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De Vitis E, Stanzione A, Romano A, Quattrini A, Gigli G, Moroni L, Gervaso F, Polini A. The Evolution of Technology-Driven In Vitro Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304989. [PMID: 38366798 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The alteration in the neural circuits of both central and peripheral nervous systems is closely related to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Despite significant research efforts, the knowledge regarding NDD pathological processes, and the development of efficacious drugs are still limited due to the inability to access and reproduce the components of the nervous system and its intricate microenvironment. 2D culture systems are too simplistic to accurately represent the more complex and dynamic situation of cells in vivo and have therefore been surpassed by 3D systems. However, both models suffer from various limitations that can be overcome by employing two innovative technologies: organ-on-chip and 3D printing. In this review, an overview of the advantages and shortcomings of both microfluidic platforms and extracellular matrix-like biomaterials will be given. Then, the combination of microfluidics and hydrogels as a new synergistic approach to study neural disorders by analyzing the latest advances in 3D brain-on-chip for neurodegenerative research will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora De Vitis
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonella Stanzione
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romano
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Complex Tissue Regeneration, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Gervaso
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
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Angiolillo S, Micheli S, Laterza C, Gagliano O. NGN2-based neuronal programming of hiPSCs in an automated microfluidic platform. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 666:52-60. [PMID: 37178505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via somatic cell reprogramming allowed to have an unlimited in vitro source of patient-specific cells. This achievement has introduced a new revolutionary way to create human in vitro models and to study human diseases starting from patient's own cells, especially important for inaccessible tissues like the brain. Recently, lab-on-a-chip technology has opened new reliable alternatives to conventional in vitro models able to replicate key aspects of human physiology, thanks to the intrinsic high surface-area-to-volume ratio, which allows fine control of the cellular microenvironment. The development of automated microfluidic platforms allowed the implementation of this technology to perform high-throughput, standardized and parallelized assays, suitable for drug screenings and developing new therapeutic approaches in a cost-effective way. However, the major challenges in the broad application of automated lab-on-a-chip in biological research are the lack of production robustness and ease of use of the devices. Here, we present an automated microfluidic platform able to host the rapid conversion of human iPSCs (hiPSCs) into neurons via viral-mediated overexpression of Neurogenin 2 (NGN2) in a user-friendly manner. The design of the platform, built with multilayer soft-lithography techniques, shows easiness in the fabrication and assembly thanks to the simple geometry and experimental reproducibility at the same time. All operations are managed automatically, from the cell seeding, medium change, doxycycline-mediated neuronal induction, selection of the genetically engineered cells, and analysis of the output of differentiation, including immunofluorescence assay. Our results show a high-throughput, efficient and homogenous conversion of hiPSCs into neurons in 10 days, characterized by the expression of the mature neuronal marker MAP2 and calcium signaling. The neurons-on-chip model here described represents a fully automated loop system able to address the challenges in the field of neurological diseases modelling in vitro and improve current preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Angiolillo
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - S Micheli
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - C Laterza
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - O Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Section, GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
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Biosensor integrated brain-on-a-chip platforms: Progress and prospects in clinical translation. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 225:115100. [PMID: 36709589 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Because of the brain's complexity, developing effective treatments for neurological disorders is a formidable challenge. Research efforts to this end are advancing as in vitro systems have reached the point that they can imitate critical components of the brain's structure and function. Brain-on-a-chip (BoC) was first used for microfluidics-based systems with small synthetic tissues but has expanded recently to include in vitro simulation of the central nervous system (CNS). Defining the system's qualifying parameters may improve the BoC for the next generation of in vitro platforms. These parameters show how well a given platform solves the problems unique to in vitro CNS modeling (like recreating the brain's microenvironment and including essential parts like the blood-brain barrier (BBB)) and how much more value it offers than traditional cell culture systems. This review provides an overview of the practical concerns of creating and deploying BoC systems and elaborates on how these technologies might be used. Not only how advanced biosensing technologies could be integrated with BoC system but also how novel approaches will automate assays and improve point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics and accurate quantitative analyses are discussed. Key challenges providing opportunities for clinical translation of BoC in neurodegenerative disorders are also addressed.
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Habibey R. Incubator-independent perfusion system integrated with microfluidic device for continuous electrophysiology and microscopy readouts. Biofabrication 2023; 15. [PMID: 36652708 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/acb466] [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: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Advances in primary and stem cell derived neuronal cell culture techniques and abundance of available neuronal cell types have enabledin vitroneuroscience as a substantial approach to modelin vivoneuronal networks. Survival of the cultured neurons is inevitably dependent on the cell culture incubators to provide stable temperature and humidity and to supply required CO2levels for controlling the pH of culture medium. Therefore, imaging and electrophysiology recordings outside of the incubator are often limited to the short-term experimental sessions. This restricts our understanding of physiological events to the short snapshots of recorded data while the major part of temporal data is neglected. Multiple custom-made and commercially available platforms like integrated on-stage incubators have been designed to enable long-term microscopy. Nevertheless, long-term high-spatiotemporal electrophysiology recordings from developing neuronal networks needs to be addressed. In the present work an incubator-independent polydimethylsiloxane-based double-wall perfusion chamber was designed and integrated with multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) electrophysiology and compartmentalized microfluidic device to continuously record from engineered neuronal networks at sub-cellular resolution. Cell culture media underwent iterations of conditioning to the ambient CO2and adjusting its pH to physiological ranges to retain a stable pH for weeks outside of the incubator. Double-wall perfusion chamber and an integrated air bubble trapper reduced media evaporation and osmolality drifts of the conditioned media for two weeks. Aligned microchannel-microfluidic device on MEA electrodes allowed neurite growth on top of the planar electrodes and amplified their extracellular activity. This enabled continuous sub-cellular resolution imaging and electrophysiology recordings from developing networks and their growing neurites. The on-chip versatile and self-contained system provides long-term, continuous and high spatiotemporal access to the network data and offers a robustin vitroplatform with many potentials to be applied on advanced cell culture systems including organ-on-chip and organoid models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany.,CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Habibey R, Rojo Arias JE, Striebel J, Busskamp V. Microfluidics for Neuronal Cell and Circuit Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14842-14880. [PMID: 36070858 PMCID: PMC9523714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of microfluidic devices among the neuroscience and neurobiology communities has enabled addressing a broad range of questions at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels. Here, we review biomedical engineering approaches that harness the power of microfluidics for bottom-up generation of neuronal cell types and for the assembly and analysis of neural circuits. Microfluidics-based approaches are instrumental to generate the knowledge necessary for the derivation of diverse neuronal cell types from human pluripotent stem cells, as they enable the isolation and subsequent examination of individual neurons of interest. Moreover, microfluidic devices allow to engineer neural circuits with specific orientations and directionality by providing control over neuronal cell polarity and permitting the isolation of axons in individual microchannels. Similarly, the use of microfluidic chips enables the construction not only of 2D but also of 3D brain, retinal, and peripheral nervous system model circuits. Such brain-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip technologies are promising platforms for studying these organs as they closely recapitulate some aspects of in vivo biological processes. Microfluidic 3D neuronal models, together with 2D in vitro systems, are widely used in many applications ranging from drug development and toxicology studies to neurological disease modeling and personalized medicine. Altogether, microfluidics provide researchers with powerful systems that complement and partially replace animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jesús Eduardo Rojo Arias
- Wellcome─MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
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Fanizza F, Campanile M, Forloni G, Giordano C, Albani D. Induced pluripotent stem cell-based organ-on-a-chip as personalized drug screening tools: A focus on neurodegenerative disorders. J Tissue Eng 2022; 13:20417314221095339. [PMID: 35570845 PMCID: PMC9092580 DOI: 10.1177/20417314221095339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) technology shows great potential to revolutionize the
drugs development pipeline by mimicking the physiological environment and
functions of human organs. The translational value of OoC is further enhanced
when combined with patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to
develop more realistic disease models, paving the way for the development of a
new generation of patient-on-a-chip devices. iPSCs differentiation capacity
leads to invaluable improvements in personalized medicine. Moreover, the
connection of single-OoC into multi-OoC or body-on-a-chip allows to investigate
drug pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics through the study of multi-organs
cross-talks. The need of a breakthrough thanks to this technology is
particularly relevant within the field of neurodegenerative diseases, where the
number of patients is increasing and the successful rate in drug discovery is
worryingly low. In this review we discuss current iPSC-based OoC as drug
screening models and their implication in development of new therapies for
neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fanizza
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marzia Campanile
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmen Giordano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Amirifar L, Shamloo A, Nasiri R, de Barros NR, Wang ZZ, Unluturk BD, Libanori A, Ievglevskyi O, Diltemiz SE, Sances S, Balasingham I, Seidlits SK, Ashammakhi N. Brain-on-a-chip: Recent advances in design and techniques for microfluidic models of the brain in health and disease. Biomaterials 2022; 285:121531. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Girardin S, Clément B, Ihle SJ, Weaver S, Petr JB, Mateus JC, Duru J, Krubner M, Forró C, Ruff T, Fruh I, Müller M, Vörös J. Topologically controlled circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons for electrophysiology recordings. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1386-1403. [PMID: 35253810 PMCID: PMC8963377 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01110c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up neuroscience, which consists of building and studying controlled networks of neurons in vitro, is a promising method to investigate information processing at the neuronal level. However, in vitro studies tend to use cells of animal origin rather than human neurons, leading to conclusions that might not be generalizable to humans and limiting the possibilities for relevant studies on neurological disorders. Here we present a method to build arrays of topologically controlled circuits of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. The circuits consist of 4 to 50 neurons with well-defined connections, confined by microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. Such circuits were characterized using optical imaging and microelectrode arrays (MEAs), suggesting the formation of functional connections between the neurons of a circuit. Electrophysiology recordings were performed on circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons for at least 4.5 months. We believe that the capacity to build small and controlled circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons holds great promise to better understand the fundamental principles of information processing and storing in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Girardin
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Blandine Clément
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Stephan J Ihle
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sean Weaver
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jana B Petr
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - José C Mateus
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jens Duru
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Magdalena Krubner
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Csaba Forró
- Cui Laboratory, S285 290 Jane Stanford Way Stanford, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tobias Ruff
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Isabelle Fruh
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Müller
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Tong Z, Kwak E, Aguiar A, Peng B, Pouton CW, Voelcker NH, Haynes JM. Compartmentalized microfluidic chambers enable long-term maintenance and communication between human pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain and midbrain neurons. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:4016-4030. [PMID: 34487130 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00505g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalized microfluidic devices are becoming increasingly popular and have proven to be valuable tools to probe neurobiological functions that are inherently difficult to study using traditional approaches. The ability of microfluidic devices to compartmentalize neurons offers considerable promise for disease modeling and drug discovery. Rodent cortical neurons/neural progenitors are commonly used in such studies but, while these cells mature rapidly, they do not possess the same receptors, ion channels and transport proteins found in human cortical neurons. Human pluripotent stem cell derived neurons offer a human phenotype, but their slow maturation offsets this phenotypic advantage, particularly over long-term culture where overgrowth and subsequent death of neurons may be a problem. In this work, we integrate the use of Matrigel as a 3D cell culture scaffold that enables high cell seeding density over a small fraction of the culture surface. This approach, in an open chamber microfluidic system, enables culture over a five-month period without the use of growth inhibitors. Matrigel was also uniquely utilized to hinder agonist diffusion across microchannels. We demonstrate the development of neuron-to-neuron communication networks by showing that electrical stimulation or the unilateral addition of agonists to one chamber resulted in activation of neurons in the adjacent chamber. Lastly, using a delayed neuron seeding strategy, we show that we can foster essentially one-way communication between separate populations of human forebrain and midbrain dopaminergic neuron containing cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiu Tong
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Eunbi Kwak
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Alita Aguiar
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Bo Peng
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
| | - John M Haynes
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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Bang S, Hwang KS, Jeong S, Cho IJ, Choi N, Kim J, Kim HN. Engineered neural circuits for modeling brain physiology and neuropathology. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:379-400. [PMID: 34157452 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neural circuits of the central nervous system are the regulatory pathways for feeling, motion control, learning, and memory, and their dysfunction is closely related to various neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the growing demand for the unraveling of the physiology and functional connectivity of the neural circuits, their fundamental investigation is hampered because of the inability to access the components of neural circuits and the complex microenvironment. As an alternative approach, in vitro human neural circuits show principles of in vivo human neuronal circuit function. They allow access to the cellular compartment and permit real-time monitoring of neural circuits. In this review, we summarize recent advances in reconstituted in vitro neural circuits using engineering techniques. To this end, we provide an overview of the fabrication techniques and methods for stimulation and measurement of in vitro neural circuits. Subsequently, representative examples of in vitro neural circuits are reviewed with a particular focus on the recapitulation of structures and functions observed in vivo, and we summarize their application in the study of various brain diseases. We believe that the in vitro neural circuits can help neuroscience and the neuropharmacology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the growing demand to unravel the physiology and functional connectivity of the neural circuits, the studies on the in vivo neural circuits are frequently limited due to the poor accessibility. Furthermore, single neuron-based analysis has an inherent limitation in that it does not reflect the full spectrum of the neural circuit physiology. As an alternative approach, in vitro engineered neural circuit models have arisen because they can recapitulate the structural and functional characteristics of in vivo neural circuits. These in vitro neural circuits allow the mimicking of dysregulation of the neural circuits, including neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injury. Emerging in vitro engineered neural circuits will provide a better understanding of the (patho-)physiology of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seokyoung Bang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Seob Hwang
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohyeon Jeong
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Joo Cho
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea; Yonsei-KIST Convergence Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Nakwon Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jongbaeg Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Bio-Medical Science & Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Scarnati MS, Boreland AJ, Joel M, Hart RP, Pang ZP. Differential sensitivity of human neurons carrying μ opioid receptor (MOR) N40D variants in response to ethanol. Alcohol 2020; 87:97-109. [PMID: 32561311 PMCID: PMC7958146 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The acute and chronic effects of alcohol on the brain and behavior are linked to alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission. Alcohol's most consistent effect at the synaptic level is probably a facilitation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, as seen from several rodent studies. The impact of alcohol on GABAergic neurotransmission in human neurons is unknown, due to a lack of a suitable experimental model. Human neurons can also be used to model effects of genetic variants linked with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs1799971) of the OPRM1 gene encoding the N40D (D40 minor allele) mu-opioid receptor (MOR) variant has been linked with individuals who have an AUD. However, while N40D is clearly associated with other drugs of abuse, involvement with AUDs is controversial. In this study, we employed Ascl1-and Dlx2-induced inhibitory neuronal cells (AD-iNs) generated from human iPS cell lines carrying N40D variants, and investigated the impact of ethanol acutely and chronically on GABAergic synaptic transmission. We found that N40 AD-iNs display a stronger facilitation (versus D40) of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency in response to acute ethanol application. Quantitative immunocytochemistry of Synapsin 1+ synaptic puncta revealed a similar synapse number between N40 and D40 iNs, suggesting an ethanol modulation of presynaptic GABA release without affecting synapse density. Interestingly, D40 iNs exposed to chronic intermittent ethanol application caused a significant increase in mIPSC frequency, with only a modest enhancement observed in N40 iNs. These data suggest that the MOR genotype may confer differential sensitivity to synaptic output, which depends on ethanol exposure time and concentration for AD-iNs and may help explain alcohol dependence in individuals who carry the MOR D40 SNPs. Furthermore, this study supports the use of human neuronal cells carrying risk-associated genetic variants linked to disease, as in vitro models to assay the synaptic actions of alcohol on human neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Scarnati
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Andrew J Boreland
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Marisa Joel
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA; Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
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Zhao Y, Demirci U, Chen Y, Chen P. Multiscale brain research on a microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:1531-1543. [PMID: 32150176 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01010f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
One major challenge in current brain research is generating an integrative understanding of the brain's functions and disorders from its multiscale neuronal architectures and connectivity. Thus, innovative neurotechnology tools are urgently required for deciphering the multiscale functional and structural organizations of the brain at hierarchical scales from the molecular to the organismal level by multiple brain research initiatives launched by the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada, China, Korea, and Japan. To meet this demand, microfluidic chips (μFCs) have rapidly evolved as a trans-scale neurotechnological toolset to enable multiscale studies of the brain due to their unique advantages in flexible microstructure design, multifunctional integration, accurate microenvironment control, and capacity for automatic sample processing. Here, we review the recent progress in applying innovative μFC-based neuro-technologies to promote multiscale brain research and uniquely focus on representative applications of μFCs to address challenges in brain research at each hierarchical level. We discuss the current trend of combinational applications of μFCs with other neuro- and biotechnologies, including optogenetics, brain organoids, and 3D bioprinting, for better multiscale brain research. In addition, we offer our insights into the existing outstanding questions at each hierarchical level of brain research that could potentially be addressed by advancing microfluidic techniques. This review will serve as a timely guide for bioengineers and neuroscientists to develop and apply μFC-based neuro-technologies for promoting basic and translational brain research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, 115 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China.
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13
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Fantuzzo JA, Robles DA, Mirabella VR, Hart RP, Pang ZP, Zahn JD. Development of a high-throughput arrayed neural circuitry platform using human induced neurons for drug screening applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:1140-1152. [PMID: 32064487 PMCID: PMC7339603 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01179j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Proper brain function relies on the precise arrangement and flow of information between diverse neural subtypes. Developing improved human cell-based models which faithfully mimic biologically relevant connectivity patterns may improve drug screening efforts given the limited success of animal models to predict safety and efficacy of therapeutics in human clinical trials. To address this need, we have developed experimental models of defined neural circuitries through the compartmentalization of neuronal cell subtypes in a 96 well plate-based platform where each microwell is divided into two compartments connected by microchannels allowing high-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecules. We demonstrate that we can generate subtype-specific excitatory and inhibitory induced neuronal cells (iNs) from human stem cell lines and that these neurons form robust functional circuits with defined connectivity. Through the use of the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP6f, we monitor calcium ion transients generated during neuronal firing between and within compartments. We further demonstrate functionality of the circuit by perturbing network activity through the addition of glutamate receptor blockers using automated liquid handling. Lastly, we show that we can stimulate network activity in defined neuronal subtypes through the expression of the designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) hM3Dq and application of the ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO). Our results demonstrate the formation of functional neural circuits in a high-throughput platform that is compatible with compound screening, representing an important step towards developing new screening platforms for studying and ultimately treating psychiatric brain disorders that arise from disordered neural circuit function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Fantuzzo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. and Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Denise A Robles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Vincent R Mirabella
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 675 Hoes Lane West, Research Tower, Third Floor, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA and Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, MEB Third, PO Box 19, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA and Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, 675 Hoes Lane West, Research Tower, Third Floor, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA and Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, MEB Third, PO Box 19, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Zahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Hyvärinen T, Hagman S, Ristola M, Sukki L, Veijula K, Kreutzer J, Kallio P, Narkilahti S. Co-stimulation with IL-1β and TNF-α induces an inflammatory reactive astrocyte phenotype with neurosupportive characteristics in a human pluripotent stem cell model system. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16944. [PMID: 31729450 PMCID: PMC6858358 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53414-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocyte reactivation has been discovered to be an important contributor to several neurological diseases. In vitro models involving human astrocytes have the potential to reveal disease-specific mechanisms of these cells and to advance research on neuropathological conditions. Here, we induced a reactive phenotype in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes and studied the inflammatory natures and effects of these cells on human neurons. Astrocytes responded to interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment with a typical transition to polygonal morphology and a shift to an inflammatory phenotype characterized by altered gene and protein expression profiles. Astrocyte-secreted factors did not exert neurotoxic effects, whereas they transiently promoted the functional activity of neurons. Importantly, we engineered a novel microfluidic platform designed for investigating interactions between neuronal axons and reactive astrocytes that also enables the implementation of a controlled inflammatory environment. In this platform, selective stimulation of astrocytes resulted in an inflammatory niche that sustained axonal growth, further suggesting that treatment induces a reactive astrocyte phenotype with neurosupportive characteristics. Our findings show that hiPSC-derived astrocytes are suitable for modeling astrogliosis, and the developed in vitro platform provides promising novel tools for studying neuron-astrocyte crosstalk and human brain disease in a dish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Hyvärinen
- NeuroGroup, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sanna Hagman
- NeuroGroup, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mervi Ristola
- NeuroGroup, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Lassi Sukki
- Micro and Nanosystems Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Katariina Veijula
- NeuroGroup, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Joose Kreutzer
- Micro and Nanosystems Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Pasi Kallio
- Micro and Nanosystems Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susanna Narkilahti
- NeuroGroup, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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15
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Toward the formation of neural circuits in human brain organoids. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 61:86-91. [PMID: 31425932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Because of the ability to recapitulate normal developmental processes, brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells are an important experimental resource to investigate the development and pathogenesis of human brains. Although brain organoids are used in research on diseases such as microcephaly, it has traditionally been difficult to analyze diseases that affect neuronal networks between distant brain regions, as effective brain organoids containing multiple brain regions with defined connectivity have yet to be established. In this review, we discuss strategies to construct such organoids and provide a review on recent progress on brain organoids.
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Hartlaub AM, McElroy CA, Maitre NL, Hester ME. Modeling Human Brain Circuitry Using Pluripotent Stem Cell Platforms. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:57. [PMID: 30891437 PMCID: PMC6411708 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits are the underlying functional units of the human brain that govern complex behavior and higher-order cognitive processes. Disruptions in neural circuit development have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. Until recently, major efforts utilizing neurological disease modeling platforms based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), investigated disease phenotypes primarily at the single cell level. However, recent advances in brain organoid systems, microfluidic devices, and advanced optical and electrical interfaces, now allow more complex hiPSC-based systems to model neuronal connectivity and investigate the specific brain circuitry implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. Here we review emerging research advances in studying brain circuitry using in vitro and in vivo disease modeling platforms including microfluidic devices, enhanced functional recording interfaces, and brain organoid systems. Research efforts in these areas have already yielded critical insights into pathophysiological mechanisms and will continue to stimulate innovation in this promising area of translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa M. Hartlaub
- Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Craig A. McElroy
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Nathalie L. Maitre
- Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mark E. Hester
- Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
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17
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Scarnati MS, Halikere A, Pang ZP. Using human stem cells as a model system to understand the neural mechanisms of alcohol use disorders: Current status and outlook. Alcohol 2019; 74:83-93. [PMID: 30087005 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which include alcohol abuse and dependence, are among the most common types of neuropsychiatric disorders in the United States (U.S.). Approximately 14% of the U.S. population is affected in a single year, thus placing a tremendous burden on individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Animal models have been pivotal in revealing the basic mechanisms of how alcohol impacts neuronal function, yet there are currently limited effective therapies developed based on these studies. This is mainly due to a limited understanding of the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying AUDs in humans, which leads to a lack of targeted therapeutics. Furthermore, compounding factors including genetic background, gene copy number variants, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) as well as environmental and social factors that affect and promote the development of AUDs are complex and heterogeneous. Recent developments in stem cell biology, especially the human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell development and differentiation technologies, has provided us a unique opportunity to model neuropsychiatric disorders like AUDs in a manner that is highly complementary to animal studies, but that maintains fidelity with complex human genetic contexts. Patient-specific neuronal cells derived from iPS cells can then be used for drug discovery and precision medicine, e.g. for pathway-directed development in alcoholism. Here, we review recent work employing iPS cell technology to model and elucidate the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of AUDs in a human neuronal background and provide our perspective on future development in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Scarnati
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
| | - Apoorva Halikere
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rutgers University-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Room 3233D, 89 French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
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18
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Fantuzzo JA, Hart RP, Zahn JD, Pang ZP. Compartmentalized Devices as Tools for Investigation of Human Brain Network Dynamics. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:65-77. [PMID: 30117633 PMCID: PMC6312734 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders have traditionally been difficult to study due to the complexity of the human brain and limited availability of human tissue. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells provide a promising avenue to further our understanding of human disease mechanisms, but traditional 2D cell cultures can only provide a limited view of the neural circuits. To better model complex brain neurocircuitry, compartmentalized culturing systems and 3D organoids have been developed. Early compartmentalized devices demonstrated how neuronal cell bodies can be isolated both physically and chemically from neurites. Soft lithographic approaches have advanced this approach and offer the tools to construct novel model platforms, enabling circuit-level studies of disease, which can accelerate mechanistic studies and drug candidate screening. In this review, we describe some of the common technologies used to develop such systems and discuss how these lithographic techniques have been used to advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric disease. Finally, we address other in vitro model platforms such as 3D culture systems and organoids and compare these models with compartmentalized models. We ask important questions regarding how we can further harness iPS cells in these engineered culture systems for the development of improved in vitro models. Developmental Dynamics 248:65-77, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Fantuzzo
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Jeffrey D Zahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Zhiping P Pang
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Research Tower, Piscataway, New Jersey
- Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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19
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Zahn JD. Microdevice Development and Artificial Organs. Artif Organs 2018; 43:17-20. [PMID: 30260017 DOI: 10.1111/aor.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Zahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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Prytkova I, Goate A, Hart RP, Slesinger PA. Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Role for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells? Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:1572-1590. [PMID: 29897633 PMCID: PMC6120805 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects millions of people and costs nearly 250 billion dollars annually. Few effective FDA-approved treatments exist, and more are needed. AUDs have a strong heritability, but only a few genes have been identified with a large effect size on disease phenotype. Genomewide association studies (GWASs) have identified common variants with low effect sizes, most of which are in noncoding regions of the genome. Animal models frequently fail to recapitulate key molecular features of neuropsychiatric disease due to the polygenic nature of the disease, partial conservation of coding regions, and significant disparity in noncoding regions. By contrast, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from patients provide a powerful platform for evaluating genes identified by GWAS and modeling complex interactions in the human genome. hiPSCs can be differentiated into a wide variety of human cells, including neurons, glia, and hepatic cells, which are compatible with numerous functional assays and genome editing techniques. In this review, we focus on current applications and future directions of patient hiPSC-derived central nervous system cells for modeling AUDs in addition to highlighting successful applications of hiPSCs in polygenic neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iya Prytkova
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Alison Goate
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ronald P. Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway NJ 08854, USA
| | - Paul A. Slesinger
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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