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Baldassari S, Cervetto C, Amato S, Fruscione F, Balagura G, Pelassa S, Musante I, Iacomino M, Traverso M, Corradi A, Scudieri P, Maura G, Marcoli M, Zara F. Vesicular Glutamate Release from Feeder-FreehiPSC-Derived Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810545. [PMID: 36142455 PMCID: PMC9501332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent one of the main and powerful tools for the in vitro modeling of neurological diseases. Standard hiPSC-based protocols make use of animal-derived feeder systems to better support the neuronal differentiation process. Despite their efficiency, such protocols may not be appropriate to dissect neuronal specific properties or to avoid interspecies contaminations, hindering their future translation into clinical and drug discovery approaches. In this work, we focused on the optimization of a reproducible protocol in feeder-free conditions able to generate functional glutamatergic neurons. This protocol is based on a generation of neuroprecursor cells differentiated into human neurons with the administration in the culture medium of specific neurotrophins in a Geltrex-coated substrate. We confirmed the efficiency of this protocol through molecular analysis (upregulation of neuronal markers and neurotransmitter receptors assessed by gene expression profiling and expression of the neuronal markers at the protein level), morphological analysis, and immunfluorescence detection of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic markers at synaptic boutons. The hiPSC-derived neurons acquired Ca2+-dependent glutamate release properties as a hallmark of neuronal maturation. In conclusion, our study describes a new methodological approach to achieve feeder-free neuronal differentiation from hiPSC and adds a new tool for functional characterization of hiPSC-derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Cervetto
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56100 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Sarah Amato
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Floriana Fruscione
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Ganna Balagura
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Pelassa
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Monica Traverso
- Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Anna Corradi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Scudieri
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Guido Maura
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Marcoli
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genova, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), 56100 Pisa, Italy
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research, Viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
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2
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Telias M, Ben-Yosef D. Pharmacological Manipulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Human Neural Precursor Cells Alters Their Differentiation Potential and Neuronal Yield. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:680018. [PMID: 34421534 PMCID: PMC8371257 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.680018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a master-regulator of cell fate during embryonic and adult neurogenesis and is therefore a major pharmacological target in basic and clinical research. Chemical manipulation of Wnt signaling during in vitro neuronal differentiation of stem cells can alter both the quantity and the quality of the derived neurons. Accordingly, the use of Wnt activators and blockers has become an integral part of differentiation protocols applied to stem cells in recent years. Here, we investigated the effects of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor CHIR99021, which upregulates β-catenin agonizing Wnt; and the tankyrase-1/2 inhibitor XAV939, which downregulates β-catenin antagonizing Wnt. Both drugs and their potential neurogenic and anti-neurogenic effects were studied using stable lines human neural precursor cells (hNPCs), derived from embryonic stem cells, which can be induced to generate mature neurons by chemically-defined conditions. We found that Wnt-agonism by CHIR99021 promotes induction of neural differentiation, while also reducing cell proliferation and survival. This effect was not synergistic with those of pro-neural growth factors during long-term neuronal differentiation. Conversely, antagonism of Wnt by XAV939 consistently prevented neuronal progression of hNPCs. We show here how these two drugs can be used to manipulate cell fate and how self-renewing hNPCs can be used as reliable human in vitro drug-screening platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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3
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Warren D, Tomaskovic-Crook E, Wallace GG, Crook JM. Engineering in vitro human neural tissue analogs by 3D bioprinting and electrostimulation. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:020901. [PMID: 33834152 PMCID: PMC8019355 DOI: 10.1063/5.0032196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a fundamental need for clinically relevant, reproducible, and standardized in vitro human neural tissue models, not least of all to study heterogenic and complex human-specific neurological (such as neuropsychiatric) disorders. Construction of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted neural tissues from native human-derived stem cells (e.g., neural stem cells) and human pluripotent stem cells (e.g., induced pluripotent) in particular is appreciably impacting research and conceivably clinical translation. Given the ability to artificially and favorably regulate a cell's survival and behavior by manipulating its biophysical environment, careful consideration of the printing technique, supporting biomaterial and specific exogenously delivered stimuli, is both required and advantageous. By doing so, there exists an opportunity, more than ever before, to engineer advanced and precise tissue analogs that closely recapitulate the morphological and functional elements of natural tissues (healthy or diseased). Importantly, the application of electrical stimulation as a method of enhancing printed tissue development in vitro, including neuritogenesis, synaptogenesis, and cellular maturation, has the added advantage of modeling both traditional and new stimulation platforms, toward improved understanding of efficacy and innovative electroceutical development and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Warren
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, University of Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, NSW 2519 Australia
| | | | - Gordon G. Wallace
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, AIIM Facility, University of Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, NSW 2519 Australia
| | - Jeremy M. Crook
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: +61 2 4221 3011
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4
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Current State-of-the-Art and Unresolved Problems in Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Dopamine Neurons for Parkinson's Disease Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073381. [PMID: 33806103 PMCID: PMC8037675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have the potential to give rise to a new era in Parkinson's disease (PD) research. As a unique source of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, iPS cells provide unparalleled capabilities for investigating the pathogenesis of PD, the development of novel anti-parkinsonian drugs, and personalized therapy design. Significant progress in developmental biology of midbrain DA neurons laid the foundation for their efficient derivation from iPS cells. The introduction of 3D culture methods to mimic the brain microenvironment further expanded the vast opportunities of iPS cell-based research of the neurodegenerative diseases. However, while the benefits for basic and applied studies provided by iPS cells receive widespread coverage in the current literature, the drawbacks of this model in its current state, and in particular, the aspects of differentiation protocols requiring further refinement are commonly overlooked. This review summarizes the recent data on general and subtype-specific features of midbrain DA neurons and their development. Here, we review the current protocols for derivation of DA neurons from human iPS cells and outline their general weak spots. The associated gaps in the contemporary knowledge are considered and the possible directions for future research that may assist in improving the differentiation conditions and increase the efficiency of using iPS cell-derived neurons for PD drug development are discussed.
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Kuznitsov-Yanovsky L, Mayshar Y, Ben-Yosef D. Modeling FXS: Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and In Vitro Neural Differentiation. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1942:89-100. [PMID: 30900178 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9080-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In fragile X syndrome (FXS) embryos FMRP is widely expressed during early stages of embryogenesis however it is inactivated by the end of the first trimester. In the same manner, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines from FXS blastocysts, bearing the full CGG expansion mutation, express FMRP in their pluripotent stage and in neurons derived following in vitro differentiation, FMR1 is completely silenced. Therefore, in vitro neural differentiation of FX-hESC lines serves as a uniquely valuable model system to study the developmental mechanisms underlying FXS, together with the proper differentiation protocol to mimic the neurodevelopmental process occurs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Kuznitsov-Yanovsky
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Mayshar
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit at Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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6
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Kemp PJ, Rushton DJ, Yarova PL, Schnell C, Geater C, Hancock JM, Wieland A, Hughes A, Badder L, Cope E, Riccardi D, Randall AD, Brown JT, Allen ND, Telezhkin V. Improving and accelerating the differentiation and functional maturation of human stem cell-derived neurons: role of extracellular calcium and GABA. J Physiol 2017; 594:6583-6594. [PMID: 27616476 DOI: 10.1113/jp270655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons differentiated from pluripotent stem cells using established neural culture conditions often exhibit functional deficits. Recently, we have developed enhanced media which both synchronize the neurogenesis of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors and accelerate their functional maturation; together these media are termed SynaptoJuice. This pair of media are pro-synaptogenic and generate authentic, mature synaptic networks of connected forebrain neurons from a variety of induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell lines. Such enhanced rate and extent of synchronized maturation of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells generates neurons which are characterized by a relatively hyperpolarized resting membrane potential, higher spontaneous and induced action potential activity, enhanced synaptic activity, more complete development of a mature inhibitory GABAA receptor phenotype and faster production of electrical network activity when compared to standard differentiation media. This entire process - from pre-patterned neural progenitor to active neuron - takes 3 weeks or less, making it an ideal platform for drug discovery and disease modelling in the fields of human neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Kemp
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - David J Rushton
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Charlene Geater
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jane M Hancock
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Hatherly Laboratory, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | | | - Alis Hughes
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Luned Badder
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Emma Cope
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Andrew D Randall
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Hatherly Laboratory, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Jonathan T Brown
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Hatherly Laboratory, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
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7
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Verma I, Rashid Z, Sikdar SK, Seshagiri PB. Efficient neural differentiation of mouse pluripotent stem cells in a serum-free medium and development of a novel strategy for enrichment of neural cells. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 61:112-124. [PMID: 28673682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) offer an excellent model to study neural development and function. Although various protocols have been developed to direct the differentiation of PSCs into desired neural cell types, many of them suffer from limitations including low efficiency, long duration of culture, and the use of expensive, labile, and undefined growth supplements. In this study, we achieved efficient differentiation of mouse PSCs to neural lineage, in the absence of exogenous molecules, by employing a serum-free culture medium containing knockout serum replacement (KSR). Embryoid bodies (EBs) cultured in this medium predominantly produced neural cells which included neural progenitors (15-18%), immature neurons (8-24%), mature neurons (10-26%), astrocytes (27-61%), and oligodendrocytes (∼1%). Different neuronal subtypes including glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic neurons were generated. Importantly, neurons generated in the KSR medium were electrically active. Further, the EB scooping strategy, involving the removal of the EB core region from the peripheral EB outgrowth, resulted in the enrichment of PSC-derived neural cells. Taken together, this study provides the evidence that the KSR medium is ideal for the rapid and efficient generation of neural cells, including functional neurons, from PSCs without the requirement of any other additional molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Verma
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Zubin Rashid
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Sujit K Sikdar
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Polani B Seshagiri
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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8
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Boland MJ, Nazor KL, Tran HT, Szücs A, Lynch CL, Paredes R, Tassone F, Sanna PP, Hagerman RJ, Loring JF. Molecular analyses of neurogenic defects in a human pluripotent stem cell model of fragile X syndrome. Brain 2017; 140:582-598. [PMID: 28137726 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
New research suggests that common pathways are altered in many neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder; however, little is known about early molecular events that contribute to the pathology of these diseases. The study of monogenic, neurodevelopmental disorders with a high incidence of autistic behaviours, such as fragile X syndrome, has the potential to identify genes and pathways that are dysregulated in autism spectrum disorder as well as fragile X syndrome. In vitro generation of human disease-relevant cell types provides the ability to investigate aspects of disease that are impossible to study in patients or animal models. Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells recapitulates development of the neocortex, an area affected in both fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. We have generated induced human pluripotent stem cells from several individuals clinically diagnosed with fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. When differentiated to dorsal forebrain cell fates, our fragile X syndrome human pluripotent stem cell lines exhibited reproducible aberrant neurogenic phenotypes. Using global gene expression and DNA methylation profiling, we have analysed the early stages of neurogenesis in fragile X syndrome human pluripotent stem cells. We discovered aberrant DNA methylation patterns at specific genomic regions in fragile X syndrome cells, and identified dysregulated gene- and network-level correlates of fragile X syndrome that are associated with developmental signalling, cell migration, and neuronal maturation. Integration of our gene expression and epigenetic analysis identified altered epigenetic-mediated transcriptional regulation of a distinct set of genes in fragile X syndrome. These fragile X syndrome-aberrant networks are significantly enriched for genes associated with autism spectrum disorder, giving support to the idea that underlying similarities exist among these neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Boland
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristopher L Nazor
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ha T Tran
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Attila Szücs
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,MTA-ELTE NAP-B Neuronal Cell Biology Group, Eötvös Lóránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Candace L Lynch
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ryder Paredes
- CIRM Bridges to Stem Cells Program, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Pietro Paolo Sanna
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Randi J Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jeanne F Loring
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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9
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Telias M, Mayshar Y, Amit A, Ben-Yosef D. Molecular mechanisms regulating impaired neurogenesis of fragile X syndrome human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 24:2353-65. [PMID: 26393806 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited cognitive impairment. It is caused by developmental inactivation of the FMR1 gene and the absence of its encoded protein FMRP, which plays pivotal roles in brain development and function. In FXS embryos with full FMR1 mutation, FMRP is expressed during early embryogenesis and is gradually downregulated at the third trimester of pregnancy. FX-human embryonic stem cells (FX-hESCs), derived from FX human blastocysts, demonstrate the same pattern of developmentally regulated FMR1 inactivation when subjected to in vitro neural differentiation (IVND). In this study, we used this in vitro human platform to explore the molecular mechanisms downstream to FMRP in the context of early human embryonic neurogenesis. Our results show a novel role for the SOX superfamily of transcription factors, specifically for SOX2 and SOX9, which could explain the reduced and delayed neurogenesis observed in FX cells. In addition, we assess in this study the "GSK3β theory of FXS" for the first time in a human-based model. We found no evidence for a pathological increase in GSK3β protein levels upon cellular loss of FMRP, in contrast to what was found in the brain of Fmr1 knockout mice. Our study adds novel data on potential downstream targets of FMRP and highlights the importance of the FX-hESC IVND system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel .,2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Mayshar
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ami Amit
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- 1 The Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv, Israel .,2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel
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10
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Telias M, Segal M, Ben-Yosef D. Immature Responses to GABA in Fragile X Neurons Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:121. [PMID: 27242433 PMCID: PMC4864171 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited cognitive disability. However, functional deficiencies in FX neurons have been described so far almost exclusively in animal models. In a recent study we found several functional deficits in FX neurons differentiated in-vitro from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including their inability to fire repetitive action potentials, and their lack of synaptic activity. Here, we investigated the responses of such neurons to pulse application of the neurotransmitter GABA. We found two distinct types of responses to GABA and sensitivity to the GABA-A receptor antagonist bicuculline; type 1 (mature) characterized by non-desensitized responses to GABA as well as a high sensitivity to bicuculline, and type 2 (immature) which are desensitized to GABA and insensitive to bicuculline. Type 1 responses were age-dependent and dominant in mature WT neurons. In contrast, FX neurons expressed primarily type 2 phenotype. Expression analysis of GABA-A receptor subunits demonstrated that this bias in human FX neurons was associated with a significant alteration in the expression pattern of the GABA-A receptor subunits α2 and β2. Our results indicate that FMRP may play a role in the development of the GABAergic synapse during neurogenesis. This is the first demonstration of the lack of a mature response to GABA in human FX neurons and may explain the inappropriate synaptic functions in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Lis Maternity HospitalTel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv UniversityTel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Menahem Segal
- Department of Neurobiology, The Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Lis Maternity HospitalTel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv UniversityTel-Aviv, Israel
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11
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Shahbazi E, Moradi S, Nemati S, Satarian L, Basiri M, Gourabi H, Zare Mehrjardi N, Günther P, Lampert A, Händler K, Hatay FF, Schmidt D, Molcanyi M, Hescheler J, Schultze JL, Saric T, Baharvand H. Conversion of Human Fibroblasts to Stably Self-Renewing Neural Stem Cells with a Single Zinc-Finger Transcription Factor. Stem Cell Reports 2016; 6:539-551. [PMID: 27052315 PMCID: PMC4834053 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct conversion of somatic cells into neural stem cells (NSCs) by defined factors holds great promise for mechanistic studies, drug screening, and potential cell therapies for different neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we report that a single zinc-finger transcription factor, Zfp521, is sufficient for direct conversion of human fibroblasts into long-term self-renewable and multipotent NSCs. In vitro, Zfp521-induced NSCs maintained their characteristics in the absence of exogenous factor expression and exhibited morphological, molecular, developmental, and functional properties that were similar to control NSCs. In addition, the single-seeded induced NSCs were able to form NSC colonies with efficiency comparable with control NSCs and expressed NSC markers. The converted cells were capable of surviving, migrating, and attaining neural phenotypes after transplantation into neonatal mouse and adult rat brains, without forming tumors. Moreover, the Zfp521-induced NSCs predominantly expressed rostral genes. Our results suggest a facilitated approach for establishing human NSCs through Zfp521-driven conversion of fibroblasts. ZFP521 can directly convert human fetal, neonatal, and adult fibroblasts into NSCs iNSCs exhibit NSC properties, i.e., markers, long-term self-renewal, and tripotency ZFP521-iNSCs predominantly express rostral markers Single-seeded ZFP521-iNSCs are clonogenically comparable with control NSCs
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Shahbazi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Shiva Nemati
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Leila Satarian
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Mohsen Basiri
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Hamid Gourabi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Narges Zare Mehrjardi
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Patrick Günther
- Department for Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany
| | - Angelika Lampert
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen- Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany; Institute of Physiology, RWTH, Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Kristian Händler
- Department for Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany
| | - Firuze Fulya Hatay
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Diana Schmidt
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen- Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054, Germany; IZKF Junior Research Group and BMBF Research Group Neuroscience, IZKF, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marek Molcanyi
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Joachim L Schultze
- Department for Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn 53115, Germany
| | - Tomo Saric
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany.
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR, Tehran 1461968151, Iran.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene, which in FXS becomes inactivated during human embryonic development. We have shown recently that this process is recapitulated by in vitro neural differentiation of FX human embryonic stem cells (FX-hESCs), derived from FXS blastocysts. In the present study, we analyzed morphological and functional properties of neurons generated from FX-hESCs. Human FX neurons can fire single action potentials (APs) to depolarizing current commands, but are unable to discharge trains of APs. Their APs are of a reduced amplitudes and longer durations than controls. These are reflected in reduced inward Na(+) and outward K(+) currents. In addition, human FX neurons contain fewer synaptic vesicles and lack spontaneous synaptic activity. Notably, synaptic activity in these neurons can be restored by coculturing them with normal rat hippocampal neurons, demonstrating a critical role for synaptic mechanisms in FXS pathology. This is the first extensive functional analysis of human FX neurons derived in vitro from hESCs that provides a convenient tool for studying molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired neuronal functions in FXS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene. In this study, we describe for the first time the properties of neurons developed from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) that carry the FMR1 mutation and are grown in culture for extended periods. These neurons are retarded compared with controls in several morphological and functional properties. In vitro neural differentiation of FX hESCs can thus serve as a most relevant system for the analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying the impaired neuronal functions in FXS.
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Telias M, Segal M, Ben-Yosef D. Electrical maturation of neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. F1000Res 2014; 3:196. [PMID: 25309736 PMCID: PMC4184377 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.4943.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In-vitro neuronal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells has become a widely used tool in disease modeling and prospective regenerative medicine. Most studies evaluate neurons molecularly and only a handful of them use electrophysiological tools to directly indicate that these are genuine neurons. Therefore, the specific timing of development of intrinsic electrophysiological properties and synaptic capabilities remains poorly understood. Here we describe a systematic analysis of developing neurons derived in-vitro from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We show that hESCs differentiated in-vitro into early embryonic neurons, displaying basically mature morphological and electrical features as early as day 37. This early onset of action potential discharges suggests that first stages of neurogenesis in humans are already associated with electrical maturation. Spike frequency, amplitude, duration, threshold and after hyperpolarization were found to be the most predictive parameters for electrical maturity. Furthermore, we were able to detect spontaneous synaptic activity already at these early time-points, demonstrating that neuronal connectivity can develop concomitantly with the gradual process of electrical maturation. These results highlight the functional properties of hESCs in the process of their development into neurons. Moreover, our results provide practical tools for the direct measurement of functional maturity, which can be reproduced and implemented for stem cell research of neurogenesis in general, and neurodevelopmental disorders in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, 64239, Israel ; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Menahem Segal
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, 64239, Israel ; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 64239, Israel
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