved challenges to the successful application of stem cell therapies in humans and propose that the baboon model in particular affords a number of traits that render it most useful for preclinical studies designed to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas A Grow
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Cellular Therapeutics Institute, PriStem, United States
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Cellular Therapeutics Institute, PriStem, United States
| | - Christopher S Navara
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio Cellular Therapeutics Institute, PriStem, United States.
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Ballout N, Frappé I, Péron S, Jaber M, Zibara K, Gaillard A. Development and Maturation of Embryonic Cortical Neurons Grafted into the Damaged Adult Motor Cortex. Front Neural Circuits 2016; 10:55. [PMID: 27536221 PMCID: PMC4971105 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Injury to the human central nervous system can lead to devastating consequences due to its poor ability to self-repair. Neural transplantation aimed at replacing lost neurons and restore functional circuitry has proven to be a promising therapeutical avenue. We previously reported in adult rodent animal models with cortical lesions that grafted fetal cortical neurons could effectively re-establish specific patterns of projections and synapses. The current study was designed to provide a detailed characterization of the spatio-temporal in vivo development of fetal cortical transplanted cells within the lesioned adult motor cortex and their corresponding axonal projections. We show here that as early as 2 weeks after grafting, cortical neuroblasts transplanted into damaged adult motor cortex developed appropriate projections to cortical and subcortical targets. Grafted cells initially exhibited characteristics of immature neurons, which then differentiated into mature neurons with appropriate cortical phenotypes where most were glutamatergic and few were GABAergic. All cortical subtypes identified with the specific markers CTIP2, Cux1, FOXP2, and Tbr1 were generated after grafting as evidenced with BrdU co-labeling. The set of data provided here is of interest as it sets biological standards for future studies aimed at replacing fetal cells with embryonic stem cells as a source of cortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nissrine Ballout
- Cellular Therapies in Brain Diseases Group, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1084Poitiers, France; Pole Biologie Sante, Université de Poitiers, U1084Poitiers, France; Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese UniversityBeirut, Lebanon; ER045 - Laboratory of Stem Cells, PRASE, DSSTBeirut, Lebanon
| | - Isabelle Frappé
- Cellular Therapies in Brain Diseases Group, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1084Poitiers, France; Pole Biologie Sante, Université de Poitiers, U1084Poitiers, France
| | - Sophie Péron
- Cellular Therapies in Brain Diseases Group, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1084Poitiers, France; Pole Biologie Sante, Université de Poitiers, U1084Poitiers, France
| | - Mohamed Jaber
- Cellular Therapies in Brain Diseases Group, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1084Poitiers, France; Pole Biologie Sante, Université de Poitiers, U1084Poitiers, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de PoitiersPoitiers, France
| | - Kazem Zibara
- Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese UniversityBeirut, Lebanon; ER045 - Laboratory of Stem Cells, PRASE, DSSTBeirut, Lebanon
| | - Afsaneh Gaillard
- Cellular Therapies in Brain Diseases Group, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1084Poitiers, France; Pole Biologie Sante, Université de Poitiers, U1084Poitiers, France
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