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Ikegami Y, Duenki T, Arakaki I, Sakai R, Osaki T, Ashihara S, Furushima T, Ikeuchi Y. A simple and inexpensive laser dissection of fasciculated axons from motor nerve organoids. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1259138. [PMID: 38347914 PMCID: PMC10859526 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1259138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Motor nerve organoids could be generated by culturing a spheroid of motor neurons differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip which guides direction and fasciculation of axons extended from the spheroid. To isolate axon bundles from motor nerve organoids, we developed a rapid laser dissection method based on localized photothermal combustion. By illuminating a blue laser on a black mark on the culture device using a dry-erase marker, we induced highly localized heating near the axon bundles. Moving the laser enabled spatial control over the local heating and severing of axon bundles. This laser dissection requires a black mark, as other colors did not produce the same localized heating effect. A CO2 laser destroyed the tissue and the device and could not be used. With this simple, economical laser dissection technique, we could rapidly collect abundant pure axon samples from motor nerve organoids for biochemical analysis. Extracted axonal proteins and RNA were indistinguishable from manual dissection. This method facilitates efficient axon isolation for further analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Ikegami
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoya Duenki
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, National Center for Scientific Research-Institute of Industrial Science (LIMMS/CNRS-IIS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuma Arakaki
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Sakai
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Osaki
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ashihara
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoshiho Ikeuchi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, National Center for Scientific Research-Institute of Industrial Science (LIMMS/CNRS-IIS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Schweingruber C, Nijssen J, Benitez JA, Hedlund E. Single-Cell mRNA-Seq of In Vitro-Derived Human Neurons Using Smart-Seq2. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2594:143-164. [PMID: 36264494 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2815-7_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell mRNA sequencing can dissect heterogeneous cell populations as it can identify cell types and cellular states based on their unique transcriptional signatures. We use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate individual cultured neurons derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) followed by polyA-based Smart-Seq2 RNA sequencing to analyze the single-cell transcriptional profiles. We provide protocols and guidelines on dissociation, cell selection, and library preparation that can be readily adapted to other cell types or tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schweingruber
- Department for Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jik Nijssen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Eva Hedlund
- Department for Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Metzner K, Darawsha O, Wang M, Gaur N, Cheng Y, Rödiger A, Frahm C, Witte OW, Perocchi F, Axer H, Grosskreutz J, Brill MS. Age-dependent increase of cytoskeletal components in sensory axons in human skin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:965382. [PMID: 36393849 PMCID: PMC9664158 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.965382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex process characterized by several molecular and cellular imbalances. The composition and stability of the neuronal cytoskeleton is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis, especially in long neurites. Using human skin biopsies containing sensory axons from a cohort of healthy individuals, we investigate alterations in cytoskeletal content and sensory axon caliber during aging via quantitative immunostainings. Cytoskeletal components show an increase with aging in both sexes, while elevation in axon diameter is only evident in males. Transcriptomic data from aging males illustrate various patterns in gene expression during aging. Together, the data suggest gender-specific changes during aging in peripheral sensory axons, possibly influencing cytoskeletal functionality and axonal caliber. These changes may cumulatively increase susceptibility of aged individuals to neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Metzner
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany,Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Omar Darawsha
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengzhe Wang
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nayana Gaur
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany,Laboratory Animal Centre, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Yiming Cheng
- Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christiane Frahm
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Otto W. Witte
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Fabiana Perocchi
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany,Helmholtz Diabetes Center (HDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Munich, Germany,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Hubertus Axer
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Precision Neurology of the University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany,PMI Cluster, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Monika S. Brill
- Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany,*Correspondence: Monika S. Brill,
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Jablonka S, Hennlein L, Sendtner M. Therapy development for spinal muscular atrophy: perspectives for muscular dystrophies and neurodegenerative disorders. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:2. [PMID: 34983696 PMCID: PMC8725368 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major efforts have been made in the last decade to develop and improve therapies for proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The introduction of Nusinersen/Spinraza™ as an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, Onasemnogene abeparvovec/Zolgensma™ as an AAV9-based gene therapy and Risdiplam/Evrysdi™ as a small molecule modifier of pre-mRNA splicing have set new standards for interference with neurodegeneration. MAIN BODY Therapies for SMA are designed to interfere with the cellular basis of the disease by modifying pre-mRNA splicing and enhancing expression of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which is only expressed at low levels in this disorder. The corresponding strategies also can be applied to other disease mechanisms caused by loss of function or toxic gain of function mutations. The development of therapies for SMA was based on the use of cell culture systems and mouse models, as well as innovative clinical trials that included readouts that had originally been introduced and optimized in preclinical studies. This is summarized in the first part of this review. The second part discusses current developments and perspectives for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the obstacles that need to be overcome to introduce RNA-based therapies and gene therapies for these disorders. CONCLUSION RNA-based therapies offer chances for therapy development of complex neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. The experiences made with these new drugs for SMA, and also the experiences in AAV gene therapies could help to broaden the spectrum of current approaches to interfere with pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Luisa Hennlein
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital of Wuerzburg, Versbacher Str. 5, 97078, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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Nichterwitz S, Nijssen J, Storvall H, Schweingruber C, Comley LH, Allodi I, Lee MVD, Deng Q, Sandberg R, Hedlund E. LCM-seq reveals unique transcriptional adaptation mechanisms of resistant neurons and identifies protective pathways in spinal muscular atrophy. Genome Res 2020; 30:1083-1096. [PMID: 32820007 PMCID: PMC7462070 DOI: 10.1101/gr.265017.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Somatic motor neurons are selectively vulnerable in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by a deficiency of the ubiquitously expressed survival of motor neuron protein. However, some motor neuron groups, including oculomotor and trochlear (ocular), which innervate eye muscles, are for unknown reasons spared. To reveal mechanisms of vulnerability and resistance in SMA, we investigate the transcriptional dynamics in discrete neuronal populations using laser capture microdissection coupled with RNA sequencing (LCM-seq). Using gene correlation network analysis, we reveal a TRP53-mediated stress response that is intrinsic to all somatic motor neurons independent of their vulnerability, but absent in relatively resistant red nucleus and visceral motor neurons. However, the temporal and spatial expression analysis across neuron types shows that the majority of SMA-induced modulations are cell type-specific. Using Gene Ontology and protein network analyses, we show that ocular motor neurons present unique disease-adaptation mechanisms that could explain their resilience. Specifically, ocular motor neurons up-regulate (1) Syt1, Syt5, and Cplx2, which modulate neurotransmitter release; (2) the neuronal survival factors Gdf15, Chl1, and Lif; (3) Aldh4, that protects cells from oxidative stress; and (4) the caspase inhibitor Pak4. Finally, we show that GDF15 can rescue vulnerable human spinal motor neurons from degeneration. This confirms that adaptation mechanisms identified in resilient neurons can be used to reduce susceptibility of vulnerable neurons. In conclusion, this in-depth longitudinal transcriptomics analysis in SMA reveals novel cell type-specific changes that, alone and combined, present compelling targets, including Gdf15, for future gene therapy studies aimed toward preserving vulnerable motor neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jik Nijssen
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Storvall
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Laura Helen Comley
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilary Allodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mirjam van der Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Qiaolin Deng
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rickard Sandberg
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Hedlund
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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