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Qin R, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Chen J, Huang L, Xu W, Qin Q, Liang X, Lai X, Huang X, Xie M, Chen L. Decoding single-cell molecular mechanisms in astrocyte-to-iN reprogramming via Ngn2- and Pax6-mediated direct lineage switching. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:390. [PMID: 39068473 PMCID: PMC11282629 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01989-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The limited regenerative capacity of damaged neurons in adult mammals severely restricts neural repair. Although stem cell transplantation is promising, its clinical application remains challenging. Direct reprogramming, which utilizes cell plasticity to regenerate neurons, is an emerging alternative approach. METHODS We utilized primary postnatal cortical astrocytes for reprogramming induced neurons (iNs) through the viral-mediated overexpression of the transcription factors Ngn2 and Pax6 (NP). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to enrich successfully transfected cells, followed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) using the 10 × Genomics platform for comprehensive transcriptomic analysis. RESULTS The scRNA-seq revealed that NP overexpression led to the differentiation of astrocytes into iNs, with percentages of 36% and 39.3% on days 4 and 7 posttransduction, respectively. CytoTRACE predicted the developmental sequence, identifying astrocytes as the reprogramming starting point. Trajectory analysis depicted the dynamic changes in gene expression during the astrocyte-to-iN transition. CONCLUSIONS This study elucidates the molecular dynamics underlying astrocyte reprogramming into iNs, revealing key genes and pathways involved in this process. Our research contributes novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of NP-mediated reprogramming, suggesting avenues for optimizing the efficiency of the reprogramming process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongxing Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yingdan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Jiafeng Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Lijuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Qingchun Qin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xiaojun Liang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xinyu Lai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Minshan Xie
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
- National Center for International Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Theranostics, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China.
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Kim M, Oh S, Kim S, Kim IS, Kim J, Han J, Ahn JW, Chung S, Jang JH, Shin JE, Park KI. In vivo neural regeneration via AAV-NeuroD1 gene delivery to astrocytes in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Inflamm Regen 2024; 44:33. [PMID: 39014391 PMCID: PMC11253351 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-024-00349-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) is a significant contributor to neonatal mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental disability, characterized by massive neuronal loss and reactive astrogliosis. Current therapeutic approaches for neonatal HIBI have been limited to general supportive therapy because of the lack of methods to compensate for irreversible neuronal loss. This study aimed to establish a feasible regenerative therapy for neonatal HIBI utilizing in vivo direct neuronal reprogramming technology. METHODS Neonatal HIBI was induced in ICR mice at postnatal day 7 by permanent right common carotid artery occlusion and exposure to hypoxia with 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 90 min. Three days after the injury, NeuroD1 was delivered to reactive astrocytes of the injury site using the astrocyte-tropic adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector AAVShH19. AAVShH19 was engineered with the Cre-FLEX system for long-term tracking of infected cells. RESULTS AAVShH19-mediated ectopic NeuroD1 expression effectively converted astrocytes into GABAergic neurons, and the converted cells exhibited electrophysiological properties and synaptic transmitters. Additionally, we found that NeuroD1-mediated in vivo direct neuronal reprogramming protected injured host neurons and altered the host environment, i.e., decreased the numbers of activated microglia, reactive astrocytes, and toxic A1-type astrocytes, and decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, NeuroD1-treated mice exhibited significantly improved motor functions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that NeuroD1-mediated in vivo direct neuronal reprogramming technology through AAV gene delivery can be a novel regenerative therapy for neonatal HIBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miri Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokmin Oh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Songyeon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Sun Kim
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Joowon Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Woong Ahn
- BnH Research. Co., Ltd. Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungsoo Chung
- Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Hyung Jang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- GluGene Therapeutics Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Shin
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kook In Park
- Yonsei Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
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3
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Péron S, Miyakoshi LM, Brill MS, Manzano-Franco D, Serrano-López J, Fan W, Marichal N, Ghanem A, Conzelmann KK, Karow M, Ortega F, Gascón S, Berninger B. Programming of neural progenitors of the adult subependymal zone towards a glutamatergic neuron lineage by neurogenin 2. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2418-2433. [PMID: 37995703 PMCID: PMC10724369 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although adult subependymal zone (SEZ) neural stem cells mostly generate GABAergic interneurons, a small progenitor population expresses the proneural gene Neurog2 and produces glutamatergic neurons. Here, we determined whether Neurog2 could respecify SEZ neural stem cells and their progeny toward a glutamatergic fate. Retrovirus-mediated expression of Neurog2 induced the glutamatergic lineage markers TBR2 and TBR1 in cultured SEZ progenitors, which differentiated into functional glutamatergic neurons. Likewise, Neurog2-transduced SEZ progenitors acquired glutamatergic neuron hallmarks in vivo. Intriguingly, they failed to migrate toward the olfactory bulb and instead differentiated within the SEZ or the adjacent striatum, where they received connections from local neurons, as indicated by rabies virus-mediated monosynaptic tracing. In contrast, lentivirus-mediated expression of Neurog2 failed to reprogram early SEZ neurons, which maintained GABAergic identity and migrated to the olfactory bulb. Our data show that NEUROG2 can program SEZ progenitors toward a glutamatergic identity but fails to reprogram their neuronal progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Péron
- Research Group "Adult Neurogenesis and Cellular Reprogramming", Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Leo M Miyakoshi
- Physiological Genomics, Institute of Physiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Monika S Brill
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Diana Manzano-Franco
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute - CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Serrano-López
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Wenqiang Fan
- Research Group "Adult Neurogenesis and Cellular Reprogramming", Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alexander Ghanem
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Klaus Conzelmann
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Ludwig Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Nürnberg-Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felipe Ortega
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica (IUIN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Gascón
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute - CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Research Group "Adult Neurogenesis and Cellular Reprogramming", Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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4
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Li X, Fan R, Xiang J, Yuan Y, Mao X, Zhou N. P-hydroxy benzaldehyde facilitates reprogramming of reactive astrocytes into neurons via endogenous transcriptional regulation. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:1096-1108. [PMID: 35321633 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2049775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral ischemia leads to linguistic and motor dysfunction, as the death of neurons in ischemic core is permanent and non-renewable. An innovative avenue is to induce and/or facilitate reprogramming of adjacent astrocytes into neurons to replace the lost neurons and re-establish brain homeostasis. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate whether the p-hydroxy benzaldehyde (p-HBA), a phenolic compound isolated from Gastrodia elata Blume, could facilitate the reprogramming of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-damaged astrocytes into neurons. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS The primary parenchymal astrocytes of rat were exposure to OGD and reperfusion with define culture medium. Cells were then incubated with different concentration of p-HBA (1, 10, 100, 400 μM) and collected at desired time point for reprogramming process analysis. RESULTS OGD/R could elicit endogenous neurogenic program in primary parenchymal astrocytes of rat under define culture condition, and these so-called reactive astrocytes could be reprogrammed into neurons. However, the neonatal neurons produced by this endogenous procedure could not develop into mature neurons, and the conversion rate was only 1.9%. Treatment of these reactive astrocytes with p-HBA could successfully promote the conversion rate to 6.1%, and the neonatal neurons could develop into mature neurons within 14 days. Further analysis showed that p-HBA down-regulated the Notch signal component genes Dll1, Hes1 and SOX2, while the transcription factor NeuroD1 was up-regulated. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrated that p-HBA facilitated the astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. This chemical reprogramming was mediated by inhibition of Notch1 signaling pathway and transcriptional activation of NeuroD1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Ruoxi Fan
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Jianming Xiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, University of Michigan, MI, USA
| | - Yajin Yuan
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Xiaojian Mao
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Ningna Zhou
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine
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5
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Wang Y, Xia Y, Kou L, Yin S, Chi X, Li J, Sun Y, Wu J, Zhou Q, Zou W, Jin Z, Huang J, Xiong N, Wang T. Astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming and crosstalk in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106224. [PMID: 37433411 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is currently the fastest growing disabling neurological disorder worldwide, with motor and non-motor symptoms being its main clinical manifestations. The primary pathological features include a reduction in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and decrease in dopamine levels in the nigrostriatal pathway. Existing treatments only alleviate clinical symptoms and do not stop disease progression; slowing down the loss of dopaminergic neurons and stimulating their regeneration are emerging therapies. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that transplantation of dopamine cells generated from human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells can restore the loss of dopamine. However, the application of cell transplantation is limited owing to ethical controversies and the restricted source of cells. Until recently, the reprogramming of astrocytes to replenish lost dopaminergic neurons has provided a promising alternative therapy for PD. In addition, repair of mitochondrial perturbations, clearance of damaged mitochondria in astrocytes, and control of astrocyte inflammation may be extensively neuroprotective and beneficial against chronic neuroinflammation in PD. Therefore, this review primarily focuses on the progress and remaining issues in astrocyte reprogramming using transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs, as well as exploring possible new targets for treating PD by repairing astrocytic mitochondria and reducing astrocytic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yun Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Liang Kou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Sijia Yin
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Xiaosa Chi
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jingwen Li
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Yadi Sun
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jiawei Wu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qiulu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Wenkai Zou
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zongjie Jin
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Jinsha Huang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Nian Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
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6
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Li Q, Ma Z, Qin S, Zhao WJ. Virtual Screening-Based Drug Development for the Treatment of Nervous System Diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:2447-2464. [PMID: 36043797 PMCID: PMC10616913 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220830105350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence rate of nervous system diseases has increased in recent years. Nerve injury or neurodegenerative diseases usually cause neuronal loss and neuronal circuit damage, which seriously affect motor nerve and autonomic nervous function. Therefore, safe and effective treatment is needed. As traditional drug research becomes slower and more expensive, it is vital to enlist the help of cutting- edge technology. Virtual screening (VS) is an attractive option for the identification and development of promising new compounds with high efficiency and low cost. With the assistance of computer- aided drug design (CADD), VS is becoming more and more popular in new drug development and research. In recent years, it has become a reality to transform non-neuronal cells into functional neurons through small molecular compounds, which provides a broader application prospect than transcription factor-mediated neuronal reprogramming. This review mainly summarizes related theory and technology of VS and the drug research and development using VS technology in nervous system diseases in recent years, and focuses more on the potential application of VS technology in neuronal reprogramming, thus facilitating new drug design for both prevention and treatment of nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Zhaobin Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650504, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - Shuhua Qin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650504, Yunnan, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Jiang Zhao
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Department of Cell Biology, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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7
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Gong S, Shao H, Cai X, Zhu J. Astrocyte-Derived Neuronal Transdifferentiation as a Therapy for Ischemic Stroke: Advances and Challenges. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091175. [PMID: 36138912 PMCID: PMC9497100 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
After the onset of ischemic stroke, ischemia–hypoxic cascades cause irreversible neuronal death. Neurons are the fundamental structures of the central nervous system, and mature neurons do not renew or multiply after death. Functional and structural recovery from neurological deficits caused by ischemic attack is a huge task. Hence, there remains a need to replace the lost neurons relying on endogenous neurogenesis or exogenous stem cell-based neuronal differentiation. However, the stem cell source difficulty and the risk of immune rejection of the allogeneic stem cells might hinder the wide clinical application of the above therapy. With the advancement of transdifferentiation induction technology, it has been demonstrated that astrocytes can be converted to neurons through ectopic expression or the knockdown of specific components. The progress and problems of astrocyte transdifferentiation will be discussed in this article.
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Peng Z, Lu H, Yang Q, Xie Q. Astrocyte Reprogramming in Stroke: Opportunities and Challenges. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:885707. [PMID: 35663583 PMCID: PMC9160982 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.885707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the early stages of stroke, irreversible damage to neurons leads to high mortality and disability rates in patients. However, there are still no effective prevention and treatment measures for the resulting massive neuronal death in clinical practice. Astrocyte reprogramming has recently attracted much attention as an avenue for increasing neurons in mice after cerebral ischemia. However, the field of astrocyte reprogramming has recently been mired in controversy due to reports questioning whether newborn neurons are derived from astrocyte transformation. To better understand the process and controversies of astrocyte reprogramming, this review introduces the method of astrocyte reprogramming and its application in stroke. By targeting key transcription factors or microRNAs, astrocytes in the mouse brain could be reprogrammed into functional neurons. Additionally, we summarize some of the current controversies over the lack of cell lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing experiments to provide evidence of gene expression profile changes throughout the process of astrocyte reprogramming. Finally, we present recent advances in cell lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing, suggesting that it is possible to characterize the entire process of astrocyte reprogramming by combining these techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouzhou Peng
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingwu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Xie,
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9
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Yang L, Conley BM, Rathnam C, Cho HY, Pongkulapa T, Conklin B, Lee KB. Predictive Biophysical Cue Mapping for Direct Cell Reprogramming Using Combinatorial Nanoarrays. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5577-5586. [PMID: 35301847 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical cues, such as nanotopographies of extracellular matrix (ECM), are key cell regulators for direct cell reprogramming. Therefore, high-throughput methods capable of systematically screening a wide range of biophysical cue-regulated cell reprogramming are increasingly needed for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Here, we report the development of a dynamic laser interference lithography (DIL) to generate large-scale combinatorial biophysical cue (CBC) arrays with diverse micro/nanostructures at higher complexities than most current arrays. Using CBC arrays, a high-throughput cell mapping method is further demonstrated for the systematic investigation of biophysical cue-mediated direct cell reprogramming. This CBC array-based high-throughput cell screening approach facilitates the rapid identification of unconventional hierarchical nanopatterns that induce the direct reprogramming of human fibroblasts into neurons through epigenetic modulation mechanisms. In this way, we successfully demonstrate DIL for generating highly complex CBC arrays and establish CBC array-based cell screening as a valuable strategy for systematically investigating the role of biophysical cues in cell reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Brian M Conley
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Christopher Rathnam
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Hyeon-Yeol Cho
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Thanapat Pongkulapa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Brandon Conklin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, 123 Bevier Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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10
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Zhu D, Cao Z, Pang X, Jiang W, Li C, Zhang X, Tian X, Tu H, Wu P, Nie H. Derivation of Stem Cell-like Cells From Spherical Culture of Astrocytes for Enhanced Neural Repair After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:875514. [PMID: 35445000 PMCID: PMC9013960 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.875514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural precursor cells (NPCs) tend to aggregate and develop into three-dimensional (3D) spheres, which in turn help maintain the stemness of the cells. This close relationship between spherical environments and cell stemness direct us to assume that 3D spheres of astrocytes (ASTs) may facilitate the acquisition of stem cell-like features and generate sufficient seed cells for the regeneration of neurons. In vitro results confirmed that mouse ASTs cultured on agarose surfaces spontaneously formed cell spheres and exhibited molecular features similar to stem cells, particularly capable of further differentiating into neurons and forming functional synaptic networks with synchronous burst activities. RNA-sequencing results revealed the similarity between AST-derived stem cells (A-iSCs) and NPCs in global gene expression profiles. The potency of A-iSCs in repairing neural injuries was evaluated in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. It was observed that the transplanted A-iSCs expressed a series of markers related to neural differentiation, such as NeuN, Tuj1, and Map2, indicating the conversion of the transplanted A-iSCs into neurons in the scenario. We also found that the injured mice injected with A-iSCs exhibited significant improvements in sensorimotor functions after 8 weeks compared with the sham and control mice. Taken together, mouse ASTs form cell spheres on agarose surfaces and acquire stem cell-associated features; meanwhile, the derived A-iSCs possess the capacity to differentiate into neurons and facilitate the regeneration of damaged nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Zheming Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyang Pang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Chihao Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xibin Tian
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Haijun Tu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Hemin Nie, ; Panfeng Wu, ; Haijun Tu,
| | - Panfeng Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Hemin Nie, ; Panfeng Wu, ; Haijun Tu,
| | - Hemin Nie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Hemin Nie, ; Panfeng Wu, ; Haijun Tu,
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11
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Chen F, Song N, Xie J. In vivo Direct Conversion of Astrocytes to Neurons Maybe a Potential Alternative Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:689276. [PMID: 34408642 PMCID: PMC8366583 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.689276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Partly because of extensions in lifespan, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is increasing, while there is no effective approach to slow or prevent neuronal degeneration. As we all know, neurons cannot self-regenerate and may not be replaced once being damaged or degenerated in human brain. Astrocytes are widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and proliferate once CNS injury or neurodegeneration occur. Actually, direct reprogramming astrocytes into functional neurons has been attracting more and more attention in recent years. Human astrocytes can be successfully converted into neurons in vitro. Notably, in vivo direct reprogramming of astrocytes into functional neurons were achieved in the adult mouse and non-human primate brains. In this review, we briefly summarized in vivo direct reprogramming of astrocytes into functional neurons as regenerative strategies for CNS diseases, mainly focusing on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). We highlight and outline the advantages and challenges of direct neuronal reprogramming from astrocytes in vivo for future neuroregenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcui Wang
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fenghua Chen
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Song
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Junxia Xie
- Institute of Brain Science and Disease, School of Basic Medicine, Shandong Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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12
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Kalinin AA, Hou X, Ade AS, Fon GV, Meixner W, Higgins GA, Sexton JZ, Wan X, Dinov ID, O'Meara MJ, Athey BD. Valproic acid-induced changes of 4D nuclear morphology in astrocyte cells. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:1624-1633. [PMID: 33909457 PMCID: PMC8684733 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-08-0502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors, such as valproic acid (VPA), have important clinical therapeutic and cellular reprogramming applications. They induce chromatin reorganization that is associated with altered cellular morphology. However, there is a lack of comprehensive characterization of VPA-induced changes of nuclear size and shape. Here, we quantify 3D nuclear morphology of primary human astrocyte cells treated with VPA over time (hence, 4D). We compared volumetric and surface-based representations and identified seven features that jointly discriminate between normal and treated cells with 85% accuracy on day 7. From day 3, treated nuclei were more elongated and flattened and then continued to morphologically diverge from controls over time, becoming larger and more irregular. On day 7, most of the size and shape descriptors demonstrated significant differences between treated and untreated cells, including a 24% increase in volume and 6% reduction in extent (shape regularity) for treated nuclei. Overall, we show that 4D morphometry can capture how chromatin reorganization modulates the size and shape of the nucleus over time. These nuclear structural alterations may serve as a biomarker for histone (de-)acetylation events and provide insights into mechanisms of astrocytes-to-neurons reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr A Kalinin
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics.,Statistics Online Computational Resource (SOCR), Health Behavior and Biological Sciences
| | - Xinhai Hou
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China.,School of Science and Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics
| | - Alex S Ade
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan Z Sexton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Michigan Medicine.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy.,Center for Drug Repurposing
| | - Xiang Wan
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China
| | - Ivo D Dinov
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics.,Statistics Online Computational Resource (SOCR), Health Behavior and Biological Sciences.,Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS), and
| | | | - Brian D Athey
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics.,Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS), and.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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13
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Albadri S, Armant O, Aljand-Geschwill T, Del Bene F, Carl M, Strähle U, Poggi L. Expression of a Barhl1a reporter in subsets of retinal ganglion cells and commissural neurons of the developing zebrafish brain. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8814. [PMID: 32483163 PMCID: PMC7264323 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65435-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Promoting the regeneration or survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is one focus of regenerative medicine. Homeobox Barhl transcription factors might be instrumental in these processes. In mammals, only barhl2 is expressed in the retina and is required for both subtype identity acquisition of amacrine cells and for the survival of RGCs downstream of Atoh7, a transcription factor necessary for RGC genesis. The underlying mechanisms of this dual role of Barhl2 in mammals have remained elusive. Whole genome duplication in the teleost lineage generated the barhl1a and barhl2 paralogues. In the Zebrafish retina, Barhl2 functions as a determinant of subsets of amacrine cells lineally related to RGCs independently of Atoh7. In contrast, barhl1a expression depends on Atoh7 but its expression dynamics and function have not been studied. Here we describe for the first time a Barhl1a reporter line in vivo showing that barhl1a turns on exclusively in subsets of RGCs and their post-mitotic precursors. We also show transient expression of barhl1a:GFP in diencephalic neurons extending their axonal projections as part of the post-optic commissure, at the time of optic chiasm formation. This work sets the ground for future studies on RGC subtype identity, axonal projections and genetic specification of Barhl1a-positive RGCs and commissural neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahad Albadri
- Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Armant
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems, Biological Information Processing Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | | | - Filippo Del Bene
- Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Matthias Carl
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Uwe Strähle
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems, Biological Information Processing Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Lucia Poggi
- Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
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14
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De Los Angeles A, Tunbridge EM. Benchmarking pluripotent stem cell-derived organoid models. Exp Neurol 2020; 330:113333. [PMID: 32353463 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral organoids are stem cell-derived, self-organizing three-dimensional cultures. Owing to the remarkable degree to which they recreate the cellular diversity observed in the human brain, they have attracted significant interest as a novel model system for research and drug development, as well as capturing the public imagination. However, many questions remain about the extent to which these cultures recapitulate neurodevelopment and the defining features of the human brain. To clarify the fidelity of human organoid models, Bhaduri and colleagues compared the molecular profile of brain organoid cells with that of primary cells from fetal brain. They observed that, whilst brain organoids broadly recapitulate the cellular profile of human brain, they lack the subtypes of cell classes seen in human brain. In addition, they showed marked expression of cellular stress markers, which could be reversed by transplanting organoid cells into neonatal mouse brain. The authors hypothesise that in vitro culture induces a cellular stress response and that it is this that impairs maturation. Thus, whilst their findings strike a note of caution in the use of organoids as a model for early human brain development, they lay a foundation for improving the accuracy of organoid models in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro De Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Elizabeth M Tunbridge
- Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
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15
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Revisiting Cancer Stem Cells as the Origin of Cancer-Associated Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: A Hypothetical View from the Potential of iPSCs. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040879. [PMID: 32260363 PMCID: PMC7226406 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) has an essential role in tumor initiation and development. Tumor cells are considered to actively create their microenvironment during tumorigenesis and tumor development. The TME contains multiple types of stromal cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), Tumor endothelial cells (TECs), tumor-associated adipocytes (TAAs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and others. These cells work together and with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and many other factors to coordinately contribute to tumor growth and maintenance. Although the types and functions of TME cells are well understood, the origin of these cells is still obscure. Many scientists have tried to demonstrate the origin of these cells. Some researchers postulated that TME cells originated from surrounding normal tissues, and others demonstrated that the origin is cancer cells. Recent evidence demonstrates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) have differentiation abilities to generate the original lineage cells for promoting tumor growth and metastasis. The differentiation of CSCs into tumor stromal cells provides a new dimension that explains tumor heterogeneity. Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), our group postulates that CSCs could be one of the key sources of CAFs, TECs, TAAs, and TAMs as well as the descendants, which support the self-renewal potential of the cells and exhibit heterogeneity. In this review, we summarize TME components, their interactions within the TME and their insight into cancer therapy. Especially, we focus on the TME cells and their possible origin and also discuss the multi-lineage differentiation potentials of CSCs exploiting iPSCs to create a society of cells in cancer tissues including TME.
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16
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Direct neuronal reprogramming of olfactory ensheathing cells for CNS repair. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:646. [PMID: 31501413 PMCID: PMC6733847 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1887-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Direct conversion of readily available non-neural cells from patients into induced neurons holds great promise for neurological disease modeling and cell-based therapy. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is a unique population of glia in olfactory nervous system. Based on the regeneration-promoting properties and the relative clinical accessibility, OECs are attracting increasing attention from neuroscientists as potential therapeutic agents for use in neural repair. Here, we report that OECs can be directly, rapidly and efficiently reprogrammed into neuronal cells by the single transcription factor Neurogenin 2 (NGN2). These induced cells exhibit typical neuronal morphologies, express multiple neuron-specific markers, produce action potentials, and form functional synapses. Genome-wide RNA-sequencing analysis shows that the transcriptome profile of OECs is effectively reprogrammed towards that of neuronal lineage. Importantly, these OEC-derived induced neurons survive and mature after transplantation into adult mouse spinal cords. Taken together, our study provides a direct and efficient strategy to quickly obtain neuronal cells from adult OECs, suggestive of promising potential for personalized disease modeling and cell replacement-mediated therapeutic approaches to neurological disorders.
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17
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Vignoles R, Lentini C, d'Orange M, Heinrich C. Direct Lineage Reprogramming for Brain Repair: Breakthroughs and Challenges. Trends Mol Med 2019; 25:897-914. [PMID: 31371156 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Injury to the human central nervous system (CNS) is devastating because our adult mammalian brain lacks intrinsic regenerative capacity to replace lost neurons and induce functional recovery. An emerging approach towards brain repair is to instruct fate conversion of brain-resident non-neuronal cells into induced neurons (iNs) by direct lineage reprogramming. Considerable progress has been made in converting various source cell types of mouse and human origin into clinically relevant iNs. Recent achievements using transcriptomics and epigenetics have shed light on the molecular mechanisms underpinning neuronal reprogramming, while the potential capability of iNs in promoting functional recovery in pathological contexts has started to be evaluated. Although future challenges need to be overcome before clinical translation, lineage reprogramming holds promise for effective cell-replacement therapy in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory Vignoles
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Célia Lentini
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Marie d'Orange
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500 Bron, France
| | - Christophe Heinrich
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500 Bron, France.
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18
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Suppression of glioblastoma by a drug cocktail reprogramming tumor cells into neuronal like cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3462. [PMID: 30837577 PMCID: PMC6401026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant tumor in adult brain. Even with the current standard therapy including surgical resection followed by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide (Temo), GBM patients still have a poor median survival. Reprogramming of tumor cells into non-malignant cells might be a promising therapeutic strategy for malignant tumors, including GBM. Based on previous studies using small molecules to reprogram astrocytes into neuronal cells, here we further identified a FTT cocktail of three commonly used drugs (Fasudil, Tranilast, and Temo) to reprogram patient-derived GBM cells, either cultured in serum containing or serum-free medium, into neuronal like cells. FTT-treated GBM cells displayed a neuronal like morphology, expressed neuronal genes, exhibited neuronal electrophysiological properties, and showed attenuated malignancy. More importantly, FTT cocktail more significantly suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in GBM patient derived xenograft than Temo alone. Our study provided preclinical evidence that the neuronal reprogramming drug cocktail might be a promising strategy to improve the existing treatment for GBM.
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19
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Cui M, Ge H, Zeng H, Yan H, Zhang L, Feng H, Chen Y. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:568-584. [PMID: 30832493 PMCID: PMC7103604 DOI: 10.1177/0963689719834870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a physical treatment applied
during recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). With in vivo and in vitro assays,
the present study sought to investigate how rTMS influences neural stem cells (NSCs) after
ICH and the possible mechanism. Following a collagenase-induced ICH, adult male C57BL/6 J
mice were subjected to rTMS treatment every 24 h for 5 days using the following
parameters: frequency, 10 Hz; duration, 2 s; wait time, 5.5 s; 960 trains (500 µV/div, 5
ms/div, default setting). Brain water content and neurobehavioral score were assessed at
days 1, 3, and 5 after ICH. The proliferation and differentiation of NSCs were observed
using immunofluorescence staining for Nestin, Ki-67, DCX, and GFAP on day 3 after ICH, and
rTMS treatment with the same parameters was applied to NSCs in vitro. We found that rTMS
significantly reduced brain edema and alleviated neural functional deficits. The mice that
underwent ICH recovered faster after rTMS treatment, with apparent proliferation and
neuronal differentiation of NSCs and attenuation of glial differentiation and GFAP
aggregation. Accordingly, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of isolated NSCs were
promoted, while glial differentiation was reduced. In addition, microarray analysis,
western blotting assays, and calcium imaging were applied to initially investigate the
potential mechanism. Bioinformatics showed that the positive effect of rTMS on NSCs after
ICH was largely related to the MAPK signaling pathway, which might be a potential hub
signaling pathway under the complex effect exerted by rTMS. The results of the microarray
data analysis also revealed that Ca2+ might be the connection between physical
treatment and the MAPK signaling pathway. These predictions were further identified by
western blotting analysis and calcium imaging. Taken together, our findings showed that
rTMS after ICH exhibited a restorative effect by enhancing the proliferation and neuronal
differentiation of NSCs, potentially through the MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchu Cui
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Hongfei Ge
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Han Zeng
- 2 College of Computer and Information Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Hongxiang Yan
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Le Zhang
- 3 College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P. R. China
| | - Hua Feng
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Chen
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, P. R. China
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20
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Chen W, Huang Q, Ma S, Li M. Progress in Dopaminergic Cell Replacement and Regenerative Strategies for Parkinson's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:839-851. [PMID: 30346716 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder symptomatically characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and gait impairment. These motor deficits suffered by PD patients primarily result from selective dysfunction or loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Most of the existing therapies for PD are based on the replacement of dopamine, which is symptomatically effective in the early stage but becomes increasingly less effective and is accompanied by serious side effects in the advanced stages of the disease. Currently, there are no strategies to slow neuronal degeneration or prevent the progression of PD. Thus, the prospect of regenerating functional dopaminergic neurons is very attractive. Over the last few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of dopaminergic regenerative strategies for curing PD. The most promising approach seems to be cell-replacement therapy (CRT) using human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are unlimitedly available and have gained much success in preclinical trials. Despite the challenges, stem cell-based CRT will make significant steps toward the clinic in the coming decade. Alternatively, direct lineage reprogramming, especially in situ direct conversion of glia cells to induced neurons, which exhibits some advantages including no ethical concerns, no risk of tumor formation, and even no need for transplantation, has gained much attention recently. Evoking the endogenous regeneration ability of neural stem cells (NSCs) is an idyllic method of dopaminergic neuroregeneration which remains highly controversial. Here, we review many of these advances, highlighting areas and strategies that might be particularly suited to the development of regenerative approaches that restore dopaminergic function in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhao Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qiaoying Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shanshan Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Mingtao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 74 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
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21
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Guimarães RPDM, Landeira BS, Coelho DM, Golbert DCF, Silveira MS, Linden R, de Melo Reis RA, Costa MR. Evidence of Müller Glia Conversion Into Retina Ganglion Cells Using Neurogenin2. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:410. [PMID: 30483060 PMCID: PMC6240664 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Degenerative retinopathies are the leading causes of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly, affecting hundreds of millions of patients. Müller glia cells (MGC), the main type of glia found in the vertebrate retina, can resume proliferation in the rodent adult injured retina but contribute weakly to tissue repair when compared to zebrafish retina. However, postnatal and adult mouse MGC can be genetically reprogrammed through the expression of the transcription factor (TF) Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) into induced neurons (iNs), displaying key hallmarks of photoreceptors, bipolar and amacrine cells, which may contribute to regenerate the damaged retina. Here, we show that the TF neurogenin 2 (NEUROG2) is also sufficient to lineage-reprogram postnatal mouse MGC into iNs. The efficiency of MGC lineage conversion by NEUROG2 is similar to that observed after expression of ASCL1 and both TFs induce the generation of functionally active iNs. Treatment of MGC cultures with EGF and FGF2 prior to Neurog2 or Ascl1 expression enhances reprogramming efficiencies, what can be at least partially explained by an increase in the frequency of MGCs expressing sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 2 (SOX2). Transduction of either Neurog2 or Ascl1 led to the upregulation of key retina neuronal genes in MGC-derived iNs, but only NEUROG2 induced a consistent increase in the expression of putative retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genes. Moreover, in vivo electroporation of Neurog2 in late progenitors from the neonatal rat retina, which are transcriptionally similar to MGCs, also induced a shift in the generation of retinal cell subtypes, favoring neuronal differentiation at the expense of MGCs and resuming the generation of RGCs. Altogether, our data indicate that NEUROG2 induces lineage conversion of postnatal rodent MGCs into RGC-like iNs in vitro and resumes the generation of this neuronal type from late progenitors of the retina in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pereira de Melo Guimarães
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.,Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Lab Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Marques Coelho
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.,Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment, IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana S Silveira
- Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A de Melo Reis
- Lab Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos R Costa
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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22
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Zare L, Baharvand H, Javan M. In vivo conversion of astrocytes to oligodendrocyte lineage cells using chemicals: targeting gliosis for myelin repair. Regen Med 2018; 13:803-819. [PMID: 30284949 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2017-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM It would be clinically ideal to target astrocytes in vivo for conversion into oligodendrocyte lineage cells to reduce astrogliosis and generate new myelinating cells. MATERIALS & METHODS Here, we prepared a GFP-labeled human astrocyte cell line, treated with epigenetic modifiers trichostatin A or 5-azacytidine and transplanted them into cuprizone-induced demyelinated mice brains. The fate of the transplanted astrocytes was studied at days 7, 14 and 28 post-transplantation. RESULTS GFP+ astrocytes were reduced over time, whereas the GFP+ oligodendrocyte lineage cells were found on days 14 and 28. Nontreated astrocytes did not convert to myelinating cells following transplantation. Cell conversion was proved in vitro by maintaining the treated cells in oligodendrocyte progenitor cell medium. CONCLUSION These findings seem promising for the application of epigenetic modifiers, especially their targeted delivery to glial scars to treat demyelinating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Zare
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Brain Sciences & Cognition, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Technology, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science & Culture, Tehran 1461968151, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran.,Department of Brain Sciences & Cognition, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Technology, ACECR, Tehran 16635-148, Iran
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23
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Abstract
We employ the language of Bayesian networks to systematically construct gene-regulation topologies from deep-sequencing single-nucleus RNA-Seq data for human neurons. From the perspective of the cell-state potential landscape, we identify attractors that correspond closely to different neuron subtypes. Attractors are also recovered for cell states from an independent data set confirming our models accurate description of global genetic regulations across differing cell types of the neocortex (not included in the training data). Our model recovers experimentally confirmed genetic regulations and community analysis reveals genetic associations in common pathways. Via a comprehensive scan of all theoretical three-gene perturbations of gene knockout and overexpression, we discover novel neuronal trans-differrentiation recipes (including perturbations of SATB2, GAD1, POU6F2 and ADARB2) for excitatory projection neuron and inhibitory interneuron subtypes.
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24
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Direct pericyte-to-neuron reprogramming via unfolding of a neural stem cell-like program. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:932-940. [PMID: 29915193 PMCID: PMC6319609 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0168-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of defined transcription factors can force direct cell fate conversion from one lineage to another in the absence of cell division. Several transcription factor cocktails have enabled successful reprogramming of various somatic cell types into induced neurons (iNs) of distinct neurotransmitter phenotype. However, the nature of the intermediate states that drive the reprogramming trajectory towards distinct iN types is largely unknown. Here we show that successful direct reprogramming of adult human brain pericytes into functional iNs by Ascl1 and Sox2 (AS) encompasses transient activation of a neural stem cell-like gene expression program that precedes bifurcation into distinct neuronal lineages. Intriguingly, during this transient state key signaling components relevant for neural induction and neural stem cell maintenance are regulated and functionally contribute to iN reprogramming and maturation. Thus, AS-mediated reprogramming into a broad spectrum of iN types involves the unfolding of a developmental program via neural stem cell-like intermediates.
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25
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Ninkovic J, Götz M. Understanding direct neuronal reprogramming-from pioneer factors to 3D chromatin. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2018; 52:65-69. [PMID: 29909355 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2018.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapies aim at reestablishment of neuronal circuits after brain injury, stroke or neurodegeneration. Recently, direct reprogramming of resident glial cells into the affected neuronal subtypes has become a feasible and promising option for central nervous system regeneration. Direct reprogramming relies on the implementation of a new transcriptional program defining the desired neuronal identity in fully differentiated glial cells implying the more or less complete down-regulation of the program for the former identity of the glial cell. Despite the enormous progress achieved in this regard with highly efficient in vivo reprogramming after injury, a number of hurdles still need to be resolved. One way to further improve direct neuronal reprogramming is to understand the molecular hurdles which we discuss with the focus on chromatin states of the starting versus the reprogrammed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovica Ninkovic
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany; Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, University of Munich, Germany; Department for Cell Biology and Anatomy, Biomedical Center, University of Munich, Germany
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany; Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center, University of Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology SYNERGY, LMU, Munich, Germany.
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26
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Abstract
Stem cells possess the extraordinary capacity of self-renewal and differentiation to various cell types, thus to form original tissues and organs. Stem cell heterogeneity including genetic and nongenetic mechanisms refers to biological differences amongst normal and stem cells originated within the same tissue. Cell differentiation hierarchy and stochasticity in gene expression and signaling pathways may result in phenotypic differences of stem cells. The maintenance of stemness and activation of differentiation potential are fundamentally orchestrated by microenvironmental stem cell niche-related cellular and humoral signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Györgyi Műzes
- 2nd Department of Medicine, Immunology Division, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi u. 46., Budapest, 1088, Hungary.
| | - Ferenc Sipos
- 2nd Department of Medicine, Immunology Division, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi u. 46., Budapest, 1088, Hungary
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27
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Go and stop signals for glial regeneration. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2017; 47:182-187. [PMID: 29126016 PMCID: PMC6419527 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The regenerative response of ensheating glia to central nervous system (CNS) injury involves proliferation and differentiation, axonal re-enwrapment and some recovery of behaviour. Understanding this limited response could enable the enhancement of it. In Drosophila, the glial progenitor state is maintained by Notch, an activator of cell division and Prospero (Pros), a repressor. Injury provokes the activation of NFκB and up-regulation of Kon-tiki (Kon), driving cell proliferation. Homeostatic switch-off comes about as two negative feedback loops involving Pros terminate the response. Importantly, the functions of the kon and pros homologues NG2 and prox1, respectively, are conserved in mammalian NG2 glia. Controlling these genes is key for therapeutic manipulation of progenitors and stem cells to promote regeneration of the damaged CNS.
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28
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On-demand optogenetic activation of human stem-cell-derived neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14450. [PMID: 29089561 PMCID: PMC5663899 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14827-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread application of human stem-cell-derived neurons for functional studies is impeded by complicated differentiation protocols, immaturity, and deficient optogene expression as stem cells frequently lose transgene expression over time. Here we report a simple but precise Cre-loxP-based strategy for generating conditional, and thereby stable, optogenetic human stem-cell lines. These cells can be easily and efficiently differentiated into functional neurons, and optogene expression can be triggered by administering Cre protein to the cultures. This conditional expression system may be applied to stem-cell-derived neurons whenever timed transgene expression could help to overcome silencing at the stem-cell level.
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29
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Wang C, Ward ME, Chen R, Liu K, Tracy TE, Chen X, Xie M, Sohn PD, Ludwig C, Meyer-Franke A, Karch CM, Ding S, Gan L. Scalable Production of iPSC-Derived Human Neurons to Identify Tau-Lowering Compounds by High-Content Screening. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:1221-1233. [PMID: 28966121 PMCID: PMC5639430 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2017] [Revised: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Lowering total tau levels is an attractive therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. High-throughput screening in neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a powerful tool to identify tau-targeted therapeutics. However, such screens have been hampered by heterogeneous neuronal production, high cost and low yield, and multi-step differentiation procedures. We engineered an isogenic iPSC line that harbors an inducible neurogenin 2 transgene, a transcription factor that rapidly converts iPSCs to neurons, integrated at the AAVS1 locus. Using a simplified two-step protocol, we differentiated these iPSCs into cortical glutamatergic neurons with minimal well-to-well variability. We developed a robust high-content screening assay to identify tau-lowering compounds in LOPAC and identified adrenergic receptors agonists as a class of compounds that reduce endogenous human tau. These techniques enable the use of human neurons for high-throughput screening of drugs to treat neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kai Liu
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Tara E Tracy
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xu Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Min Xie
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Peter Dongmin Sohn
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Connor Ludwig
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anke Meyer-Franke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 425 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sheng Ding
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, 600 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, 1650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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30
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Conti P, Carinci F, Caraffa A, Ronconi G, Lessiani G, Theoharides TC. Link between mast cells and bacteria: Antimicrobial defense, function and regulation by cytokines. Med Hypotheses 2017; 106:10-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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31
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Luo S, Horvitz HR. The CDK8 Complex and Proneural Proteins Together Drive Neurogenesis from a Mesodermal Lineage. Curr Biol 2017; 27:661-672. [PMID: 28238659 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
At least some animal species can generate neurons from mesoderm or endoderm, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We screened for C. elegans mutants in which the presumptive mesoderm-derived I4 neuron adopts a muscle-like cell fate. From this screen, we identified HLH-3, the C. elegans homolog of a mammalian proneural protein (Ascl1) used for in vitro neuronal reprogramming, as required for efficient I4 neurogenesis. We discovered that the CDK-8 Mediator kinase module acts together with a second proneural protein, HLH-2, and in parallel to HLH-3 to promote I4 neurogenesis. Genetic analysis revealed that CDK-8 most likely promotes I4 neurogenesis by inhibiting the CDK-7/CYH-1 (CDK7/cyclin H) kinase module of the transcription initiation factor TFIIH. Ectopic expression of HLH-2 and HLH-3 together promoted expression of neuronal features in non-neuronal cells. These findings reveal that the Mediator CDK8 kinase module can promote non-ectodermal neurogenesis and suggest that inhibiting CDK7/cyclin H might similarly promote neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Luo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - H Robert Horvitz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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32
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Gao L, Guan W, Wang M, Wang H, Yu J, Liu Q, Qiu B, Yu Y, Ping Y, Bian X, Shen L, Pei G. Direct Generation of Human Neuronal Cells from Adult Astrocytes by Small Molecules. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:538-547. [PMID: 28216149 PMCID: PMC5355633 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, due to the proximity to neuronal lineage and capability to proliferate, are ideal starting cells to regenerate neurons. Human fetal astrocytes have been successfully converted into neuronal cells by small molecules, which offered a broader range of further applications than transcription factor-mediated neuronal reprogramming. Here we report that human adult astrocytes could also be converted into neuronal cells by a different set of small molecules. These induced cells exhibited typical neuronal morphologies, expressed neuronal markers, and displayed neuronal electrophysiological properties. Genome-wide RNA-sequencing analysis showed that the global gene expression profile of induced neuronal cells resembled that of human embryonic stem cell-differentiated neurons. When transplanted into post-natal mouse brains, these induced neuronal cells could survive and become electrophysiologically mature. Altogether, our study provides a strategy to directly generate transgene-free neuronal cells from human adult astrocytes by small molecules. Human adult astrocytes can be converted into neuronal cells by small molecules Induced neuronal cells possess neuronal markers and electrophysiological properties The transcriptome of induced neuronal cells resembles that of hESC-derived neurons Induced neuronal cells survive and become electrophysiologically mature in mice brain
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wuqiang Guan
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Min Wang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huihan Wang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Jiali Yu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Binlong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yongchun Yu
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yifang Ping
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xiuwu Bian
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, and Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Li Shen
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Gang Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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33
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard T Lee
- From Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (R.T.L.); and Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA (K.W.).
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- From Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (R.T.L.); and Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA (K.W.).
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34
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Xia X, Ahmad I. Unlocking the Neurogenic Potential of Mammalian Müller Glia. Int J Stem Cells 2016; 9:169-175. [PMID: 27572710 PMCID: PMC5155712 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc16020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Müller glia (MG) are the primary support cells in the vertebrate retina, regulating homeostasis in one of the most metabolically active tissues. In lower vertebrates such as fish, they respond to injury by proliferating and reprogramming to regenerate retinal neurons. In mammals, MG may also react to injury by proliferating, but they fail to initiate regeneration. The barriers to regeneration could be intrinsic to mammalian MG or the function of the niche that cannot support the MG reprogramming required for lineage conversion or both. Understanding these mechanisms in light of those being discovered in fish may lead to the formulation of strategies to unlock the neurogenic potential of MG and restore regeneration in the mammalian retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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35
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Rubio A, Luoni M, Giannelli SG, Radice I, Iannielli A, Cancellieri C, Di Berardino C, Regalia G, Lazzari G, Menegon A, Taverna S, Broccoli V. Rapid and efficient CRISPR/Cas9 gene inactivation in human neurons during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation and direct reprogramming. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37540. [PMID: 27857203 PMCID: PMC5114606 DOI: 10.1038/srep37540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a rapid and customizable tool for gene editing in mammalian cells. In particular, this approach has widely opened new opportunities for genetic studies in neurological disease. Human neurons can be differentiated in vitro from hPSC (human Pluripotent Stem Cells), hNPCs (human Neural Precursor Cells) or even directly reprogrammed from fibroblasts. Here, we described a new platform which enables, rapid and efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome targeting simultaneously with three different paradigms for in vitro generation of neurons. This system was employed to inactivate two genes associated with neurological disorder (TSC2 and KCNQ2) and achieved up to 85% efficiency of gene targeting in the differentiated cells. In particular, we devised a protocol that, combining the expression of the CRISPR components with neurogenic factors, generated functional human neurons highly enriched for the desired genome modification in only 5 weeks. This new approach is easy, fast and that does not require the generation of stable isogenic clones, practice that is time consuming and for some genes not feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Rubio
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Luoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Serena G. Giannelli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Radice
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy Bio-Imaging Centre, Experimental Imaging Centre, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Iannielli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cancellieri
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Regalia
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy Bio-Imaging Centre, Experimental Imaging Centre, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Neuroengineering and medical robotics laboratory, Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Lazzari
- Avantea srl, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7f, 26100 Cremona, Fondazione Avantea, Cremona
| | - Andrea Menegon
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy Bio-Imaging Centre, Experimental Imaging Centre, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Taverna
- Neuroimmunology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
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36
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Schulte C, Ripamonti M, Maffioli E, Cappelluti MA, Nonnis S, Puricelli L, Lamanna J, Piazzoni C, Podestà A, Lenardi C, Tedeschi G, Malgaroli A, Milani P. Scale Invariant Disordered Nanotopography Promotes Hippocampal Neuron Development and Maturation with Involvement of Mechanotransductive Pathways. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:267. [PMID: 27917111 PMCID: PMC5114288 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of biomaterials which promote neuronal maturation up to the generation of integrated neural circuits is fundamental for modern neuroscience. The development of neural circuits arises from complex maturative processes regulated by poorly understood signaling events, often guided by the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here we report that nanostructured zirconia surfaces, produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition of zirconia nanoparticles and characterized by ECM-like nanotopographical features, can direct the maturation of neural networks. Hippocampal neurons cultured on such cluster-assembled surfaces displayed enhanced differentiation paralleled by functional changes. The latter was demonstrated by single-cell electrophysiology showing earlier action potential generation and increased spontaneous postsynaptic currents compared to the neurons grown on the featureless unnaturally flat standard control surfaces. Label-free shotgun proteomics broadly confirmed the functional changes and suggests furthermore a vast impact of the neuron/nanotopography interaction on mechanotransductive machinery components, known to control physiological in vivo ECM-regulated axon guidance and synaptic plasticity. Our results indicate a potential of cluster-assembled zirconia nanotopography exploitable for the creation of efficient neural tissue interfaces and cell culture devices promoting neurogenic events, but also for unveiling mechanotransductive aspects of neuronal development and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Schulte
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilan, Italy; Fondazione FilareteMilan, Italy
| | - Maddalena Ripamonti
- Neurobiology of Learning Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Maffioli
- Fondazione FilareteMilan, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilan, Italy
| | - Martino A Cappelluti
- Fondazione FilareteMilan, Italy; SEMM - European School of Molecular MedicineMilan, Italy
| | - Simona Nonnis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Puricelli
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lamanna
- Neurobiology of Learning Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Piazzoni
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Lenardi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Tedeschi
- Fondazione FilareteMilan, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di MilanoMilan, Italy
| | - Antonio Malgaroli
- Neurobiology of Learning Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Milani
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Centro Interdisciplinare Materiali e Interfacce Nanostrutturate, Università degli Studi di Milano Milan, Italy
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37
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Min Z, Lin H, Zhu X, Gao L, Khand AA, Tao Q. Ascl1 represses the mesendoderm induction in Xenopus. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:1006-1015. [PMID: 27624953 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmw092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascl1 is a multi-functional regulator of neural development in invertebrates and vertebrates. Ectopic expression of Ascl1 can generate functional neurons from non-neural somatic cells. The abnormal expression of ASCL1 has been reported in several types of carcinomas. We have previously identified Ascl1 as a crucial maternal regulator of the germ layer pattern formation in Xenopus Functional studies have indicated that the maternally-supplied Ascl1 renders embryonic cells a propensity to adopt neural fates on one hand, and represses the mesendoderm formation on the other. However, it remains unclear how Ascl1 achieves its repressor function during the activation of mesendoderm genes by VegT. Here, we performed series of gain- and loss-of-function experiments and found that: (i) VegT, the maternal mesendoderm determinant in Xenopus, is required for the deposition of H3K27ac and H3K9ac at its target gene loci during mesendoderm induction; (ii) Ascl1 and VegT antagonistically modulate the deposition of acetylated histone marks at mesendoderm gene loci; (iii) Ascl1 overexpression reduces the VegT-occupancy at mesendoderm gene loci; (iv) Ascl1 but not Neurog2 possesses a repressive activity during mesendoderm induction. These findings reveal a novel repressive function for Ascl1 in inhibiting non-neural fates during early Xenopus embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheying Min
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hao Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xuechen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Aftab A Khand
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qinghua Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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Orellana DI, Santambrogio P, Rubio A, Yekhlef L, Cancellieri C, Dusi S, Giannelli SG, Venco P, Mazzara PG, Cozzi A, Ferrari M, Garavaglia B, Taverna S, Tiranti V, Broccoli V, Levi S. Coenzyme A corrects pathological defects in human neurons of PANK2-associated neurodegeneration. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 8:1197-1211. [PMID: 27516453 PMCID: PMC5048368 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an early onset and severely disabling neurodegenerative disease for which no therapy is available. PKAN is caused by mutations in PANK2, which encodes for the mitochondrial enzyme pantothenate kinase 2. Its function is to catalyze the first limiting step of Coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells from PKAN patients and showed that their derived neurons exhibited premature death, increased ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunctions—including impairment of mitochondrial iron‐dependent biosynthesis—and major membrane excitability defects. CoA supplementation prevented neuronal death and ROS formation by restoring mitochondrial and neuronal functionality. Our findings provide direct evidence that PANK2 malfunctioning is responsible for abnormal phenotypes in human neuronal cells and indicate CoA treatment as a possible therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel I Orellana
- Proteomics of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Neuroscience San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Santambrogio
- Proteomics of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Neuroscience San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alicia Rubio
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Latefa Yekhlef
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cancellieri
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Dusi
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Foundation IRCCS-Neurological Institute "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Serena G Giannelli
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Venco
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Foundation IRCCS-Neurological Institute "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro G Mazzara
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Cozzi
- Proteomics of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Neuroscience San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ferrari
- Genomic Unit for the Diagnosis of Human Pathologies, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Garavaglia
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Foundation IRCCS-Neurological Institute "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Taverna
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Tiranti
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Foundation IRCCS-Neurological Institute "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cells and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Levi
- Proteomics of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Neuroscience San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Huang Z, Wu T, Liu AY, Ouyang G. Differentiation and transdifferentiation potentials of cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:39550-63. [PMID: 26474460 PMCID: PMC4741845 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells actively contribute to constructing their own microenvironment during tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The tumor microenvironment contains multiple types of stromal cells that work together with the extracellular matrix and local and systemic factors to coordinately contribute to tumor initiation and progression. Tumor cells and their stromal compartments acquire many genetic and/or epigenetic alternations to facilitate tumor growth and metastasis. The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept has been widely applied to interpreting tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, dormancy and relapse. CSCs have differentiation abilities to generate the original lineage cells that are similar to their normal stem cell counterparts. Interestingly, recent evidence demonstrates that CSCs also have the potential to transdifferentiate into vascular endothelial cells and pericytes, indicating that CSCs can transdifferentiate into other lineage cells for promoting tumor growth and metastasis in some tissue contexts instead of only recruiting stromal cells from local or distant tissues. Although the transdifferentiation of CSCs into tumor stromal cells provides a new dimension that explains tumor heterogeneity, many aspects of CSC transdifferentiation remain elusive. In this review, we summarize the multi-lineage differentiation and transdifferentiation potentials of CSCs as well as discuss their potential contributions to tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Huang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Tiantian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Allan Yi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Gaoliang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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40
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Chang EH, Adorjan I, Mundim MV, Sun B, Dizon MLV, Szele FG. Traumatic Brain Injury Activation of the Adult Subventricular Zone Neurogenic Niche. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:332. [PMID: 27531972 PMCID: PMC4969304 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in both civilian and military life, placing a large burden on survivors and society. However, with the recognition of neural stem cells in adult mammals, including humans, came the possibility to harness these cells for repair of damaged brain, whereas previously this was thought to be impossible. In this review, we focus on the rodent adult subventricular zone (SVZ), an important neurogenic niche within the mature brain in which neural stem cells continue to reside. We review how the SVZ is perturbed following various animal TBI models with regards to cell proliferation, emigration, survival, and differentiation, and we review specific molecules involved in these processes. Together, this information suggests next steps in attempting to translate knowledge from TBI animal models into human therapies for TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hyuk Chang
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Seoul, South Korea
| | - Istvan Adorjan
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of OxfordOxford, UK; Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary
| | - Mayara V Mundim
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford Oxford, UK
| | - Maria L V Dizon
- Department of Pediatrics, Prentice Women's Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Francis G Szele
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford Oxford, UK
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Berninger B, Jessberger S. Engineering of Adult Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:cshperspect.a018861. [PMID: 27091941 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a018861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) retain their ability to generate newborn neurons throughout life in the mammalian brain. Here, we describe how recently developed virus- and transgenesis-based techniques will help us (1) to understand the functional effects of neurogenesis in health and disease, (2) to design novel approaches to harness the potential for NSPC-associated endogenous repair, and (3) to induce the generation of neurons outside the main neurogenic niches in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Berninger
- Adult Neurogenesis and Cellular Reprogramming, Institute of Physiological Chemistry & Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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42
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Sequential regulatory loops as key gatekeepers for neuronal reprogramming in human cells. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:807-15. [PMID: 27110916 PMCID: PMC4882254 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Direct conversion of somatic cells into neurons holds great promise for regenerative medicine. However, as neuronal conversion is relatively inefficient on human cells compared to mouse cells, it has been unclear what might be key barriers to reprogramming in human cells. We recently elucidated an RNA program mediated by the polypyrimidine tract binding protein PTB to convert mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) into functional neurons. On human adult fibroblasts (HAFs), however, we unexpectedly find that invoke of the documented PTB-REST-miR-124 loop only generates immature neurons. We now report that the functionality requires sequential inactivation of PTB and the PTB paralog nPTB in HAFs. Inactivation of nPTB triggers another self-enforcing loop essential for neuronal maturation, which comprises nPTB, the transcription factor BRN2, and miR-9. These findings suggest two separate gatekeepers to control neuronal conversion and maturation and consecutively overcoming these gatekeepers enables deterministic reprogramming of HAFs into functional neurons.
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43
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Altarche-Xifro W, di Vicino U, Muñoz-Martin MI, Bortolozzi A, Bové J, Vila M, Cosma MP. Functional Rescue of Dopaminergic Neuron Loss in Parkinson's Disease Mice After Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells. EBioMedicine 2016; 8:83-95. [PMID: 27428421 PMCID: PMC4919540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disorder, which is due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and for which no definitive cure is currently available. Cellular functions in mouse and human tissues can be restored after fusion of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells with a variety of somatic cells. Here, after transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the SNpc of two different mouse models of Parkinson's disease, we significantly ameliorated the dopaminergic neuron loss and function. We show fusion of transplanted HSPCs with neurons and with glial cells in the ventral midbrain of Parkinson's disease mice. Interestingly, the hybrids can undergo reprogramming in vivo and survived up to 4 weeks after transplantation, while acquiring features of mature astroglia. These newly generated astroglia produced Wnt1 and were essential for functional rescue of the dopaminergic neurons. Our data suggest that glial-derived hybrids produced upon fusion of transplanted HSPCs in the SNpc can rescue the Parkinson's disease phenotype via a niche-mediated effect, and can be exploited as an efficient cell-therapy approach. Transplantation of HSPCs into the substantia nigra of PD mice ameliorates dopaminergic neuron loss and function. Hybrids generated after fusion of transplanted HSPCs undergo reprogramming in vivo and acquire features of mature astroglia. Newly generated astroglia produced Wnt1 and can functionally rescue the dopaminergic neuron loss.
A definitive therapy for Parkinson's disease is not available. Here, we transplanted hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into the substantia nigra of brains of two different mouse models of Parkinson's disease. These transplanted cells fused with neurons and glial cells of the recipient mice. Four weeks after transplantation, the hybrids acquired features of mature astroglia, secreted Wnt1, and functionally ameliorated dopaminergic neuron loss. Current cell therapy approaches are being pursued in the striatum with the aim to increase dopamine levels. Here we show that the loss of dopaminergic neurons can be protected against by direct actions in the substantia nigra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wassim Altarche-Xifro
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Umberto di Vicino
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Muñoz-Martin
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Analía Bortolozzi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology, IIBB-CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bové
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute and Centre for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Vila
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute and Centre for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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van de Bunt M, Lako M, Barrett A, Gloyn AL, Hansson M, McCarthy MI, Beer NL, Honoré C. Insights into islet development and biology through characterization of a human iPSC-derived endocrine pancreas model. Islets 2016; 8:83-95. [PMID: 27246810 PMCID: PMC4987020 DOI: 10.1080/19382014.2016.1182276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed differentiation of stem cells offers a scalable solution to the need for human cell models recapitulating islet biology and T2D pathogenesis. We profiled mRNA expression at 6 stages of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of endocrine pancreas development from 2 donors, and characterized the distinct transcriptomic profiles associated with each stage. Established regulators of endodermal lineage commitment, such as SOX17 (log2 fold change [FC] compared to iPSCs = 14.2, p-value = 4.9 × 10(-5)) and the pancreatic agenesis gene GATA6 (log2 FC = 12.1, p-value = 8.6 × 10(-5)), showed transcriptional variation consistent with their known developmental roles. However, these analyses highlighted many other genes with stage-specific expression patterns, some of which may be novel drivers or markers of islet development. For example, the leptin receptor gene, LEPR, was most highly expressed in published data from in vivo-matured cells compared to our endocrine pancreas-like cells (log2 FC = 5.5, p-value = 2.0 × 10(-12)), suggesting a role for the leptin pathway in the maturation process. Endocrine pancreas-like cells showed significant stage-selective expression of adult islet genes, including INS, ABCC8, and GLP1R, and enrichment of relevant GO-terms (e.g. "insulin secretion"; odds ratio = 4.2, p-value = 1.9 × 10(-3)): however, principal component analysis indicated that in vitro-differentiated cells were more immature than adult islets. Integration of the stage-specific expression information with genetic data from T2D genome-wide association studies revealed that 46 of 82 T2D-associated loci harbor genes present in at least one developmental stage, facilitating refinement of potential effector transcripts. Together, these data show that expression profiling in an iPSC islet development model can further understanding of islet biology and T2D pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn van de Bunt
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Barrett
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anna L. Gloyn
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mattias Hansson
- Department of Diabetes Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
| | - Mark I. McCarthy
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola L. Beer
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- CONTACT Dr Nicola L Beer Oxford Center for Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Christian Honoré
- Department of Islet and Stem Cell Biology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
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Wang Y, Jones-Tabah J, Chakravarty P, Stewart A, Muotri A, Laposa RR, Svejstrup JQ. Pharmacological Bypass of Cockayne Syndrome B Function in Neuronal Differentiation. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2554-61. [PMID: 26972010 PMCID: PMC4806223 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by growth abnormalities, premature aging, and photosensitivity. Mutation of Cockayne syndrome B (CSB) affects neuronal gene expression and differentiation, so we attempted to bypass its function by expressing downstream target genes. Intriguingly, ectopic expression of Synaptotagmin 9 (SYT9), a key component of the machinery controlling neurotrophin release, bypasses the need for CSB in neuritogenesis. Importantly, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin implicated in neuronal differentiation and synaptic modulation, and pharmacological mimics such as 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and amitriptyline can compensate for CSB deficiency in cell models of neuronal differentiation as well. SYT9 and BDNF are downregulated in CS patient brain tissue, further indicating that sub-optimal neurotrophin signaling underlies neurological defects in CS. In addition to shedding light on cellular mechanisms underlying CS and pointing to future avenues for pharmacological intervention, these data suggest an important role for SYT9 in neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuming Wang
- Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, Clare Hall Laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, UK
| | - Jace Jones-Tabah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Probir Chakravarty
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Group, The Francis Crick Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LY, UK
| | - Aengus Stewart
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Group, The Francis Crick Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LY, UK
| | - Alysson Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rebecca R Laposa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jesper Q Svejstrup
- Mechanisms of Transcription Laboratory, Clare Hall Laboratories, The Francis Crick Institute, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, UK.
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Gabitto MI, Pakman A, Bikoff JB, Abbott LF, Jessell TM, Paninski L. Bayesian Sparse Regression Analysis Documents the Diversity of Spinal Inhibitory Interneurons. Cell 2016; 165:220-233. [PMID: 26949187 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Documenting the extent of cellular diversity is a critical step in defining the functional organization of tissues and organs. To infer cell-type diversity from partial or incomplete transcription factor expression data, we devised a sparse Bayesian framework that is able to handle estimation uncertainty and can incorporate diverse cellular characteristics to optimize experimental design. Focusing on spinal V1 inhibitory interneurons, for which the spatial expression of 19 transcription factors has been mapped, we infer the existence of ~50 candidate V1 neuronal types, many of which localize in compact spatial domains in the ventral spinal cord. We have validated the existence of inferred cell types by direct experimental measurement, establishing this Bayesian framework as an effective platform for cell-type characterization in the nervous system and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano I Gabitto
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Ari Pakman
- Department of Statistics and Grossman Center for the Statistics of Mind, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jay B Bikoff
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - L F Abbott
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Thomas M Jessell
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Liam Paninski
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Statistics and Grossman Center for the Statistics of Mind, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Instructing Perisomatic Inhibition by Direct Lineage Reprogramming of Neocortical Projection Neurons. Neuron 2016; 88:475-83. [PMID: 26539889 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
During development of the cerebral cortex, local GABAergic interneurons recognize and pair with excitatory projection neurons to ensure the fine excitatory-inhibitory balance essential for proper circuit function. Whether the class-specific identity of projection neurons has a role in the establishment of afferent inhibitory synapses is debated. Here, we report that direct in vivo lineage reprogramming of layer 2/3 (L2/3) callosal projection neurons (CPNs) into induced corticofugal projection neurons (iCFuPNs) increases inhibitory input onto the converted neurons to levels similar to that of endogenous CFuPNs normally found in layer 5 (L5). iCFuPNs recruit increased numbers of inhibitory perisomatic synapses from parvalbumin (PV)-positive interneurons, with single-cell precision and despite their ectopic location in L2/3. The data show that individual reprogrammed excitatory projection neurons extrinsically modulate afferent input by local PV(+) interneurons, suggesting that projection neuron class-specific identity can actively control the wiring of the cortical microcircuit.
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48
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Gascón S, Murenu E, Masserdotti G, Ortega F, Russo GL, Petrik D, Deshpande A, Heinrich C, Karow M, Robertson SP, Schroeder T, Beckers J, Irmler M, Berndt C, Angeli JPF, Conrad M, Berninger B, Götz M. Identification and Successful Negotiation of a Metabolic Checkpoint in Direct Neuronal Reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 2015; 18:396-409. [PMID: 26748418 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the widespread interest in direct neuronal reprogramming, the mechanisms underpinning fate conversion remain largely unknown. Our study revealed a critical time point after which cells either successfully convert into neurons or succumb to cell death. Co-transduction with Bcl-2 greatly improved negotiation of this critical point by faster neuronal differentiation. Surprisingly, mutants with reduced or no affinity for Bax demonstrated that Bcl-2 exerts this effect by an apoptosis-independent mechanism. Consistent with a caspase-independent role, ferroptosis inhibitors potently increased neuronal reprogramming by inhibiting lipid peroxidation occurring during fate conversion. Genome-wide expression analysis confirmed that treatments promoting neuronal reprogramming elicit an anti-oxidative stress response. Importantly, co-expression of Bcl-2 and anti-oxidative treatments leads to an unprecedented improvement in glial-to-neuron conversion after traumatic brain injury in vivo, underscoring the relevance of these pathways in cellular reprograming irrespective of cell type in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Gascón
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Elisa Murenu
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Giacomo Masserdotti
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Felipe Ortega
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University, Avenue Puerta de Hierro, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gianluca L Russo
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - David Petrik
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Aditi Deshpande
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Christophe Heinrich
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Marisa Karow
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Stephen P Robertson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 9016 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Timm Schroeder
- Research Unit Stem Cell Dynamics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich GmbH, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich GmbH, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Berndt
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Marcus Conrad
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany; Focus Program Translational Neuroscience, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Magdalena Götz
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany; Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Excellence Cluster of Systems Neurology (SYNERGY), 80336 Munich, Germany.
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49
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Gao L, Zhu X, Chen G, Ma X, Zhang Y, Khand AA, Shi H, Gu F, Lin H, Chen Y, Zhang H, He L, Tao Q. A novel role for Ascl1 in the regulation of mesendoderm formation via HDAC-dependent antagonism of VegT. Development 2015; 143:492-503. [PMID: 26700681 PMCID: PMC4760308 DOI: 10.1242/dev.126292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Maternally expressed proteins function in vertebrates to establish the major body axes of the embryo and to establish a pre-pattern that sets the stage for later-acting zygotic signals. This pre-patterning drives the propensity of Xenopus animal cap cells to adopt neural fates under various experimental conditions. Previous studies found that the maternally expressed transcription factor, encoded by the Xenopus achaete scute-like gene ascl1, is enriched at the animal pole. Asc1l is a bHLH protein involved in neural development, but its maternal function has not been studied. Here, we performed a series of gain- and loss-of-function experiments on maternal ascl1, and present three novel findings. First, Ascl1 is a repressor of mesendoderm induced by VegT, but not of Nodal-induced mesendoderm. Second, a previously uncharacterized N-terminal domain of Ascl1 interacts with HDAC1 to inhibit mesendoderm gene expression. This N-terminal domain is dispensable for its neurogenic function, indicating that Ascl1 acts by different mechanisms at different times. Ascl1-mediated repression of mesendoderm genes was dependent on HDAC activity and accompanied by histone deacetylation in the promoter regions of VegT targets. Finally, maternal Ascl1 is required for animal cap cells to retain their competence to adopt neural fates. These results establish maternal Asc1l as a key factor in establishing pre-patterning of the early embryo, acting in opposition to VegT and biasing the animal pole to adopt neural fates. The data presented here significantly extend our understanding of early embryonic pattern formation. Summary: The proneural factor ASCL1 recruits HDAC1 to repress VegT-induced, but not Nodal-induced, mesendoderm formation via a previously uncharacterized N-terminal domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xuechen Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Geng Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xin Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Aftab A Khand
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fei Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hao Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuemeng Chen
- Tianjin Normal University College of Life Science, Binshuixidao (extension line) 393, Xinqing District, Tianjin 300387, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lei He
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qinghua Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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50
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Cheng L, Gao L, Guan W, Mao J, Hu W, Qiu B, Zhao J, Yu Y, Pei G. Direct conversion of astrocytes into neuronal cells by drug cocktail. Cell Res 2015; 25:1269-72. [PMID: 26427716 PMCID: PMC4650423 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2015.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Longfei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wuqiang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianxin Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Binlong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yongchun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical College and Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gang Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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