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Recinto SJ, Premachandran S, Mukherjee S, Allot A, MacDonald A, Yaqubi M, Gruenheid S, Trudeau LE, Stratton JA. Characterizing enteric neurons in dopamine transporter (DAT)-Cre reporter mice reveals dopaminergic subtypes with dual-transmitter content. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2465-2482. [PMID: 38487941 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16307] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) comprises a complex network of neurons whereby a subset appears to be dopaminergic although the characteristics, roles, and implications in disease are less understood. Most investigations relating to enteric dopamine (DA) neurons rely on immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of DA. However, TH immunoreactivity is likely to provide an incomplete picture. This study herein provides a comprehensive characterization of DA neurons in the gut using a reporter mouse line, expressing a fluorescent protein (tdTomato) under control of the DA transporter (DAT) promoter. Our findings confirm a unique localization of DA neurons in the gut and unveil the discrete subtypes of DA neurons in this organ, which we characterized using both immunofluorescence and single-cell transcriptomics, as well as validated using in situ hybridization. We observed distinct subtypes of DAT-tdTomato neurons expressing co-transmitters and modulators across both plexuses; some of them likely co-releasing acetylcholine, while others were positive for a slew of canonical DAergic markers (TH, VMAT2 and GIRK2). Interestingly, we uncovered a seemingly novel population of DA neurons unique to the ENS which was ChAT/DAT-tdTomato-immunoreactive and expressed Grp, Calcb, and Sst. Given the clear heterogeneity of DAergic gut neurons, further investigation is warranted to define their functional signatures and decipher their implication in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherilyn Junelle Recinto
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Shobina Premachandran
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Sriparna Mukherjee
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexis Allot
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha Gruenheid
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis-Eric Trudeau
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montreal, Faculty of Medicine, SNC and CIRCA Research Groups, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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2
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Renkler NZ, Scialla S, Russo T, D’Amora U, Cruz-Maya I, De Santis R, Guarino V. Micro- and Nanostructured Fibrous Composites via Electro-Fluid Dynamics: Design and Applications for Brain. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:134. [PMID: 38276504 PMCID: PMC10819193 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010134] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain consists of an interconnected network of neurons tightly packed in the extracellular matrix (ECM) to form complex and heterogeneous composite tissue. According to recent biomimicry approaches that consider biological features as active components of biomaterials, designing a highly reproducible microenvironment for brain cells can represent a key tool for tissue repair and regeneration. Indeed, this is crucial to support cell growth, mitigate inflammation phenomena and provide adequate structural properties needed to support the damaged tissue, corroborating the activity of the vascular network and ultimately the functionality of neurons. In this context, electro-fluid dynamic techniques (EFDTs), i.e., electrospinning, electrospraying and related techniques, offer the opportunity to engineer a wide variety of composite substrates by integrating fibers, particles, and hydrogels at different scales-from several hundred microns down to tens of nanometers-for the generation of countless patterns of physical and biochemical cues suitable for influencing the in vitro response of coexistent brain cell populations mediated by the surrounding microenvironment. In this review, an overview of the different technological approaches-based on EFDTs-for engineering fibrous and/or particle-loaded composite substrates will be proposed. The second section of this review will primarily focus on describing current and future approaches to the use of composites for brain applications, ranging from therapeutic to diagnostic/theranostic use and from repair to regeneration, with the ultimate goal of providing insightful information to guide future research efforts toward the development of more efficient and reliable solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nergis Zeynep Renkler
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scialla
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Teresa Russo
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Ugo D’Amora
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Iriczalli Cruz-Maya
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Roberto De Santis
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
| | - Vincenzo Guarino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), National Research Council of Italy, Mostra d’Oltremare Pad. 20, Viale J.F. Kennedy 54, 80125 Naples, Italy (S.S.); (I.C.-M.)
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3
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Gomez Ramos B, Ohnmacht J, de Lange N, Valceschini E, Ginolhac A, Catillon M, Ferrante D, Rakovic A, Halder R, Massart F, Arena G, Antony P, Bolognin S, Klein C, Krause R, Schulz MH, Sauter T, Krüger R, Sinkkonen L. Multiomics analysis identifies novel facilitators of human dopaminergic neuron differentiation. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:254-285. [PMID: 38177910 PMCID: PMC10897179 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00024-2] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDANs) control voluntary movement, cognition, and reward behavior under physiological conditions and are implicated in human diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Many transcription factors (TFs) controlling human mDAN differentiation during development have been described, but much of the regulatory landscape remains undefined. Using a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) human iPSC reporter line, we here generate time series transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles of purified mDANs during differentiation. Integrative analysis predicts novel regulators of mDAN differentiation and super-enhancers are used to identify key TFs. We find LBX1, NHLH1 and NR2F1/2 to promote mDAN differentiation and show that overexpression of either LBX1 or NHLH1 can also improve mDAN specification. A more detailed investigation of TF targets reveals that NHLH1 promotes the induction of neuronal miR-124, LBX1 regulates cholesterol biosynthesis, and NR2F1/2 controls neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Gomez Ramos
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jochen Ohnmacht
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Nikola de Lange
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Elena Valceschini
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Aurélien Ginolhac
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Marie Catillon
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Daniele Ferrante
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Aleksandar Rakovic
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Rashi Halder
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - François Massart
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Giuseppe Arena
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Paul Antony
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Silvia Bolognin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Roland Krause
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Marcel H Schulz
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner site Rhein-Main, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Sauter
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Rejko Krüger
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), L-1210, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), L-1445, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Lasse Sinkkonen
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, L-4362, Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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Cardo LF, Monzón-Sandoval J, Li Z, Webber C, Li M. Single-Cell Transcriptomics and In Vitro Lineage Tracing Reveals Differential Susceptibility of Human iPSC-Derived Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons in a Cellular Model of Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2860. [PMID: 38132179 PMCID: PMC10741976 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242860] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in stem cell technologies open up new avenues for modelling development and diseases. The success of these pursuits, however, relies on the use of cells most relevant to those targeted by the disease of interest, for example, midbrain dopaminergic neurons for Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we report the generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line capable of purifying and tracing nascent midbrain dopaminergic progenitors and their differentiated progeny via the expression of a Blue Fluorescent Protein (BFP). This was achieved by CRISPR/Cas9-assisted knock-in of BFP and Cre into the safe harbour locus AAVS1 and an early midbrain dopaminergic lineage marker gene LMX1A, respectively. Immunocytochemical analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing of iPSC-derived neural cultures confirm developmental recapitulation of the human fetal midbrain and high-quality midbrain cells. By modelling Parkinson's disease-related drug toxicity using 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), we showed a preferential reduction of BFP+ cells, a finding demonstrated independently by cell death assays and single-cell transcriptomic analysis of MPP+ treated neural cultures. Together, these results highlight the importance of disease-relevant cell types in stem cell modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia F. Cardo
- Dementia Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (L.F.C.); (J.M.-S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Jimena Monzón-Sandoval
- Dementia Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (L.F.C.); (J.M.-S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zongze Li
- Dementia Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (L.F.C.); (J.M.-S.); (Z.L.)
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Caleb Webber
- Dementia Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK; (L.F.C.); (J.M.-S.); (Z.L.)
| | - Meng Li
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Innovation Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
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5
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Carrick FR, Hernandez LSAV, Sugaya K. Amelioration of Motor Performance and Nigrostriatal Dopamine Cell Volume Using a Novel Far-Infrared Ceramic Blanket in an A53T Alpha-Synuclein Transgenic Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:9823-9837. [PMID: 38132459 PMCID: PMC10742635 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45120613] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We had attended a Parkinson's Disease (PD) patient for a non-healing wound who reported a marked decrease in his hand tremor and freezing of gait when his wound was exposed to a ceramic far-field infrared (cFIR) blanket. PD is the most frequent motor disorder and the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The tremor, rigidity, and slowness of movement associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) affect up to 10 million people throughout the world, and the major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of PD is the accumulation and propagation of pathological α-synuclein (α-Syn) and the death of dopaminergic cells in the Nigrostriatal system. Efforts to slow or stop its spreading have resulted in the development and use of dopaminergic drug replacement therapy. Unfortunately, there is a loss of about 70-80% of substantia nigral dopaminergic neurons in patients by the time they are diagnosed with PD, and various dopaminergic drugs provide only temporary relief of their motor symptoms. There are limitations in treating PD with many conventional medications, necessitating a combination of pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological therapy as an essential adjunct to better address the health and welfare of PD patients. We used male adult A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice exposed to a ceramic far-infrared blanket. Motor activity was assessed using the rotarod apparatus, and mouse brains were examined to quantify the fluorescence intensities of the immunostained samples. A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice had a significantly shorter time stay on the rotating bar than the wild-type mice (B6C3H). The rotarod performance was significantly improved in A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice exposed to cFIR as well as B6C3H healthy wild mice exposed to cFIR. There was a significant statistical and substantive increase in the cellular composition of the Striatum and substantia nigra of cFIR-treated mice. Improvement in motor performance is seen in PD mice and wild mice and is associated with increases in cell volume in the substantia nigra and striatum after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Robert Carrick
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
- MGH Institute for Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, USA
- Centre for Mental Health Research in Association, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
- Department of Neurology, Carrick Institute, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, USA
| | | | - Kiminobu Sugaya
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
- Burnett School of Biomedical Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
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Provasek VE, Kodavati M, Guo W, Wang H, Boldogh I, Van Den Bosch L, Britz G, Hegde ML. lncRNA Sequencing Reveals Neurodegeneration-Associated FUS Mutations Alter Transcriptional Landscape of iPS Cells That Persists in Motor Neurons. Cells 2023; 12:2461. [PMID: 37887305 PMCID: PMC10604943 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202461] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fused-in sarcoma (FUS) gene mutations have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to investigate the impact of FUS mutations (R521H and P525L) on the transcriptome of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived motor neurons (iMNs). Using RNA sequencing (RNA Seq), we characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and subsequently predicted lncRNA-mRNA target pairs (TAR pairs). Our results show that FUS mutations significantly altered the expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in iPSCs. Using this large dataset, we identified and verified six key differentially regulated TAR pairs in iPSCs that were also altered in iMNs. These target transcripts included: GPR149, NR4A, LMO3, SLC15A4, ZNF404, and CRACD. These findings indicated that selected mutant FUS-induced transcriptional alterations persist from iPSCs into differentiated iMNs. Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs indicated pathways associated with neuronal development and carcinogenesis as likely altered by these FUS mutations. Furthermore, ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and GO network analysis of lncRNA-targeted mRNAs indicated associations between RNA metabolism, lncRNA regulation, and DNA damage repair. Our findings provide insights into potential molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ALS-associated FUS mutations and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent E. Provasek
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Manohar Kodavati
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Wenting Guo
- INSERM, UMR-S1118, Mécanismes Centraux et Périphériques de la Neurodégénérescence, Université de Strasbourg, CRBS, 67000 Strasbourg, France;
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Haibo Wang
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
| | - Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Gavin Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Muralidhar L. Hegde
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (V.E.P.); (M.K.); (H.W.)
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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7
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Kreutz A, Hu G, Tokar E. Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Dopaminergic Neurons for Studying Developmental Neurotoxicity. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2120-2130. [PMID: 37273171 PMCID: PMC10579108 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10555-9] [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: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
With the vast number of chemicals in commerce, higher throughput strategies are needed to inform risk assessment. The field of toxicology is therefore moving away from traditional in vivo guideline studies towards in vitro new approach methodologies. There has been a great push for such a shift in the field of developmental neurotoxicity, where there is a particular lack of data. A battery of in vitro new approach methodologies has thus been developed to help fill this gap. Included in this battery are assays for numerous processes critical to neurodevelopment, such as proliferation, migration, and synaptogenesis. The current battery of developmental neurotoxicity new approach methodologies still lacks recapitulation of several critical neurodevelopmental processes, including development of neuronal subtypes. With their pluripotency, alongside other advantages, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are uniquely suited to address questions of developmental neurotoxicity, as they can recapitulate the different stages of human in vivo neurodevelopment. Among the various neuronal subtypes, development of dopaminergic neurons (DA) is perhaps the best understood and several approaches exist to differentiate PSCs into DA. Herein we review these approaches and propose utilizing PSCs for screening of the impact of environmental chemicals on development of DA. Related techniques and gaps in knowledge are also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kreutz
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Division of Intramural Research, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - Guang Hu
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Division of Intramural Research, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Erik Tokar
- Mechanistic Toxicology Branch, Division of Translational Toxicology, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
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8
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Herrmann A, Meyer AK, Braunschweig L, Wagenfuehr L, Markert F, Kolitsch D, Vukicevic V, Hartmann C, Siebert M, Ehrhart-Bornstein M, Hermann A, Storch A. Notch is Not Involved in Physioxia-Mediated Stem Cell Maintenance in Midbrain Neural Stem Cells. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:293-303. [PMID: 37105558 PMCID: PMC10465337 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc22168] [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: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives The physiological oxygen tension in fetal brains (∼3%, physioxia) is beneficial for the maintenance of neural stem cells (NSCs). Sensitivity to oxygen varies between NSCs from different fetal brain regions, with midbrain NSCs showing selective susceptibility. Data on Hif-1α/Notch regulatory interactions as well as our observations that Hif-1α and oxygen affect midbrain NSCs survival and proliferation prompted our investigations on involvement of Notch signalling in physioxia-dependent midbrain NSCs performance. Methods and Results Here we found that physioxia (3% O2) compared to normoxia (21% O2) increased proliferation, maintained stemness by suppression of spontaneous differentiation and supported cell cycle progression. Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses identified significant changes of Notch related genes in midbrain NSCs after long-term (13 days), but not after short-term physioxia (48 hours). Consistently, inhibition of Notch signalling with DAPT increased, but its stimulation with Dll4 decreased spontaneous differentiation into neurons solely under normoxic but not under physioxic conditions. Conclusions Notch signalling does not influence the fate decision of midbrain NSCs cultured in vitro in physioxia, where other factors like Hif-1α might be involved. Our findings on how physioxia effects in midbrain NSCs are transduced by alternative signalling might, at least in part, explain their selective susceptibility to oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Herrmann
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anne K. Meyer
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lena Braunschweig
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lisa Wagenfuehr
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franz Markert
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Deborah Kolitsch
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Vladimir Vukicevic
- Molecular Endocrinology, Medical Clinic III, University Clinic Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christiane Hartmann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Marlen Siebert
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Monika Ehrhart-Bornstein
- Molecular Endocrinology, Medical Clinic III, University Clinic Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexander Storch
- Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
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9
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Xie L, Liu H, You Z, Wang L, Li Y, Zhang X, Ji X, He H, Yuan T, Zheng W, Wu Z, Xiong M, Wei W, Chen Y. Comprehensive spatiotemporal mapping of single-cell lineages in developing mouse brain by CRISPR-based barcoding. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1244-1255. [PMID: 37460718 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01947-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental interest in developmental neuroscience lies in the ability to map the complete single-cell lineages within the brain. To this end, we developed a CRISPR editing-based lineage-specific tracing (CREST) method for clonal tracing in Cre mice. We then used two complementary strategies based on CREST to map single-cell lineages in developing mouse ventral midbrain (vMB). By applying snapshotting CREST (snapCREST), we constructed a spatiotemporal lineage landscape of developing vMB and identified six progenitor archetypes that could represent the principal clonal fates of individual vMB progenitors and three distinct clonal lineages in the floor plate that specified glutamatergic, dopaminergic or both neurons. We further created pandaCREST (progenitor and derivative associating CREST) to associate the transcriptomes of progenitor cells in vivo with their differentiation potentials. We identified multiple origins of dopaminergic neurons and demonstrated that a transcriptome-defined progenitor type comprises heterogeneous progenitors, each with distinct clonal fates and molecular signatures. Therefore, the CREST method and strategies allow comprehensive single-cell lineage analysis that could offer new insights into the molecular programs underlying neural specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianshun Xie
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hengxin Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiwen You
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luyue Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoshan Ji
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui He
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingli Yuan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenping Zheng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyan Wu
- UniXell Biotechnology, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology-Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuejun Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Provasek VE, Kodavati M, Guo W, Wang H, Boldogh I, Van Den Bosch L, Britz G, Hegde M. lncRNA Sequencing Reveals Neurodegeneration-associated FUS Mutations Alter Transcriptional Landscape of iPS Cells That Persists In Motor Neurons. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3112246. [PMID: 37461717 PMCID: PMC10350127 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3112246/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Fused-in Sarcoma (FUS) gene mutations have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study aimed to investigate the impact of FUS mutations (R521H and P525L) on the transcriptome of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived motor neurons (iMNs). Using RNA sequencing (RNA Seq), we characterized differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), and subsequently predicted lncRNA-mRNA target pairs (TAR pairs). Our results show that FUS mutations significantly altered expression profiles of mRNAs and lncRNAs in iPSCs. We identified key differentially regulated TAR pairs, including LMO3, TMEM132D, ERMN, GPR149, CRACD, and ZNF404 in mutant FUS iPSCs. We performed reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) validation in iPSCs and iMNs. Validation confirmed RNA-Seq findings and suggested that mutant FUS-induced transcriptional alterations persisted from iPSCs into differentiated iMNs. Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs indicated pathways associated with neuronal development and carcinogenesis that were likely altered by FUS mutations. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and GO network analysis of lncRNA-targeted mRNAs indicated associations related to RNA metabolism, lncRNA regulation, and DNA damage repair. Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of ALS-associated FUS mutations and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent E. Provasek
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Manohar Kodavati
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wenting Guo
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Haibo Wang
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven-Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Gavin Britz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Muralidhar Hegde
- Division of DNA Repair Research within the Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- School of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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11
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Morel C, Martinez Sanchez I, Cherifi Y, Chartrel N, Diaz Heijtz R. Perturbation of maternal gut microbiota in mice during a critical perinatal window influences early neurobehavioral outcomes in offspring. Neuropharmacology 2023; 229:109479. [PMID: 36870672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a key environmental factor that shapes host development and physiology, including neural circuits formation and function. Concurrently, there has been growing concern that early-life antibiotic exposure may alter brain developmental trajectories, increasing the risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here, we assessed whether perturbation of the maternal gut microbiota in mice during a narrow critical perinatal window (last week of pregnancy and first three postnatal days), induced by exposure to a commonly used broad-spectrum oral antibiotic (ampicillin), influences offspring neurobehavioral outcomes relevant to ASD. Our results demonstrate that neonatal offspring from antibiotic-treated dams display an altered pattern of ultrasonic communication, which was more pronounced in males. Moreover, juvenile male, but not female, offspring from antibiotic-treated dams showed reduced social motivation and social interaction, as well as context-dependent anxiety-like behavior. However, no changes were observed in locomotor or exploratory activity. This behavioral phenotype of exposed juvenile males was associated with reduced gene expression of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and several tight-junction proteins in the prefrontal cortex, a key region involved in the regulation of social and emotional behaviors, as well as a mild inflammatory response in the colon. Further, juvenile offspring from exposed dams also showed distinct alterations in several gut bacterial species, including, Lactobacillus murinus, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the maternal microbiome in early-life, and how its perturbation by a widely used antibiotic could contribute to atypical social and emotional development of offspring in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandre Morel
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden; University of Rouen Normandy, INSERM, NorDIC, UMR, 1239, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | | | - Yamina Cherifi
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSERM, NorDIC, UMR, 1239, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Nicolas Chartrel
- University of Rouen Normandy, INSERM, NorDIC, UMR, 1239, F-76000, Rouen, France
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12
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Lebedeva OS, Sharova EI, Grekhnev DA, Skorodumova LO, Kopylova IV, Vassina EM, Oshkolova A, Novikova IV, Krisanova AV, Olekhnovich EI, Vigont VA, Kaznacheyeva EV, Bogomazova AN, Lagarkova MA. An Efficient 2D Protocol for Differentiation of iPSCs into Mature Postmitotic Dopaminergic Neurons: Application for Modeling Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087297. [PMID: 37108456 PMCID: PMC10139404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
About 15% of patients with parkinsonism have a hereditary form of Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies on the early stages of PD pathogenesis are challenging due to the lack of relevant models. The most promising ones are models based on dopaminergic neurons (DAns) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of patients with hereditary forms of PD. This work describes a highly efficient 2D protocol for obtaining DAns from iPSCs. The protocol is rather simple, comparable in efficiency with previously published protocols, and does not require viral vectors. The resulting neurons have a similar transcriptome profile to previously published data for neurons, and have a high level of maturity marker expression. The proportion of sensitive (SOX6+) DAns in the population calculated from the level of gene expression is higher than resistant (CALB+) DAns. Electrophysiological studies of the DAns confirmed their voltage sensitivity and showed that a mutation in the PARK8 gene is associated with enhanced store-operated calcium entry. The study of high-purity DAns differentiated from the iPSCs of patients with hereditary PD using this differentiation protocol will allow for investigators to combine various research methods, from patch clamp to omics technologies, and maximize information about cell function in normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga S Lebedeva
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena I Sharova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitriy A Grekhnev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Liubov O Skorodumova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V Kopylova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina M Vassina
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, GSP-1, Gubkina St., 3, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Arina Oshkolova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Iuliia V Novikova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alena V Krisanova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Evgenii I Olekhnovich
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Vigont
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena V Kaznacheyeva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexandra N Bogomazova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria A Lagarkova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Malaya Pirogovskaya, 1a, 119435 Moscow, Russia
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13
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de Leeuw VC, van Oostrom CTM, Zwart EP, Heusinkveld HJ, Hessel EVS. Prolonged Differentiation of Neuron-Astrocyte Co-Cultures Results in Emergence of Dopaminergic Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043608. [PMID: 36835019 PMCID: PMC9959280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is present in a subgroup of neurons that are vital for normal brain functioning. Disruption of the dopaminergic system, e.g., by chemical compounds, contributes to the development of Parkinson's disease and potentially some neurodevelopmental disorders. Current test guidelines for chemical safety assessment do not include specific endpoints for dopamine disruption. Therefore, there is a need for the human-relevant assessment of (developmental) neurotoxicity related to dopamine disruption. The aim of this study was to determine the biological domain related to dopaminergic neurons of a human stem cell-based in vitro test, the human neural progenitor test (hNPT). Neural progenitor cells were differentiated in a neuron-astrocyte co-culture for 70 days, and dopamine-related gene and protein expression was investigated. Expression of genes specific for dopaminergic differentiation and functioning, such as LMX1B, NURR1, TH, SLC6A3, and KCNJ6, were increasing by day 14. From day 42, a network of neurons expressing the catecholamine marker TH and the dopaminergic markers VMAT2 and DAT was present. These results confirm stable gene and protein expression of dopaminergic markers in hNPT. Further characterization and chemical testing are needed to investigate if the model might be relevant in a testing strategy to test the neurotoxicity of the dopaminergic system.
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14
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Sibuea S, Ho JK, Pouton CW, Haynes JM. TGFβ3, dibutyryl cAMP and a notch inhibitor modulate phenotype late in stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron maturation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1111705. [PMID: 36819101 PMCID: PMC9928866 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1111705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (mDAs) from pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) holds much promise for both disease modelling studies and as a cell therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Generally, dopaminergic neuron differentiation paradigms rely on inhibition of smad signalling for neural induction followed by hedgehog signalling and an elevation of β-catenin to drive dopaminergic differentiation. Post-patterning, differentiating dopaminergic neuron cultures are permitted time for maturation after which the success of these differentiation paradigms is usually defined by expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of dopamine. However, during maturation, culture media is often supplemented with additives to promote neuron survival and or promote cell differentiation. These additives include dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP), transforming growth factor β3 (TGFβ3) and or the γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT). While these factors are routinely added to cultures, their impact upon pluripotent stem cell-derived mDA phenotype is largely unclear. In this study, we differentiate pluripotent stem cells toward a dopaminergic phenotype and investigate how the omission of dbcAMP, TGFβ3 or DAPT, late in maturation, affects the regulation of multiple dopaminergic neuron phenotype markers. We now show that the removal of dbcAMP or TGFβ3 significantly and distinctly impacts multiple markers of the mDA phenotype (FOXA2, EN1, EN2, FOXA2, SOX6), while commonly increasing both MSX2 and NEUROD1 and reducing expression of both tyrosine hydroxylase and WNT5A. Removing DAPT significantly impacted MSX2, OTX2, EN1, and KCNJ6. In the absence of any stressful stimuli, we suggest that these culture additives should be viewed as mDA phenotype-modifying, rather than neuroprotective. We also suggest that their addition to cultures is likely to confound the interpretation of both transplantation and disease modelling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanti Sibuea
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia,National Agency of Drug and Food Control, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Joan K. Ho
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Colin W. Pouton
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - John M. Haynes
- Stem Cell Biology Group, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: John M. Haynes,
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15
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Prakash N. Developmental pathways linked to the vulnerability of adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons to neurodegeneration. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1071731. [PMID: 36618829 PMCID: PMC9815185 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1071731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The degeneration of dopaminergic and other neurons in the aging brain is considered a process starting well beyond the infantile and juvenile period. In contrast to other dopamine-associated neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and drug addiction, typically diagnosed during adolescence or young adulthood and, thus, thought to be rooted in the developing brain, Parkinson's Disease (PD) is rarely viewed as such. However, evidences have accumulated suggesting that several factors might contribute to an increased vulnerability to death of the dopaminergic neurons at an already very early (developmental) phase in life. Despite the remarkable ability of the brain to compensate such dopamine deficits, the early loss or dysfunction of these neurons might predispose an individual to suffer from PD because the critical threshold of dopamine function will be reached much earlier in life, even if the time-course and strength of naturally occurring and age-dependent dopaminergic cell death is not markedly altered in this individual. Several signaling and transcriptional pathways required for the proper embryonic development of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which are the most affected in PD, either continue to be active in the adult mammalian midbrain or are reactivated at the transition to adulthood and under neurotoxic conditions. The persistent activity of these pathways often has neuroprotective functions in adult midbrain dopaminergic neurons, whereas the reactivation of silenced pathways under pathological conditions can promote the survival and even regeneration of these neurons in the lesioned or aging brain. This article summarizes our current knowledge about signaling and transcription factors involved in midbrain dopaminergic neuron development, whose reduced gene dosage or signaling activity are implicated in a lower survival rate of these neurons in the postnatal or aging brain. It also discusses the evidences supporting the neuroprotection of the midbrain dopaminergic system after the external supply or ectopic expression of some of these secreted and nuclear factors in the adult and aging brain. Altogether, the timely monitoring and/or correction of these signaling and transcriptional pathways might be a promising approach to a much earlier diagnosis and/or prevention of PD.
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16
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Virdi GS, Choi ML, Evans JR, Yao Z, Athauda D, Strohbuecker S, Nirujogi RS, Wernick AI, Pelegrina-Hidalgo N, Leighton C, Saleeb RS, Kopach O, Alrashidi H, Melandri D, Perez-Lloret J, Angelova PR, Sylantyev S, Eaton S, Heales S, Rusakov DA, Alessi DR, Kunath T, Horrocks MH, Abramov AY, Patani R, Gandhi S. Protein aggregation and calcium dysregulation are hallmarks of familial Parkinson's disease in midbrain dopaminergic neurons. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2022; 8:162. [PMID: 36424392 PMCID: PMC9691718 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-022-00423-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SNCA gene cause autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD), with loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and aggregation of α-synuclein. The sequence of molecular events that proceed from an SNCA mutation during development, to end-stage pathology is unknown. Utilising human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), we resolved the temporal sequence of SNCA-induced pathophysiological events in order to discover early, and likely causative, events. Our small molecule-based protocol generates highly enriched midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons: molecular identity was confirmed using single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics, and functional identity was established through dopamine synthesis, and measures of electrophysiological activity. At the earliest stage of differentiation, prior to maturation to mDA neurons, we demonstrate the formation of small β-sheet-rich oligomeric aggregates, in SNCA-mutant cultures. Aggregation persists and progresses, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein aggregates. Impaired intracellular calcium signalling, increased basal calcium, and impairments in mitochondrial calcium handling occurred early at day 34-41 post differentiation. Once midbrain identity fully developed, at day 48-62 post differentiation, SNCA-mutant neurons exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, lysosomal swelling and increased autophagy. Ultimately these multiple cellular stresses lead to abnormal excitability, altered neuronal activity, and cell death. Our differentiation paradigm generates an efficient model for studying disease mechanisms in PD and highlights that protein misfolding to generate intraneuronal oligomers is one of the earliest critical events driving disease in human neurons, rather than a late-stage hallmark of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurvir S Virdi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Minee L Choi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - James R Evans
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Zhi Yao
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Dilan Athauda
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Raja S Nirujogi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anna I Wernick
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Noelia Pelegrina-Hidalgo
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Craig Leighton
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Rebecca S Saleeb
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Olga Kopach
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Haya Alrashidi
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Daniela Melandri
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | | | - Plamena R Angelova
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sergiy Sylantyev
- Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Ashgrove Rd West, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Simon Eaton
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Simon Heales
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Dmitri A Rusakov
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Dario R Alessi
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Tilo Kunath
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Mathew H Horrocks
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Rickie Patani
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Sonia Gandhi
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
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17
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Effect of Renal Ischemia Reperfusion on Brain Neuroinflammation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112993. [PMID: 36428560 PMCID: PMC9687457 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112993] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an inflammatory sequence. It can lead to distant organ injury, including damage to the central nervous system (CNS), mediated by increased circulating cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. It can also lead to increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. However, the effect of AKI on the inflammatory response of the brain has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we observed the effect of AKI on BBB permeability, microglia and astrocyte activation, and neuronal toxicity in the brain. The striatum and ventral midbrain, known to control overall movement, secrete the neurotransmitter dopamine. The activation of microglia and astrocytes present in this area causes neuro-degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The activation of astrocytes and microglia in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which are responsible for important functions, including memory, learning, concentration, and language, can trigger nerve cell apoptosis. The activation of astrocytes and microglia at this site is also involved in the inflammatory response associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid. In the situation of kidney ischemia reperfusion (IR)-induced AKI, activation of microglia and astrocytes were observed in the striatum, ventral midbrain, hippocampus, and cortex. However, neuronal cell death was not observed until 48 h.
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18
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Pré D, Wooten AT, Biesmans S, Hinckley S, Zhou H, Sherman SP, Kakad P, Gearhart J, Bang AG. Development of a platform to investigate long-term potentiation in human iPSC-derived neuronal networks. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2141-2155. [PMID: 35985330 PMCID: PMC9481914 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) is a common feature of many pre-clinical models of neurological disorders; however, studies in humans are limited by the inaccessibility of the brain. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a unique opportunity to study LTP in disease-specific genetic backgrounds. Here we describe a multi-electrode array (MEA)-based assay to investigate chemically induced LTP (cLTP) across entire networks of hiPSC-derived midbrain dopaminergic (DA) and cortical neuronal populations that lasts for days, allowing studies of the late phases of LTP and enabling detection of associated molecular changes. We show that cLTP on midbrain DA neuronal networks is largely independent of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and partially dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Finally, we describe activity-regulated gene expression induced by cLTP. This cLTP-MEA assay platform will enable phenotype discovery and higher-throughput analyses of synaptic plasticity on hiPSC-derived neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Pré
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alexander T Wooten
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Steven Biesmans
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sandy Hinckley
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Haowen Zhou
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sean P Sherman
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Priyanka Kakad
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jeffrey Gearhart
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine on Contract to USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH 45433, USA
| | - Anne G Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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19
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Alekseenko Z, Dias JM, Adler AF, Kozhevnikova M, van Lunteren JA, Nolbrant S, Jeggari A, Vasylovska S, Yoshitake T, Kehr J, Carlén M, Alexeyenko A, Parmar M, Ericson J. Robust derivation of transplantable dopamine neurons from human pluripotent stem cells by timed retinoic acid delivery. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3046. [PMID: 35650213 PMCID: PMC9160024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) have entered first-in-human clinical trials using a set of technically related methods to produce mesencephalic dopamine (mDA) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we outline an approach for high-yield derivation of mDA neurons that principally differs from alternative technologies by utilizing retinoic acid (RA) signaling, instead of WNT and FGF8 signaling, to specify mesencephalic fate. Unlike most morphogen signals, where precise concentration determines cell fate, it is the duration of RA exposure that is the key-parameter for mesencephalic specification. This concentration-insensitive patterning approach provides robustness and reduces the need for protocol-adjustments between hPSC-lines. RA-specified progenitors promptly differentiate into functional mDA neurons in vitro, and successfully engraft and relieve motor deficits after transplantation in a rat PD model. Our study provides a potential alternative route for cell therapy and disease modelling that due to its robustness could be particularly expedient when use of autologous- or immunologically matched cells is considered. Stem cell based replacement therapies could provide a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Here the authors outline a retinoic acid-based approach for robust derivation of dopamine neurons from stem cells that restore motor deficits in parkinsonian rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanna Alekseenko
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - José M Dias
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrew F Adler
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mariya Kozhevnikova
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Sara Nolbrant
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ashwini Jeggari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svitlana Vasylovska
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Takashi Yoshitake
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Kehr
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.,Pronexus Analytical AB, Bromma, Sweden
| | - Marie Carlén
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrey Alexeyenko
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, 171 21, Solna, Sweden
| | - Malin Parmar
- Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Ericson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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20
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Huang J, Liu L, Qin L, Huang H, Li X. Single-Cell Transcriptomics Uncovers Cellular Heterogeneity, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Targets for Parkinson’s Disease. Front Genet 2022; 13:686739. [PMID: 35601482 PMCID: PMC9114673 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.686739] [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: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to exploit cellular heterogeneity for revealing mechanisms and identifying therapeutic targets for Parkinson’s disease (PD) via single-cell transcriptomics. Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data on midbrain specimens from PD and healthy individuals were obtained from the GSE157783 dataset. After quality control and preprocessing, the principal component analysis (PCA) was presented. Cells were clustered with the Seurat package. Cell clusters were labeled by matching marker genes and annotations of the brain in the CellMarker database. The ligand–receptor networks were established, and the core cell cluster was selected. Biological functions of differentially expressed genes in core cell clusters were analyzed. Upregulated marker genes were identified between PD and healthy individuals, which were measured in 18 PD patients’ and 18 healthy individuals’ blood specimens through RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results: The first nine PCs were determined, which can better represent the overall change. Five cell clusters were identified, including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, neurons, microglial cells, and endothelial cells. Among them, endothelial cells were the core cell cluster in the ligand–receptor network. Marker genes of endothelial cells possessed various biological functions. Among them, five marker genes (ANGPT2, APOD, HSP90AA1, HSPA1A, and PDE1C) were upregulated in PD patients’ than in healthy individuals’ endothelial cells, which were confirmed in PD patients’ than in healthy individuals’ blood specimens. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the cellular heterogeneity of PD and endothelial cells could play a major role in cell-to-cell communications. Five upregulated marker genes of endothelial cells could be underlying therapeutic targets of PD, which deserve more in-depth clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Huang
- Department of Neurology, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
- *Correspondence: Li Liu, ; Jianjun Huang,
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
- *Correspondence: Li Liu, ; Jianjun Huang,
| | - Lingling Qin
- Department of Medical Quality Management, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Hehua Huang
- Department of Anatomy, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Electrophysiology, Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
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21
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Ni A, Ernst C. Evidence That Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Dopaminergic Neurons Are Selectively Vulnerable to Oxidative Stress Because They Are Highly Metabolically Active. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:826193. [PMID: 35308118 PMCID: PMC8931026 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.826193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There are 400–500 thousand dopaminergic cells within each side of the human substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) making them a minuscule portion of total brain mass. These tiny clusters of cells have an outsized impact on motor output and behavior as seen in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). SNpc dopaminergic neurons are more vulnerable to oxidative stress compared to other brain cell types, but the reasons for this are not precisely known. Here we provide evidence to support the hypothesis that this selective vulnerability is because SNpc neurons sustain high metabolic rates compared to other neurons. A higher baseline requirement for ATP production may lead to a selective vulnerability to impairments in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) or genetic insults that impair Complex I of the electron transport chain. We suggest that the energy demands of the unique morphological and electrophysiological properties of SNpc neurons may be one reason these cells produce more ATP than other cells. We further provide evidence to support the hypothesis that transcription factors (TFs) required to drive induction, differentiation, and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neural progenitor cells which give rise to terminally differentiated SNpc neurons are uniquely involved in both developmental patterning and metabolism, a dual function unlike other TFs that program neurons in other brain regions. The use of these TFs during induction and differentiation may program ventral midbrain progenitor cells metabolically to higher ATP levels, allowing for the development of those specialized cell processes seen in terminally differentiated cells. This paper provides a cellular and developmental framework for understanding the selective vulnerability of SNpc dopaminergic cells to oxidative stress.
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22
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Roles of Transcription Factors in the Development and Reprogramming of the Dopaminergic Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020845. [PMID: 35055043 PMCID: PMC8775916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The meso-diencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons regulate various critical processes in the mammalian nervous system, including voluntary movement and a wide range of behaviors such as mood, reward, addiction, and stress. mdDA neuronal loss is linked with one of the most prominent human movement neurological disorders, Parkinson’s disease (PD). How these cells die and regenerate are two of the most hotly debated PD research topics. As for the latter, it has been long known that a series of transcription factors (TFs) involves the development of mdDA neurons, specifying cell types and controlling developmental patterns. In vitro and in vivo, TFs regulate the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, a dopamine transporter, vesicular monoamine transporter 2, and L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase, all of which are critical for dopamine synthesis and transport in dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons). In this review, we encapsulate the molecular mechanism of TFs underlying embryonic growth and maturation of mdDA neurons and update achievements on dopaminergic cell therapy dependent on knowledge of TFs in mdDA neuronal development. We believe that a deeper understanding of the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence DA neurons’ fate and development in the midbrain could lead to a better strategy for PD cell therapy.
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23
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Novak G, Kyriakis D, Grzyb K, Bernini M, Rodius S, Dittmar G, Finkbeiner S, Skupin A. Single-cell transcriptomics of human iPSC differentiation dynamics reveal a core molecular network of Parkinson's disease. Commun Biol 2022; 5:49. [PMID: 35027645 PMCID: PMC8758783 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02973-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons (mDA) in the midbrain. The underlying mechanisms are only partly understood and there is no treatment to reverse PD progression. Here, we investigated the disease mechanism using mDA neurons differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) carrying the ILE368ASN mutation within the PINK1 gene, which is strongly associated with PD. Single-cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and gene expression analysis of a PINK1-ILE368ASN and a control cell line identified genes differentially expressed during mDA neuron differentiation. Network analysis revealed that these genes form a core network, members of which interact with all known 19 protein-coding Parkinson's disease-associated genes. This core network encompasses key PD-associated pathways, including ubiquitination, mitochondrial function, protein processing, RNA metabolism, and vesicular transport. Proteomics analysis showed a consistent alteration in proteins of dopamine metabolism, indicating a defect of dopaminergic metabolism in PINK1-ILE368ASN neurons. Our findings suggest the existence of a network onto which pathways associated with PD pathology converge, and offers an inclusive interpretation of the phenotypic heterogeneity of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Novak
- The Integrative Cell Signalling Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
- Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, the Gladstone Institutes and Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | - Dimitrios Kyriakis
- The Integrative Cell Signalling Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Kamil Grzyb
- The Integrative Cell Signalling Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Michela Bernini
- The Integrative Cell Signalling Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sophie Rodius
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Gunnar Dittmar
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Steven Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, the Gladstone Institutes and Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Alexander Skupin
- The Integrative Cell Signalling Group, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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24
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Islam KUS, Meli N, Blaess S. The Development of the Mesoprefrontal Dopaminergic System in Health and Disease. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:746582. [PMID: 34712123 PMCID: PMC8546303 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.746582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Midbrain dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area are the main source of dopamine in the brain. They send out projections to a variety of forebrain structures, including dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and prefrontal cortex (PFC), establishing the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesoprefrontal pathways, respectively. The dopaminergic input to the PFC is essential for the performance of higher cognitive functions such as working memory, attention, planning, and decision making. The gradual maturation of these cognitive skills during postnatal development correlates with the maturation of PFC local circuits, which undergo a lengthy functional remodeling process during the neonatal and adolescence stage. During this period, the mesoprefrontal dopaminergic innervation also matures: the fibers are rather sparse at prenatal stages and slowly increase in density during postnatal development to finally reach a stable pattern in early adulthood. Despite the prominent role of dopamine in the regulation of PFC function, relatively little is known about how the dopaminergic innervation is established in the PFC, whether and how it influences the maturation of local circuits and how exactly it facilitates cognitive functions in the PFC. In this review, we provide an overview of the development of the mesoprefrontal dopaminergic system in rodents and primates and discuss the role of altered dopaminergic signaling in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ushna S Islam
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Norisa Meli
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sandra Blaess
- Neurodevelopmental Genetics, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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25
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Wang Y, Chen X, Wang Y, Li S, Cai H, Le W. The essential role of transcription factor Pitx3 in preventing mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurodegeneration and maintaining neuronal subtype identities during aging. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:1008. [PMID: 34707106 PMCID: PMC8551333 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary homeobox 3 (Pitx3) is required for the terminal differentiation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons during neuronal development. However, whether Pitx3 contributes to the normal physiological function and cell-type identity of adult neurons remains unknown. To explore the role of Pitx3 in maintaining mature neurons, we selectively deleted Pitx3 in the mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons of Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 bigenic mice using a tamoxifen inducible CreERT2/loxp gene-targeting system. Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 mice developed age-dependent progressive motor deficits, concomitant with a rapid reduction of striatal dopamine (DA) content and a profound loss of mdDA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) but not in the adjacent ventral tegmental area (VTA), recapitulating the canonical neuropathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mechanistic studies showed that Pitx3-deficiency significantly increased the number of cleaved caspase-3+ cells in SNc, which likely underwent neurodegeneration. Meanwhile, the vulnerability of SNc mdDA neurons was increased in Pitx3fl/fl/DATCreERT2 mice, as indicated by an early decline in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a1 (Aldh1a1) levels. Noticeably, somatic accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) was also significantly increased in the Pitx3-deficient neurons. Together, our data demonstrate that the loss of Pitx3 in fully differentiated mdDA neurons results in progressive neurodegeneration, indicating the importance of the Pitx3 gene in adult neuronal survival. Our findings also suggest that distinct Pitx3-dependent pathways exist in SNc and VTA mdDA neurons, correlating with the differential vulnerability of SNc and VTA mdDA neurons in the absence of Pitx3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
- Institute of Neurology and Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial Hospital, Medical School of UETSC, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Song Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenic Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China.
- Institute of Neurology and Department of Neurology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences-Sichuan Provincial Hospital, Medical School of UETSC, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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26
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Götz M, Bocchi R. Neuronal replacement: Concepts, achievements, and call for caution. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:185-192. [PMID: 33984604 PMCID: PMC8411662 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative approaches have made such a great progress, now aiming toward replacing the exact neurons lost upon injury or neurodegeneration. Transplantation and direct reprogramming approaches benefit from identification of molecular programs for neuronal subtype specification, allowing engineering of more precise neuronal subtypes. Disentangling subtype diversity from dynamic transcriptional states presents a challenge now. Adequate identity and connectivity is a prerequisite to restore neuronal network function, which is achieved by transplanted neurons generating the correct output and input, depending on the location and injury condition. Direct neuronal reprogramming of local glial cells has also made great progress in achieving high efficiency of conversion, with adequate output connectivity now aiming toward the goal of replacing neurons in a noninvasive approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Götz
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany; Helmholtz Center Munich, Biomedical Center (BMC), Institute of Stem Cell Research, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany; SyNergy Excellence Cluster, Munich, Germany.
| | - Riccardo Bocchi
- Physiological Genomics, Biomedical Center (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU), Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany; Helmholtz Center Munich, Biomedical Center (BMC), Institute of Stem Cell Research, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany.
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27
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Gaggi G, Di Credico A, Izzicupo P, Iannetti G, Di Baldassarre A, Ghinassi B. Chemical and Biological Molecules Involved in Differentiation, Maturation, and Survival of Dopaminergic Neurons in Health and Parkinson's Disease: Physiological Aspects and Clinical Implications. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070754. [PMID: 34209807 PMCID: PMC8301385 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by a specific and progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons and dopamine, causing motor dysfunctions and impaired movements. Unfortunately, available therapies can partially treat the motor symptoms, but they have no effect on non-motor features. In addition, the therapeutic effect reduces gradually, and the prolonged use of drugs leads to a significative increase in the number of adverse events. For these reasons, an alternative approach that allows the replacement or the improved survival of DA neurons is very appealing for the treatment of PD patients and recently the first human clinical trials for DA neurons replacement have been set up. Here, we review the role of chemical and biological molecules that are involved in the development, survival and differentiation of DA neurons. In particular, we review the chemical small molecules used to differentiate different type of stem cells into DA neurons with high efficiency; the role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs both in DA neurons development/survival as far as in the pathogenesis of PD; and, finally, we dissect the potential role of exosomes carrying biological molecules as treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gaggi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Andrea Di Credico
- Human Anatomy and Cell Differentiation Lab, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.D.C.); (P.I.); (B.G.)
| | - Pascal Izzicupo
- Human Anatomy and Cell Differentiation Lab, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.D.C.); (P.I.); (B.G.)
| | | | - Angela Di Baldassarre
- Human Anatomy and Cell Differentiation Lab, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.D.C.); (P.I.); (B.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Barbara Ghinassi
- Human Anatomy and Cell Differentiation Lab, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.D.C.); (P.I.); (B.G.)
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Tutukova S, Tarabykin V, Hernandez-Miranda LR. The Role of Neurod Genes in Brain Development, Function, and Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:662774. [PMID: 34177462 PMCID: PMC8221396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.662774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional regulation is essential for the correct functioning of cells during development and in postnatal life. The basic Helix-loop-Helix (bHLH) superfamily of transcription factors is well conserved throughout evolution and plays critical roles in tissue development and tissue maintenance. A subgroup of this family, called neural lineage bHLH factors, is critical in the development and function of the central nervous system. In this review, we will focus on the function of one subgroup of neural lineage bHLH factors, the Neurod family. The Neurod family has four members: Neurod1, Neurod2, Neurod4, and Neurod6. Available evidence shows that these four factors are key during the development of the cerebral cortex but also in other regions of the central nervous system, such as the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the spinal cord. We will also discuss recent reports that link the dysfunction of these transcription factors to neurological disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Tutukova
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Tarabykin
- Institute of Neuroscience, Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luis R Hernandez-Miranda
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Cell- and Neurobiology, Berlin, Germany
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