1
|
Nebuloni F, Do QB, Cook PR, Walsh EJ, Wade-Martins R. A fluid-walled microfluidic platform for human neuron microcircuits and directed axotomy. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3252-3264. [PMID: 38841815 PMCID: PMC11198392 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00107a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
In our brains, different neurons make appropriate connections; however, there remain few in vitro models of such circuits. We use an open microfluidic approach to build and study neuronal circuits in vitro in ways that fit easily into existing bio-medical workflows. Dumbbell-shaped circuits are built in minutes in standard Petri dishes; the aqueous phase is confined by fluid walls - interfaces between cell-growth medium and an immiscible fluorocarbon, FC40. Conditions are established that ensure post-mitotic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) plated in one chamber of a dumbbell remain where deposited. After seeding cortical neurons on one side, axons grow through the connecting conduit to ramify amongst striatal neurons on the other - an arrangement mimicking unidirectional cortico-striatal connectivity. We also develop a moderate-throughput non-contact axotomy assay. Cortical axons in conduits are severed by a media jet; then, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and striatal neurons in distal chambers promote axon regeneration. As additional conduits and chambers are easily added, this opens up the possibility of mimicking complex neuronal networks, and screening drugs for their effects on connectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Nebuloni
- Osney Thermofluids Institute, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK.
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Quyen B Do
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Peter R Cook
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Edmond J Walsh
- Osney Thermofluids Institute, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES, UK.
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, South Park Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou Z, Liu J, Xiong T, Liu Y, Tuan RS, Li ZA. Engineering Innervated Musculoskeletal Tissues for Regenerative Orthopedics and Disease Modeling. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2310614. [PMID: 38200684 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310614] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders significantly burden patients and society, resulting in high healthcare costs and productivity loss. These disorders are the leading cause of physical disability, and their prevalence is expected to increase as sedentary lifestyles become common and the global population of the elderly increases. Proper innervation is critical to maintaining MSK function, and nerve damage or dysfunction underlies various MSK disorders, underscoring the potential of restoring nerve function in MSK disorder treatment. However, most MSK tissue engineering strategies have overlooked the significance of innervation. This review first expounds upon innervation in the MSK system and its importance in maintaining MSK homeostasis and functions. This will be followed by strategies for engineering MSK tissues that induce post-implantation in situ innervation or are pre-innervated. Subsequently, research progress in modeling MSK disorders using innervated MSK organoids and organs-on-chips (OoCs) is analyzed. Finally, the future development of engineering innervated MSK tissues to treat MSK disorders and recapitulate disease mechanisms is discussed. This review provides valuable insights into the underlying principles, engineering methods, and applications of innervated MSK tissues, paving the way for the development of targeted, efficacious therapies for various MSK conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhilong Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Tiandi Xiong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Rocky S Tuan
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Alan Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
De Vitis E, Stanzione A, Romano A, Quattrini A, Gigli G, Moroni L, Gervaso F, Polini A. The Evolution of Technology-Driven In Vitro Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304989. [PMID: 38366798 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The alteration in the neural circuits of both central and peripheral nervous systems is closely related to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Despite significant research efforts, the knowledge regarding NDD pathological processes, and the development of efficacious drugs are still limited due to the inability to access and reproduce the components of the nervous system and its intricate microenvironment. 2D culture systems are too simplistic to accurately represent the more complex and dynamic situation of cells in vivo and have therefore been surpassed by 3D systems. However, both models suffer from various limitations that can be overcome by employing two innovative technologies: organ-on-chip and 3D printing. In this review, an overview of the advantages and shortcomings of both microfluidic platforms and extracellular matrix-like biomaterials will be given. Then, the combination of microfluidics and hydrogels as a new synergistic approach to study neural disorders by analyzing the latest advances in 3D brain-on-chip for neurodegenerative research will be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora De Vitis
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonella Stanzione
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romano
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Complex Tissue Regeneration, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Gervaso
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mateus JC, Sousa MM, Burrone J, Aguiar P. Beyond a Transmission Cable-New Technologies to Reveal the Richness in Axonal Electrophysiology. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1446232023. [PMID: 38479812 PMCID: PMC10941245 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1446-23.2023] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The axon is a neuronal structure capable of processing, encoding, and transmitting information. This assessment contrasts with a limiting, but deeply rooted, perspective where the axon functions solely as a transmission cable of somatodendritic activity, sending signals in the form of stereotypical action potentials. This perspective arose, at least partially, because of the technical difficulties in probing axons: their extreme length-to-diameter ratio and intricate growth paths preclude the study of their dynamics through traditional techniques. Recent findings are challenging this view and revealing a much larger repertoire of axonal computations. Axons display complex signaling processes and structure-function relationships, which can be modulated via diverse activity-dependent mechanisms. Additionally, axons can exhibit patterns of activity that are dramatically different from those of their corresponding soma. Not surprisingly, many of these recent discoveries have been driven by novel technology developments, which allow for in vitro axon electrophysiology with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In this review, we outline the state-of-the-art in vitro toolset for axonal electrophysiology and summarize the recent discoveries in axon function it has enabled. We also review the increasing repertoire of microtechnologies for controlling axon guidance which, in combination with the available cutting-edge electrophysiology and imaging approaches, have the potential for more controlled and high-throughput in vitro studies. We anticipate that a larger adoption of these new technologies by the neuroscience community will drive a new era of experimental opportunities in the study of axon physiology and consequently, neuronal function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Mateus
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - M M Sousa
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - J Burrone
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - P Aguiar
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jones PD, Molina-Martínez B, Niedworok A, Cesare P. A microphysiological system for parallelized morphological and electrophysiological read-out of 3D neuronal cell culture. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1750-1761. [PMID: 38348692 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00963g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional in vitro models in microfluidic systems are promising tools for studying cell biology, with complex models using multiple cell types combined with high resolution imaging. Neuronal models demand electrical readout of the activity of networks of single neurons, yet classical planar microelectrode arrays struggle to capture extracellular action potentials when neural soma are suspended distant from the microelectrodes. This study introduces sophisticated microfluidic microelectrode arrays, specifically tailored for electrophysiology of 3D neuronal cultures. Using multilayer photolithography of permanent epoxy photoresists, we developed devices having 12 independent culture modules in a convenient format. Each module has two adjacent compartments for hydrogel-based 3D cell culture, with tunnels allowing projection of neurites between compartments. Microelectrodes integrated in the tunnels record action potentials as they pass between the compartments. Mesh ceilings separate the compartments from overlying wells, allowing for simple cell seeding and later nutrient, gas and waste exchange and application of test substances. Using these devices, we have demonstrated 3D neuronal culture, including electrophysiological recording and live imaging. This microphysiological platform will enable high-throughput investigation of neuronal networks for investigation of neurological disorders, neural pharmacology and basic neuroscience. Further models could include cocultures representing multiple brain regions or innervation models of other organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Jones
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Beatriz Molina-Martínez
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Anita Niedworok
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
| | - Paolo Cesare
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany.
- Department for Microphysiological Systems, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Velazquez-Quesada I, Allison K, Alizadeh V, Hesketh N, Thomas G, Tuzel E, Gligorijevic B. DACIT: Device for Axon - Cancer cell Interaction Testing in 2D and 3D. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582218. [PMID: 38464088 PMCID: PMC10925080 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
In this protocol, we describe steps to design, fabricate and use the Device for Axon and Cancer cell Interaction Testing (DACIT) in 2D and in 3D. In the first section, we detail steps to generate the mask, the master and the smooth-on mold. Next, we describe the step-by-step protocol for fabricating the DACIT, loading sensory neurons and cancer cells in 2D or 3D. We compare axonogenesis using PC-12 cell line and primary embryonic or adult sensory neurons, demonstrating the superior neurite growth in primary cells. We demonstrate DACIT can be used to compartmentalize neuronal soma and axons and expose them to different conditions, or to form a temporary gradient of neurotransmitter. Finally, we show that DACIT can be used to measure spheroid invasion in 3D in the presence of axons.
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhao H, Yan F. Retinal Organoids: A Next-Generation Platform for High-Throughput Drug Discovery. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:495-508. [PMID: 38079086 PMCID: PMC10837228 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10661-8] [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] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Retinal diseases are leading causes of blindness globally. Developing new drugs is of great significance for preventing vision loss. Current drug discovery relies mainly on two-dimensional in vitro models and animal models, but translation to human efficacy and safety is biased. In recent years, the emergence of retinal organoid technology platforms, utilizing three-dimensional microenvironments to better mimic retinal structure and function, has provided new platforms for exploring pathogenic mechanisms and drug screening. This review summarizes the latest advances in retinal organoid technology, emphasizing its application advantages in high-throughput drug screening, efficacy and toxicity evaluation, and translational medicine research. The review also prospects the combination of emerging technologies such as organ-on-a-chip, 3D bioprinting, single cell sequencing, gene editing with retinal organoid technology, which is expected to further optimize retinal organoid models and advance the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongkun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Yunnan Province, Yunnan Eye Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Basic Medicine School, Kunming Medical University, 1168 Yuhua Street, Chunrong West Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Moll L, Pihl J, Karlsson M, Karila P, Svensson CI. A Microfluidic High-Capacity Screening Platform for Neurological Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:236-244. [PMID: 38150531 PMCID: PMC10797611 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00409] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Compartmentalized cell cultures (CCCs) provide the possibility to study mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as spreading of misfolded proteins in Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease or functional changes in, e.g., chronic pain, in vitro. However, many CCC devices do not provide the necessary capacity for identifying novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs in a drug discovery context. Here, we present a high-capacity cell culture microtiter microfluidic plate compliant with American National Standard Institute of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (ANSI/SLAS) standards that allows to parallelize up to 96 CCCs/experimental units, where each experimental unit comprises three microchannel-connected compartments. The plate design allows the specific treatment of cells in individual compartments through the application of a fluidic barrier. Moreover, the compatibility of the plate with neuronal cultures was confirmed with rodent primary as well as human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons of the central or peripheral nervous system for up to 14 days in culture. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that the plate design restricts neuronal soma to individual compartments, while axons, but not dendrites, can grow through the connecting microchannels to neighboring compartments. In addition, we show that neurons are spontaneously active and, as deemed by the appearance of synchronous depolarizations in neighboring compartments, are synaptically coupled. In summary, the design of the microfluidic plate allows for both morphological and functional studies of neurological in vitro cultures with increased capacity to support identification of novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Moll
- Cellectricon
AB, Mölndal 431 53, Sweden
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Camilla I. Svensson
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li L, Lei T, Xing C, Du H. Advances in microfluidic chips targeting toxic aggregation proteins for neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 256:128308. [PMID: 37992921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128308] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by nervous system damage, often influenced by genetic and aging factors. Pathological analysis frequently reveals the presence of aggregated toxic proteins. The intricate and poorly understood origins of these diseases have hindered progress in early diagnosis and drug development. The development of novel in-vitro and in-vivo models could enhance our comprehension of ND mechanisms and facilitate clinical treatment advancements. Microfluidic chips are employed to establish three-dimensional culture conditions, replicating the human ecological niche and creating a microenvironment conducive to neuronal cell survival. The incorporation of mechatronic controls unifies the chip, cells, and culture medium optimizing living conditions for the cells. This study provides a comprehensive overview of microfluidic chip applications in drug and biomarker screening for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our Lab-on-a-Chip system releases toxic proteins to simulate the pathological characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases, encompassing β-amyloid, α-synuclein, huntingtin, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, and Myelin Basic Protein. Investigating molecular and cellular interactions in vitro can enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms while minimizing harmful protein levels and can aid in screening potential therapeutic agents. We anticipate that our research will promote the utilization of microfluidic chips in both fundamental research and clinical applications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tong Lei
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Cencan Xing
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Hongwu Du
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Daxing Research Institute, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Caparaso SM, Redwine AL, Wachs RA. Engineering a multicompartment in vitro model for dorsal root ganglia phenotypic assessment. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2023; 111:1903-1920. [PMID: 37326300 PMCID: PMC10527728 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significant global prevalence of chronic pain, current methods to identify pain therapeutics often fail translation to the clinic. Phenotypic screening platforms rely on modeling and assessing key pathologies relevant to chronic pain, improving predictive capability. Patients with chronic pain often present with sensitization of primary sensory neurons (that extend from dorsal root ganglia [DRG]). During neuronal sensitization, painful nociceptors display lowered stimulation thresholds. To model neuronal excitability, it is necessary to maintain three key anatomical features of DRGs to have a physiologically relevant platform: (1) isolation between DRG cell bodies and neurons, (2) 3D platform to preserve cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, and (3) presence of native non-neuronal support cells, including Schwann cells and satellite glial cells. Currently, no culture platforms maintain the three anatomical features of DRGs. Herein, we demonstrate an engineered 3D multicompartment device that isolates DRG cell bodies and neurites and maintains native support cells. We observed neurite growth into isolated compartments from the DRG using two formulations of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and laminin-based hydrogels. Further, we characterized the rheological, gelation and diffusivity properties of the two hydrogel formulations and found the mechanical properties mimic native neuronal tissue. Importantly, we successfully limited fluidic diffusion between the DRG and neurite compartment for up to 72 h, suggesting physiological relevance. Lastly, we developed a platform with the capability of phenotypic assessment of neuronal excitability using calcium imaging. Ultimately, our culture platform can screen neuronal excitability, providing a more translational and predictive system to identify novel pain therapeutics to treat chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M. Caparaso
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln Nebraska, USA
| | - Adan L. Redwine
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln Nebraska, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wachs
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln Nebraska, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Buchmann S, Enrico A, Holzreuter MA, Reid M, Zeglio E, Niklaus F, Stemme G, Herland A. Probabilistic cell seeding and non-autofluorescent 3D-printed structures as scalable approach for multi-level co-culture modeling. Mater Today Bio 2023; 21:100706. [PMID: 37435551 PMCID: PMC10331311 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100706] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To model complex biological tissue in vitro, a specific layout for the position and numbers of each cell type is necessary. Establishing such a layout requires manual cell placement in three dimensions (3D) with micrometric precision, which is complicated and time-consuming. Moreover, 3D printed materials used in compartmentalized microfluidic models are opaque or autofluorescent, hindering parallel optical readout and forcing serial characterization methods, such as patch-clamp probing. To address these limitations, we introduce a multi-level co-culture model realized using a parallel cell seeding strategy of human neurons and astrocytes on 3D structures printed with a commercially available non-autofluorescent resin at micrometer resolution. Using a two-step strategy based on probabilistic cell seeding, we demonstrate a human neuronal monoculture that forms networks on the 3D printed structure and can establish cell-projection contacts with an astrocytic-neuronal co-culture seeded on the glass substrate. The transparent and non-autofluorescent printed platform allows fluorescence-based immunocytochemistry and calcium imaging. This approach provides facile multi-level compartmentalization of different cell types and routes for pre-designed cell projection contacts, instrumental in studying complex tissue, such as the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Buchmann
- Division of Nanobiotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
- AIMES – Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Enrico
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas väg 10, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
- Synthetic Physiology lab, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 3, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Muriel Alexandra Holzreuter
- AIMES – Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas väg 10, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Reid
- Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, Wallenberg Wood Science Centre, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 56-58, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erica Zeglio
- Division of Nanobiotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
- AIMES – Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Niklaus
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas väg 10, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Stemme
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Malvinas väg 10, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Herland
- Division of Nanobiotechnology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Tomtebodavägen 23a, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
- AIMES – Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vuorenpää H, Björninen M, Välimäki H, Ahola A, Kroon M, Honkamäki L, Koivumäki JT, Pekkanen-Mattila M. Building blocks of microphysiological system to model physiology and pathophysiology of human heart. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1213959. [PMID: 37485060 PMCID: PMC10358860 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1213959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS) are drawing increasing interest from academia and from biomedical industry due to their improved capability to capture human physiology. MPS offer an advanced in vitro platform that can be used to study human organ and tissue level functions in health and in diseased states more accurately than traditional single cell cultures or even animal models. Key features in MPS include microenvironmental control and monitoring as well as high biological complexity of the target tissue. To reach these qualities, cross-disciplinary collaboration from multiple fields of science is required to build MPS. Here, we review different areas of expertise and describe essential building blocks of heart MPS including relevant cardiac cell types, supporting matrix, mechanical stimulation, functional measurements, and computational modelling. The review presents current methods in cardiac MPS and provides insights for future MPS development with improved recapitulation of human physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Vuorenpää
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Adult Stem Cell Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Research, Development and Innovation Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Miina Björninen
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Adult Stem Cell Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Research, Development and Innovation Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Hannu Välimäki
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Micro- and Nanosystems Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antti Ahola
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mart Kroon
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Laura Honkamäki
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Neuro Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jussi T. Koivumäki
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Computational Biophysics and Imaging Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Mari Pekkanen-Mattila
- Centre of Excellence in Body-on-Chip Research (CoEBoC), BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Heart Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang T, Zhao J, Guan Y, Li X, Bai J, Song X, Jia Z, Chen S, Li C, Xu Y, Peng J, Wang Y. Deferoxamine promotes peripheral nerve regeneration by enhancing Schwann cell function and promoting axon regeneration of dorsal root ganglion. Neuroscience 2023:S0306-4522(23)00249-X. [PMID: 37286159 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.05.029] [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: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Deferoxamine (DFO) is a potent iron chelator for clinical treatment of various diseases. Recent studies have also shown its potential to promote vascular regeneration during peripheral nerve regeneration. However, the effect of DFO on the Schwann cell function and axon regeneration remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of DFO on Schwann cell viability, proliferation, migration, expression of key functional genes, and axon regeneration of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) through a series of in vitro experiments. We found that DFO improves Schwann cell viability, proliferation, and migration in the early stages, with an optimal concentration of 25 μM. DFO also upregulates the expression of myelin-related genes and nerve growth-promoting factors in Schwann cells, while inhibiting the expression of Schwann cell dedifferentiation genes. Moreover, the appropriate concentration of DFO promotes axon regeneration in DRG. Our findings demonstrate that DFO, with suitable concentration and duration of action, can positively affect multiple stages of peripheral nerve regeneration, thereby improving the effectiveness of nerve injury repair. This study also enriches the theory of DFO promoting peripheral nerve regeneration and provides a basis for the design of sustained-release DFO nerve grafts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tieyuan Zhang
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jinjuan Zhao
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Yanjun Guan
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiangling Li
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; The School of Medicine, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121099, China
| | - Jun Bai
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiangyu Song
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China
| | - Zhibo Jia
- Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, 075000, China
| | - Shengfeng Chen
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Chaochao Li
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yifan Xu
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Jiang Peng
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Beijing Key Lab of Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics, Key Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Trauma and War Injuries PLA, Department of Orthopedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226007, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Han C, Dong T, Wang P, Zhou F. Microfluidically Partitioned Dual Channels for Accurate Background Subtraction in Cellular Binding Studies by Surface Plasmon Resonance Microscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:17303-17311. [PMID: 36454605 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Unlike conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using an antifouling film to anchor biomolecules and a reference channel for background subtraction, SPR microscopy for single-cell analysis uses a protein- or polypeptide-modified gold substrate to immobilize cells and a cell-free area as the reference. In this work, we show that such a substrate is prone to nonspecific adsorption (NSA) of species from the cell culture media, resulting in false background signals that cannot be correctly subtracted. To obtain accurate kinetic results, we patterned a dual-channel substrate using a microfluidic device, with one channel having poly-l-lysine deposited in situ onto a preformed polyethylene glycol (PEG) self-assembled monolayer for cell immobilization and the other channel remaining as PEG-covered for reference. The two 2.0 mm-wide channels are separated by a 75 μm barrier, and parts of the channels can be readily positioned into the field of view of an SPR microscope. The use of this dual-channel substrate for background subtraction is contrasted with the conventional approach through the following binding studies: (1) wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) attachment to the N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid sites of glycans on HFF cells, and (2) the S1 protein of the COVID-19 virus conjugation with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the HEK293 cells. Both studies revealed that interferences by NSA and the surface plasmon polariton wave diffracted by cells can be excluded with the dual-channel substrate, and the much smaller refractive index changes caused by the injected solutions can be correctly subtracted. Consequently, sensorgrams with higher signal-to-noise ratios and shapes predicted by the correct binding model can be obtained with accurate kinetic and affinity parameters that are more biologically relevant. The affinity between S1 protein and ACE2 is comparable to that measured with recombinant ACE2, yet the binding kinetics is different, suggesting that the cell membrane does impose a kinetic barrier to their interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaowei Han
- Institute of Surface Analysis and Chemical Biology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Tianbao Dong
- Institute of Surface Analysis and Chemical Biology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- Institute of Surface Analysis and Chemical Biology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Feimeng Zhou
- Institute of Surface Analysis and Chemical Biology, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, Shandong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Montalà-Flaquer M, López-León CF, Tornero D, Houben AM, Fardet T, Monceau P, Bottani S, Soriano J. Rich dynamics and functional organization on topographically designed neuronal networks in vitro. iScience 2022; 25:105680. [PMID: 36567712 PMCID: PMC9768383 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal cultures are a prominent experimental tool to understand complex functional organization in neuronal assemblies. However, neurons grown on flat surfaces exhibit a strongly coherent bursting behavior with limited functionality. To approach the functional richness of naturally formed neuronal circuits, here we studied neuronal networks grown on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) topographical patterns shaped as either parallel tracks or square valleys. We followed the evolution of spontaneous activity in these cultures along 20 days in vitro using fluorescence calcium imaging. The networks were characterized by rich spatiotemporal activity patterns that comprised from small regions of the culture to its whole extent. Effective connectivity analysis revealed the emergence of spatially compact functional modules that were associated with both the underpinned topographical features and predominant spatiotemporal activity fronts. Our results show the capacity of spatial constraints to mold activity and functional organization, bringing new opportunities to comprehend the structure-function relationship in living neuronal circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Montalà-Flaquer
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara F. López-León
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Tornero
- Laboratory of Neural Stem Cells and Brain Damage, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, E-08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Akke Mats Houben
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), E-08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tanguy Fardet
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université de Paris, UMR 7057 CNRS, Paris, France,University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany,Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Pascal Monceau
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université de Paris, UMR 7057 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Samuel Bottani
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université de Paris, UMR 7057 CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jordi Soriano
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), E-08028 Barcelona, Spain,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Huang N, Sheng ZH. Microfluidic devices as model platforms of CNS injury-ischemia to study axonal regeneration by regulating mitochondrial transport and bioenergetic metabolism. CELL REGENERATION 2022; 11:33. [PMID: 36184647 PMCID: PMC9527262 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-022-00138-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) neurons typically fail to regenerate their axons after injury leading to neurological impairment. Axonal regeneration is a highly energy-demanding cellular program that requires local mitochondria to supply most energy within injured axons. Recent emerging lines of evidence have started to reveal that injury-triggered acute mitochondrial damage and local energy crisis contribute to the intrinsic energetic restriction that accounts for axon regeneration failure in the CNS. Characterizing and reprogramming bioenergetic signaling and mitochondrial maintenance after axon injury-ischemia is fundamental for developing therapeutic strategies that can restore local energy metabolism and thus facilitate axon regeneration. Therefore, establishing reliable and reproducible neuronal model platforms is critical for assessing axonal energetic metabolism and regeneration capacity after injury-ischemia. In this focused methodology article, we discuss recent advances in applying cutting-edge microfluidic chamber devices in combination with state-of-the-art live-neuron imaging tools to monitor axonal regeneration, mitochondrial transport, bioenergetic metabolism, and local protein synthesis in response to injury-ischemic stress in mature CNS neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Room 2B-215, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3706 USA ,grid.43169.390000 0001 0599 1243Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China ,grid.43169.390000 0001 0599 1243Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, 710061 Shaanxi China
| | - Zu-Hang Sheng
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Room 2B-215, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3706 USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Towards a Mechanistic Model of Tau-Mediated Pathology in Tauopathies: What Can We Learn from Cell-Based In Vitro Assays? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911527. [PMID: 36232835 PMCID: PMC9570106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the hyperphosphorylation and deposition of tau proteins in the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease, and other related tauopathies, the pattern of tau deposition follows a stereotypical progression between anatomically connected brain regions. Increasing evidence suggests that tau behaves in a “prion-like” manner, and that seeding and spreading of pathological tau drive progressive neurodegeneration. Although several advances have been made in recent years, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. Since there are no effective therapies for any tauopathy, there is a growing need for reliable experimental models that would provide us with better knowledge and understanding of their etiology and identify novel molecular targets. In this review, we will summarize the development of cellular models for modeling tau pathology. We will discuss their different applications and contributions to our current understanding of the “prion-like” nature of pathological tau.
Collapse
|
18
|
Sung B. In silico modeling of endocrine organ-on-a-chip systems. Math Biosci 2022; 352:108900. [PMID: 36075288 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2022.108900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The organ-on-a-chip (OoC) is an artificially reconstructed microphysiological system that is implemented using tissue mimics integrated into miniaturized perfusion devices. OoCs emulate dynamic and physiologically relevant features of the body, which are not available in standard in vitro methods. Furthermore, OoCs provide highly sophisticated multi-organ connectivity and biomechanical cues based on microfluidic platforms. Consequently, they are often considered ideal in vitro systems for mimicking self-regulating biophysical and biochemical networks in vivo where multiple tissues and organs crosstalk through the blood flow, similar to the human endocrine system. Therefore, OoCs have been extensively applied to simulate complex hormone dynamics and endocrine signaling pathways in a mechanistic and fully controlled manner. Mathematical and computational modeling approaches are critical for quantitatively analyzing an OoC and predicting its complex responses. In this review article, recently developed in silico modeling concepts of endocrine OoC systems are summarized, including the mathematical models of tissue-level transport phenomena, microscale fluid dynamics, distant hormone signaling, and heterogeneous cell-cell communication. From this background, whole chip-level analytic approaches in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be described with a focus on the spatial and temporal behaviors of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in endocrine biochips. Finally, quantitative design frameworks for endocrine OoCs are reviewed with respect to support parameter calibration/scaling and enable predictive in vitro-in vivo extrapolations. In particular, we highlight the analytical and numerical modeling strategies of the nonlinear phenomena in endocrine systems on-chip, which are of particular importance in drug screening and environmental health applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baeckkyoung Sung
- Biosensor Group, KIST Europe Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, University of Science & Technology, 34113 Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Neto E, Leitão L, Mateus JC, Sousa DM, Alves CJ, Aroso M, Monteiro AC, Conceição F, Oreffo ROC, West J, Aguiar P, Lamghari M. Osteoclast-derived extracellular vesicles are implicated in sensory neurons sprouting through the activation of epidermal growth factor signaling. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:127. [PMID: 35965312 PMCID: PMC9375906 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00864-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different pathologies, affecting the skeletal system, were reported to display altered bone and/or cartilage innervation profiles leading to the deregulation of the tissue homeostasis. The patterning of peripheral innervation is achieved through the tissue-specific expression of attractive or repulsive axonal guidance cues in specific space and time frames. During the last decade, emerging findings attributed to the extracellular vesicles (EV) trading a central role in peripheral tissue innervation. However, to date, the contribution of EV in controlling bone innervation is totally unknown. RESULTS Here we show that sensory neurons outgrowth induced by the bone resorbing cells-osteoclasts-is promoted by osteoclast-derived EV. The EV induced axonal growth is achieved by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ErbB2 signaling/protein kinase C phosphorylation in sensory neurons. In addition, our data also indicate that osteoclasts promote sensory neurons electrophysiological activity reflecting a possible pathway in nerve sensitization in the bone microenvironment, however this effect is EV independent. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results identify a new mechanism of sensory bone innervation regulation and shed the light on the role of osteoclast-derived EV in shaping/guiding bone sensory innervation. These findings provide opportunities for exploitation of osteoclast-derived EV based strategies to prevent and/or mitigate pathological uncontrolled bone innervation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estrela Neto
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Luís Leitão
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - José C Mateus
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniela M Sousa
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cecília J Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel Aroso
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana C Monteiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Conceição
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira n.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Human Development and Health, Tremona Rd, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jonathan West
- Institute for Life Sciences and Cancer Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Paulo Aguiar
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Meriem Lamghari
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal. .,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 280, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Oun A, Sabogal-Guaqueta AM, Galuh S, Alexander A, Kortholt A, Dolga AM. The multifaceted role of LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease: From human iPSC to organoids. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 173:105837. [PMID: 35963526 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease affecting elderly people. Pathogenic mutations in Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of autosomal dominant PD. LRRK2 activity is enhanced in both familial and idiopathic PD, thereby studies on LRRK2-related PD research are essential for understanding PD pathology. Finding an appropriate model to mimic PD pathology is crucial for revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression, and aiding drug discovery. In the last few years, the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) grew exponentially, especially in studying neurodegenerative diseases like PD, where working with brain neurons and glial cells was mainly possible using postmortem samples. In this review, we will discuss the use of hiPSCs as a model for PD pathology and research on the LRRK2 function in both neuronal and immune cells, together with reviewing the recent advances in 3D organoid models and microfluidics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Oun
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology (GBB), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Angelica Maria Sabogal-Guaqueta
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sekar Galuh
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Anastasia Alexander
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Kortholt
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Groningen Institute of Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology (GBB), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; YETEM-Innovative Technologies Application and Research Centre Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
| | - Amalia M Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Miny L, Maisonneuve BGC, Quadrio I, Honegger T. Modeling Neurodegenerative Diseases Using In Vitro Compartmentalized Microfluidic Devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:919646. [PMID: 35813998 PMCID: PMC9263267 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.919646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a complex organ composed of many different types of cells interconnected to create an organized system able to efficiently process information. Dysregulation of this delicately balanced system can lead to the development of neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). To investigate the functionality of human brain physiology and pathophysiology, the scientific community has been generated various research models, from genetically modified animals to two- and three-dimensional cell culture for several decades. These models have, however, certain limitations that impede the precise study of pathophysiological features of neurodegeneration, thus hindering therapeutical research and drug development. Compartmentalized microfluidic devices provide in vitro minimalistic environments to accurately reproduce neural circuits allowing the characterization of the human central nervous system. Brain-on-chip (BoC) is allowing our capability to improve neurodegeneration models on the molecular and cellular mechanism aspects behind the progression of these troubles. This review aims to summarize and discuss the latest advancements of microfluidic models for the investigations of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Miny
- NETRI, Lyon, France
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | | | - Isabelle Quadrio
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon University Hospital, Bron, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Neto E, Monteiro AC, Leite Pereira C, Simões M, Conde JP, Chu V, Sarmento B, Lamghari M. Micropathological Chip Modeling the Neurovascular Unit Response to Inflammatory Bone Condition. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2102305. [PMID: 35158409 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202102305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip in vitro platforms accurately mimic complex microenvironments offering the ability to recapitulate and dissect mechanisms of physiological and pathological settings, revealing their major importance to develop new therapeutic targets. Bone diseases, such as osteoarthritis, are extremely complex, comprising of the action of inflammatory mediators leading to unbalanced bone homeostasis and de-regulation of sensory innervation and angiogenesis. Although there are models to mimic bone vascularization or innervation, in vitro platforms merging the complexity of bone, vasculature, innervation, and inflammation are missing. Therefore, in this study a microfluidic-based neuro-vascularized bone chip (NVB chip) is proposed to 1) model the mechanistic interactions between innervation and angiogenesis in the inflammatory bone niche, and 2) explore, as a screening tool, novel strategies targeting inflammatory diseases, using a nano-based drug delivery system. It is possible to set the design of the platform and achieve the optimized conditions to address the neurovascular network under inflammation. Moreover, this system is validated by delivering anti-inflammatory drug-loaded nanoparticles to counteract the neuronal growth associated with pain perception. This reliable in vitro tool will allow understanding the bone neurovascular system, enlightening novel mechanisms behind the inflammatory bone diseases, bone destruction, and pain opening new avenues for new therapies discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Estrela Neto
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
| | - Ana Carolina Monteiro
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
| | - Catarina Leite Pereira
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
| | - Miguel Simões
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
| | - João Pedro Conde
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores (INESC) Microsystems and Nanotechnologies Rua Alves Redol, 9 1000‐029 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Virginia Chu
- Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores (INESC) Microsystems and Nanotechnologies Rua Alves Redol, 9 1000‐029 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- CESPU Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde Rua Central da Gandra, 137 Gandra 4585‐116 Portugal
| | - Meriem Lamghari
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
- INEB – Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica Universidade do Porto Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto 4200‐135 Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Megarity D, Vroman R, Kriek M, Downey P, Bushell TJ, Zagnoni M. A modular microfluidic platform to enable complex and customisable in vitro models for neuroscience. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1989-2000. [PMID: 35466333 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00115b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) represent a global health challenge and an increased understanding of the CNS in both physiological and pathophysiological states is essential to tackle the problem. Modelling CNS conditions is difficult, as traditional in vitro models fail to recapitulate precise microenvironments and animal models of complex disease often have limited translational validity. Microfluidic and organ-on-chip technologies offer an opportunity to develop more physiologically relevant and complex in vitro models of the CNS. They can be developed to allow precise cellular patterning and enhanced experimental capabilities to study neuronal function and dysfunction. To improve ease-of-use of the technology and create new opportunities for novel in vitro studies, we introduce a modular platform consisting of multiple, individual microfluidic units that can be combined in several configurations to create bespoke culture environments. Here, we report proof-of-concept experiments creating complex in vitro models and performing functional analysis of neuronal activity across modular interfaces. This platform technology presents an opportunity to increase our understanding of CNS disease mechanisms and ultimately aid the development of novel therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Megarity
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Devices and Health Technologies, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0NW, UK
| | - R Vroman
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK.
| | | | - P Downey
- UCB Biopharma, Chemin du Foriest, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - T J Bushell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - M Zagnoni
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hagemann C, Moreno Gonzalez C, Guetta L, Tyzack G, Chiappini C, Legati A, Patani R, Serio A. Axonal Length Determines Distinct Homeostatic Phenotypes in Human iPSC Derived Motor Neurons on a Bioengineered Platform. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101817. [PMID: 35118820 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell-based experimental platforms for neuroscience can effectively model key mechanistic aspects of human development and disease. However, conventional culture systems often overlook the engineering constraints that cells face in vivo. This is particularly relevant for neurons covering long range connections such as spinal motor neurons (MNs). Their axons extend up to 1m in length and require a complex interplay of mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, shorter axons in conventional cultures may not faithfully capture important aspects of their longer counterparts. Here this issue is directly addressed by establishing a bioengineered platform to assemble arrays of human axons ranging from micrometers to centimeters, which allows systematic investigation of the effects of length on human axonas for the first time. This approach reveales a link between length and metabolism in human MNs in vitro, where axons above a "threshold" size induce specific molecular adaptations in cytoskeleton composition, functional properties, local translation, and mitochondrial homeostasis. The findings specifically demonstrate the existence of a length-dependent mechanism that switches homeostatic processes within human MNs. The findings have critical implications for in vitro modeling of several neurodegenerative disorders and reinforce the importance of modeling cell shape and biophysical constraints with fidelity and precision in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cathleen Hagemann
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Carmen Moreno Gonzalez
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ludovica Guetta
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Giulia Tyzack
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Andrea Legati
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Andrea Serio
- Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Mateus JC, Weaver S, van Swaay D, Renz AF, Hengsteler J, Aguiar P, Vörös J. Nanoscale Patterning of In Vitro Neuronal Circuits. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5731-5742. [PMID: 35404570 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Methods for patterning neurons in vitro have gradually improved and are used to investigate questions that are difficult to address in or ex vivo. Though these techniques guide axons between groups of neurons, multiscale control of neuronal connectivity, from circuits to synapses, is yet to be achieved in vitro. As studying neuronal circuits with synaptic resolution in vivo poses significant challenges, we present an in vitro alternative to validate biophysical and computational models. In this work we use a combination of electron beam lithography and photolithography to create polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures with features ranging from 150 nm to a few millimeters. Leveraging the difference between average axon and dendritic spine diameters, we restrict axon growth while allowing spines to pass through nanochannels to guide synapse formation between small groups of neurons (i.e., nodes). We show this technique can be used to generate large numbers of isolated feed-forward circuits where connections between nodes are restricted to regions connected by nanochannels. Using a genetically encoded calcium indicator in combination with fluorescently tagged postsynaptic protein, PSD-95, we demonstrate functional synapses can form in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José C Mateus
- Neuroengineering and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sean Weaver
- Laboratory for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Aline F Renz
- Laboratory for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julian Hengsteler
- Laboratory for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paulo Aguiar
- Neuroengineering and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kahraman E, Ribeiro R, Lamghari M, Neto E. Cutting-Edge Technologies for Inflamed Joints on Chip: How Close Are We? Front Immunol 2022; 13:802440. [PMID: 35359987 PMCID: PMC8960235 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.802440] [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: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and disabling musculoskeletal disorder, with a large impact on the global population, resulting in several limitations on daily activities. In OA, inflammation is frequent and mainly controlled through inflammatory cytokines released by immune cells. These outbalanced inflammatory cytokines cause cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and possible growth of neuronal fibers into subchondral bone triggering pain. Even though pain is the major symptom of musculoskeletal diseases, there are still no effective treatments to counteract it and the mechanisms behind these pathologies are not fully understood. Thus, there is an urgent need to establish reliable models for assessing the molecular mechanisms and consequently new therapeutic targets. Models have been established to support this research field by providing reliable tools to replicate the joint tissue in vitro. Studies firstly started with simple 2D culture setups, followed by 3D culture focusing mainly on cell-cell interactions to mimic healthy and inflamed cartilage. Cellular approaches were improved by scaffold-based strategies to enhance cell-matrix interactions as well as contribute to developing mechanically more stable in vitro models. The progression of the cartilage tissue engineering would then profit from the integration of 3D bioprinting technologies as these provide 3D constructs with versatile structural arrangements of the 3D constructs. The upgrade of the available tools with dynamic conditions was then achieved using bioreactors and fluid systems. Finally, the organ-on-a-chip encloses all the state of the art on cartilage tissue engineering by incorporation of different microenvironments, cells and stimuli and pave the way to potentially simulate crucial biological, chemical, and mechanical features of arthritic joint. In this review, we describe the several available tools ranging from simple cartilage pellets to complex organ-on-a-chip platforms, including 3D tissue-engineered constructs and bioprinting tools. Moreover, we provide a fruitful discussion on the possible upgrades to enhance the in vitro systems making them more robust regarding the physiological and pathological modeling of the joint tissue/OA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emine Kahraman
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Ribeiro
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Meriem Lamghari
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Estrela Neto
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vermehren-Schmaedick A, Olah MJ, Ramunno-Johnson D, Lidke KA, Cohen MS, Vu TQ. Molecular-Scale Dynamics of Long Range Retrograde Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Transport Shaped by Cellular Spatial Context. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:835815. [PMID: 35431786 PMCID: PMC9008462 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.835815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrograde neurotrophin (NT) transport is a specialized form of signal transduction used to conduct information from axons to the cell bodies of central and peripheral nervous system neurons. It is activated upon NT-Trk receptor binding, NT-Trk internalization into signaling endosomes, and their motion along the axon toward the cell body. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an abundant NT that modulates key brain and spinal cord functions, and defects in BDNF trafficking are associated with neuronal death, neurodegenerative diseases and in nerve injury. Decades of study have yielded impressive progress in elucidating NT retrograde transport; however, much information remains unclear. For example, while it is known that NT function is dependent on tight control of NT-receptor intracellular trafficking, data describing the precise spatiotemporal molecular dynamics of their axonal to somatic transport are lacking. In past work, we showed the use of discrete, photo-bleaching-resistant quantum dot (QD)-BNDF probes to activate and track BDNF-TrkB receptor internalization; this revealed a rich diversity of molecular motions that intracellular BDNF signaling endosomes undergo within the soma of nodose ganglia sensory neurons. Here, we used combined techniques of discrete QD-BDNF tracking with compartmented microfluidic chambers to characterize retrograde BDNF-TrkB transport over long-ranging distances of primary dorsal root ganglion sensory neuronal axons. Our new findings show that axonal retrograde motion is comprised of heterogeneous mixtures of diffusive behaviors, pauses, and variations in net molecular-motor-dependent transport speeds. Notably, specific molecular dynamic features such as NT speed were dependent on spatial context that could be categorized in distance from distal axons and proximity to the soma and were not entirely dictated by active motor transport speed. The important implication is recognition that NT-receptor retrograde transport is comprised of molecular dynamics, which change over the course of long-range trafficking to shape overall transport and possibly signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anke Vermehren-Schmaedick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Mark J. Olah
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Damien Ramunno-Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Keith A. Lidke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Michael S. Cohen
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Tania Q. Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- *Correspondence: Tania Q. Vu,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Girardin S, Clément B, Ihle SJ, Weaver S, Petr JB, Mateus JC, Duru J, Krubner M, Forró C, Ruff T, Fruh I, Müller M, Vörös J. Topologically controlled circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons for electrophysiology recordings. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1386-1403. [PMID: 35253810 PMCID: PMC8963377 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01110c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Bottom-up neuroscience, which consists of building and studying controlled networks of neurons in vitro, is a promising method to investigate information processing at the neuronal level. However, in vitro studies tend to use cells of animal origin rather than human neurons, leading to conclusions that might not be generalizable to humans and limiting the possibilities for relevant studies on neurological disorders. Here we present a method to build arrays of topologically controlled circuits of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. The circuits consist of 4 to 50 neurons with well-defined connections, confined by microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes. Such circuits were characterized using optical imaging and microelectrode arrays (MEAs), suggesting the formation of functional connections between the neurons of a circuit. Electrophysiology recordings were performed on circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons for at least 4.5 months. We believe that the capacity to build small and controlled circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons holds great promise to better understand the fundamental principles of information processing and storing in the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Girardin
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Blandine Clément
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Stephan J Ihle
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Sean Weaver
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jana B Petr
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - José C Mateus
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jens Duru
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Magdalena Krubner
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Csaba Forró
- Cui Laboratory, S285 290 Jane Stanford Way Stanford, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tobias Ruff
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Isabelle Fruh
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Müller
- Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hong N, Nam Y. Neurons-on-a-Chip: In Vitro NeuroTools. Mol Cells 2022; 45:76-83. [PMID: 35236782 PMCID: PMC8906998 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons-on-a-Chip technology has been developed to provide diverse in vitro neuro-tools to study neuritogenesis, synaptogensis, axon guidance, and network dynamics. The two core enabling technologies are soft-lithography and microelectrode array technology. Soft lithography technology made it possible to fabricate microstamps and microfluidic channel devices with a simple replica molding method in a biological laboratory and innovatively reduced the turn-around time from assay design to chip fabrication, facilitating various experimental designs. To control nerve cell behaviors at the single cell level via chemical cues, surface biofunctionalization methods and micropatterning techniques were developed. Microelectrode chip technology, which provides a functional readout by measuring the electrophysiological signals from individual neurons, has become a popular platform to investigate neural information processing in networks. Due to these key advances, it is possible to study the relationship between the network structure and functions, and they have opened a new era of neurobiology and will become standard tools in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nari Hong
- Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea
| | - Yoonkey Nam
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
- KAIST Institute for Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mateus JC, Lopes C, Aroso M, Costa AR, Gerós A, Meneses J, Faria P, Neto E, Lamghari M, Sousa MM, Aguiar P. Bidirectional flow of action potentials in axons drives activity dynamics in neuronal cultures. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34891149 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac41db] [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: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective. Recent technological advances are revealing the complex physiology of the axon and challenging long-standing assumptions. Namely, while most action potential (AP) initiation occurs at the axon initial segment in central nervous system neurons, initiation in distal parts of the axon has been reported to occur in both physiological and pathological conditions. The functional role of these ectopic APs, if exists, is still not clear, nor its impact on network activity dynamics.Approach. Using an electrophysiology platform specifically designed for assessing axonal conduction we show here for the first time regular and effective bidirectional axonal conduction in hippocampal and dorsal root ganglia cultures. We investigate and characterize this bidirectional propagation both in physiological conditions and after distal axotomy.Main results.A significant fraction of APs are not coming from the canonical synapse-dendrite-soma signal flow, but instead from signals originating at the distal axon. Importantly, antidromic APs may carry information and can have a functional impact on the neuron, as they consistently depolarize the soma. Thus, plasticity or gene transduction mechanisms triggered by soma depolarization can also be affected by these antidromic APs. Conduction velocity is asymmetrical, with antidromic conduction being slower than orthodromic.Significance.Altogether these findings have important implications for the study of neuronal functionin vitro, reshaping our understanding on how information flows in neuronal cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Mateus
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cdf Lopes
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Aroso
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Costa
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Gerós
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,FEUP-Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Meneses
- CDRSP-IPL-Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development-Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Marinha Grande, Portugal.,IBEB-Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Faria
- CDRSP-IPL-Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development-Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Marinha Grande, Portugal
| | - E Neto
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Lamghari
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M M Sousa
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Aguiar
- I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Luo B, Tiwari AP, Chen N, Ramakrishna S, Yang IH. Development of an Axon-Guiding Aligned Nanofiber-Integrated Compartmentalized Microfluidic Neuron Culture System. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:8424-8432. [PMID: 35005947 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic-based neuron cell culture systems have recently gained a lot of attention due to their efficiency in supporting the spatial and temporal control of cellular microenvironments. However, the lack of axon guidance is the key limitation in current culture systems. To combat this, we have developed electrospun aligned nanofiber-integrated compartmentalized microfluidic neuron culture systems (NIMSs), where the nanofibers have enabled axonal guidance and stability. The resulting platform significantly improved axon alignment, length, and stability for both rat primary embryonic motor neurons (MNs) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons compared to the conventional glass-based microfluidic systems (GMSs). The results showed that axonal growth covered more than two times the area on the axonal chamber of NIMSs compared to the area covered for GMSs. Overall, this platform can be used as a valuable tool for fundamental neuroscience research, drug screening, and biomaterial testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baiwen Luo
- N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, #05-COR, 117456 Singapore
| | - Arjun Prasad Tiwari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| | - Nuan Chen
- N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, #05-COR, 117456 Singapore.,Center of Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575 Singapore
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center of Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575 Singapore
| | - In Hong Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Marcos LF, Wilson SL, Roach P. Tissue engineering of the retina: from organoids to microfluidic chips. J Tissue Eng 2021; 12:20417314211059876. [PMID: 34917332 PMCID: PMC8669127 DOI: 10.1177/20417314211059876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in tissue engineering, challenges remain for fabricating functional tissues that incorporate essential features including vasculature and complex cellular organisation. Monitoring of engineered tissues also raises difficulties, particularly when cell population maturity is inherent to function. Microfluidic, or lab-on-a-chip, platforms address the complexity issues of conventional 3D models regarding cell numbers and functional connectivity. Regulation of biochemical/biomechanical conditions can create dynamic structures, providing microenvironments that permit tissue formation while quantifying biological processes at a single cell level. Retinal organoids provide relevant cell numbers to mimic in vivo spatiotemporal development, where conventional culture approaches fail. Modern bio-fabrication techniques allow for retinal organoids to be combined with microfluidic devices to create anato-physiologically accurate structures or ‘retina-on-a-chip’ devices that could revolution ocular sciences. Here we present a focussed review of retinal tissue engineering, examining the challenges and how some of these have been overcome using organoids, microfluidics, and bioprinting technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Marcos
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Samantha L Wilson
- Centre for Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Paul Roach
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tran HT, Lucas MS, Ishikawa T, Shahmoradian SH, Padeste C. A Compartmentalized Neuronal Cell-Culture Platform Compatible With Cryo-Fixation by High-Pressure Freezing for Ultrastructural Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726763. [PMID: 34566569 PMCID: PMC8455873 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726763] [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: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The human brain contains a wide array of billions of neurons and interconnections, which are often simplified for analysis in vitro using compartmentalized microfluidic devices for neuronal cell culturing, to better understand neuronal development and disease. However, such devices are traditionally incompatible for high-pressure freezing and high-resolution nanoscale imaging and analysis of their sub-cellular processes by methods including electron microscopy. Here we develop a novel compartmentalized neuronal co-culture platform allowing reconstruction of neuronal networks with high variable spatial control, which is uniquely compatible for high-pressure freezing. This cryo-fixation method is well-established to enable high-fidelity preservation of the reconstructed neuronal networks and their sub-cellular processes in a near-native vitreous state without requiring chemical fixatives. To direct the outgrowth of neurites originating from two distinct groups of neurons growing in the two different compartments, polymer microstructures akin to microchannels are fabricated atop of sapphire disks. Two populations of neurons expressing either enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or mCherry were grown in either compartment, facilitating the analysis of the specific interactions between the two separate groups of cells. Neuronally differentiated PC12 cells, murine hippocampal and striatal neurons were successfully used in this context. The design of this device permits direct observation of entire neuritic processes within microchannels by optical microscopy with high spatial and temporal resolution, prior to processing for high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. Following freeze substitution, we demonstrate that it is possible to process the neuronal networks for ultrastructural imaging by electron microscopy. Several key features of the embedded neuronal networks, including mitochondria, synaptic vesicles, axonal terminals, microtubules, with well-preserved ultrastructures were observed at high resolution using focused ion beam - scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and serial sectioning - transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results demonstrate the compatibility of the platform with optical microscopy, high-pressure freezing and electron microscopy. The platform can be extended to neuronal models of brain disease or development in future studies, enabling the investigation of subcellular processes at the nanoscale within two distinct groups of neurons in a functional neuronal pathway, as well as pharmacological testing and drug screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hung Tri Tran
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Miriam S. Lucas
- Scientific Center for Optical and Electron Microscopy ScopeM, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| | | | - Celestino Padeste
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Microfabricated Devices for Confocal Microscopy on Biological Samples. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 34028712 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1402-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Microfabricated devices have found applications in a range of biomedical research problems in recent years, with thousands of research papers published and multiple commercial devices now available. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the available options for devices compatible with confocal microscopy, including an overview of fabrication techniques and some examples of device use. Although there are times when off-the-shelf devices are well suited for the problem at hand, in some cases customized devices are necessary or more convenient. Protocols for researchers who wish to make their own devices are outlined below; although fabricating templates for devices requires some specialized equipment, making PDMS or hydrogel devices from templates can be done in a standard laboratory setting.
Collapse
|
35
|
Raj V, Jagadish C, Gautam V. Understanding, engineering, and modulating the growth of neural networks: An interdisciplinary approach. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:021303. [PMID: 38505122 PMCID: PMC10903502 DOI: 10.1063/5.0043014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
A deeper understanding of the brain and its function remains one of the most significant scientific challenges. It not only is required to find cures for a plethora of brain-related diseases and injuries but also opens up possibilities for achieving technological wonders, such as brain-machine interface and highly energy-efficient computing devices. Central to the brain's function is its basic functioning unit (i.e., the neuron). There has been a tremendous effort to understand the underlying mechanisms of neuronal growth on both biochemical and biophysical levels. In the past decade, this increased understanding has led to the possibility of controlling and modulating neuronal growth in vitro through external chemical and physical methods. We provide a detailed overview of the most fundamental aspects of neuronal growth and discuss how researchers are using interdisciplinary ideas to engineer neuronal networks in vitro. We first discuss the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of neuronal growth as we stress the fact that the biochemical or biophysical processes during neuronal growth are not independent of each other but, rather, are complementary. Next, we discuss how utilizing these fundamental mechanisms can enable control over neuronal growth for advanced neuroengineering and biomedical applications. At the end of this review, we discuss some of the open questions and our perspectives on the challenges and possibilities related to controlling and engineering the growth of neuronal networks, specifically in relation to the materials, substrates, model systems, modulation techniques, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vidur Raj
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | | | - Vini Gautam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cordero Cervantes D, Zurzolo C. Peering into tunneling nanotubes-The path forward. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105789. [PMID: 33646572 PMCID: PMC8047439 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of Tunneling Nanotubes (TNTs) and TNT-like structures signified a critical turning point in the field of cell-cell communication. With hypothesized roles in development and disease progression, TNTs' ability to transport biological cargo between distant cells has elevated these structures to a unique and privileged position among other mechanisms of intercellular communication. However, the field faces numerous challenges-some of the most pressing issues being the demonstration of TNTs in vivo and understanding how they form and function. Another stumbling block is represented by the vast disparity in structures classified as TNTs. In order to address this ambiguity, we propose a clear nomenclature and provide a comprehensive overview of the existing knowledge concerning TNTs. We also discuss their structure, formation-related pathways, biological function, as well as their proposed role in disease. Furthermore, we pinpoint gaps and dichotomies found across the field and highlight unexplored research avenues. Lastly, we review the methods employed to date and suggest the application of new technologies to better understand these elusive biological structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Zurzolo
- Institut PasteurMembrane Traffic and PathogenesisParisFrance
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Holloway PM, Willaime-Morawek S, Siow R, Barber M, Owens RM, Sharma AD, Rowan W, Hill E, Zagnoni M. Advances in microfluidic in vitro systems for neurological disease modeling. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1276-1307. [PMID: 33583054 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second largest cause of death worldwide. Despite significant research efforts, neurology remains one of the most failure-prone areas of drug development. The complexity of the human brain, boundaries to examining the brain directly in vivo, and the significant evolutionary gap between animal models and humans, all serve to hamper translational success. Recent advances in microfluidic in vitro models have provided new opportunities to study human cells with enhanced physiological relevance. The ability to precisely micro-engineer cell-scale architecture, tailoring form and function, has allowed for detailed dissection of cell biology using microphysiological systems (MPS) of varying complexities from single cell systems to "Organ-on-chip" models. Simplified neuronal networks have allowed for unique insights into neuronal transport and neurogenesis, while more complex 3D heterotypic cellular models such as neurovascular unit mimetics and "Organ-on-chip" systems have enabled new understanding of metabolic coupling and blood-brain barrier transport. These systems are now being developed beyond MPS toward disease specific micro-pathophysiological systems, moving from "Organ-on-chip" to "Disease-on-chip." This review gives an outline of current state of the art in microfluidic technologies for neurological disease research, discussing the challenges and limitations while highlighting the benefits and potential of integrating technologies. We provide examples of where such toolsets have enabled novel insights and how these technologies may empower future investigation into neurological diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Holloway
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Richard Siow
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Melissa Barber
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Róisín M Owens
- Department Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anup D Sharma
- New Orleans BioInnovation Center, AxoSim Inc., New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Wendy Rowan
- Novel Human Genetics Research Unit, GSK R&D, Stevenage, UK
| | - Eric Hill
- School of Life and Health sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michele Zagnoni
- Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Marshall KL, Farah MH. Axonal regeneration and sprouting as a potential therapeutic target for nervous system disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1901-1910. [PMID: 33642358 PMCID: PMC8343323 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous system disorders are prevalent health issues that will only continue to increase in frequency as the population ages. Dying-back axonopathy is a hallmark of many neurologic diseases and leads to axonal disconnection from their targets, which in turn leads to functional impairment. During the course of many of neurologic diseases, axons can regenerate or sprout in an attempt to reconnect with the target and restore synapse function. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), distal motor axons retract from neuromuscular junctions early in the disease-course before significant motor neuron death. There is evidence of compensatory motor axon sprouting and reinnervation of neuromuscular junctions in ALS that is usually quickly overtaken by the disease course. Potential drugs that enhance compensatory sprouting and encourage reinnervation may slow symptom progression and retain muscle function for a longer period of time in ALS and in other diseases that exhibit dying-back axonopathy. There remain many outstanding questions as to the impact of distinct disease-causing mutations on axonal outgrowth and regeneration, especially in regards to motor neurons derived from patient induced pluripotent stem cells. Compartmentalized microfluidic chambers are powerful tools for studying the distal axons of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived motor neurons, and have recently been used to demonstrate striking regeneration defects in human motor neurons harboring ALS disease-causing mutations. Modeling the human neuromuscular circuit with human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived motor neurons will be critical for developing drugs that enhance axonal regeneration, sprouting, and reinnervation of neuromuscular junctions. In this review we will discuss compensatory axonal sprouting as a potential therapeutic target for ALS, and the use of compartmentalized microfluidic devices to find drugs that enhance regeneration and axonal sprouting of motor axons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed H Farah
- Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu W, Sun M, Han K, Hu R, Liu D, Wang J. Comprehensive Evaluation of Stable Neuronal Cell Adhesion and Culture on One-Step Modified Polydimethylsiloxane Using Functionalized Pluronic. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:32753-32760. [PMID: 33376913 PMCID: PMC7758976 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c05190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a popular and property-advantageous material for developing biomedical microsystems and advancing cell microengineering. The requirement of constructing a robust cell-adhesive PDMS interface drives the exploration of simple, straightforward, and applicable surface modification methods. Here, a comprehensive evaluation of highly stable neuronal cell adhesion and culture on the PDMS surface modified in one step using functionalized Pluronic is presented. According to multiple comparative tests, this modification is sufficiently verified to enable more significant cell adhesion and spreading in both quantity and stability, higher neuronal differentiation and viability/growth, more complete formation of the neuronal network, and stabler neuronal cell culture than the common coating tools on the PDMS substrate. The comparable and even superior cellular effects of this modification on PDMS to the standard coating of polystyrene for in vitro neurological research are demonstrated. Long-term microfluidic neuron culture with stable adhesion and high differentiation on the modified PDMS interface is accomplished, too. The achievement provides a detailed experimental demonstration of this simple and effective modification for strengthening neuronal cell culture on the PDMS substrate, which is useful for potential applications in the fields of neurobiology, neuron microengineering, and brain-on-a-chip.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Liu
- Departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Meilin Sun
- Departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Kai Han
- Departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Departments
of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jinyi Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Aravamudhan P, Raghunathan K, Dermody TS. Confocal Microscopy of Reovirus Transport in Living Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons. Bio Protoc 2020; 10:e3825. [PMID: 33659477 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotropic reoviruses repurpose host machinery to traffic over long distances in neuronal processes and access distal replication sites. Understanding mechanisms of neuronal transmission is facilitated by using simplified in vitro primary neuronal culture models. Advances in the design of compartmentalized microfluidic devices lend robustness to neuronal culture models by enabling compartmentalization and manipulation of distinct neuronal processes. Here, we describe a streamlined methodology to culture sensory neurons dissociated from dorsal root ganglia of embryonic rats in microfluidic devices. We further describe protocols to exogenously label reovirus and image, track, and analyze transport of single reovirus particles in living neurons. These techniques can be adapted to study directed axonal transport of other neurotropic viruses and neuronal factors involved in signaling and pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pavithra Aravamudhan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA.,Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Krishnan Raghunathan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA.,Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Terence S Dermody
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA.,Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Iannielli A, Ugolini GS, Cordiglieri C, Bido S, Rubio A, Colasante G, Valtorta M, Cabassi T, Rasponi M, Broccoli V. Reconstitution of the Human Nigro-striatal Pathway on-a-Chip Reveals OPA1-Dependent Mitochondrial Defects and Loss of Dopaminergic Synapses. Cell Rep 2020; 29:4646-4656.e4. [PMID: 31875567 PMCID: PMC6941223 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived neurons are generally obtained in mass cultures that lack both spatial organization and any meaningful connectivity. We implement a microfluidic system for long-term culture of human neurons with patterned projections and synaptic terminals. Co-culture of human midbrain dopaminergic and striatal medium spiny neurons on the microchip establishes an orchestrated nigro-striatal circuitry with functional dopaminergic synapses. We use this platform to dissect the mitochondrial dysfunctions associated with a genetic form of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with OPA1 mutations. Remarkably, we find that axons of OPA1 mutant dopaminergic neurons exhibit a significant reduction of mitochondrial mass. This defect causes a significant loss of dopaminergic synapses, which worsens in long-term cultures. Therefore, PD-associated depletion of mitochondria at synapses might precede loss of neuronal connectivity and neurodegeneration. In vitro reconstitution of human circuitries by microfluidic technology offers a powerful system to study brain networks by establishing ordered neuronal compartments and correct synapse identity. Long-term stable reconstitution of the human nigro-striatal neuronal circuit on-a-chip Stable synaptic connectivity of the iPSC-derived nigro-striatal neuronal connections Dopaminergic-specific synaptic identity of the iPSC-derived nigro-striatal pathway PD-OPA1 DA axons show a severe loss and impairment of mitochondria
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Iannielli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Stefano Ugolini
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics "Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi" - INGM, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Bido
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alicia Rubio
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Colasante
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Valtorta
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Cabassi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Del Rio JA, Ferrer I. Potential of Microfluidics and Lab-on-Chip Platforms to Improve Understanding of " prion-like" Protein Assembly and Behavior. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:570692. [PMID: 33015021 PMCID: PMC7506036 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.570692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human aging is accompanied by a relevant increase in age-associated chronic pathologies, including neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. The appearance and evolution of numerous neurodegenerative diseases is paralleled by the appearance of intracellular and extracellular accumulation of misfolded proteins in affected brains. In addition, recent evidence suggests that most of these amyloid proteins can behave and propagate among neural cells similarly to infective prions. In order to improve understanding of the seeding and spreading processes of these "prion-like" amyloids, microfluidics and 3D lab-on-chip approaches have been developed as highly valuable tools. These techniques allow us to monitor changes in cellular and molecular processes responsible for amyloid seeding and cell spreading and their parallel effects in neural physiology. Their compatibility with new optical and biochemical techniques and their relative availability have increased interest in them and in their use in numerous laboratories. In addition, recent advances in stem cell research in combination with microfluidic platforms have opened new humanized in vitro models for myriad neurodegenerative diseases affecting different cellular targets of the vascular, muscular, and nervous systems, and glial cells. These new platforms help reduce the use of animal experimentation. They are more reproducible and represent a potential alternative to classical approaches to understanding neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize recent progress in neurobiological research in "prion-like" protein using microfluidic and 3D lab-on-chip approaches. These approaches are driven by various fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology, and they serve to facilitate the development of more precise human brain models for basic mechanistic studies of cell-to-cell interactions and drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Del Rio
- Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (Ciberned), Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (Ciberned), Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Bellvitge University Hospital, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Goldsteen PA, Dolga AM, Gosens R. Advanced Modeling of Peripheral Neuro-Effector Communication and -Plasticity. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:348-357. [PMID: 32783607 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00010.2020] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) plays crucial roles in physiology and disease. Neuro-effector communication and neuroplasticity of the PNS are poorly studied, since suitable models are lacking. The emergence of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has great promise to resolve this deficit. hPSC-derived PNS neurons, integrated into organ-on-a-chip systems or organoid cultures, allow co-cultures with cells of the local microenvironment to study neuro-effector interactions and to probe mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pien A Goldsteen
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Amalia M Dolga
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,GRIAC Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mazzara PG, Muggeo S, Luoni M, Massimino L, Zaghi M, Valverde PTT, Brusco S, Marzi MJ, Palma C, Colasante G, Iannielli A, Paulis M, Cordiglieri C, Giannelli SG, Podini P, Gellera C, Taroni F, Nicassio F, Rasponi M, Broccoli V. Frataxin gene editing rescues Friedreich's ataxia pathology in dorsal root ganglia organoid-derived sensory neurons. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4178. [PMID: 32826895 PMCID: PMC7442818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17954-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal-recessive neurodegenerative and cardiac disorder which occurs when transcription of the FXN gene is silenced due to an excessive expansion of GAA repeats into its first intron. Herein, we generate dorsal root ganglia organoids (DRG organoids) by in vitro differentiation of human iPSCs. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing show that DRG organoids present a transcriptional signature similar to native DRGs and display the main peripheral sensory neuronal and glial cell subtypes. Furthermore, when co-cultured with human intrafusal muscle fibers, DRG organoid sensory neurons contact their peripheral targets and reconstitute the muscle spindle proprioceptive receptors. FRDA DRG organoids model some molecular and cellular deficits of the disease that are rescued when the entire FXN intron 1 is removed, and not with the excision of the expanded GAA tract. These results strongly suggest that removal of the repressed chromatin flanking the GAA tract might contribute to rescue FXN total expression and fully revert the pathological hallmarks of FRDA DRG neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Giuseppe Mazzara
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Muggeo
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Luoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Massimino
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Zaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Simone Brusco
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Jacopo Marzi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Palma
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Colasante
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Iannielli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Paulis
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics "Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi" - INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Gea Giannelli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kajtez J, Buchmann S, Vasudevan S, Birtele M, Rocchetti S, Pless CJ, Heiskanen A, Barker RA, Martínez‐Serrano A, Parmar M, Lind JU, Emnéus J. 3D-Printed Soft Lithography for Complex Compartmentalized Microfluidic Neural Devices. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2001150. [PMID: 32832365 PMCID: PMC7435242 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalized microfluidic platforms are an invaluable tool in neuroscience research. However, harnessing the full potential of this technology remains hindered by the lack of a simple fabrication approach for the creation of intricate device architectures with high-aspect ratio features. Here, a hybrid additive manufacturing approach is presented for the fabrication of open-well compartmentalized neural devices that provides larger freedom of device design, removes the need for manual postprocessing, and allows an increase in the biocompatibility of the system. Suitability of the method for multimaterial integration allows to tailor the device architecture for the long-term maintenance of healthy human stem-cell derived neurons and astrocytes, spanning at least 40 days. Leveraging fast-prototyping capabilities at both micro and macroscale, a proof-of-principle human in vitro model of the nigrostriatal pathway is created. By presenting a route for novel materials and unique architectures in microfluidic systems, the method provides new possibilities in biological research beyond neuroscience applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janko Kajtez
- Department of Experimental Medical SciencesWallenberg Neuroscience CenterDivision of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell CenterBMC A11Lund UniversityLundS‐22184Sweden
| | - Sebastian Buchmann
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Shashank Vasudevan
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Marcella Birtele
- Department of Experimental Medical SciencesWallenberg Neuroscience CenterDivision of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell CenterBMC A11Lund UniversityLundS‐22184Sweden
| | - Stefano Rocchetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Christian Jonathan Pless
- Department of Healthcare Technology (DTU Health Tech)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Arto Heiskanen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Roger A. Barker
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair & Department of NeurologyDepartment of Clinical Neurosciences and WT‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 1TNUK
| | - Alberto Martínez‐Serrano
- Department of Molecular BiologyUniversidad Autónoma de Madridand Department of Molecular NeuropathologyCenter of Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (UAM‐CSIC)Nicolás Cabrera 1Madrid28049Spain
| | - Malin Parmar
- Department of Experimental Medical SciencesWallenberg Neuroscience CenterDivision of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell CenterBMC A11Lund UniversityLundS‐22184Sweden
| | - Johan Ulrik Lind
- Department of Healthcare Technology (DTU Health Tech)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| | - Jenny Emnéus
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)Technical University of DenmarkProduktionstorvet, Building 423Lyngby2800 Kgs.Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang Y, Wang S, Wu H, Liu X, Ma J, Khan MA, Riaz A, Wang L, Qiu HJ, Sun Y. Compartmentalized Neuronal Culture for Viral Transport Research. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1470. [PMID: 32760359 PMCID: PMC7373733 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01470] [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: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuron-invading viruses usually enter via the peripheral organs/tissues of their mammalian hosts and are transported to the neurons. Virus trafficking is critical for transport or spread within the nervous system. Primary culture of neurons is a valuable and indispensable method for neurobiological research, allowing researchers to investigate basic mechanisms of diverse neuronal functions as well as retrograde and anterograde virus transport in neuronal axons. Primary ganglion sensory neurons from mice can be cultured in a compartmentalized culture device, which allows spatial fluidic separation of cell bodies and distal axons. These neurons serve as an important model for investigating the transport of viruses between the neuronal soma and distal axons. Alphaherpesviruses are fascinating and important human and animal pathogens, they replicate and establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system, the mechanism of the viral transport along the axon is the key to understand the virus spread in the nervous system. In this review, we briefly introduce and evaluate the most frequently used compartmentalization tools in viral transport research, with particular emphasis on alphaherpesviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Shan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hongxia Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Xinxin Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jinyou Ma
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Muhammad Akram Khan
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Aayesha Riaz
- Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Lei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, China
| | - Hua-Ji Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ribeiro P, Leitão L, Monteiro AC, Bortolin A, Moura B, Lamghari M, Neto E. Microfluidic-based models to address the bone marrow metastatic niche complexity. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 112:27-36. [PMID: 32513499 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bone marrow (BM) is a preferential metastatic site for solid cancers, contributing to higher morbidity and mortality among millions of oncologic patients worldwide. There are no current efficient therapies to minimize this health burden. Microfluidic based in vitro models emerge as powerful alternatives to animal testing, as well as promising tools for the development of personalized medicine solutions. The complexity associated with the BM metastatic niche originated a wide variety of microfluidic platforms designed to mimic this microenvironment. This review gathers the essential parameters to design an accurate in vitro microfluidic device, based on a comparative analysis of existing models created to address the different steps of the metastatic cascade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Ribeiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Leitão
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana C Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrea Bortolin
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Moura
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Meriem Lamghari
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Estrela Neto
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto, Associação (i3S), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
AMPK Preferentially Depresses Retrograde Transport of Axonal Mitochondria during Localized Nutrient Deprivation. J Neurosci 2020; 40:4798-4812. [PMID: 32393534 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2067-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial clusters are found at regions of high-energy demand, allowing cells to meet local metabolic requirements while maintaining neuronal homeostasis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key energy stress sensor, responds to increases in AMP/ATP ratio by activating multiple signaling cascades to overcome the energetic deficiency. In many neurologic conditions, the distal axon experiences energetic stress independent of the soma. Here, we used microfluidic devices to physically isolate these two neuronal structures and to investigate whether localized AMPK signaling influenced axonal mitochondrial transport. Nucleofection of primary cortical neurons, derived from E16-18 mouse embryos (both sexes), with mito-GFP allowed monitoring of the transport dynamics of mitochondria within the axon, by confocal microscopy. Pharmacological activation of AMPK at the distal axon (0.1 mm 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside) induced a depression of the mean frequency, velocity, and distance of retrograde mitochondrial transport in the adjacent axon. Anterograde mitochondrial transport was less sensitive to local AMPK stimulus, with the imbalance of bidirectional mitochondrial transport resulting in accumulation of mitochondria at the region of energetic stress signal. Mitochondria in the axon-rich white matter of the brain rely heavily on lactate as a substrate for ATP synthesis. Interestingly, localized inhibition of lactate uptake (10 nm AR-C155858) reduced mitochondrial transport in the adjacent axon in all parameters measured, similar to that observed by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside treatment. Coaddition of compound C restored all parameters measured to baseline levels, confirming the involvement of AMPK. This study highlights a role of AMPK signaling in the depression of axonal mitochondrial mobility during localized energetic stress.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT As the main providers of cellular energy, the dynamic transport of mitochondria within the neuron allows for clustering at regions of high-energy demand. Here we investigate whether acute changes in energetic stress signal in the spatially isolated axon would alter mitochondrial transport in this local region. Both direct and indirect activation of AMP-activated protein kinase isolated to the distal axon induced a rapid, marked depression in local mitochondrial transport. This work highlights the ability of acute localized AMP-activated protein kinase signaling to affect mitochondrial mobility within the axon, with important implications for white matter injury, axonal growth, and axonal degeneration.
Collapse
|
50
|
Farias J, Holt CE, Sotelo JR, Sotelo-Silveira JR. Axon microdissection and transcriptome profiling reveals the in vivo RNA content of fully differentiated myelinated motor axons. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 26:595-612. [PMID: 32051223 PMCID: PMC7161357 DOI: 10.1261/rna.073700.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Axonal protein synthesis has been shown to play a role in developmental and regenerative growth, as well as in the maintenance of the axoplasm in a steady state. Recent studies have begun to identify the mRNAs localized in axons, which could be translated locally under different conditions. Despite that by now hundreds or thousands of mRNAs have been shown to be localized into the axonal compartment of cultured neurons in vitro, knowledge of which mRNAs are localized in mature myelinated axons is quite limited. With the purpose of characterizing the transcriptome of mature myelinated motor axons of peripheral nervous systems, we modified the axon microdissection method devised by Koenig, enabling the isolation of the axoplasm RNA to perform RNA-seq analysis. The transcriptome analysis indicates that the number of RNAs detected in mature axons is lower in comparison with in vitro data, depleted of glial markers, and enriched in neuronal markers. The mature myelinated axons are enriched for mRNAs related to cytoskeleton, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, it was possible to define core genes present in axons when comparing our data with transcriptomic data of axons grown in different conditions. This work provides evidence that axon microdissection is a valuable method to obtain genome-wide data from mature and myelinated axons of the peripheral nervous system, and could be especially useful for the study of axonal involvement in neurodegenerative pathologies of motor neurons such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophies (SMA).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joaquina Farias
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
- Departamento de Proteínas y Ácidos Nucléicos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - Christine E Holt
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom
| | - José R Sotelo
- Departamento de Proteínas y Ácidos Nucléicos, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
| | - José R Sotelo-Silveira
- Departamento de Genómica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, 11400, Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|