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Meshrkey F, Scheulin KM, Littlejohn CM, Stabach J, Saikia B, Thorat V, Huang Y, LaFramboise T, Lesnefsky EJ, Rao RR, West FD, Iyer S. Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients carrying mitochondrial mutations exhibit altered bioenergetics and aberrant differentiation potential. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:320. [PMID: 37936209 PMCID: PMC10631039 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03546-7] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human mitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with common to rare mitochondrial disorders, which are multisystemic with complex clinical pathologies. The pathologies of these diseases are poorly understood and have no FDA-approved treatments leading to symptom management. Leigh syndrome (LS) is a pediatric mitochondrial disorder that affects the central nervous system during early development and causes death in infancy. Since there are no adequate models for understanding the rapid fatality associated with LS, human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology has been recognized as a useful approach to generate patient-specific stem cells for disease modeling and understanding the origins of the phenotype. METHODS hiPSCs were generated from control BJ and four disease fibroblast lines using a cocktail of non-modified reprogramming and immune evasion mRNAs and microRNAs. Expression of hiPSC-associated intracellular and cell surface markers was identified by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Karyotyping of hiPSCs was performed with cytogenetic analysis. Sanger and next-generation sequencing were used to detect and quantify the mutation in all hiPSCs. The mitochondrial respiration ability and glycolytic function were measured by the Seahorse Bioscience XFe96 extracellular flux analyzer. RESULTS Reprogrammed hiPSCs expressed pluripotent stem cell markers including transcription factors POU5F1, NANOG and SOX2 and cell surface markers SSEA4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 at the protein level. Sanger sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of mutations in all reprogrammed hiPSCs. Next-generation sequencing demonstrated the variable presence of mutant mtDNA in reprogrammed hiPSCs. Cytogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of normal karyotype in all reprogrammed hiPSCs. Patient-derived hiPSCs demonstrated decreased maximal mitochondrial respiration, while mitochondrial ATP production was not significantly different between the control and disease hiPSCs. In line with low maximal respiration, the spare respiratory capacity was lower in all the disease hiPSCs. The hiPSCs also demonstrated neural and cardiac differentiation potential. CONCLUSION Overall, the hiPSCs exhibited variable mitochondrial dysfunction that may alter their differentiation potential and provide key insights into clinically relevant developmental perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fibi Meshrkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering 601, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Kelly M Scheulin
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Christopher M Littlejohn
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Joshua Stabach
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering 601, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Bibhuti Saikia
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering 601, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Vedant Thorat
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yimin Huang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Thomas LaFramboise
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Edward J Lesnefsky
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Cardiology Section Medical Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pauley Heart Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Raj R Rao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Franklin D West
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Science and Engineering 601, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
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Meshrkey F, Cabrera Ayuso A, Rao RR, Iyer S. Quantitative analysis of mitochondrial morphologies in human induced pluripotent stem cells for Leigh syndrome. Stem Cell Res 2021; 57:102572. [PMID: 34662843 PMCID: PMC10332439 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles with wide range of morphologies contributing to regulating different signaling pathways and several cellular functions. Leigh syndrome (LS) is a classic pediatric mitochondrial disorder characterized by complex and variable clinical pathologies, and primarily affects the nervous system during early development. It is important to understand the differences between mitochondrial morphologies in healthy and diseased states so that focused therapies can target the disease during its early stages. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial dynamics in five patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) containing different mutations associated with LS. Our results suggest that subtle alterations in mitochondrial morphologies are specific to the mtDNA variant. Three out of the five LS-hiPSCs exhibited characteristics consistent with fused mitochondria. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study that quantifies mitochondrial dynamics in hiPSCs specific to mitochondrial disorders. In addition, we observed an overall decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in all five LS-hiPSCs. A more thorough analysis of the correlations between mitochondrial dynamics, membrane potential dysfunction caused by mutations in the mtDNA in hiPSCs and differentiated derivatives will aid in identifying unique morphological signatures of various mitochondrial disorders during early stages of embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fibi Meshrkey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Ana Cabrera Ayuso
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Raj R Rao
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
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Bakare AB, Lesnefsky EJ, Iyer S. Leigh Syndrome: A Tale of Two Genomes. Front Physiol 2021; 12:693734. [PMID: 34456746 PMCID: PMC8385445 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.693734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leigh syndrome is a rare, complex, and incurable early onset (typically infant or early childhood) mitochondrial disorder with both phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. The heterogeneous nature of this disorder, based in part on the complexity of mitochondrial genetics, and the significant interactions between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes has made it particularly challenging to research and develop therapies. This review article discusses some of the advances that have been made in the field to date. While the prognosis is poor with no current substantial treatment options, multiple studies are underway to understand the etiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of Leigh syndrome. With advances in available research tools leading to a better understanding of the mitochondria in health and disease, there is hope for novel treatment options in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajibola B. Bakare
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Edward J. Lesnefsky
- Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Physiology/Biophysics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Quantifying Mitochondrial Dynamics in Patient Fibroblasts with Multiple Developmental Defects and Mitochondrial Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126263. [PMID: 34200828 PMCID: PMC8230542 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo rounds of fission and fusion and exhibit a wide range of morphologies that contribute to the regulation of different signaling pathways and various cellular functions. It is important to understand the differences between mitochondrial structure in health and disease so that therapies can be developed to maintain the homeostatic balance of mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial disorders are multisystemic and characterized by complex and variable clinical pathologies. The dynamics of mitochondria in mitochondrial disorders is thus worthy of investigation. Therefore, in this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial dynamics in ten patient-derived fibroblasts containing different mutations and deletions associated with various mitochondrial disorders. Our results suggest that the most predominant morphological signature for mitochondria in the diseased state is fragmentation, with eight out of the ten cell lines exhibiting characteristics consistent with fragmented mitochondria. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study that quantifies mitochondrial dynamics in cell lines with a wide array of developmental and mitochondrial disorders. A more thorough analysis of the correlations between mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial genome perturbations, and bioenergetic dysfunction will aid in identifying unique morphological signatures of various mitochondrial disorders in the future.
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Grace HE, Galdun P, Lesnefsky EJ, West FD, Iyer S. mRNA Reprogramming of T8993G Leigh's Syndrome Fibroblast Cells to Create Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models for Mitochondrial Disorders. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 28:846-859. [PMID: 31017045 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early molecular and developmental events impacting many incurable mitochondrial disorders are not fully understood and require generation of relevant patient- and disease-specific stem cell models. In this study, we focus on the ability of a nonviral and integration-free reprogramming method for deriving clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) specific to Leigh's syndrome (LS), a fatal neurodegenerative mitochondrial disorder of infants. The cause of fatality could be due to the presence of high abundance of mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or decline in respiration levels, thus affecting early molecular and developmental events in energy-intensive tissues. LS patient fibroblasts (designated LS1 in this study), carrying a high percentage of mutant T8993G mtDNA, were reprogrammed using a combined mRNA-miRNA nonviral approach to generate human iPSCs (hiPSCs). The LS1-hiPSCs were evaluated for their self-renewal, embryoid body (EB) formation, and differentiation potential, using immunocytochemistry and gene expression profiling methods. Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing approaches were used to detect the mutation and quantify the percentage of mutant mtDNA in the LS1-hiPSCs and differentiated derivatives. Reprogrammed LS-hiPSCs expressed pluripotent stem cell markers including transcription factors OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2 and cell surface markers SSEA4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81 at the RNA and protein level. LS1-hiPSCs also demonstrated the capacity for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation into all three embryonic germ layers. EB analysis demonstrated impaired differentiation potential in cells carrying high percentage of mutant mtDNA. Next-generation sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of high abundance of T8993G mutant mtDNA in the patient fibroblasts and their reprogrammed and differentiated derivatives. These results represent for the first time the derivation and characterization of a stable nonviral hiPSC line reprogrammed from a LS patient fibroblast carrying a high abundance of mutant mtDNA. These outcomes are important steps toward understanding disease origins and developing personalized therapies for patients suffering from mitochondrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison E Grace
- 1 Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,2 Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Patrick Galdun
- 3 Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Edward J Lesnefsky
- 3 Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,4 Cardiology Section Medical Service, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.,5 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,6 Division of Cardiology, Pauley Heart Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Franklin D West
- 1 Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,2 Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- 7 Department of Biological Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
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Silk 3D matrices incorporating human neural progenitor cells for neural tissue engineering applications. Polym J 2015. [DOI: 10.1038/pj.2015.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs ) have the unique potential to form every cell type in the body. This potential provides opportunities for generating human progenitors and other differentiated cell types for understanding human development and for use in cell type-specific therapies. Equally important is the ability to engineer stem cells and their derived progenitors to mimic specific disease models. This chapter will focus on the propagation and characterization of human neural progenitors (hNPs ) derived from hPSCs with a particular focus on engineering hNPs to generate in vitro disease models for human neuro-mitochondrial disorders. We will discuss the methodologies for culturing and characterizing hPSCs and hNPs; and protocols for engineering hNPs by using a novel mitochondrial transfection technology.
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Chan TM, Chen JYR, Ho LI, Lin HP, Hsueh KW, Liu DD, Chen YH, Hsieh AC, Tsai NM, Hueng DY, Tsai ST, Chou PW, Lin SZ, Harn HJ. ADSC Therapy in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cell Transplant 2014; 23:549-57. [PMID: 24816450 DOI: 10.3727/096368914x678445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, chronic diseases that can severely affect the patient's daily life, include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. However, these diseases all have the common characteristic that they are due to degenerative irreversibility, and thus no efficient drugs or therapy methods can mitigate symptoms completely. Stem cell therapy, such as adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), is a promising treatment for incurable disorders. In this review, we summarized the previous studies using ADSCs to treat neurodegenerative disorders, as well as their therapeutic mechanisms. We also suggested possible expectations for future human clinical trials involving minimized intracerebroventricular combined with intravenous administration, using different cell lineages to finish complementary therapy as well as change the extracellular matrix to create a homing niche. Depending on successful experiments in relevant neurodegenerative disorders models, this could form the theoretical basis for future human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Min Chan
- Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | | | - Li-Ing Ho
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ping Lin
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Wei Hsueh
- Ph.D. Program for Aging, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Demeral David Liu
- Department of Dentistry, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, School of Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hung Chen
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - An-Cheng Hsieh
- Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Nu-Man Tsai
- School of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Dueng-Yuan Hueng
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Tzeng Tsai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tzu Chi General Hospital/Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wen Chou
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Guang Li Biomedicine, Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Everfront Biotech Inc., New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, School of Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tainan Municipal An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Jyh Harn
- Department of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Iyer S. Novel therapeutic approaches for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2013; 15:141-149. [PMID: 23545042 PMCID: PMC5652312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Many human childhood mitochondrial disorders result from abnormal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and altered bioenergetics. These abnormalities span most of the mtDNA, demonstrating that there are no "unique" positions on the mitochondrial genome that when deleted or mutated produce a disease phenotype. This diversity implies that the relationship between mitochondrial genotype and clinical phenotype is very complex. The origins of clinical phenotypes are thus unclear, fundamentally difficult-to-treat, and are usually clinically devastating. Current treatment is largely supportive and the disorders progress relentlessly causing significant morbidity and mortality. Vitamin supplements and pharmacological agents have been used in isolated cases and clinical trials, but the efficacy of these interventions is unclear. In spite of recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases, a cure remains elusive. An optimal cure would be gene therapy, which involves introducing the missing gene(s) into the mitochondria to complement the defect. Our recent research results indicate the feasibility of an innovative protein-transduction ("protofection") technology, consisting of a recombinant mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) that avidly binds mtDNA and permits efficient targeting into mitochondria in situ and in vivo. Thus, the development of gene therapy for treating mitochondrial disease offers promise, because it may circumvent the clinical abnormalities and the current inability to treat individual disorders in affected individuals. This review aims to focus on current treatment options and future therapeutics in mitochondrial disease treatment with a special emphasis on Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Iyer
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, USA.
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Iyer S, Xiao E, Alsayegh K, Eroshenko N, Riggs MJ, Bennett JP, Rao RR. Mitochondrial gene replacement in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors. Gene Ther 2012; 19:469-75. [PMID: 21918550 PMCID: PMC11071659 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 08/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor (hNP) cells are an excellent resource for understanding early neural development and neurodegenerative disorders. Given that many neurodegenerative disorders can be correlated with defects in the mitochondrial genome, optimal utilization of hNP cells requires an ability to manipulate and monitor changes in the mitochondria. Here, we describe a novel approach that uses recombinant human mitochondrial transcription factor A (rhTFAM) protein to transfect and express a pathogenic mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) carrying the G11778A mutation associated with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) disease, into dideoxycytidine (ddC)-treated hNPs. Treatment with ddC reduced endogenous mtDNA and gene expression, without loss of hNP phenotypic markers. Entry of G11778A mtDNA complexed with the rhTFAM was observed in mitochondria of ddC-hNPs. Expression of the pathogenic RNA was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis of the SfaN1-digested cDNA. On the basis of the expression of neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin, neuronal differentiation occurred. Our results show for the first time that pathogenic mtDNA can be introduced and expressed into hNPs without loss of phenotype or neuronal differentiation potential. This mitochondrial gene replacement technology allows for creation of in vitro stem cell-based models useful for understanding neuronal development and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Iyer
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - E Xiao
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Current address: Neuroimaging Core; Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - K Alsayegh
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - N Eroshenko
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - MJ Riggs
- Integrated Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - JP Bennett
- Parkinson’s Disease Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - RR Rao
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Integrated Life Sciences Program, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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Iyer S, Bergquist K, Young K, Gnaiger E, Rao RR, Bennett JP. Mitochondrial gene therapy improves respiration, biogenesis, and transcription in G11778A Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and T8993G Leigh's syndrome cells. Hum Gene Ther 2012; 23:647-57. [PMID: 22390282 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2011.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many incurable mitochondrial disorders result from mutant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and impaired respiration. Leigh's syndrome (LS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder of infants, and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) causes blindness in young adults. Treatment of LHON and LS cells harboring G11778A and T8993G mutant mtDNA, respectively, by >90%, with healthy donor mtDNA complexed with recombinant human mitochondrial transcription factor A (rhTFAM), improved mitochondrial respiration by ∼1.2-fold in LHON cells and restored >50% ATP synthase function in LS cells. Mitochondrial replication, transcription, and translation of key respiratory genes and proteins were increased in the short term. Increased NRF1, TFAMB1, and TFAMA expression alluded to the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis as a mechanism for improving mitochondrial respiration. These results represent the development of a therapeutic approach for LHON and LS patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Iyer
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Life Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284-3020, USA.
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