1
|
Pasniceanu IS, Atwal MS, Souza CDS, Ferraiuolo L, Livesey MR. Emerging Mechanisms Underpinning Neurophysiological Impairments in C9ORF72 Repeat Expansion-Mediated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:784833. [PMID: 34975412 PMCID: PMC8715728 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.784833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are characterized by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and neurons of the prefrontal cortex. The emergence of the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion mutation as the leading genetic cause of ALS and FTD has led to a progressive understanding of the multiple cellular pathways leading to neuronal degeneration. Disturbances in neuronal function represent a major subset of these mechanisms and because such functional perturbations precede degeneration, it is likely that impaired neuronal function in ALS/FTD plays an active role in pathogenesis. This is supported by the fact that ALS/FTD patients consistently present with neurophysiological impairments prior to any apparent degeneration. In this review we summarize how the discovery of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion mutation has contributed to the current understanding of neuronal dysfunction in ALS/FTD. Here, we discuss the impact of the repeat expansion on neuronal function in relation to intrinsic excitability, synaptic, network and ion channel properties, highlighting evidence of conserved and divergent pathophysiological impacts between cortical and motor neurons and the influence of non-neuronal cells. We further highlight the emerging association between these dysfunctional properties with molecular mechanisms of the C9ORF72 mutation that appear to include roles for both, haploinsufficiency of the C9ORF72 protein and aberrantly generated dipeptide repeat protein species. Finally, we suggest that relating key pathological observations in C9ORF72 repeat expansion ALS/FTD patients to the mechanistic impact of the C9ORF72 repeat expansion on neuronal function will lead to an improved understanding of how neurophysiological dysfunction impacts upon pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris-Stefania Pasniceanu
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Manpreet Singh Atwal
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Cleide Dos Santos Souza
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew R Livesey
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Knock E, Julian LM. Building on a Solid Foundation: Adding Relevance and Reproducibility to Neurological Modeling Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:767457. [PMID: 34867204 PMCID: PMC8637745 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.767457] [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: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is our most complex and least understood organ. Animal models have long been the most versatile tools available to dissect brain form and function; however, the human brain is highly distinct from that of standard model organisms. In addition to existing models, access to human brain cells and tissues is essential to reach new frontiers in our understanding of the human brain and how to intervene therapeutically in the face of disease or injury. In this review, we discuss current and developing culture models of human neural tissue, outlining advantages over animal models and key challenges that remain to be overcome. Our principal focus is on advances in engineering neural cells and tissue constructs from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), though primary human cell and slice culture are also discussed. By highlighting studies that combine animal models and human neural cell culture techniques, we endeavor to demonstrate that clever use of these orthogonal model systems produces more reproducible, physiological, and clinically relevant data than either approach alone. We provide examples across a range of topics in neuroscience research including brain development, injury, and cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric conditions. Finally, as testing of PSC-derived neurons for cell replacement therapy progresses, we touch on the advancements that are needed to make this a clinical mainstay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Knock
- Research and Development, STEMCELL Technologies Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa M Julian
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
De Los Angeles A, Fernando MB, Hall NAL, Brennand KJ, Harrison PJ, Maher BJ, Weinberger DR, Tunbridge EM. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Psychiatry: An Overview and Critical Perspective. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:362-372. [PMID: 34176589 PMCID: PMC8375580 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A key challenge in psychiatry research is the development of high-fidelity model systems that can be experimentally manipulated to explore and test pathophysiological mechanisms of illness. In this respect, the emerging capacity to derive neural cells and circuits from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has generated significant excitement. This review aims to provide a critical appraisal of the potential for iPSCs in illuminating pathophysiological mechanisms in the context of other available technical approaches. We discuss the selection of iPSC phenotypes relevant to psychiatry, the information that researchers can draw on to help guide these decisions, and how researchers choose between the use of 2-dimensional cultures and the use of more complex 3-dimensional model systems. We discuss the strengths and limitations of current models and the challenges and opportunities that they present. Finally, we discuss the potential of iPSC-based model systems for clarifying the mechanisms underlying genetic risk for psychiatry and the steps that will be needed to ensure that robust and reliable conclusions can be drawn. We argue that while iPSC-based models are ideally placed to study fundamental processes occurring within and between neural cells, they are often less well suited for case-control studies, given issues relating to statistical power and the challenges in identifying which cellular phenotypes are meaningful at the level of the whole individual. Our aim is to highlight the importance of considering the hypotheses of a given study to guide decisions about which, if any, iPSC-based system is most appropriate to address it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro De Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael B Fernando
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Nicola A L Hall
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brady J Maher
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Perkins EM, Burr K, Banerjee P, Mehta AR, Dando O, Selvaraj BT, Suminaite D, Nanda J, Henstridge CM, Gillingwater TH, Hardingham GE, Wyllie DJA, Chandran S, Livesey MR. Altered network properties in C9ORF72 repeat expansion cortical neurons are due to synaptic dysfunction. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:13. [PMID: 33663561 PMCID: PMC7931347 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00433-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physiological disturbances in cortical network excitability and plasticity are established and widespread in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients, including those harbouring the C9ORF72 repeat expansion (C9ORF72RE) mutation - the most common genetic impairment causal to ALS and FTD. Noting that perturbations in cortical function are evidenced pre-symptomatically, and that the cortex is associated with widespread pathology, cortical dysfunction is thought to be an early driver of neurodegenerative disease progression. However, our understanding of how altered network function manifests at the cellular and molecular level is not clear. METHODS To address this we have generated cortical neurons from patient-derived iPSCs harbouring C9ORF72RE mutations, as well as from their isogenic expansion-corrected controls. We have established a model of network activity in these neurons using multi-electrode array electrophysiology. We have then mechanistically examined the physiological processes underpinning network dysfunction using a combination of patch-clamp electrophysiology, immunocytochemistry, pharmacology and transcriptomic profiling. RESULTS We find that C9ORF72RE causes elevated network burst activity, associated with enhanced synaptic input, yet lower burst duration, attributable to impaired pre-synaptic vesicle dynamics. We also show that the C9ORF72RE is associated with impaired synaptic plasticity. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis revealed dysregulated molecular pathways impacting on synaptic function. All molecular, cellular and network deficits are rescued by CRISPR/Cas9 correction of C9ORF72RE. Our study provides a mechanistic view of the early dysregulated processes that underpin cortical network dysfunction in ALS-FTD. CONCLUSION These findings suggest synaptic pathophysiology is widespread in ALS-FTD and has an early and fundamental role in driving altered network function that is thought to contribute to neurodegenerative processes in these patients. The overall importance is the identification of previously unidentified defects in pre and postsynaptic compartments affecting synaptic plasticity, synaptic vesicle stores, and network propagation, which directly impact upon cortical function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. Perkins
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
| | - Karen Burr
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Poulomi Banerjee
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Arpan R. Mehta
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Owen Dando
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Daumante Suminaite
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
| | - Jyoti Nanda
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Christopher M. Henstridge
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY UK
| | - Thomas H. Gillingwater
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
| | - Giles E. Hardingham
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
| | - David J. A. Wyllie
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, inStem, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Matthew R. Livesey
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD UK
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Han F, Lu P. Introduction for Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1266:1-8. [PMID: 33105491 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-4370-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of neurological diseases caused by the progressive degeneration of neurons and glial cells in the brain and spinal cords. Usually there is a selective loss of specific neuronal cells in a restricted brain area from any neurodegenerative diseases, such as dopamine (DA) neuron death in Parkinson disease (PD) and motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or a widespread degeneration affecting many types of neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD). As there is no effective treatment to stop the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell-based therapies have provided great potentials for these disorders. Currently transplantation of different stem cells or their derivatives has improved neural function in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases by replacing the lost neural cells, releasing cytokines, modulation of inflammation, and mediating remyelination. With the advance in somatic cell reprogramming to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and directly induced neural stem cells or neurons, pluripotent stem cell can be induced to differentiate to any kind of neural cells and overcome the immune rejection of the allogeneic transplantation. Recent studies have proved the effectiveness of transplanted stem cells in animal studies and some clinical trials on patients with NDs. However, some significant hurdles need to be resolved before these preclinical results can be translated to clinic. In particular, we need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of stem cell transplantation and develop new approaches to increase the directed neural differentiation, migration, survival, and functional connections of transplanted stem cells in the pathological environment of the patient's central nerve system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabin Han
- The Institute for Translational Medicine, Shandong University/Affiliated Second Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China.
| | - Paul Lu
- Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Das Sharma S, Pal R, Reddy BK, Selvaraj BT, Raj N, Samaga KK, Srinivasan DJ, Ornelas L, Sareen D, Livesey MR, Bassell GJ, Svendsen CN, Kind PC, Chandran S, Chattarji S, Wyllie DJA. Cortical neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells lacking FMRP display altered spontaneous firing patterns. Mol Autism 2020; 11:52. [PMID: 32560741 PMCID: PMC7304215 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00351-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is a leading monogenetic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Notwithstanding the extensive studies using rodent and other pre-clinical models of FXS, which have provided detailed mechanistic insights into the pathophysiology of this disorder, it is only relatively recently that human stem cell-derived neurons have been employed as a model system to further our understanding of the pathophysiological events that may underlie FXS. Our study assesses the physiological properties of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical neurons lacking fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). METHODS Electrophysiological whole-cell voltage- and current-clamp recordings were performed on two control and three FXS patient lines of human cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. In addition, we also describe the properties of an isogenic pair of lines in one of which FMR1 gene expression has been silenced. RESULTS Neurons lacking FMRP displayed bursts of spontaneous action potential firing that were more frequent but shorter in duration compared to those recorded from neurons expressing FMRP. Inhibition of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ currents and the persistent Na+ current in control neurons phenocopies action potential bursting observed in neurons lacking FMRP, while in neurons lacking FMRP pharmacological potentiation of voltage-dependent Na+ channels phenocopies action potential bursting observed in control neurons. Notwithstanding the changes in spontaneous action potential firing, we did not observe any differences in the intrinsic properties of neurons in any of the lines examined. Moreover, we did not detect any differences in the properties of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in any of the lines. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological manipulations can alter the action potential burst profiles in both control and FMRP-null human cortical neurons, making them appear like their genetic counterpart. Our studies indicate that FMRP targets that have been found in rodent models of FXS are also potential targets in a human-based model system, and we suggest potential mechanisms by which activity is altered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Das Sharma
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India.,The University of Trans-Displinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Rakhi Pal
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Bharath Kumar Reddy
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Nisha Raj
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Krishna Kumar Samaga
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India
| | - Durga J Srinivasan
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India.,The University of Trans-Displinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Loren Ornelas
- The Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,iPSC Core, The David Janet Polak Foundation Stem Cell Core Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA
| | - Dhruv Sareen
- The Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,iPSC Core, The David Janet Polak Foundation Stem Cell Core Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,Cedars-Sinai Biomanufacturing Center, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Matthew R Livesey
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- The Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Peter C Kind
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK.,Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Sumantra Chattarji
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India. .,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India.
| | - David J A Wyllie
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, 560065, India. .,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,Patrick Wild Centre, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK. .,Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kruth KA, Grisolano TM, Ahern CA, Williams AJ. SCN2A channelopathies in the autism spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders: a role for pluripotent stem cells? Mol Autism 2020; 11:23. [PMID: 32264956 PMCID: PMC7140374 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to identify the causes of autism spectrum disorders have highlighted the importance of both genetics and environment, but the lack of human models for many of these disorders limits researchers’ attempts to understand the mechanisms of disease and to develop new treatments. Induced pluripotent stem cells offer the opportunity to study specific genetic and environmental risk factors, but the heterogeneity of donor genetics may obscure important findings. Diseases associated with unusually high rates of autism, such as SCN2A syndromes, provide an opportunity to study specific mutations with high effect sizes in a human genetic context and may reveal biological insights applicable to more common forms of autism. Loss-of-function mutations in the SCN2A gene, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.2, are associated with autism rates up to 50%. Here, we review the findings from experimental models of SCN2A syndromes, including mouse and human cell studies, highlighting the potential role for patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology to identify the molecular and cellular substrates of autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina A Kruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 169 Newton Rd, 2326 PBDB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Tierney M Grisolano
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 169 Newton Rd, 2312 PBDB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Christopher A Ahern
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 169 Newton Rd, 2312 PBDB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Aislinn J Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, 169 Newton Rd, 2326 PBDB, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhao C, Devlin AC, Chouhan AK, Selvaraj BT, Stavrou M, Burr K, Brivio V, He X, Mehta AR, Story D, Shaw CE, Dando O, Hardingham GE, Miles GB, Chandran S. Mutant C9orf72 human iPSC-derived astrocytes cause non-cell autonomous motor neuron pathophysiology. Glia 2019; 68:1046-1064. [PMID: 31841614 PMCID: PMC7078830 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in C9orf72 are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Accumulating evidence implicates astrocytes as important non‐cell autonomous contributors to ALS pathogenesis, although the potential deleterious effects of astrocytes on the function of motor neurons remains to be determined in a completely humanized model of C9orf72‐mediated ALS. Here, we use a human iPSC‐based model to study the cell autonomous and non‐autonomous consequences of mutant C9orf72 expression by astrocytes. We show that mutant astrocytes both recapitulate key aspects of C9orf72‐related ALS pathology and, upon co‐culture, cause motor neurons to undergo a progressive loss of action potential output due to decreases in the magnitude of voltage‐activated Na+ and K+ currents. Importantly, CRISPR/Cas‐9 mediated excision of the C9orf72 repeat expansion reverses these phenotypes, confirming that the C9orf72 mutation is responsible for both cell‐autonomous astrocyte pathology and non‐cell autonomous motor neuron pathophysiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhao
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna-Claire Devlin
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - Amit K Chouhan
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Stavrou
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen Burr
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Veronica Brivio
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - Xin He
- Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Arpan R Mehta
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Story
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher E Shaw
- MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at Kings College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK
| | - Owen Dando
- Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Giles E Hardingham
- Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gareth B Miles
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Alia C, Terrigno M, Busti I, Cremisi F, Caleo M. Pluripotent Stem Cells for Brain Repair: Protocols and Preclinical Applications in Cortical and Hippocampal Pathologies. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:684. [PMID: 31447623 PMCID: PMC6691396 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain injuries causing chronic sensory or motor deficit, such as stroke, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization; furthermore, they carry heavy social and economic burdens due to decreased quality of life and need of assistance. Given the limited effectiveness of rehabilitation, novel therapeutic strategies are required to enhance functional recovery. Since cell-based approaches have emerged as an intriguing and promising strategy to promote brain repair, many efforts have been made to study the functional integration of neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), or fetal neurons, after grafting into the damaged host tissue. PSCs hold great promises for their clinical applications, such as cellular replacement of damaged neural tissues with autologous neurons. They also offer the possibility to create in vitro models to assess the efficacy of drugs and therapies. Notwithstanding these potential applications, PSC-derived transplanted neurons have to match the precise sub-type, positional and functional identity of the lesioned neural tissue. Thus, the requirement of highly specific and efficient differentiation protocols of PSCs in neurons with appropriate neural identity constitutes the main challenge limiting the clinical use of stem cells in the near future. In this Review, we discuss the recent advances in the derivation of telencephalic (cortical and hippocampal) neurons from PSCs, assessing specificity and efficiency of the differentiation protocols, with particular emphasis on the genetic and molecular characterization of PSC-derived neurons. Second, we address the remaining challenges for cellular replacement therapies in cortical brain injuries, focusing on electrophysiological properties, functional integration and therapeutic effects of the transplanted neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Alia
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Terrigno
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Irene Busti
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drugs and Child Health Area, School of Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Cremisi
- Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy.,Biophysics Institute (IBF), National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Caleo
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Izsak J, Seth H, Andersson M, Vizlin-Hodzic D, Theiss S, Hanse E, Ågren H, Funa K, Illes S. Robust Generation of Person-Specific, Synchronously Active Neuronal Networks Using Purely Isogenic Human iPSC-3D Neural Aggregate Cultures. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:351. [PMID: 31068774 PMCID: PMC6491690 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproducibly generating human induced pluripotent stem cell-based functional neuronal circuits, solely obtained from single individuals, poses particular challenges to achieve personalized and patient specific functional neuronal in vitro models. A hallmark of functional neuronal assemblies, synchronous neuronal activity, can be non-invasively studied by microelectrode array (MEA) technology, reliably capturing physiological and pathophysiological aspects of human brain function. In our here presented manuscript, we demonstrate a procedure to generate 3D neural aggregates comprising astrocytes, oligodendroglial cells, and neurons obtained from the same human tissue sample. Moreover, we demonstrate the robust ability of those neurons to create a highly synchronously active neuronal network within 3 weeks in vitro, without additionally applied astrocytes. The fusion of MEA-technology with functional neuronal circuits solely obtained from one individual's cells represent isogenic person-specific human neuronal sensor chips that pave the way for specific personalized in vitro neuronal networks as well as neurological and neuropsychiatric disease modeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Izsak
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Seth
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Andersson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Dzeneta Vizlin-Hodzic
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stephan Theiss
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Result Medical GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric Hanse
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hans Ågren
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Section of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Keiko Funa
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Oncology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Illes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Varrault A, Journot L, Bouschet T. Cerebral Cortex Generated from Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Corticogenesis and Rebuild Cortical Circuits: In Vitro Veritas? Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:361-369. [PMID: 30661489 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids and cells generated in vitro from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are considered to be robust models of development and a conceivable source of transplants for putative cell therapy. However, a fundamental question about organoids and cells generated from PSCs is as follows: do they faithfully reproduce the in vivo tissue they are supposed to mimic and replace? This question is particularly relevant to complex tissues such as the cerebral cortex. In this review, we have tackled this issue by comparing cerebral cortices generated in vitro from PSCs to the in vivo cortex, with a particular focus on their respective cellular composition, molecular and epigenetic signatures, and brain connectivity. In short, in vitro cortex generated from PSCs reproduces most of the cardinal features of the in vivo cortex, including temporal corticogenesis and connectivity when PSC-derived cortical cells are grafted in recipient mouse cortex. However, compared to in vivo cortex, in vitro cortex lacks microglia and blood vessels and is less mature. Recent experiments show that the brain of the transplanted host provides these missing cell types together with an environment that promotes the synaptic maturation of the cortical transplant. Taken together, these data suggest that corticogenesis is largely intrinsic and well recapitulated in vitro, while the full maturation of cortical cells requires additional environmental clues. Finally, we propose some lines of work to improve corticogenesis from PSCs as a tool to model corticogenesis and rebuild cortical circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Varrault
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Journot
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Tristan Bouschet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Majolo F, Marinowic DR, Machado DC, Da Costa JC. Important advances in Alzheimer's disease from the use of induced pluripotent stem cells. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:15. [PMID: 30728025 PMCID: PMC6366077 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0501-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the various types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent and is clinically defined as the appearance of progressive deficits in cognition and memory. Considering that AD is a central nervous system disease, getting tissue from the patient to study the disease before death is challenging. The discovery of the technique called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allows to reprogram the patient’s somatic cells to a pluripotent state by the forced expression of a defined set of transcription factors. Many studies have shown promising results and made important conclusions beyond AD using iPSCs approach. Due to the accumulating knowledge related to this topic and the important advances obtained until now, we review, using PubMed, and present an update of all publications related to AD from the use of iPSCs. The first iPSCs generated for AD were carried out in 2011 by Yahata et al. (PLoS One 6:e25788, 2011) and Yaqi et al. (Hum Mol Genet 20:4530–9, 2011). Like other authors, both authors used iPSCs as a pre-clinical tool for screening therapeutic compounds. This approach is also essential to model AD, testing early toxicity and efficacy, and developing a platform for drug development. Considering that the iPSCs technique is relatively recent, we can consider that the AD field received valuable contributions from iPSCs models, contributing to our understanding and the treatment of this devastating disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Majolo
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences (PUCRS), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610000, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Rodrigo Marinowic
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences (PUCRS), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610000, Brazil
| | - Denise Cantarelli Machado
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences (PUCRS), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610000, Brazil
| | - Jaderson Costa Da Costa
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health Sciences (PUCRS), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90610000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Harbom LJ, Rudisill TL, Michel N, Litwa KA, Beenhakker MP, McConnell MJ. The effect of rho kinase inhibition on morphological and electrophysiological maturity in iPSC-derived neurons. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 375:641-654. [PMID: 30406823 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2942-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons permit the study of neurogenesis and neurological disease in a human setting. However, the electrophysiological properties of iPSC-derived neurons are consistent with those observed in immature cortical neurons, including a high membrane resistance depolarized resting membrane potential and immature firing properties, limiting their use in modeling neuronal activity in adult cells. Based on the proven association between inhibiting rho kinase (ROCK) and increased neurite complexity, we seek to determine if short-term ROCK inhibition during the first 1-2 weeks of differentiation would increase morphological complexity and electrophysiological maturity after several weeks of differentiation. While inhibiting ROCK resulted in increased neurite formation after 24 h, this effect did not persist at 3 and 6 weeks of age. Additionally, there was no effect of ROCK inhibition on electrophysiological properties at 2-3, 6, or 12 weeks of age, despite an increase in evoked and spontaneous firing and a more hyperpolarized resting membrane potential over time. These results indicate that while there is a clear effect of time on electrophysiological maturity, ROCK inhibition did not accelerate maturity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lise J Harbom
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, Centers for Brain Immunology and Glia, Public Health Genomics, and Children's Health Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Taylor L Rudisill
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Nadine Michel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, Centers for Brain Immunology and Glia, Public Health Genomics, and Children's Health Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Karen A Litwa
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Mark P Beenhakker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| | - Michael J McConnell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and Neuroscience, Centers for Brain Immunology and Glia, Public Health Genomics, and Children's Health Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Randall AD. Are stem cell-derived neural cells physiologically credible? J Physiol 2018; 594:6569-6572. [PMID: 27870124 DOI: 10.1113/jp273348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Randall
- Applied Neurophysiology Group, Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Theisen U, Hey S, Hennig CD, Schnabel R, Köster RW. Glycine is able to induce both a motility speed in- and decrease during zebrafish neuronal migration. Commun Integr Biol 2018; 11:1-7. [PMID: 30214676 PMCID: PMC6132429 DOI: 10.1080/19420889.2018.1493324] [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: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Various neurotransmitters influence neuronal migration in the developing zebrafish hindbrain. Migrating tegmental hindbrain nuclei neurons (THNs) are governed by depolarizing neurotransmitters (acetylcholine and glutamate), and glycine. In mature neurons, glycine binds to its receptor to hyperpolarize cells. This effect depends on the co-expression of the solute carrier KCC2. Immature precursors, however, typically express NKCC1 instead of KCC2, leading to membrane depolarization upon glycine receptor activation. As neuronal migration occurs in neurons after leaving the cell cycle and before terminal differentiation, we hypothesized that the switch from NKCC1 to KCC2 expression could alter the effect of glycine on THN migration. We tested this notion using in vivo cell tracking, overexpression of glycine receptor mutations and whole mount in situ hybridization. We summarize our findings in a speculative model, combining developmental age, glycine receptor strength and solute carrier expression to describe the effect of glycine on the migration of THNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Theisen
- TU Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sven Hey
- TU Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Schnabel
- TU Braunschweig, Institute for Genetics, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Reinhard W Köster
- TU Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ritchie L, Tate R, Chamberlain LH, Robertson G, Zagnoni M, Sposito T, Wray S, Wright JA, Bryant CE, Gay NJ, Bushell TJ. Toll-like receptor 3 activation impairs excitability and synaptic activity via TRIF signalling in immature rat and human neurons. Neuropharmacology 2018; 135:1-10. [PMID: 29505789 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toll like receptor 3 (TLR3) belongs to a family of pattern recognition receptors that recognise molecules found on pathogens referred to as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Its involvement in innate immunity is well known but despite its presence in the central nervous system (CNS), our knowledge of its function is limited. Here, we have investigated whether TLR3 activation modulates synaptic activity in primary hippocampal cultures and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. Synaptically driven spontaneous action potential (AP) firing was significantly reduced by the TLR3 specific activator, poly I:C, in a concentration-dependent manner following both short (5 min) and long exposures (1h) in rat hippocampal cultures. Notably, the consequence of TLR3 activation on neuronal function was reproduced in iPSC-derived cortical neurons, with poly I:C (25 μg/ml, 1h) significantly inhibiting sAP firing. We examined the mechanisms underlying these effects, with poly I:C significantly reducing peak sodium current, an effect dependent on the MyD88-independent TRIF dependent pathway. Furthermore, poly I:C (25 μg/ml, 1h) resulted in a significant reduction in miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mEPSC) frequency and amplitude and significantly reduced surface AMPAR expression. These novel findings reveal that TLR3 activation inhibits neuronal excitability and synaptic activity through multiple mechanisms, with this being observed in both rat and human iPSC-derived neurons. These data might provide further insight into how TLR3 activation may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders following maternal infection and in patients with increased susceptibility to herpes simplex encephalitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ritchie
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Rothwell Tate
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Luke H Chamberlain
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Graham Robertson
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK
| | - Michele Zagnoni
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK
| | - Teresa Sposito
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - John A Wright
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Clare E Bryant
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Nicholas J Gay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Trevor J Bushell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Single-cell analysis of diversity in human stem cell-derived neurons. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 371:171-179. [PMID: 29185070 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2728-3] [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: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem and progenitor cells produce one of the most remarkable organs in nature, the human brain. Among neural stem cell progeny, post-mitotic neurons are likewise remarkably diverse. Single-cell transcriptomic approaches are now cataloging a long-sought-after molecular taxonomy of neuronal diversity in the brain. Contemporary single-cell omic classifications of neuronal diversity build from electrophysiological approaches that for decades have measured and cataloged diverse biophysical properties of single neurons. With the widespread application of human pluripotent stem cell-based models of neurogenesis to investigate disease pathology and to develop new drugs, a high-resolution understanding of neuronal diversity in vivo is essential to benchmark the state of in vitro models of human neurological disease.
Collapse
|
18
|
Imm J, Kerrigan TL, Jeffries A, Lunnon K. Using induced pluripotent stem cells to explore genetic and epigenetic variation associated with Alzheimer's disease. Epigenomics 2017; 9:1455-1468. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is thought that both genetic and epigenetic variation play a role in Alzheimer's disease initiation and progression. With the advent of somatic cell reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells it is now possible to generate patient-derived cells that are able to more accurately model and recapitulate disease. Furthermore, by combining this with recent advances in (epi)genome editing technologies, it is possible to begin to examine the functional consequence of previously nominated genetic variants and infer epigenetic causality from recently identified epigenetic variants. In this review, we explore the role of genetic and epigenetic variation in Alzheimer's disease and how the functional relevance of nominated loci can be investigated using induced pluripotent stem cells and (epi)genome editing techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Imm
- Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Talitha L Kerrigan
- Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Aaron Jeffries
- Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Katie Lunnon
- Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bouschet T, Dubois E, Reynès C, Kota SK, Rialle S, Maupetit-Méhouas S, Pezet M, Le Digarcher A, Nidelet S, Demolombe V, Cavelier P, Meusnier C, Maurizy C, Sabatier R, Feil R, Arnaud P, Journot L, Varrault A. In Vitro Corticogenesis from Embryonic Stem Cells Recapitulates the In Vivo Epigenetic Control of Imprinted Gene Expression. Cereb Cortex 2017; 27:2418-2433. [PMID: 27095822 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro corticogenesis from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is an attractive model of cortical development and a promising tool for cortical therapy. It is unknown to which extent epigenetic mechanisms crucial for cortex development and function, such as parental genomic imprinting, are recapitulated by in vitro corticogenesis. Here, using genome-wide transcriptomic and methylation analyses on hybrid mouse tissues and cells, we find a high concordance of imprinting status between in vivo and ESC-derived cortices. Notably, in vitro corticogenesis strictly reproduced the in vivo parent-of-origin-dependent expression of 41 imprinted genes (IGs), including Mest and Cdkn1c known to control corticogenesis. Parent-of-origin-dependent DNA methylation was also conserved at 14 of 18 imprinted differentially methylated regions. The least concordant imprinted locus was Gpr1-Zdbf2, where the aberrant bi-allelic expression of Zdbf2 and Adam23 was concomitant with a gain of methylation on the maternal allele in vitro. Combined, our data argue for a broad conservation of the epigenetic mechanisms at imprinted loci in cortical cells derived from ESCs. We propose that in vitro corticogenesis helps to define the still poorly understood mechanisms that regulate imprinting in the brain and the roles of IGs in cortical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Bouschet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Emeric Dubois
- Montpellier GenomiX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMS3426, INSERM US009, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Christelle Reynès
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Satya K Kota
- Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), CNRS UMR 5535, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie Rialle
- Montpellier GenomiX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMS3426, INSERM US009, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Stéphanie Maupetit-Méhouas
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development), CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mikael Pezet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Le Digarcher
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sabine Nidelet
- Montpellier GenomiX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMS3426, INSERM US009, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Demolombe
- Montpellier GenomiX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMS3426, INSERM US009, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Patricia Cavelier
- Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), CNRS UMR 5535, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Meusnier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Chloé Maurizy
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), CNRS UMR 5535, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Robert Sabatier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Robert Feil
- Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM), CNRS UMR 5535, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Arnaud
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development), CNRS UMR6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laurent Journot
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Montpellier GenomiX, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS UMS3426, INSERM US009, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Annie Varrault
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), CNRS UMR5203, INSERM U1191, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Functional Properties of Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons in Health and Disease. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:4190438. [PMID: 27274733 PMCID: PMC4870377 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4190438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived neurons from various source materials present unique model systems to examine the fundamental properties of central nervous system (CNS) development as well as the molecular underpinnings of disease phenotypes. In order to more accurately assess potential therapies for neurological disorders, multiple strategies have been employed in recent years to produce neuronal populations that accurately represent in vivo regional and transmitter phenotypes. These include new technologies such as direct conversion of somatic cell types into neurons and glia which may accelerate maturation and retain genetic hallmarks of aging. In addition, novel forms of genetic manipulations have brought human stem cells nearly on par with those of rodent with respect to gene targeting. For neurons of the CNS, the ultimate phenotypic characterization lies with their ability to recapitulate functional properties such as passive and active membrane characteristics, synaptic activity, and plasticity. These features critically depend on the coordinated expression and localization of hundreds of ion channels and receptors, as well as scaffolding and signaling molecules. In this review I will highlight the current state of knowledge regarding functional properties of human stem cell-derived neurons, with a primary focus on pluripotent stem cells. While significant advances have been made, critical hurdles must be overcome in order for this technology to support progression toward clinical applications.
Collapse
|