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Zufiaurre-Seijo M, García-Arumí J, Duarri A. Clinical and Molecular Aspects of C2orf71/PCARE in Retinal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10670. [PMID: 37445847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the photoreceptor-specific C2orf71 gene (also known as photoreceptor cilium actin regulator protein PCARE) cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa type 54 and cone-rod dystrophy. No treatments are available for patients with C2orf71 retinal ciliopathies exhibiting a severe clinical phenotype. Our understanding of the disease process and the role of PCARE in the healthy retina significantly limits our capacity to transfer recent technical developments into viable therapy choices. This study summarizes the current understanding of C2orf71-related retinal diseases, including their clinical manifestations and an unclear genotype-phenotype correlation. It discusses molecular and functional studies on the photoreceptor-specific ciliary PCARE, focusing on the photoreceptor cell and its ciliary axoneme. It is proposed that PCARE is an actin-associated protein that interacts with WASF3 to regulate the actin-driven expansion of the ciliary membrane during the development of a new outer segment disk in photoreceptor cells. This review also introduces various cellular and animal models used to model these diseases and provides an overview of potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalen Zufiaurre-Seijo
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José García-Arumí
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Duarri
- Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Kunitomi A, Hirohata R, Arreola V, Osawa M, Kato TM, Nomura M, Kawaguchi J, Hara H, Kusano K, Takashima Y, Takahashi K, Fukuda K, Takasu N, Yamanaka S. Improved Sendai viral system for reprogramming to naive pluripotency. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100317. [PMID: 36447645 PMCID: PMC9701587 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Naive human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by reprogramming somatic cells with Sendai virus (SeV) vectors. However, only dermal fibroblasts have been successfully reprogrammed this way, and the process requires culture on feeder cells. Moreover, SeV vectors are highly persistent and inhibit subsequent differentiation of iPSCs. Here, we report a modified SeV vector system to generate transgene-free naive human iPSCs with superior differentiation potential. The modified method can be applied not only to fibroblasts but also to other somatic cell types. SeV vectors disappear quickly at early passages, and this approach enables the generation of naive iPSCs in a feeder-free culture. The naive iPSCs generated by this method show better differentiation to trilineage and extra-embryonic trophectoderm than those derived by conventional methods. This method can expand the application of iPSCs to research on early human development and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Kunitomi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ryoko Hirohata
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- CiRA Foundation, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan
| | - Vanessa Arreola
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mitsujiro Osawa
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomoaki M. Kato
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- CiRA Foundation, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan
| | - Masaki Nomura
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- CiRA Foundation, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Hara
- ID Pharma Co., Ltd., Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Takahashi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fukuda
- Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Naoko Takasu
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- CiRA Foundation, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan
| | - Shinya Yamanaka
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- CiRA Foundation, Kyoto 606-8397, Japan
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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3
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Ng N, Newbery M, Maksour S, Dottori M, Sluyter R, Ooi L. Transgene and Chemical Transdifferentiation of Somatic Cells for Rapid and Efficient Neurological Disease Cell Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:858432. [PMID: 35634469 PMCID: PMC9130549 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.858432] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For neurological diseases, molecular and cellular research relies on the use of model systems to investigate disease processes and test potential therapeutics. The last decade has witnessed an increase in the number of studies using induced pluripotent stem cells to generate disease relevant cell types from patients. The reprogramming process permits the generation of a large number of cells but is potentially disadvantaged by introducing variability in clonal lines and the removal of phenotypes of aging, which are critical to understand neurodegenerative diseases. An under-utilized approach to disease modeling involves the transdifferentiation of aged cells from patients, such as fibroblasts or blood cells, into various neural cell types. In this review we discuss techniques used for rapid and efficient direct conversion to neural cell types. We examine the limitations and future perspectives of this rapidly advancing field that could improve neurological disease modeling and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neville Ng
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Neville Ng,
| | - Michelle Newbery
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Maksour
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Ronald Sluyter
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Lezanne Ooi,
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4
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Rai D, Iwanami M, Takahashi Y, Komuta Y, Aoi N, Umezawa A, Seko Y. Evaluation of photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts derived from retinitis pigmentosa patients with defects in the EYS gene: a possible cost-effective cellular model for mechanism-oriented drug. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:157. [PMID: 35410372 PMCID: PMC8996485 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02827-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The most common gene responsible for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is EYS. The manner of decay of genetically defective EYS gene transcripts varies depending on the type of mutation using our cellular model, which consists of induced photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts from EYS-RP patients (EYS-RP cells). However, disease-specific profiles have not been clarified in EYS-RP cells. Herein we investigated comprehensive gene expression patterns and restoration of altered expression by low molecular weight molecules in EYS-RP cells.
Methods Using induced photoreceptor-like cells by CRX, RAX, NeuroD, and OTX2, we employed qRT-PCR and DNA microarray analysis to compare expression levels of disease-related genes in EYS-RP cells. We investigated the effect of antiapoptotic or anti-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress/antioxidant reagents on the restoration of altered gene expression. Results Expression levels of phototransduction-related genes (blue opsin, rhodopsin, S-antigen, GNAT1, GNAT2) were lower in EYS-RP cells. CRYGD was extracted by global gene expression analysis, as a downregulated, retina-related and apoptosis-, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress- or aging-related gene. Pathway enrichment analysis suggested that “complement and coagulation cascades,” “ECM-receptor interaction” and “PI3K-Akt signaling pathway” could be involved in EYS-RP-associated pathogenesis. Among the matching/overlapping genes involved in those pathways, F2R was suggested as an EYS-RP-associated gene. The downregulation of CRYGD and F2R was completely restored by additional 4-PBA, an inhibitor of ER stress, and partially restored by metformin or NAC. In addition, 4-PBA normalized the expression level of cleaved caspase-3. Conclusions Our cellular model may reflect the ER stress-mediated degenerative retina and serve as a pathogenesis-oriented cost-effective rescue strategy for RP patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02827-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilip Rai
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons With Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Iwanami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons With Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan.,Iwanami Eye Clinic, 7-1-3, Tsuchihashi, Miyamae-ku Kawasaki, Tokyo, 216-0005, Japan
| | - Yoriko Takahashi
- Bioscience and Healthcare Engineering Division, Mitsui Knowledge Industry Co., Ltd., 2-7-14 Higashi-Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 164-8555, Japan
| | - Yukari Komuta
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons With Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan.,Division of Bioinformation and Therapeutic Systems, National Defense Medical College, 3 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-0042, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Aoi
- Department of Plastic, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan.,Miyamasuzaka Clinic, SK Aoyama Bldg. 5F, 1-6-5 Shibuya, Tokyo, 150-0002, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- National Center for Child Health and Development, Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Yuko Seko
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons With Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan.
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5
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One-step induction of photoreceptor-like cells from human iPSCs by delivering transcription factors. iScience 2022; 25:103987. [PMID: 35330684 PMCID: PMC8938283 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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6
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Neuronal Reprogramming for Tissue Repair and Neuroregeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124273. [PMID: 32560072 PMCID: PMC7352898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell and cell reprogramming technology represent a rapidly growing field in regenerative medicine. A number of novel neural reprogramming methods have been established, using pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) or direct reprogramming, to efficiently derive specific neuronal cell types for therapeutic applications. Both in vitro and in vivo cellular reprogramming provide diverse therapeutic pathways for modeling neurological diseases and injury repair. In particular, the retina has emerged as a promising target for clinical application of regenerative medicine. Herein, we review the potential of neuronal reprogramming to develop regenerative strategy, with a particular focus on treating retinal degenerative diseases and discuss future directions and challenges in the field.
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7
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HORISAWA K, SUZUKI A. Direct cell-fate conversion of somatic cells: Toward regenerative medicine and industries. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2020; 96:131-158. [PMID: 32281550 PMCID: PMC7247973 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.96.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cells of multicellular organisms have diverse characteristics despite having the same genetic identity. The distinctive phenotype of each cell is determined by molecular mechanisms such as epigenetic changes that occur throughout the lifetime of an individual. Recently, technologies that enable modification of the fate of somatic cells have been developed, and the number of studies using these technologies has increased drastically in the last decade. Various cell types, including neuronal cells, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes, have been generated using these technologies. Although most direct reprogramming methods employ forced transduction of a defined sets of transcription factors to reprogram cells in a manner similar to induced pluripotent cell technology, many other strategies, such as methods utilizing chemical compounds and microRNAs to change the fate of somatic cells, have also been developed. In this review, we summarize transcription factor-based reprogramming and various other reprogramming methods. Additionally, we describe the various industrial applications of direct reprogramming technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi HORISAWA
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi SUZUKI
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Correspondence should be addressed: A. Suzuki, Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan (e-mail: )
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8
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El Wazan L, Urrutia-Cabrera D, Wong RCB. Using transcription factors for direct reprogramming of neurons in vitro. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:431-444. [PMID: 31396370 PMCID: PMC6682505 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i7.431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy offers great promises in replacing the neurons lost due to neurodegenerative diseases or injuries. However, a key challenge is the cellular source for transplantation which is often limited by donor availability. Direct reprogramming provides an exciting avenue to generate specialized neuron subtypes in vitro, which have the potential to be used for autologous transplantation, as well as generation of patient-specific disease models in the lab for drug discovery and testing gene therapy. Here we present a detailed review on transcription factors that promote direct reprogramming of specific neuronal subtypes with particular focus on glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic, sensory and retinal neurons. We will discuss the developmental role of master transcriptional regulators and specification factors for neuronal subtypes, and summarize their use in promoting direct reprogramming into different neuronal subtypes. Furthermore, we will discuss up-and-coming technologies that advance the cell reprogramming field, including the use of computational prediction of reprogramming factors, opportunity of cellular reprogramming using small chemicals and microRNA, as well as the exciting potential for applying direct reprogramming in vivo as a novel approach to promote neuro-regeneration within the body. Finally, we will highlight the clinical potential of direct reprogramming and discuss the hurdles that need to be overcome for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layal El Wazan
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Daniel Urrutia-Cabrera
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne 3004, Australia
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9
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Grath A, Dai G. Direct cell reprogramming for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:14. [PMID: 30805026 PMCID: PMC6373087 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct cell reprogramming, also called transdifferentiation, allows for the reprogramming of one somatic cell type directly into another, without the need to transition through an induced pluripotent state. Thus, it is an attractive approach to develop novel tissue engineering applications to treat diseases and injuries where there is a shortage of proliferating cells for tissue repair. In certain tissue damage, terminally differentiated somatic cells lose their ability to proliferate, as a result, damaged tissues cannot heal by themselves. Examples of these scenarios include myocardial infarctions, neurodegenerative diseases, and cartilage injuries. Transdifferentiation is capable of reprogramming cells that are abundant in the body into desired cell phenotypes that are able to restore tissue function in damaged areas. Therefore, direct cell reprogramming is a promising direction in the cell and tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields. In recent years, several methods for transdifferentiation have been developed, ranging from the overexpression of transcription factors via viral vectors, to small molecules, to clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated protein (Cas9) for both genetic and epigenetic reprogramming. Overexpressing transcription factors by use of a lentivirus is currently the most prevalent technique, however it lacks high reprogramming efficiencies and can pose problems when transitioning to human subjects and clinical trials. CRISPR/Cas9, fused with proteins that modulate transcription, has been shown to improve efficiencies greatly. Transdifferentiation has successfully generated many cell phenotypes, including endothelial cells, skeletal myocytes, neuronal cells, and more. These cells have been shown to emulate mature adult cells such that they are able to mimic major functions, and some are capable of promoting regeneration of damaged tissue in vivo. While transdifferentiated cells have not yet seen clinical use, they have had promise in mice models, showing success in treating liver disease and several brain-related diseases, while also being utilized as a cell source for tissue engineered vascular grafts to treat damaged blood vessels. Recently, localized transdifferentiated cells have been generated in situ, allowing for treatments without invasive surgeries and more complete transdifferentiation. In this review, we summarized the recent development in various cell reprogramming techniques, their applications in converting various somatic cells, their uses in tissue regeneration, and the challenges of transitioning to a clinical setting, accompanied with potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Grath
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Lake Hall 214A, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Guohao Dai
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Lake Hall 214A, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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10
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Stem cell-based retina models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 140:33-50. [PMID: 29777757 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
From the early days of cell biological research, the eye-especially the retina-has evoked broad interest among scientists. The retina has since been thoroughly investigated and numerous models have been exploited to shed light on its development, morphology, and function. Apart from various animal models and human clinical and anatomical research, stem cell-based models of animal and human cells of origin have entered the field, especially during the last decade. Despite the observation that the retina of different species comprises endogenous stem cells, most stem cell-related research in the human retina is now based on pluripotent stem cell models. Herein, systems of two-dimensional (2D) cultures and co-cultures of distinctly differentiated retinal subtypes revealed a variety of cellular aspects but have in many aspects been replaced by three-dimensional (3D) structures-the so-called retinal organoids. These organoids not only contain all major retinal cell subtypes compared to the physiological situation, but also show a distinct layering in close proximity to the in vivo morphology. Nevertheless, all these models have inherent advantages and disadvantages, which are expounded and summarized in this review. Finally, we discuss current application aspects of stem cell-based retina models and the specific promises they hold for the future.
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11
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Seko Y, Iwanami M, Miyamoto-Matsui K, Takita S, Aoi N, Umezawa A, Kato S. The manner of decay of genetically defective EYS gene transcripts in photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts derived from retinitis pigmentosa patients depends on the type of mutation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:279. [PMID: 30359287 PMCID: PMC6202841 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Generation of induced photoreceptors holds promise for in vitro modeling of intractable retinal diseases. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited retinal dystrophy that leads to visual impairment. The EYS gene was reported to be the most common gene responsible for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP). arRP with defects in the EYS gene is denoted by “EYS-RP”. We previously established a “redirect differentiation” method to generate photosensitive photoreceptor-like cells from commercially available human dermal fibroblasts. In this study, we produced photoreceptor-like cells from dermal fibroblasts of EYS-RP patients as a replacement for the degenerative retinas using “redirect differentiation”. We analyzed defective transcripts of the EYS gene in these cells to elucidate phenotypes of EYS-RP patients because decay of transcripts was previously suggested to be involved in phenotypic variation associated with diseases. Methods Using “redirect differentiation” by CRX, RAX, NeuroD and OTX2, we made photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts derived from three normal volunteers and three EYS-RP patients with homozygous or heterozygous mutations. We tested inducible expression of the photoreceptor-specific genes (blue opsin, rhodopsin, recoverin, S-antigen, PDE6C) in these cells. We then analyzed transcripts derived from three different types of the defective EYS gene, c.1211dupA, c.4957dupA and c.8805C > A, expressed in these cells by RT-PCR and sequencing. Results Photoreceptor-specific genes including the EYS gene were up-regulated in all the photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts tested. However, expression levels of defective transcripts were markedly different depending on the type of mutation. Transcripts derived from these three defective genes were scarcely detected, expressed at a lower level, and expressed at almost the same level as in normal volunteers, respectively. Conclusions Expression levels of genetically defective EYS gene transcripts in photoreceptor-directed fibroblasts of EYS-RP patients vary depending on the type of mutation. Variation in expression levels in transcripts having c.1211dupA, c.4957dupA and c.8805C > A suggests that almost complete nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), partial NMD and escape from NMD occurred for these transcripts, respectively. To determine the relationship with phenotypic variations in EYS-RP patients, more samples are needed. The present study also suggests that the redirect differentiation method could be a valuable tool for disease modeling despite some limitations. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-1016-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Seko
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan.
| | - Masaki Iwanami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan.,Present Address: Iwanami Eye Clinic, 7-1-3, Tsuchihashi, Miyamae-ku Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, 216-0005, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Miyamoto-Matsui
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan
| | - Shimpei Takita
- Sensory Functions Section, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Aoi
- Department of Plastic, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga Itabashi-ku, Itabashi, 173-8605, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Seishi Kato
- Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, 4-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa, 359-8555, Japan
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12
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Ishii T, Yin C, Seko Y, Umezawa A, Kaneda M. Variation in the Phenotype of Photosensitive Cells Produced from Human Fibroblast Cell Lines. J NIPPON MED SCH 2018; 85:110-116. [DOI: 10.1272/jnms.2018_85-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuko Seko
- Visual Functions Section, Department of Rehabilitation for Sensory Functions, Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Institute for Child Health and Development
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13
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Fukuda T, Ishizawa Y, Donai K, Sugano E, Tomita H. The poly-cistronic expression of four transcriptional factors (CRX, RAX, NEURO-D, OTX2) in fibroblasts via retro- or lentivirus causes partial reprogramming into photoreceptor cells. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:608-614. [PMID: 29377330 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of four key transcriptional factors (CRX, RAX, NEURO-D, OTX2) allows the direct differentiation of fibroblasts to retinal photoreceptor cells. This reprogramming was achieved with a combination of mono-cistronic viruses. Although the combination of mono-cistronic viruses was useful, a relatively high titer of recombinant viruses was necessary because co-infections are required. To overcome this issue, we established a poly-cistronic expression system for direct reprogramming and analyzed the biological characteristics of introduced cells after the exogenous introduction. The coding region of four reprogramming factors and EGFP (CRX, RAX, NEURO-D, OTX2, and EGFP; CNROE) was inserted into multiple sites of the pMYs-IP retrovirus or CSII-CMV lentivirus vector. The recombinant viruses were exposed to HE16 human embryonic fibroblasts. The expression levels of cone related genes were detected with real-time PCR. We detected the activation of two of the photoreceptor-related genes after the poly-cistronic expression of CRX, RAX, NEURO-D, and OTX2, but the rest of the genes did not exhibit transcriptional elevation. We concluded that the poly-cistronic expression of CNROE induced partial reprogramming into photoreceptor cells. We hypothesize that the direct reprogramming into photoreceptor cells might require relatively high protein expression levels of transcriptional factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu Fukuda
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Iwate Prefecture, 020-8551, Morioka, Japan.,Soft-Path Engineering Research Center (SPERC), Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishizawa
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Iwate Prefecture, 020-8551, Morioka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Donai
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eriko Sugano
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Iwate Prefecture, 020-8551, Morioka, Japan.,Soft-Path Engineering Research Center (SPERC), Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Tomita
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Iwate Prefecture, 020-8551, Morioka, Japan.,Soft-Path Engineering Research Center (SPERC), Iwate University, Morioka, Japan
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14
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Artero Castro A, Lukovic D, Jendelova P, Erceg S. Concise Review: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Stem Cells 2018; 36:474-481. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Artero Castro
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
| | - Dunja Lukovic
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Biomolecular and Bioinformatics Resources Platform PRB2; ISCIII, Research Center “Principe Felipe”; Valencia Spain
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells; Czech Academy of Sciences; Prague Czech Republic
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