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Cao Z, Kong F, Ding J, Chen C, He F, Deng W. Promoting Alzheimer's disease research and therapy with stem cell technology. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:136. [PMID: 38715083 PMCID: PMC11077895 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent form of dementia leading to memory loss, reduced cognitive and linguistic abilities, and decreased self-care. Current AD treatments aim to relieve symptoms and slow disease progression, but a cure is elusive due to limited understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. MAIN CONTENT Stem cell technology has the potential to revolutionize AD research. With the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, stem cells are valuable tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell therapy. Recent advances have broadened our understanding beyond the deposition of amyloidβ (Aβ) or tau proteins in AD to encompass risk genes, immune system disorders, and neuron-glia mis-communication, relying heavily on stem cell-derived disease models. These stem cell-based models (e.g., organoids and microfluidic chips) simulate in vivo pathological processes with extraordinary spatial and temporal resolution. Stem cell technologies have the potential to alleviate AD pathology through various pathways, including immunomodulation, replacement of damaged neurons, and neurotrophic support. In recent years, transplantation of glial cells like oligodendrocytes and the infusion of exosomes have become hot research topics. CONCLUSION Although stem cell-based models and therapies for AD face several challenges, such as extended culture time and low differentiation efficiency, they still show considerable potential for AD treatment and are likely to become preferred tools for AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Fanshu Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaqi Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Chunxia Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Fumei He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, 671000, China.
| | - Wenbin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Damiani D, Baggiani M, Della Vecchia S, Naef V, Santorelli FM. Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Preclinical Cellular Model for Studying Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2615. [PMID: 38473862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052615] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) comprise a family of degenerative diseases mostly hitting descending axons of corticospinal neurons. Depending on the gene and mutation involved, the disease could present as a pure form with limb spasticity, or a complex form associated with cerebellar and/or cortical signs such as ataxia, dysarthria, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. The progressive nature of HSPs invariably leads patients to require walking canes or wheelchairs over time. Despite several attempts to ameliorate the life quality of patients that have been tested, current therapeutical approaches are just symptomatic, as no cure is available. Progress in research in the last two decades has identified a vast number of genes involved in HSP etiology, using cellular and animal models generated on purpose. Although unanimously considered invaluable tools for basic research, those systems are rarely predictive for the establishment of a therapeutic approach. The advent of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells allowed instead the direct study of morphological and molecular properties of the patient's affected neurons generated upon in vitro differentiation. In this review, we revisited all the present literature recently published regarding the use of iPS cells to differentiate HSP patient-specific neurons. Most studies have defined patient-derived neurons as a reliable model to faithfully mimic HSP in vitro, discovering original findings through immunological and -omics approaches, and providing a platform to screen novel or repurposed drugs. Thereby, one of the biggest hopes of current HSP research regards the use of patient-derived iPS cells to expand basic knowledge on the disease, while simultaneously establishing new therapeutic treatments for both generalized and personalized approaches in daily medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devid Damiani
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Baggiani
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Della Vecchia
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Valentina Naef
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56128 Pisa, Italy
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3
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Rodriguez-Jimenez FJ, Ureña-Peralta J, Jendelova P, Erceg S. Alzheimer's disease and synapse Loss: What can we learn from induced pluripotent stem Cells? J Adv Res 2023; 54:105-118. [PMID: 36646419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synaptic dysfunction is a major contributor to Alzheimeŕs disease (AD) pathogenesis in addition to the formation of neuritic β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. However, how these features contribute to synaptic dysfunction and axonal loss remains unclear. While years of considerable effort have been devoted to gaining an improved understanding of this devastating disease, the unavailability of patient-derived tissues, considerable genetic heterogeneity, and lack of animal models that faithfully recapitulate human AD have hampered the development of effective treatment options. Ongoing progress in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology has permitted the derivation of patient- and disease-specific stem cells with unlimited self-renewal capacity. These cells can differentiate into AD-affected cell types, which support studies of disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and the development of cell replacement therapies in traditional and advanced cell culture models. AIM OF REVIEW To summarize current hiPSC-based AD models, highlighting the associated achievements and challenges with a primary focus on neuron and synapse loss. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW We aim to identify how hiPSC models can contribute to understanding AD-associated synaptic dysfunction and axonal loss. hiPSC-derived neural cells, astrocytes, and microglia, as well as more sophisticated cellular organoids, may represent reliable models to investigate AD and identify early markers of AD-associated neural degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Rodriguez-Jimenez
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Juan Ureña-Peralta
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroregeneration, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab., Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroregeneration, Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic; National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Centro de Investigacion Principe Felipe, c/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 3, 46012 Valencia, Spain.
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Waxman EA, Dungan LV, DeFlitch LM, Merchant JP, Gagne AL, Goldberg EM, French DL. Reproducible Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Two-Dimensional Cortical Neuron Cultures with Checkpoints for Success. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e948. [PMID: 38148714 PMCID: PMC10753927 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The patterning of excitatory cortical neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a desired technique for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders, as neurons can be created and compared from control hPSC lines, hPSC lines generated from patients, and CRISPR-modified hPSC lines. Therefore, this technique allows for the examination of disease phenotypes and assists in the development of potential new therapeutics for neurodevelopmental disorders. Many protocols, however, are optimized for use with specific hPSC lines or within a single laboratory, and they often provide insufficient guidance on how to identify positive stages in the differentiation or how to troubleshoot. Here, we present an efficient and reproducible directed differentiation protocol to generate two-dimensional cultures of hPSC-derived excitatory cortical neurons without intermediary embryoid body formation. This novel protocol is supported by our data generated with five independent hPSC lines and in two independent laboratories. Importantly, as neuronal differentiations follow a long time course to reach maturity, we provide extensive guidance regarding morphological and flow cytometry checkpoints allowing for early indications of successful differentiation. We also include extensive troubleshooting tips and support protocols to assist the operator. The goal of this protocol is to assist others in the successful differentiation of excitatory cortical neurons from hPSCs. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Directed differentiation of hPSCs into excitatory cortical neurons Support Protocol 1: Harvesting and fixing cells for flow cytometry analyses Support Protocol 2: Performing flow cytometry analyses Support Protocol 3: Thawing NPCs from a cryopreserved stock Alternate Protocol 1: Continuing Expansion of NPCs Alternate Protocol 2: Treatment of neurons with Ara-C to ablate radial glia Support Protocol 4: Experimental methods for validation of excitatory cortical neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa A. Waxman
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Epilepsy and NeuroDevelopmental Disorders (ENDD), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lea V. Dungan
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Epilepsy and NeuroDevelopmental Disorders (ENDD), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leah M. DeFlitch
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julie P. Merchant
- Departments of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alyssa L. Gagne
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ethan M. Goldberg
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Departments of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deborah L. French
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Epilepsy and NeuroDevelopmental Disorders (ENDD), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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5
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Abdel Fattah AR, Grebenyuk S, de Rooij LPMH, Salmon I, Ranga A. Neuroepithelial organoid patterning is mediated by a neighborhood watch mechanism. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113334. [PMID: 38511989 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
During epithelial tissue patterning, morphogens operate across multiple length scales to instruct cell identities. However, how cell fate changes are coordinated over these scales to establish spatial organization remains poorly understood. Here, we use human neural tube organoids as models of epithelial patterning and develop an in silico approach to define conditions permissive to patterning. By systematically varying morphogen position, diffusivity, and fate-inducing concentration levels, we show that cells follow a "neighborhood watch" (NW) mechanism that is deterministically dictated by initial morphogen source positions, reflecting scale-invariant in vitro phenotypes. We define how the frequency and local bias of morphogen sources stabilize pattern orientation. The model predicts enhanced patterning through floor plate inhibition, and receptor-ligand interaction analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data identifies wingless-related integration site (WNT) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) as inhibition modulators, which we validate in vitro. These results suggest that developing neuroepithelia employ NW-based mechanisms to organize morphogen sources, define cellular identity, and establish patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Rahman Abdel Fattah
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sergei Grebenyuk
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura P M H de Rooij
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Idris Salmon
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Ranga
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Wang Z, Zheng D, Tan YS, Yuan Q, Yuan F, Zhang S. Enabling Survival of Transplanted Neural Precursor Cells in the Ischemic Brain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302527. [PMID: 37867250 PMCID: PMC10667812 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302527] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
There is no effective therapy for ischemic stroke following the acute stage. Neural transplantation offers a potential option for repairing the ischemic lesion. However, this strategy is hindered by the poor survival of the neural precursor cells (NPCs) that are transplanted into the inflammatory ischemic core. Here, a chemical cocktail consisting of fibrinogen and maraviroc is developed to promote the survival of the transplanted NPCs in the ischemic core of the mouse cerebral cortex. The grafted NPCs survive in the presence of the cocktail but not fibrinogen or maraviroc alone at day 7. The surviving NPCs divide and differentiate to mature neurons by day 30, reconstituting the infarct cortex with vascularization. Molecular analysis in vivo and in vitro shows that blocking the activation of CCR5 on the NPCs protects the NPCs from apoptosis induced by pro-inflammatory factors, revealing the underlying protective effect of the cocktail for NPCs. The findings open an avenue to enable survival of the transplanted NPCs under the inflammatory neurological conditions like stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Wang
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Danyi Zheng
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Ye Sing Tan
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Qiang Yuan
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Fang Yuan
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
| | - Su‐Chun Zhang
- Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, GK Goh Centre for NeuroscienceDuke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingapore169857Singapore
- Department of NeuroscienceDepartment of NeurologyWaisman CenterUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI53705USA
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Chai E, Chen Z, Mou Y, Thakur G, Zhan W, Li XJ. Liver-X-receptor agonists rescue axonal degeneration in SPG11-deficient neurons via regulating cholesterol trafficking. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 187:106293. [PMID: 37709208 PMCID: PMC10655618 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) is a common autosomal recessive form of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) characterized by the degeneration of cortical motor neuron axons, leading to muscle spasticity and weakness. Impaired lipid trafficking is an emerging pathology in neurodegenerative diseases including SPG11, though its role in axonal degeneration of human SPG11 neurons remains unknown. Here, we established a pluripotent stem cell-based SPG11 model by knocking down the SPG11 gene in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). These stem cells were then differentiated into cortical projection neurons (PNs), the cell types affected in HSP patients, to examine axonal defects and cholesterol distributions. Our data revealed that SPG11 deficiency led to reduced axonal outgrowth, impaired axonal transport, and accumulated swellings, recapitulating disease-specific phenotypes. In SPG11-knockdown neurons, cholesterol was accumulated in lysosome and reduced in plasma membrane, revealing impairments in cholesterol trafficking. Strikingly, the liver-X-receptor (LXR) agonists restored cholesterol homeostasis, leading to the rescue of subsequent axonal defects in SPG11-deficient cortical PNs. To further determine the implication of impaired cholesterol homeostasis in SPG11, we examined the cholesterol distribution in cortical PNs generated from SPG11 disease-mutation knock-in hESCs, and observed a similar cholesterol trafficking impairment. Moreover, LXR agonists rescued the aberrant cholesterol distribution and mitigated the degeneration of SPG11 disease-mutated neurons. Taken together, our data demonstrate impaired cholesterol trafficking underlying axonal degeneration of SPG11 human neurons, and highlight the therapeutic potential of LXR agonists for SPG11 through restoring cholesterol homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Chai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Yongchao Mou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Gitika Thakur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Weihai Zhan
- Office of Research, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA..
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8
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Tam RW, Keung AJ. Profiling transcriptomic responses of human stem cell-derived medium spiny neuron-like cells to exogenous phasic and tonic neurotransmitters. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 126:103876. [PMID: 37385515 PMCID: PMC10528483 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptomic responses to neurotransmitters contribute to the complex processes driving memory and addiction. Advances in both measurement methods and experimental models continue to improve our understanding of this regulatory layer. Here we focus on the experimental potential of stem cell derived neurons, currently the only ethical model that can be used in reductionist and experimentally perturbable studies of human cells. Prior work has focused on generating distinct cell types from human stem cells, and has also shown their utility in modeling development and cellular phenotypes related to neurodegeneration. Here we seek an understanding of how stem cell derived neural cultures respond to perturbations experienced during development and disease progression. This work profiles transcriptomic responses of human medium spiny neuron-like cells with three specific goals. We first characterize transcriptomic responses to dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists presented in dosing patterns mimicking acute, chronic, and withdrawal regimens. We also assess transcriptomic responses to low and persistent tonic levels of dopamine, acetylcholine, and glutamate to better mimic the in vivo environment. Finally, we identify similar and distinct responses between hMSN-like cells derived from H9 and H1 stem cell lines, providing some context for the extent of variability these types of systems will likely pose for experimentalists. The results here suggest future optimizations of human stem cell derived neurons to increase their in vivo relevance and the biological insights that can be garnered from these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W Tam
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States of America
| | - Albert J Keung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States of America.
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Nie L, Yao D, Chen S, Wang J, Pan C, Wu D, Liu N, Tang Z. Directional induction of neural stem cells, a new therapy for neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic stroke. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:215. [PMID: 37393356 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01532-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the limited capacity of the adult mammalian brain to self-repair and regenerate, neurological diseases, especially neurodegenerative disorders and stroke, characterized by irreversible cellular damage are often considered as refractory diseases. Neural stem cells (NSCs) play a unique role in the treatment of neurological diseases for their abilities to self-renew and form different neural lineage cells, such as neurons and glial cells. With the increasing understanding of neurodevelopment and advances in stem cell technology, NSCs can be obtained from different sources and directed to differentiate into a specific neural lineage cell phenotype purposefully, making it possible to replace specific cells lost in some neurological diseases, which provides new approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases as well as stroke. In this review, we outline the advances in generating several neuronal lineage subtypes from different sources of NSCs. We further summarize the therapeutic effects and possible therapeutic mechanisms of these fated specific NSCs in neurological disease models, with special emphasis on Parkinson's disease and ischemic stroke. Finally, from the perspective of clinical translation, we compare the strengths and weaknesses of different sources of NSCs and different methods of directed differentiation, and propose future research directions for directed differentiation of NSCs in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luwei Nie
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dabao Yao
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shiling Chen
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dongcheng Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430030, China
- Wuhan Hamilton Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhouping Tang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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Mou Y, Nandi G, Mukte S, Chai E, Chen Z, Nielsen JE, Nielsen TT, Criscuolo C, Blackstone C, Fraidakis MJ, Li XJ. Chenodeoxycholic acid rescues axonal degeneration in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from spastic paraplegia type 5 and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis patients. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:72. [PMID: 37024986 PMCID: PMC10080795 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02666-w] [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: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biallelic mutations in CYP27A1 and CYP7B1, two critical genes regulating cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, cause cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) and hereditary spastic paraplegia type 5 (SPG5), respectively. These rare diseases are characterized by progressive degeneration of corticospinal motor neuron axons, yet the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and strategies to mitigate axonal degeneration remain elusive. METHODS To generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models for CTX and SPG5, we reprogrammed patient skin fibroblasts into iPSCs by transducing fibroblast cells with episomal vectors containing pluripotency factors. These patient-specific iPSCs, as well as control iPSCs, were differentiated into cortical projection neurons (PNs) and examined for biochemical alterations and disease-related phenotypes. RESULTS CTX and SPG5 patient iPSC-derived cortical PNs recapitulated several disease-specific biochemical changes and axonal defects of both diseases. Notably, the bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) effectively mitigated the biochemical alterations and rescued axonal degeneration in patient iPSC-derived neurons. To further examine underlying disease mechanisms, we developed CYP7B1 knockout human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines using CRISPR-cas9-mediated gene editing and, following differentiation, examined hESC-derived cortical PNs. Knockout of CYP7B1 resulted in similar axonal vesiculation and degeneration in human cortical PN axons, confirming a cause-effect relationship between gene deficiency and axonal degeneration. Interestingly, CYP7B1 deficiency led to impaired neurofilament expression and organization as well as axonal degeneration, which could be rescued with CDCA, establishing a new disease mechanism and therapeutic target to mitigate axonal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate disease-specific lipid disturbances and axonopathy mechanisms in human pluripotent stem cell-based neuronal models of CTX and SPG5 and identify CDCA, an established treatment of CTX, as a potential pharmacotherapy for SPG5. We propose this novel treatment strategy to rescue axonal degeneration in SPG5, a currently incurable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Mou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Ghata Nandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA
| | - Sukhada Mukte
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA
| | - Eric Chai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Jorgen E Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels T Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic & Research Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Chiara Criscuolo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Craig Blackstone
- Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Matthew J Fraidakis
- Rare Neurological Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School of the University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, 61107, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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11
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Hong Y, Yang Q, Song H, Ming GL. Opportunities and limitations for studying neuropsychiatric disorders using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1430-1439. [PMID: 36782062 PMCID: PMC10213114 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01990-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders affect a large proportion of the global population and there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis and to develop novel and improved treatments of these devastating disorders. However, the diverse symptomatology combined with complex polygenic etiology, and the limited access to disorder-relevant cell types in human brains represent a major obstacle for mechanistic disease research. Conventional animal models, such as rodents, are limited by inherent species differences in brain development, architecture, and function. Advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) technologies have provided platforms for new discoveries in neuropsychiatric disorders. First, hiPSC-based disease models enable unprecedented investigation of psychiatric disorders at the molecular, cellular, and structural levels. Second, hiPSCs derived from patients with known genetics, symptoms, and drug response profiles offer an opportunity to recapitulate pathogenesis in relevant cell types and provide novel approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for developing effective treatments. Third, genome-editing technologies have extended the potential of hiPSCs for generating models to elucidate the genetic basis of rare monogenetic and complex polygenic psychiatric disorders and to establish the causality between genotype and phenotype. Here we review opportunities and limitations for studying psychiatric disorders using various hiPSC-derived model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hong
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Hunt CPJ, Moriarty N, van Deursen CBJ, Gantner CW, Thompson LH, Parish CL. Understanding and modeling regional specification of the human ganglionic eminence. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:654-671. [PMID: 36801004 PMCID: PMC10031306 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory neurons originating from the ventral forebrain are associated with several neurological conditions. Distinct ventral forebrain subpopulations are generated from topographically defined zones; lateral-, medial- and caudal ganglionic eminences (LGE, MGE and CGE), yet key specification factors often span across developing zones contributing to difficulty in defining unique LGE, MGE or CGE profiles. Here we use human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reporter lines (NKX2.1-GFP and MEIS2-mCherry) and manipulation of morphogen gradients to gain greater insight into regional specification of these distinct zones. We identified Sonic hedgehog (SHH)-WNT crosstalk in regulating LGE and MGE fate and uncovered a role for retinoic acid signaling in CGE development. Unraveling the influence of these signaling pathways permitted development of fully defined protocols that favored generation of the three GE domains. These findings provide insight into the context-dependent role of morphogens in human GE specification and are of value for in vitro disease modeling and advancement of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P J Hunt
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Niamh Moriarty
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Coen B J van Deursen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan H Thompson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Clare L Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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13
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Yan Y, Zhang SC. Generation of Cerebral Cortical Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in 3D Culture. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2683:1-11. [PMID: 37300762 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3287-1_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human forebrain cortical neurons are essential for fundamental functions like memory and consciousness. Generation of cortical neurons from human pluripotent stem cells provides a great source for creating models specific to cortical neuron diseases and for developing therapeutics. This chapter describes a detailed and robust method for generating human mature cortical neurons from stem cells in 3D suspension culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanwei Yan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
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14
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Brocchetti S, Conforti P. Differentiation of hPSCs to Study PRC2 Role in Cell-Fate Specification and Neurodevelopment. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2655:211-220. [PMID: 37212999 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3143-0_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Several studies highlighted the importance of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) already at the beginning of development. Although the crucial function of PRC2 in regulating lineage commitment and cell-fate specification has been well-established, the in vitro study of the exact mechanisms for which H3K27me3 is indispensable for proper differentiation is still challenging. In this chapter, we report a well-established and reproducible differentiation protocol to generate striatal medium spiny neurons as a tool to explore PRC2 role in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Conforti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan and INGM, Istituto Nazionale di Genetica Molecolare "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi", Milan, Italy.
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15
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Ni P, Fan L, Zinski A, Chung S. Generation of Homogeneous Populations of Cortical Interneurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2683:13-20. [PMID: 37300763 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3287-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cortical interneurons (cINs), especially those that are derived from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) during early development, are associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cINs can provide unlimited cell sources for studying disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutics. Here, we describe an optimized method to generate homogeneous cIN populations based on three-dimensional (3D) cIN sphere generation. This optimized differentiation system could sustain generated cINs relatively long term without compromising their survival or phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyan Ni
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingyi Fan
- Psychiatric Laboratory and Mental Health Center, The State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Amy Zinski
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Sangmi Chung
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
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16
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Gupta V, Mahata T, Roy R, Gharai PK, Jana A, Garg S, Ghosh S. Discovery of imidazole-based GSK-3 β inhibitors for transdifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells to neurons: A potential single-molecule neurotherapeutic foresight. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1002419. [PMID: 36590911 PMCID: PMC9797524 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1002419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transdifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) to functional neurons is crucial for the development of future neuro-regenerative therapeutics. Currently, transdifferentiation of hMSCs to neurons requires a "chemical cocktail" along with neural growth factors. The role of the individual molecules present in a "chemical cocktail" is poorly understood and may cause unwanted toxicity or adverse effects. Toward, this goal, we have showcased the discovery of an imidazole-based "single-molecule" transdifferentiation initiator SG-145C. This discovery was achieved via screening of a small molecule library through extensive in silico studies to shortlist the best-fitting molecules. This discovery evolved through a careful selection to target Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which is one of the important proteins responsible for neurogenesis. Rigorous computational experiments, as well as extensive biological assays, confirmed that SG-145C has significant potential to transdifferentiate hMSCs to neurons. Interestingly, our results suggest that SG-145C can inhibit the proteasomal degradation of phosphorylated β-catenin, in turn promoting transdifferentiation of hMSCs into neurons via the Wnt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Gupta
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Tanushree Mahata
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Rajsekhar Roy
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prabir Kumar Gharai
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Aniket Jana
- Smart Healthcare, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shubham Garg
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India,Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan, India,Smart Healthcare, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, Rajasthan, India,*Correspondence: Surajit Ghosh,
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17
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Robust Generation of Ready-to-Use Cryopreserved Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113462. [PMID: 36362259 PMCID: PMC9657726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113462] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) act as models for motor neuron diseases (MNDs), such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal muscular atrophy. However, the MN differentiation efficiency and viability following cryopreservation require further development for application in large-scale studies and drug screening. Here, we developed a robust protocol to convert hPSCs into MN cryopreservation stocks (hPSCs were converted into >92% motor neural progenitors and >91% MNs). Near-mature MNs were cryopreserved at a high thawing survival rate and 89% MN marker expression on day 32. Moreover, these MNs exhibited classical electrophysiological properties and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation ability within only 4−6 days after thawing. To apply this platform as an MND model, MN stocks were generated from SOD1G85R, SOD1G85G isogenic control, and sporadic ALS hPSC lines. The thawed ALS MNs expressed ALS-specific cytopathies, including SOD1 protein aggregation and TDP-43 redistribution. Thus, a stable and robust protocol was developed to generate ready-to-use cryopreserved MNs without further neuronal maturation processes for application in MND mechanistic studies, NMJ model establishment, and large-scale drug screening.
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18
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Brain Regional Identity and Cell Type Specificity Landscape of Human Cortical Organoid Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113159. [PMID: 36361956 PMCID: PMC9654943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113159] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of corticogenesis from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have greatly improved our understanding of human brain development and disease. Among these, 3D cortical organoid systems are able to recapitulate some aspects of in vivo cytoarchitecture of the developing cortex. Here, we tested three cortical organoid protocols for brain regional identity, cell type specificity and neuronal maturation. Overall, all protocols gave rise to organoids that displayed a time-dependent expression of neuronal maturation genes such as those involved in the establishment of synapses and neuronal function. Comparatively, guided differentiation methods without WNT activation generated the highest degree of cortical regional identity, whereas default conditions produced the broadest range of cell types such as neurons, astrocytes and hematopoietic-lineage-derived microglia cells. These results suggest that cortical organoid models produce diverse outcomes of brain regional identity and cell type specificity and emphasize the importance of selecting the correct model for the right application.
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19
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Giffin-Rao Y, Sheng J, Strand B, Xu K, Huang L, Medo M, Risgaard KA, Dantinne S, Mohan S, Keshan A, Daley RA, Levesque B, Amundson L, Reese R, Sousa AMM, Tao Y, Wang D, Zhang SC, Bhattacharyya A. Altered patterning of trisomy 21 interneuron progenitors. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1366-1379. [PMID: 35623352 PMCID: PMC9214050 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS; Ts21), the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, have smaller brains that reflect fewer neurons at pre- and post-natal stages, implicating impaired neurogenesis during development. Our stereological analysis of adult DS cortex indicates a reduction of calretinin-expressing interneurons. Using Ts21 human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and isogenic controls, we find that Ts21 progenitors generate fewer COUP-TFII+ progenitors with reduced proliferation. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Ts21 progenitors confirms the altered specification of progenitor subpopulations and identifies reduced WNT signaling. Activation of WNT signaling partially restores the COUP-TFII+ progenitor population in Ts21, suggesting that altered WNT signaling contributes to the defective development of cortical interneurons in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jie Sheng
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Bennett Strand
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Leslie Huang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Margaret Medo
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Samuel Dantinne
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sruti Mohan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Aratrika Keshan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Roger A Daley
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Bradley Levesque
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Lindsey Amundson
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Rebecca Reese
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - André M M Sousa
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yunlong Tao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Daifeng Wang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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20
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Romero-Morales AI, Gama V. Revealing the Impact of Mitochondrial Fitness During Early Neural Development Using Human Brain Organoids. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:840265. [PMID: 35571368 PMCID: PMC9102998 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.840265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial homeostasis -including function, morphology, and inter-organelle communication- provides guidance to the intrinsic developmental programs of corticogenesis, while also being responsive to environmental and intercellular signals. Two- and three-dimensional platforms have become useful tools to interrogate the capacity of cells to generate neuronal and glia progeny in a background of metabolic dysregulation, but the mechanistic underpinnings underlying the role of mitochondria during human neurogenesis remain unexplored. Here we provide a concise overview of cortical development and the use of pluripotent stem cell models that have contributed to our understanding of mitochondrial and metabolic regulation of early human brain development. We finally discuss the effects of mitochondrial fitness dysregulation seen under stress conditions such as metabolic dysregulation, absence of developmental apoptosis, and hypoxia; and the avenues of research that can be explored with the use of brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vivian Gama
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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21
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Chen Z, Chai E, Mou Y, Roda RH, Blackstone C, Li XJ. Inhibiting mitochondrial fission rescues degeneration in hereditary spastic paraplegia neurons. Brain 2022; 145:4016-4031. [PMID: 35026838 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are characterized by lower limb spasticity resulting from degeneration of long corticospinal axons. SPG11 is one of the most common autosomal recessive HSPs, and the SPG11 protein spatacsin forms a complex with the SPG15 protein spastizin and heterotetrameric AP5 adaptor protein complex, which includes the SPG48 protein AP5Z1. Using the integration-free episomal method, we established SPG11 patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patient fibroblasts. We differentiated SPG11 iPSCs, as well as SPG48 iPSCs previously established, into cortical projection neurons (PNs) and examined protective effects by targeting mitochondrial dynamics using P110, a peptide that selectively inhibits mitochondrial fission GTPase Drp1. P110 treatment mitigates mitochondrial fragmentation, improves mitochondrial motility, and restores mitochondrial health and ATP levels in SPG11 and SPG48 neurons. Neurofilament (NF) aggregations are increased in SPG11 and SPG48 axons, and these are also suppressed by P110. Similarly, P110 mitigates NF disruption in both SPG11 and SPG48 knockdown cortical PNs, confirming the contribution of HSP gene deficiency to subsequent NF and mitochondrial defects. Strikingly, NF aggregations in SPG11 and SPG48 deficient neurons double stain with ubiquitin and autophagy related proteins, resembling the pathological hallmark observed in SPG11 autopsy brain sections. To confirm the cause-effect relationship between the SPG11 mutations and disease phenotypes, we knocked-in SPG11 disease mutations to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and differentiated these stem cells into cortical PNs. Reduced ATP levels and accumulated NF aggregations along axons are observed, and both are mitigated by P110. Furthermore, rescue experiment with expression of wildtype SPG11 in cortical PNs derived from both SPG11 patient iPSCs and SPG11 disease mutation knock-in hESCs leads to rescue of mitochondrial dysfunction and NF aggregations in these SPG11 neurons. Finally, in SPG11 and SPG48 long-term cultures, increased release of phosphoNF-H, a biomarker for nerve degeneration, is significantly reduced by inhibiting mitochondrial fission pharmacologically using P110 and genetically using Drp1 shRNA. Taken together, our results demonstrate that impaired mitochondrial dynamics underlie both cytoskeletal disorganization and axonal degeneration in SPG11 and SPG48 neurons, highlighting the importance of targeting these pathologies therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Eric Chai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
| | - Yongchao Mou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ricardo H. Roda
- Cell Biology Section, Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Craig Blackstone
- Cell Biology Section, Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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22
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Giacomelli E, Vahsen BF, Calder EL, Xu Y, Scaber J, Gray E, Dafinca R, Talbot K, Studer L. Human stem cell models of neurodegeneration: From basic science of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to clinical translation. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:11-35. [PMID: 34995492 PMCID: PMC8785905 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive cell loss leading to disruption of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was among the first of these disorders modeled in patient-specific iPSCs, and recent findings have translated into some of the earliest iPSC-inspired clinical trials. Focusing on ALS as an example, we evaluate the status of modeling neurodegenerative diseases using iPSCs, including methods for deriving and using disease-relevant neuronal and glial lineages. We further highlight the remaining challenges in exploiting the full potential of iPSC technology for understanding and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Giacomelli
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Björn F Vahsen
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Calder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yinyan Xu
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), CAMS Oxford Institute (COI), Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Jakub Scaber
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Elizabeth Gray
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Ruxandra Dafinca
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Kevin Talbot
- Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY, USA.
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23
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Havins L, Capel A, Christie SD, Lewis MP, Roach P. Gradient biomimetic platforms for neurogenesis studies. J Neural Eng 2021; 19. [PMID: 34942614 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac4639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for the development of new cellular therapies for the treatment of many diseases, with the central nervous system (CNS) currently an area of specific focus. Due to the complexity and delicacy of its biology, there is currently a limited understanding of neurogenesis and consequently a lack of reliable test platforms, resulting in several CNS based diseases having no cure. The ability to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into specific neuronal sub-types may enable scalable manufacture for clinical therapies, with a focus also on the purity and quality of the cell population. This focus is targeted towards an urgent need for the diseases that currently have no cure, e.g. Parkinson's disease. Differentiation studies carried out using traditional 2D cell culture techniques are designed using biological signals and morphogens known to be important for neurogenesis in vivo. However, such studies are limited by their simplistic nature, including a general poor efficiency and reproducibility, high reagent costs and an inability to scale-up the process to a manufacture-wide design for clinical use. Biomimetic approaches to recapitulate a more in vivo-like environment are progressing rapidly within this field, with application of bio(chemical) gradients presented both as 2D surfaces and within a 3D volume. This review focusses on the development and application of these advanced extracellular environments particularly for the neural niche. We emphasise the progress that has been made specifically in the area of stem cell derived neuronal differentiation. Increasing developments in biomaterial approaches to manufacture stem cells will enable the improvement of differentiation protocols, enhancing the efficiency and repeatability of the process with a move towards up-scaling. Progress in this area brings these techniques closer to enabling the development of therapies for the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurissa Havins
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Andrew Capel
- Loughborough University, 2National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Steven D Christie
- Department of Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Mark P Lewis
- Loughborough University School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
| | - Paul Roach
- Chemistry, Loughborough University, Dept Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
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24
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Ma L, Du Y, Hui Y, Li N, Fan B, Zhang X, Li X, Hong W, Wu Z, Zhang S, Zhou S, Xu X, Zhou Z, Jiang C, Liu L, Zhang X. Developmental programming and lineage branching of early human telencephalon. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107277. [PMID: 34558085 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal and ventral human telencephalons contain different neuronal subtypes, including glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic neurons, and how these neurons are generated during early development is not well understood. Using scRNA-seq and stringent validations, we reveal here a developmental roadmap for human telencephalic neurons. Both dorsal and ventral telencephalic radial glial cells (RGs) differentiate into neurons via dividing intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs_div) and early postmitotic neuroblasts (eNBs). The transcription factor ASCL1 plays a key role in promoting fate transition from RGs to IPCs_div in both regions. RGs from the regionalized neuroectoderm show heterogeneity, with restricted glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic differentiation potencies. During neurogenesis, IPCs_div gradually exit the cell cycle and branch into sister eNBs to generate distinct neuronal subtypes. Our findings highlight a general RGs-IPCs_div-eNBs developmental scheme for human telencephalic progenitors and support that the major neuronal fates of human telencephalon are predetermined during dorsoventral regionalization with neuronal diversity being further shaped during neurogenesis and neural circuit integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Ma
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhua Du
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Hui
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Li
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Beibei Fan
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaocui Li
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hong
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiping Wu
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuwei Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanshan Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangjie Xu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongshu Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, China.,Brain and Spinal Cord Innovative Research Center, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Tsingtao Advanced Research Institute, Tongji University, Qingdao, China
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25
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Chang CY, Ting HC, Liu CA, Su HL, Chiou TW, Harn HJ, Lin SZ, Ho TJ. Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Into Specific Neural Lineages. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:9636897211017829. [PMID: 34665040 PMCID: PMC8529300 DOI: 10.1177/09636897211017829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are sources of several somatic cell
types for human developmental studies, in vitro disease modeling, and
cell transplantation therapy. Improving strategies of derivation of
high-purity specific neural and glial lineages from hPSCs is critical
for application to the study and therapy of the nervous system. Here,
we will focus on the principles behind establishment of neuron and
glia differentiation methods according to developmental studies. We
will also highlight the limitations and challenges associated with the
differentiation of several “difficult” neural lineages and delay in
neuronal maturation and functional integration. To overcome these
challenges, we will introduce strategies and novel technologies aimed
at improving the differentiation of various neural lineages to expand
the application potential of hPSCs to the study of the nervous
system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Chang
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chien Ting
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ann Liu
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Neuroscience Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Wen Chiou
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Bioinnovation Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan.,Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,Integration Center of Traditional Chinese and Modern Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan.,School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
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26
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Mou Y, Dein J, Chen Z, Jagdale M, Li XJ. MFN2 Deficiency Impairs Mitochondrial Transport and Downregulates Motor Protein Expression in Human Spinal Motor Neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:727552. [PMID: 34602978 PMCID: PMC8482798 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.727552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is one of the most common genetically inherited neurological disorders and CMT type 2A (CMT 2A) is caused by dominant mutations in the mitofusin-2 (MFN2) gene. MFN2 is located in the outer mitochondrial membrane and is a mediator of mitochondrial fusion, with an essential role in maintaining normal neuronal functions. Although loss of MFN2 induces axonal neuropathy, the detailed mechanism by which MFN2 deficiency results in axonal degeneration of human spinal motor neurons remains largely unknown. In this study, we generated MFN2-knockdown human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines using lentivirus expressing MFN2 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Using these hESC lines, we found that MFN2 loss did not affect spinal motor neuron differentiation from hESCs but resulted in mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction as determined by live-cell imaging. Notably, MFN2-knockodwn spinal motor neurons exhibited CMT2A disease-related phenotypes, including extensive perikaryal inclusions of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH), frequent axonal swellings, and increased pNfH levels in long-term cultures. Importantly, MFN2 deficit impaired anterograde and retrograde mitochondrial transport within axons, and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of kinesin and dynein, indicating the interfered motor protein expression induced by MFN2 deficiency. Our results reveal that MFN2 knockdown induced axonal degeneration of spinal motor neurons and defects in mitochondrial morphology and function. The impaired mitochondrial transport in MFN2-knockdown spinal motor neurons is mediated, at least partially, by the altered motor proteins, providing potential therapeutic targets for rescuing axonal degeneration of spinal motor neurons in CMT2A disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Mou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Joshua Dein
- MD Program, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mrunali Jagdale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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27
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Eto H, Kishi Y. Brain regionalization by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100155. [PMID: 34536032 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100155] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
During brain development, neural precursor cells (NPCs) in different brain regions produce different types of neurons, and each of these regions plays a different role in the adult brain. Therefore, precise regionalization is essential in the early stages of brain development, and irregular regionalization has been proposed as the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanisms underlying brain regionalization have been well studied in terms of morphogen-induced expression of critical transcription factors for regionalization. NPC potential in different brain regions is defined by chromatin structures that regulate the plasticity of gene expression. Herein, we present recent findings on the importance of chromatin structure in brain regionalization, particularly with respect to its regulation by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Eto
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kishi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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28
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Krajka V, Naujock M, Pauly MG, Stengel F, Meier B, Stanslowsky N, Klein C, Seibler P, Wegner F, Capetian P. Ventral Telencephalic Patterning Protocols for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:716249. [PMID: 34490265 PMCID: PMC8416478 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.716249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into specific cell types for disease modeling and restorative therapies is a key research agenda and offers the possibility to obtain patient-specific cells of interest for a wide range of diseases. Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) play a particular role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s dementia and isolated dystonias. In this work, various directed differentiation protocols based on monolayer neural induction were tested for their effectiveness in promoting a ventral telencephalic phenotype and generating BFCN. Ventralizing factors [i.e., purmorphamine and Sonic hedgehog (SHH)] were applied at different time points, time intervals, and concentrations. In addition, caudal identity was prevented by the use of a small molecule XAV-939 that inhibits the Wnt-pathway. After patterning, gene expression profiles were analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Rostro-ventral patterning is most effective when initiated simultaneously with neural induction. The most promising combination of patterning factors was 0.5 μM of purmorphamine and 1 μM of XAV-939, which induces the highest expression of transcription factors specific for the medial ganglionic eminence, the source of GABAergic inter- and cholinergic neurons in the telencephalon. Upon maturation of cells, the immune phenotype, as well as electrophysiological properties were investigated showing the presence of marker proteins specific for BFCN (choline acetyltransferase, ISL1, p75, and NKX2.1) and GABAergic neurons. Moreover, a considerable fraction of measured cells displayed mature electrophysiological properties. Synaptic boutons containing the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VACHT) could be observed in the vicinity of the cells. This work will help to generate basal forebrain interneurons from hiPSCs, providing a promising platform for modeling neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Krajka
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Martje G Pauly
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Felix Stengel
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Britta Meier
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Philipp Capetian
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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29
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An J, Chen B, Tian D, Guo Y, Yan Y, Yang H. Regulation of Neurogenesis and Neuronal Differentiation by Natural Compounds. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 17:756-771. [PMID: 34493197 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x16666210907141447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal damage or degeneration is the main feature of neurological diseases. Regulation of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation is important in developing therapies to promote neuronal regeneration or synaptic network reconstruction. Neurogenesis is a multistage process in which neurons are generated and integrated into existing neuronal circuits. Neuronal differentiation is extremely complex because it can occur in different cell types and can be caused by a variety of inducers. Recently, natural compounds that induce neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation have attracted extensive attention. In this paper, the potential neural induction effects of medicinal plant-derived natural compounds on neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs), the cultured neuronal cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are reviewed. The natural compounds that are efficacious in inducing neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation include phenolic acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, quinones, coumarins, and others. They exert neural induction effects by regulating signal factors and cell-specific genes involved in the process of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation, including specific proteins (β-tubulin III, MAP-2, tau, nestin, neurofilaments, GFAP, GAP-43, NSE), related genes and proteins (STAT3, Hes1, Mash1, NeuroD1, notch, cyclin D1, SIRT1, reggie-1), transcription factors (CREB, Nkx-2.5, Ngn1), neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, NT-3) and signaling pathways (JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, GSK-3β/β-catenin, Ca2+/CaMKII/ATF1, Nrf2/HO-1, BMP). The natural compounds with neural induction effects are of great value for neuronal regenerative medicine and provide promising prevention and treatment strategies for neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing An
- Translational Medicine Centre, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
| | - Bo Chen
- Translational Medicine Centre, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
| | - Ding Tian
- Translational Medicine Centre, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
| | - Yunshan Guo
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
| | - Yuzhu Yan
- Clinical Lab, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
| | - Hao Yang
- Translational Medicine Centre, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an. China
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30
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Jalink P, Caiazzo M. Brain Organoids: Filling the Need for a Human Model of Neurological Disorder. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:740. [PMID: 34439972 PMCID: PMC8389592 DOI: 10.3390/biology10080740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are among the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for almost all onsets of dementia in the elderly, and are known to negatively affect motor ability, mental and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing and happiness. Currently, most neurological disorders go untreated due to a lack of viable treatment options. The reason for this lack of options is s poor understanding of the disorders, primarily due to research models that do not translate well into the human in vivo system. Current models for researching neurological disorders, neurodevelopment, and drug interactions in the central nervous system include in vitro monolayer cell cultures, and in vivo animal models. These models have shortcomings when it comes to translating research about disorder pathology, development, and treatment to humans. Brain organoids are three-dimensional (3D) cultures of stem cell-derived neural cells that mimic the development of the in vivo human brain with high degrees of accuracy. Researchers have started developing these miniature brains to model neurodevelopment, and neuropathology. Brain organoids have been used to model a wide range of neurological disorders, including the complex and poorly understood neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we discuss the brain organoid technology, placing special focus on the different brain organoid models that have been developed, discussing their strengths, weaknesses, and uses in neurological disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Jalink
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Massimiliano Caiazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, CG 3584 Utrecht, The Netherlands;
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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31
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Trudler D, Ghatak S, Lipton SA. Emerging hiPSC Models for Drug Discovery in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8196. [PMID: 34360966 PMCID: PMC8347370 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide and are characterized by the chronic and progressive deterioration of neural function. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD), represent a huge social and economic burden due to increasing prevalence in our aging society, severity of symptoms, and lack of effective disease-modifying therapies. This lack of effective treatments is partly due to a lack of reliable models. Modeling neurodegenerative diseases is difficult because of poor access to human samples (restricted in general to postmortem tissue) and limited knowledge of disease mechanisms in a human context. Animal models play an instrumental role in understanding these diseases but fail to comprehensively represent the full extent of disease due to critical differences between humans and other mammals. The advent of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology presents an advantageous system that complements animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. Coupled with advances in gene-editing technologies, hiPSC-derived neural cells from patients and healthy donors now allow disease modeling using human samples that can be used for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Trudler
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (D.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Swagata Ghatak
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (D.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Stuart A. Lipton
- Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (D.T.); (S.G.)
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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32
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Martinez JL, Zammit MD, West NR, Christian BT, Bhattacharyya A. Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons: Linking Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:703876. [PMID: 34322015 PMCID: PMC8311593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.703876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is characterized by intellectual impairment at birth and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in middle age. As individuals with DS age, their cognitive functions decline as they develop AD pathology. The susceptibility to degeneration of a subset of neurons, known as basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), in DS and AD is a critical link between cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in both disorders. BFCNs are the primary source of cholinergic innervation to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as the amygdala. They play a critical role in the processing of information related to cognitive function and are directly engaged in regulating circuits of attention and memory throughout the lifespan. Given the importance of BFCNs in attention and memory, it is not surprising that these neurons contribute to dysfunctional neuronal circuitry in DS and are vulnerable in adults with DS and AD, where their degeneration leads to memory loss and disturbance in language. BFCNs are thus a relevant cell target for therapeutics for both DS and AD but, despite some success, efforts in this area have waned. There are gaps in our knowledge of BFCN vulnerability that preclude our ability to effectively design interventions. Here, we review the role of BFCN function and degeneration in AD and DS and identify under-studied aspects of BFCN biology. The current gaps in BFCN relevant imaging studies, therapeutics, and human models limit our insight into the mechanistic vulnerability of BFCNs in individuals with DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Martinez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matthew D Zammit
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole R West
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bradley T Christian
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Cellular and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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Lucido MJ, Bekhbat M, Goldsmith DR, Treadway MT, Haroon E, Felger JC, Miller AH. Aiding and Abetting Anhedonia: Impact of Inflammation on the Brain and Pharmacological Implications. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:1084-1117. [PMID: 34285088 PMCID: PMC11060479 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Exogenous administration of inflammatory stimuli to humans and laboratory animals and chronic endogenous inflammatory states lead to motivational deficits and ultimately anhedonia, a core and disabling symptom of depression present in multiple other psychiatric disorders. Inflammation impacts neurotransmitter systems and neurocircuits in subcortical brain regions including the ventral striatum, which serves as an integration point for reward processing and motivational decision-making. Many mechanisms contribute to these effects of inflammation, including decreased synthesis, release and reuptake of dopamine, increased synaptic and extrasynaptic glutamate, and activation of kynurenine pathway metabolites including quinolinic acid. Neuroimaging data indicate that these inflammation-induced neurotransmitter effects manifest as decreased activation of ventral striatum and decreased functional connectivity in reward circuitry involving ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Neurocircuitry changes in turn mediate nuanced effects on motivation that include decreased willingness to expend effort for reward while maintaining the ability to experience reward. Taken together, the data reveal an inflammation-induced pathophysiologic phenotype that is agnostic to diagnosis. Given the many mechanisms involved, this phenotype represents an opportunity for development of novel and/or repurposed pharmacological strategies that target inflammation and associated cellular and systemic immunometabolic changes and their downstream effects on the brain. To date, clinical trials have failed to capitalize on the unique nature of this transdiagnostic phenotype, leaving the field bereft of interpretable data for meaningful clinical application. However, novel trial designs incorporating established targets in the brain and/or periphery using relevant outcome variables (e.g., anhedonia) are the future of targeted therapy in psychiatry. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Emerging understanding of mechanisms by which peripheral inflammation can affect the brain and behavior has created unprecedented opportunities for development of pharmacological strategies to treat deficits in motivation including anhedonia, a core and disabling symptom of depression well represented in multiple psychiatric disorders. Mechanisms include inflammation and cellular and systemic immunometabolism and alterations in dopamine, glutamate, and kynurenine metabolites, revealing a target-rich environment that nevertheless has yet to be fully exploited by current clinical trial designs and drugs employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Lucido
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - Mandy Bekhbat
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - David R Goldsmith
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - Michael T Treadway
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - Ebrahim Haroon
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - Jennifer C Felger
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
| | - Andrew H Miller
- Emory Behavioral Immunology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia (M.J.L., M.B., D.R.G., E.H., J.C.F., A.H.M.); and Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (M.T.T.)
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Hua T(T, Bejoy J, Song L, Wang Z, Zeng Z, Zhou Y, Li Y, Sang QXA. Cerebellar Differentiation from Human Stem Cells Through Retinoid, Wnt, and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 27:881-893. [PMID: 32873223 PMCID: PMC8336229 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiating cerebellar organoids can be challenging due to complex cell organization and structure in the cerebellum. Different approaches were investigated to recapitulate differentiation process of the cerebellum from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) without high efficiency. This study was carried out to test the hypothesis that the combination of different signaling factors including retinoic acid (RA), Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) activator promotes the cerebellar differentiation of hiPSCs. Wnt, RA, and SHH pathways were activated by CHIR99021 (CHIR), RA, and purmorphamine (PMR), respectively. Different combinations of the morphogens (RA/CHIR, RA/PMR, CHIR/PMR, and RA/CHIR/PMR) were utilized, and the spheroids (day 35) were characterized for the markers of three cerebellum layers (the molecular layer, the Purkinje cell layer, and the granule cell layer). Of all the combinations tested, RA/CHIR/PMR promoted both the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer differentiation. The cells also exhibited electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. This study should advance the understanding of different signaling pathways during cerebellar development to engineer cerebellum organoids for drug screening and disease modeling. Impact statement This study investigated the synergistic effects of retinoic acid, Wnt activator, and sonic hedgehog activator on cerebellar patterning of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) spheroids and organoids. The results indicate that the combination promotes the differentiation of the Purkinje cell layer and the granule cell layer. The cells also exhibit electrophysiological characteristics using whole-cell patch clamp recording, especially demonstrating Purkinje cell electrophysiology. The findings are significant for understanding the biochemical signaling of three-dimensional microenvironment on neural patterning of hiPSCs for applications in organoid engineering, disease modeling, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thien (Timothy) Hua
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Julie Bejoy
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Liqing Song
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ziwei Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
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Karpe Y, Chen Z, Li XJ. Stem Cell Models and Gene Targeting for Human Motor Neuron Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:565. [PMID: 34204831 PMCID: PMC8231537 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neurons are large projection neurons classified into upper and lower motor neurons responsible for controlling the movement of muscles. Degeneration of motor neurons results in progressive muscle weakness, which underlies several debilitating neurological disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). With the development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, human iPSCs can be derived from patients and further differentiated into motor neurons. Motor neuron disease models can also be generated by genetically modifying human pluripotent stem cells. The efficiency of gene targeting in human cells had been very low, but is greatly improved with recent gene editing technologies such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN), and CRISPR-Cas9. The combination of human stem cell-based models and gene editing tools provides unique paradigms to dissect pathogenic mechanisms and to explore therapeutics for these devastating diseases. Owing to the critical role of several genes in the etiology of motor neuron diseases, targeted gene therapies have been developed, including antisense oligonucleotides, viral-based gene delivery, and in situ gene editing. This review summarizes recent advancements in these areas and discusses future challenges toward the development of transformative medicines for motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashashree Karpe
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA; (Y.K.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA; (Y.K.); (Z.C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Xue-Jun Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA; (Y.K.); (Z.C.)
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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Strano A, Tuck E, Stubbs VE, Livesey FJ. Variable Outcomes in Neural Differentiation of Human PSCs Arise from Intrinsic Differences in Developmental Signaling Pathways. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107732. [PMID: 32521257 PMCID: PMC7296348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells varies in specificity and efficiency. Stochastic, genetic, intracellular, and environmental factors affect maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation into early embryonic lineages. However, factors affecting variation in in vitro differentiation to defined cell types are not well understood. To address this, we focused on a well-established differentiation process to cerebral cortex neural progenitor cells and their neuronal progeny from human pluripotent stem cells. Analysis of 162 differentiation outcomes of 61 stem cell lines derived from 37 individuals showed that most variation occurs along gene expression axes reflecting dorsoventral and rostrocaudal spatial expression during in vivo brain development. Line-independent and line-dependent variations occur, with the latter driven largely by differences in endogenous Wnt signaling activity. Tuning Wnt signaling during a specific phase early in the differentiation process reduces variability, demonstrating that cell-line/genome-specific differentiation outcome biases can be corrected by controlling extracellular signaling. Analysis of 162 iPSC neural differentiation quantifies sources of variability Variation in outcomes occurs along developmental brain spatial and regional axes Variation depends on iPSC-line-specific differences in Wnt/β-catenin signaling Effects of signaling differences can be rescued by exogenous pathway activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Strano
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Eleanor Tuck
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK
| | - Victoria E Stubbs
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute & Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, 20 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DZ, UK.
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Imbalance of Excitatory/Inhibitory Neuron Differentiation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders with an NR2F1 Point Mutation. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107521. [PMID: 32320667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed an essential role for embryonic cortical development in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the genetic basis and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we generate mutant human embryonic stem cell lines (Mut hESCs) carrying an NR2F1-R112K mutation that has been identified in a patient with ASD features and investigate their neurodevelopmental alterations. Mut hESCs overproduce ventral telencephalic neuron progenitors (ventral NPCs) and underproduce dorsal NPCs, causing the imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neurons. These alterations can be mainly attributed to the aberrantly activated Hedgehog signaling pathway. Moreover, the corresponding Nr2f1 point-mutant mice display a similar excitatory/inhibitory neuron imbalance and abnormal behaviors. Antagonizing the increased inhibitory synaptic transmission partially alleviates their behavioral deficits. Together, our results suggest that the NR2F1-dependent imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neuron differentiation caused by the activated Hedgehog pathway is one precursor of neurodevelopmental disorders and may enlighten the therapeutic approaches.
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Lewis EMA, Kaushik K, Sandoval LA, Antony I, Dietmann S, Kroll KL. Epigenetic regulation during human cortical development: Seq-ing answers from the brain to the organoid. Neurochem Int 2021; 147:105039. [PMID: 33915225 PMCID: PMC8387070 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in controlling gene expression during complex processes, such as development of the human brain. Mutations in genes encoding chromatin modifying proteins and in the non-protein coding sequences of the genome can potentially alter transcription factor binding or chromatin accessibility. Such mutations can frequently cause neurodevelopmental disorders, therefore understanding how epigenetic regulation shapes brain development is of particular interest. While epigenetic regulation of neural development has been extensively studied in murine models, significant species-specific differences in both the genome sequence and in brain development necessitate human models. However, access to human fetal material is limited and these tissues cannot be grown or experimentally manipulated ex vivo. Therefore, models that recapitulate particular aspects of human fetal brain development, such as the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), are instrumental for studying the epigenetic regulation of human neural development. Here, we examine recent studies that have defined changes in the epigenomic landscape during fetal brain development. We compare these studies with analogous data derived by in vitro differentiation of hPSCs into specific neuronal cell types or as three-dimensional cerebral organoids. Such comparisons can be informative regarding which aspects of fetal brain development are faithfully recapitulated by in vitro differentiation models and provide a foundation for using experimentally tractable in vitro models of human brain development to study neural gene regulation and the basis of its disruption to cause neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M A Lewis
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Komal Kaushik
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Luke A Sandoval
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Irene Antony
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Kristen L Kroll
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue St, Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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Shariati L, Esmaeili Y, Javanmard SH, Bidram E, Amini A. Organoid Technology: Current Standing and Future Perspectives. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:1625-1649. [PMID: 33786925 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Organoids are powerful systems to facilitate the study of individuals' disorders and personalized treatments. Likewise, emerging this technology has improved the chance of translatability of drugs for pre-clinical therapies and mimicking the complexity of organs, while it proposes numerous approaches for human disease modeling, tissue engineering, drug development, diagnosis, and regenerative medicine. In this review, we outline the past/present organoid technology and summarize its faithful applications, then, we discuss the challenges and limitations encountered by 3D organoids. In the end, we offer the human organoids as basic mechanistic infrastructure for "human modelling" systems to prescribe personalized medicines. © AlphaMed Press 2021 SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This concise review concerns about organoids, available methods for in vitro organoid formation and different types of human organoid models. We, then, summarize biological approaches to improve 3D organoids complexity and therapeutic potentials of organoids. Despite the existing incomprehensive review articles in literature that examine partial aspects of the organoid technology, the present review article comprehensively and critically presents this technology from different aspects. It effectively provides a systematic overview on the past and current applications of organoids and discusses the future perspectives and suggestions to improve this technology and its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laleh Shariati
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yasaman Esmaeili
- Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Elham Bidram
- Department of Biomaterials, Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.,Biosensor Research Center, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abbas Amini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Australian College of Kuwait, Mishref, Safat, Kuwait.,Centre for Infrastructure Engineering, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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40
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de Leeuw VC, Pennings JLA, Hessel EVS, Piersma AH. Exploring the biological domain of the neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn): Morphogenetic regulators, Hox genes and cell types, and their usefulness as biomarkers for embryotoxicity screening. Toxicology 2021; 454:152735. [PMID: 33636252 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152735] [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: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Animal-free assessment of compound-induced developmental neurotoxicity will most likely be based on batteries of multiple in vitro tests. The optimal battery is built by combining tests with complementary biological domains that together ideally cover all relevant toxicity pathways. Thus, biological domain definition, i.e. which biological processes and cell types are represented, is an important assay characteristic for determining the place of assays in testing strategies. The murine neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) is employed to predict the developmental neurotoxicity of compounds. The aim of this study was to explore the biological domain of ESTn according to three groups of biomarker genes of early (neuro)development: morphogenetic regulators, Hox genes and cell type markers for the ectodermal and neural lineages. These biomarker groups were selected based on their crucial regulatory role in (neuro)development. Analysis of these genes in a series of previously generated whole transcriptome datasets of ESTn showed that at day 7 in culture cell differentiation resembled hindbrain/branchial/thoracic development between E6.5-E12.5 in vivo, with subsequent development into a mixed cell culture containing different neural subtypes, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes by day 13. In addition, the selected biomarkers showed common and distinct responses to compound exposure. Monitoring the biological domain of ESTn through gene expression patterns of morphogenetic regulators, Hox genes and cell type markers proved instrumental in providing mechanistic understanding of compound effects on neural differentiation in ESTn, and can aid in positioning of the test in a battery of complementary in vitro tests in integrated approaches to testing and assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C de Leeuw
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen L A Pennings
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen V S Hessel
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Aldert H Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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41
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Ke M, Chong CM, Zhu Q, Zhang K, Cai CZ, Lu JH, Qin D, Su H. Comprehensive Perspectives on Experimental Models for Parkinson's Disease. Aging Dis 2021; 12:223-246. [PMID: 33532138 PMCID: PMC7801282 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) ranks second among the most common neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic neurons. Various cross-species preclinical models, including cellular models and animal models, have been established through the decades to study the etiology and mechanism of the disease from cell lines to nonhuman primates. These models are aimed at developing effective therapeutic strategies for the disease. None of the current models can replicate all major pathological and clinical phenotypes of PD. Selection of the model for PD largely relies on our interest of study. In this review, we systemically summarized experimental PD models, including cellular and animal models used in preclinical studies, to understand the pathogenesis of PD. This review is intended to provide current knowledge about the application of these different PD models, with focus on their strengths and limitations with respect to their contributions to the assessment of the molecular pathobiology of PD and identification of the therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjing Ke
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Cheong-Meng Chong
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Cui-Zan Cai
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Jia-Hong Lu
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Dajiang Qin
- 2Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,3South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- 1State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
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He L, Chen Z, Peng L, Tang B, Jiang H. Human stem cell models of polyglutamine diseases: Sources for disease models and cell therapy. Exp Neurol 2020; 337:113573. [PMID: 33347831 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders involving expanded CAG repeats in pathogenic genes that are translated into extended polyQ tracts and lead to progressive neuronal degeneration in the affected brain. To date, there is no effective therapy for these diseases. Due to the complex pathologic mechanisms of these diseases, intensive research on the pathogenesis of their progression and potential treatment strategies is being conducted. However, animal models cannot recapitulate all aspects of neuronal degeneration. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), can be used to study the pathological mechanisms of polyQ diseases, and the ability of autologous stem cell transplantation to treat these diseases. Differentiated PSCs, neuronal precursor cells/neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are valuable resources for preclinical and clinical cell transplantation therapies. Here, we discuss diverse stem cell models and their ability to generate neurons involved in polyQ diseases, such as medium spiny neurons (MSNs), cortical neurons, cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) and motor neurons. In addition, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches, including stem cell replacement therapy and gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lang He
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Linliu Peng
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Xu X, Du Y, Ma L, Zhang S, Shi L, Chen Z, Zhou Z, Hui Y, Liu Y, Fang Y, Fan B, Liu Z, Li N, Zhou S, Jiang C, Liu L, Zhang X. Mapping germ-layer specification preventing genes in hPSCs via genome-scale CRISPR screening. iScience 2020; 24:101926. [PMID: 33385119 PMCID: PMC7772566 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biological processes that determine the entry of three germ layers of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a central question in developmental and stem cell biology. Here, we genetically engineered hPSCs with the germ layer reporter and inducible CRISPR/Cas9 knockout system, and a genome-scale screening was performed to define pathways restricting germ layer specification. Genes clustered in the key biological processes, including embryonic development, mRNA processing, metabolism, and epigenetic regulation, were centered in the governance of pluripotency and lineage development. Other than typical pluripotent transcription factors and signaling molecules, loss of function of mesendodermal specifiers resulted in advanced neuroectodermal differentiation, given their inter-germ layer antagonizing effect. Regarding the epigenetic superfamily, microRNAs enriched in hPSCs showed clear germ layer-targeting specificity. The cholesterol synthesis pathway maintained hPSCs via retardation of neuroectoderm specification. Thus, in this study, we identified a full landscape of genetic wiring and biological processes that control hPSC self-renewal and trilineage specification. Lineage reporter and CRISPR screening are powerful tools for studying cell fates Lineage-specification preventing genes (LPGs) are identified in hPSCs LPGs maintain pluripotency via targeting one or multiple germ layers LPGs are clustered into distinct functional modules
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjie Xu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yanhua Du
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuwei Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhenyu Chen
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhongshu Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yi Hui
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yujiang Fang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Beibei Fan
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Zhongliang Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Nan Li
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Shanshan Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- The School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
- Brain and Spinal Cord Clinical Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Xiaoqing Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
- Key Laboratory of Reconstruction and Regeneration of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200065, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Shanghai Universities, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Tsingtao Advanced Research Institute, Tongji University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
- Brain and Spinal Cord Clinical Research Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- Corresponding author
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Mou Y, Dong Y, Chen Z, Denton KR, Duff MO, Blackstone C, Zhang SC, Li XJ. Impaired lipid metabolism in astrocytes underlies degeneration of cortical projection neurons in hereditary spastic paraplegia. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:214. [PMID: 33287888 PMCID: PMC7720406 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are caused by a length-dependent axonopathy of long corticospinal neurons, but how axons of these cortical projection neurons (PNs) degenerate remains elusive. We generated isogenic human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) lines for two ATL1 missense mutations associated with SPG3A, the most common early-onset autosomal dominant HSP. In hPSC-derived cortical PNs, ATL1 mutations resulted in reduced axonal outgrowth, impaired axonal transport, and accumulated axonal swellings, recapitulating disease-specific phenotypes. Importantly, ATL1 mutations dysregulated proteolipid gene expression, reduced lipid droplet size in astrocytes, and unexpectedly disrupted cholesterol transfer from glia to neurons, leading to cholesterol deficiency in SPG3A cortical PNs. Applying cholesterol or conditioned medium from control astrocytes, a major source of cholesterol in the brain, rescued aberrant axonal transport and swellings in SPG3A cortical PNs. Furthermore, treatment with the NR1H2 agonist GW3965 corrected lipid droplet defects in SPG3A astrocytes and promoted cholesterol efflux from astrocytes, leading to restoration of cholesterol levels and rescue of axonal degeneration in SPG3A cortical PNs. These results reveal a non-cell autonomous mechanism underlying axonal degeneration of cortical PNs mediated by impaired cholesterol homeostasis in glia.
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Walsh P, Truong V, Nayak S, Saldías Montivero M, Low WC, Parr AM, Dutton JR. Accelerated differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into neural lineages via an early intermediate ectoderm population. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1400-1408. [PMID: 32745311 PMCID: PMC7693041 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into ectoderm provides neurons and glia useful for research, disease modeling, drug discovery, and potential cell therapies. In current protocols, hPSCs are traditionally differentiated into an obligate rostro-dorsal ectodermal fate expressing PAX6 after 6 to 12 days in vitro when protected from mesendoderm inducers. This rate-limiting step has performed a long-standing role in hindering the development of rapid differentiation protocols for ectoderm-derived cell types, as any protocol requires 6 to 10 days in vitro to simply initiate. Here, we report efficient differentiation of hPSCs into a naive early ectodermal intermediate within 24 hours using combined inhibition of bone morphogenic protein and fibroblast growth factor signaling. The induced population responds immediately to morphogen gradients to upregulate rostro-caudal neurodevelopmental landmark gene expression in a generally accelerated fashion. This method can serve as a new platform for the development of novel, rapid, and efficient protocols for the manufacture of hPSC-derived neural lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Walsh
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Vincent Truong
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual NeurosciencesUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Sushmita Nayak
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | | | - Walter C. Low
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - Ann M. Parr
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
| | - James R. Dutton
- Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and DevelopmentUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
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Conforti P, Besusso D, Brocchetti S, Campus I, Cappadona C, Galimberti M, Laporta A, Iennaco R, Rossi RL, Dickinson VB, Cattaneo E. RUES2 hESCs exhibit MGE-biased neuronal differentiation and muHTT-dependent defective specification hinting at SP1. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 146:105140. [PMID: 33065279 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105140] [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: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RUES2 cell lines represent the first collection of isogenic human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) carrying different pathological CAG lengths in the HTT gene. However, their neuronal differentiation potential has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. Here, we report that RUES2 during ventral telencephalic differentiation is biased towards medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). We also show that HD-RUES2 cells exhibit an altered MGE transcriptional signature in addition to recapitulating known HD phenotypes, with reduced expression of the neurodevelopmental regulators NEUROD1 and BDNF and increased cleavage of synaptically enriched N-cadherin. Finally, we identified the transcription factor SP1 as a common potential detrimental co-partner of muHTT by de novo motif discovery analysis on the LGE, MGE, and cortical genes differentially expressed in HD human pluripotent stem cells in our and additional datasets. Taken together, these observations suggest a broad deleterious effect of muHTT in the early phases of neuronal development that may unfold through its altered interaction with SP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Conforti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Dario Besusso
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Silvia Brocchetti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campus
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Claudio Cappadona
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Maura Galimberti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Angela Laporta
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Iennaco
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Riccardo L Rossi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Vittoria Bocchi Dickinson
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy.
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Xiong M, Tao Y, Gao Q, Feng B, Yan W, Zhou Y, Kotsonis TA, Yuan T, You Z, Wu Z, Xi J, Haberman A, Graham J, Block J, Zhou W, Chen Y, Zhang SC. Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons Repair Circuits and Restore Neural Function. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 28:112-126.e6. [PMID: 32966778 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Although cell transplantation can rescue motor defects in Parkinson's disease (PD) models, whether and how grafts functionally repair damaged neural circuitry in the adult brain is not known. We transplanted hESC-derived midbrain dopamine (mDA) or cortical glutamate neurons into the substantia nigra or striatum of a mouse PD model and found extensive graft integration with host circuitry. Axonal pathfinding toward the dorsal striatum was determined by the identity of the grafted neurons, and anatomical presynaptic inputs were largely dependent on graft location, whereas inhibitory versus excitatory input was dictated by the identity of grafted neurons. hESC-derived mDA neurons display A9 characteristics and restore functionality of the reconstructed nigrostriatal circuit to mediate improvements in motor function. These results indicate similarity in cell-type-specific pre- and post-synaptic integration between transplant-reconstructed circuit and endogenous neural networks, highlighting the capacity of hPSC-derived neuron subtypes for specific circuit repair and functional restoration in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Xiong
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yezheng Tao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ban Feng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yingying Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Thomas A Kotsonis
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Tingli Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhiwen You
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziyan Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiajie Xi
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | | | - Julia Graham
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jasper Block
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Wenhao Zhou
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Yuejun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Su-Chun Zhang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Program in Neuroscience & Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857 Singapore, Singapore
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48
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Fitzgerald M, Sotuyo N, Tischfield DJ, Anderson SA. Generation of cerebral cortical GABAergic interneurons from pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells 2020; 38:1375-1386. [PMID: 32638460 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral cortex functions by the complex interactions of intrinsic and extrinsic neuronal activities, glial actions, and the effects of humoral factors. The intrinsic neuronal influences are mediated by two major subclasses: excitatory glutamatergic neurons that generally have axonal projections extending beyond the neuron's locality and inhibitory GABAergic neurons that generally project locally. These interneurons can be grouped based on morphological, neurochemical, electrophysiological, axonal targeting, and circuit influence characteristics. Cortical interneurons (CIns) can also be grouped based on their origins within the subcortical telencephalon. Interneuron subtypes, of which a dozen or more are thought to exist, are characterized by combinations of these subgrouping features. Due to their well-documented relevance to the causes of and treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, and to their remarkable capacity to migrate extensively following transplantation, there has been tremendous interest in generating cortical GABAergic interneurons from human pluripotent stem cells. In this concise review, we discuss recent progress in understanding how interneuron subtypes are generated in vivo, and how that progress is being applied to the generation of rodent and human CIns in vitro. In addition, we will discuss approaches for the rigorous designation of interneuron subgroups or subtypes in transplantation studies, and challenges to this field, including the protracted maturation of human interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Fitzgerald
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nathaniel Sotuyo
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David J Tischfield
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stewart A Anderson
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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49
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A Simple Differentiation Protocol for Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Basal Forebrain-Like Cholinergic Neurons for Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia Disease Modeling. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092018. [PMID: 32887382 PMCID: PMC7564334 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of neurodegenerative diseases using pluripotent stem cells requires new methods to assess neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration of specific neuronal subtypes. The cholinergic system, characterized by its use of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, is one of the first to degenerate in Alzheimer’s disease and is also affected in frontotemporal dementia. We developed a differentiation protocol to generate basal forebrain-like cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) aided by the use of small molecule inhibitors and growth factors. Ten iPSC lines were successfully differentiated into BFCNs using this protocol. The neuronal cultures were characterised through RNA and protein expression, and functional analysis of neurons was confirmed by whole-cell patch clamp. We have developed a reliable protocol using only small molecule inhibitors and growth factors, while avoiding transfection or cell sorting methods, to achieve a BFCN culture that expresses the characteristic markers of cholinergic neurons.
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50
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Chen X, Han X, Blanchi B, Guan W, Ge W, Yu YC, Sun YE. Graded and pan-neural disease phenotypes of Rett Syndrome linked with dosage of functional MeCP2. Protein Cell 2020; 12:639-652. [PMID: 32851591 PMCID: PMC8310543 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00773-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder, mainly caused by mutations in MeCP2 and currently with no cure. We report here that neurons from R106W MeCP2 RTT human iPSCs as well as human embryonic stem cells after MeCP2 knockdown exhibit consistent and long-lasting impairment in maturation as indicated by impaired action potentials and passive membrane properties as well as reduced soma size and spine density. Moreover, RTT-inherent defects in neuronal maturation could be pan-neuronal and occurred in neurons with both dorsal and ventral forebrain features. Knockdown of MeCP2 led to more severe neuronal deficits as compared to RTT iPSC-derived neurons, which appeared to retain partial function. Strikingly, consistent deficits in nuclear size, dendritic complexity and circuitry-dependent spontaneous postsynaptic currents could only be observed in MeCP2 knockdown neurons but not RTT iPSC-derived neurons. Both neuron-intrinsic and circuitry-dependent deficits of MeCP2-deficient neurons could be fully or partially rescued by re-expression of wild type or T158M MeCP2, strengthening the dosage dependency of MeCP2 on disease phenotypes and also the partial function of the mutant. Our findings thus reveal stable neuronal maturation deficits and unexpectedly, graded sensitivities of neuron-inherent and neural transmission phenotypes towards the extent of MeCP2 deficiency, which is informative for future therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
| | - Xu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bruno Blanchi
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Wuqiang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weihong Ge
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Yong-Chun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Yi E Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
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