1
|
Hastings N, Kuan WL, Osborne A, Kotter MRN. Therapeutic Potential of Astrocyte Transplantation. Cell Transplant 2022; 31:9636897221105499. [PMID: 35770772 PMCID: PMC9251977 DOI: 10.1177/09636897221105499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell transplantation is an attractive treatment strategy for a variety of brain disorders, as it promises to replenish lost functions and rejuvenate the brain. In particular, transplantation of astrocytes has come into light recently as a therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); moreover, grafting of astrocytes also showed positive results in models of other conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases of older age to traumatic injury and stroke. Despite clear differences in etiology, disorders such as ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases, as well as traumatic injury and stroke, converge on a number of underlying astrocytic abnormalities, which include inflammatory changes, mitochondrial damage, calcium signaling disturbance, hemichannel opening, and loss of glutamate transporters. In this review, we examine these convergent pathways leading to astrocyte dysfunction, and explore the existing evidence for a therapeutic potential of transplantation of healthy astrocytes in various models. Existing literature presents a wide variety of methods to generate astrocytes, or relevant precursor cells, for subsequent transplantation, while described outcomes of this type of treatment also differ between studies. We take technical differences between methodologies into account to understand the variability of therapeutic benefits, or lack thereof, at a deeper level. We conclude by discussing some key requirements of an astrocyte graft that would be most suitable for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nataly Hastings
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wei-Li Kuan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Osborne
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark R N Kotter
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ghibaudi M, Boido M, Green D, Signorino E, Berto GE, Pourshayesteh S, Singh A, Di Cunto F, Dalmay T, Vercelli A. miR-7b-3p Exerts a Dual Role After Spinal Cord Injury, by Supporting Plasticity and Neuroprotection at Cortical Level. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:618869. [PMID: 33869277 PMCID: PMC8044879 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.618869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects 6 million people worldwide with no available treatment. Despite research advances, the inherent poor regeneration potential of the central nervous system remains a major hurdle. Small RNAs (sRNAs) 19-33 nucleotides in length are a set of non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and have emerged as key players in regulating cellular events occurring after SCI. Here we profiled a class of sRNA known as microRNAs (miRNAs) following SCI in the cortex where the cell bodies of corticospinal motor neurons are located. We identified miR-7b-3p as a candidate target given its significant upregulation after SCI in vivo and we screened by miRWalk PTM the genes predicted to be targets of miR-7b-3p (among which we identified Wipf2, a gene regulating neurite extension). Moreover, 16 genes, involved in neural regeneration and potential miR-7b-3p targets, were found to be downregulated in the cortex following SCI. We also analysed miR-7b-3p function during cortical neuron development in vitro: we observed that the overexpression of miR-7b-3p was important (1) to maintain neurons in a more immature and, likely, plastic neuronal developmental phase and (2) to contrast the apoptotic pathway; however, in normal conditions it did not affect the Wipf2 expression. On the contrary, the overexpression of miR-7b-3p upon in vitro oxidative stress condition (mimicking the SCI environment) significantly reduced the expression level of Wipf2, as observed in vivo, confirming it as a direct miR-7b-3p target. Overall, these data suggest a dual role of miR-7b-3p: (i) the induction of a more plastic neuronal condition/phase, possibly at the expense of the axon growth, (ii) the neuroprotective role exerted through the inhibition of the apoptotic cascade. Increasing the miR-7b-3p levels in case of SCI could reactivate in adult neurons silenced developmental programmes, supporting at the same time the survival of the axotomised neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Ghibaudi
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
- Polymers and Biomaterials, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Darrell Green
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Signorino
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Gaia Elena Berto
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Soraya Pourshayesteh
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Archana Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Ferdinando Di Cunto
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| | - Tamas Dalmay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini,” Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang T, Xing L, Yu W, Cai Y, Cui S, Chen G. Astrocytic reprogramming combined with rehabilitation strategy improves recovery from spinal cord injury. FASEB J 2020; 34:15504-15515. [PMID: 32975845 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001657rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), the irreversible loss of neurons and the dense glial scar are two of the leading causes of axon regeneration failure. The adult mammalian spinal cord lacks the ability to spontaneously produce new neurons, making it a key challenge to provide new neurons for spinal cord regeneration. Additionally, the dual role of the glial scar (both inhibitory and protective) makes it difficult to manipulate it for therapeutic purposes. In this study, using a single transcription factor Sry-related HMG-box 2 (Sox2) delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV), we reprogrammed some of the astrocytes targeted by the viral vectors in the glial scar into neurons in a severe SCI model. We show that this astrocytic reprogramming alone can propel axon regeneration by not only replenishing the lost neurons, but also moderately reducing the density of the glial scar without interrupting its integrity. Beyond that, astrocytic reprogramming can significantly improve functional recovery when combined with running wheel rehabilitation, which provides use-dependent plasticity. These findings may provide us with a new idea for how to manipulate the glial scar and a promising therapeutic strategy that combines biological intervention with a rehabilitation strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuo Yang
- Department of Hand Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Lingyan Xing
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Weiwei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yunyun Cai
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Shusen Cui
- Department of Hand Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Tissue and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ni CM, Ling BY, Xu X, Sun HP, Jin H, Zhang YQ, Cao H, Xu L. CX3CR1 contributes to streptozotocin-induced mechanical allodynia in the mouse spinal cord. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 21:166-171. [PMID: 32115913 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1900439] [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: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experience debilitating pain that significantly affects their quality of life (Abbott et al., 2011), by causing sleeping disorders, anxiety, and depression (Dermanovic Dobrota et al., 2014). The primary clinical manifestation of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is mechanical hypersensitivity, also known as mechanical allodynia (MA) (Callaghan et al., 2012). MA's underlying mechanism remains poorly understood, and so far, based on symptomatic treatment, it has no effective therapy (Moore et al., 2014).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Ming Ni
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Bing-Yu Ling
- Department of Emergency, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - He-Ping Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Kunshan First People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan 215300, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| | - Yu-Qiu Zhang
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong Cao
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Jing'an District Centre Hospital of Shanghai, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lan Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214023, China
| |
Collapse
|