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Zimyanin VL, Pielka AM, Glaß H, Japtok J, Großmann D, Martin M, Deussen A, Szewczyk B, Deppmann C, Zunder E, Andersen PM, Boeckers TM, Sterneckert J, Redemann S, Storch A, Hermann A. Live Cell Imaging of ATP Levels Reveals Metabolic Compartmentalization within Motoneurons and Early Metabolic Changes in FUS ALS Motoneurons. Cells 2023; 12:1352. [PMID: 37408187 PMCID: PMC10216752 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101352] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Motoneurons are one of the most energy-demanding cell types and a primary target in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating and lethal neurodegenerative disorder without currently available effective treatments. Disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure, transport, and metabolism is a commonly reported phenotype in ALS models and can critically affect survival and the proper function of motor neurons. However, how changes in metabolic rates contribute to ALS progression is not fully understood yet. Here, we utilize hiPCS-derived motoneuron cultures and live imaging quantitative techniques to evaluate metabolic rates in fused in sarcoma (FUS)-ALS model cells. We show that differentiation and maturation of motoneurons are accompanied by an overall upregulation of mitochondrial components and a significant increase in metabolic rates that correspond to their high energy-demanding state. Detailed compartment-specific live measurements using a fluorescent ATP sensor and FLIM imaging show significantly lower levels of ATP in the somas of cells carrying FUS-ALS mutations. These changes lead to the increased vulnerability of diseased motoneurons to further metabolic challenges with mitochondrial inhibitors and could be due to the disruption of mitochondrial inner membrane integrity and an increase in its proton leakage. Furthermore, our measurements demonstrate heterogeneity between axonal and somatic compartments, with lower relative levels of ATP in axons. Our observations strongly support the hypothesis that mutated FUS impacts the metabolic states of motoneurons and makes them more susceptible to further neurodegenerative mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly L Zimyanin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Pielka
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Hannes Glaß
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Julia Japtok
- Department of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dajana Großmann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Melanie Martin
- Institute of Physiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Deussen
- Institute of Physiology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Szewczyk
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Chris Deppmann
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Eli Zunder
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm Site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Centre for Regenerative Therapie, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefanie Redemann
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22902, USA
| | - Alexander Storch
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Centre, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section, "Albrecht Kossel", Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Centre, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
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Nhieu J, Milbauer L, Lerdall T, Najjar F, Wei CW, Ishida R, Ma Y, Kagechika H, Wei LN. Targeting Cellular Retinoic Acid Binding Protein 1 with Retinoic Acid-like Compounds to Mitigate Motor Neuron Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4980. [PMID: 36902410 PMCID: PMC10002585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054980] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic Acid (atRA) is the principal active metabolite of Vitamin A, essential for various biological processes. The activities of atRA are mediated by nuclear RA receptors (RARs) to alter gene expression (canonical activities) or by cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (CRABP1) to rapidly (minutes) modulate cytosolic kinase signaling, including calcium calmodulin-activated kinase 2 (CaMKII) (non-canonical activities). Clinically, atRA-like compounds have been extensively studied for therapeutic applications; however, RAR-mediated toxicity severely hindered the progress. It is highly desirable to identify CRABP1-binding ligands that lack RAR activity. Studies of CRABP1 knockout (CKO) mice revealed CRABP1 to be a new therapeutic target, especially for motor neuron (MN) degenerative diseases where CaMKII signaling in MN is critical. This study reports a P19-MN differentiation system, enabling studies of CRABP1 ligands in various stages of MN differentiation, and identifies a new CRABP1-binding ligand C32. Using the P19-MN differentiation system, the study establishes C32 and previously reported C4 as CRABP1 ligands that can modulate CaMKII activation in the P19-MN differentiation process. Further, in committed MN cells, elevating CRABP1 reduces excitotoxicity-triggered MN death, supporting a protective role for CRABP1 signaling in MN survival. C32 and C4 CRABP1 ligands were also protective against excitotoxicity-triggered MN death. The results provide insight into the potential of signaling pathway-selective, CRABP1-binding, atRA-like ligands in mitigating MN degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Fatimah Najjar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ryosuke Ishida
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yue Ma
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kagechika
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Patel T, Hammelman J, Aziz S, Jang S, Closser M, Michaels TL, Blum JA, Gifford DK, Wichterle H. Transcriptional dynamics of murine motor neuron maturation in vivo and in vitro. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5427. [PMID: 36109497 PMCID: PMC9477853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33022-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons born in the embryo can undergo a protracted period of maturation lasting well into postnatal life. How gene expression changes are regulated during maturation and whether they can be recapitulated in cultured neurons remains poorly understood. Here, we show that mouse motor neurons exhibit pervasive changes in gene expression and accessibility of associated regulatory regions from embryonic till juvenile age. While motifs of selector transcription factors, ISL1 and LHX3, are enriched in nascent regulatory regions, motifs of NFI factors, activity-dependent factors, and hormone receptors become more prominent in maturation-dependent enhancers. Notably, stem cell-derived motor neurons recapitulate ~40% of the maturation expression program in vitro, with neural activity playing only a modest role as a late-stage modulator. Thus, the genetic maturation program consists of a core hardwired subprogram that is correctly executed in vitro and an extrinsically-controlled subprogram that is dependent on the in vivo context of the maturing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulsi Patel
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Jennifer Hammelman
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Siaresh Aziz
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sumin Jang
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Michael Closser
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Theodore L Michaels
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jacob A Blum
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David K Gifford
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology & Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Ogura Y, Sahashi K, Hirunagi T, Iida M, Miyata T, Katsuno M. Mid1 is associated with androgen-dependent axonal vulnerability of motor neurons in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:601. [PMID: 35821212 PMCID: PMC9276699 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05001-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an adult-onset hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansions of CAG repeats in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Androgen-dependent nuclear accumulation of pathogenic AR protein causes degeneration of lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. While the successful induction of SBMA-like pathology has been achieved in mouse models, mechanisms underlying motor neuron vulnerability remain unclear. In the present study, we performed a transcriptome-based screening for genes expressed exclusively in motor neurons and dysregulated in the spinal cord of SBMA mice. We found upregulation of Mid1 encoding a microtubule-associated RNA binding protein which facilitates the translation of CAG-expanded mRNAs. Based on the finding that lower motor neurons begin expressing Mid1 during embryonic stages, we developed an organotypic slice culture system of the spinal cord obtained from SBMA mouse fetuses to study the pathogenic role of Mid1 in SBMA motor neurons. Impairment of axonal regeneration arose in the spinal cord culture in SBMA mice in an androgen-dependent manner, but not in mice with non-CAG-expanded AR, and was either exacerbated or ameliorated by Mid1 overexpression or knockdown, respectively. Hence, an early Mid1 expression confers vulnerability to motor neurons, at least by inducing axonogenesis defects, in SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Ogura
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sahashi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Hirunagi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Madoka Iida
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takaki Miyata
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan ,grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Clinical Research Education, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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5
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Gomes C, Sequeira C, Likhite S, Dennys CN, Kolb SJ, Shaw PJ, Vaz AR, Kaspar BK, Meyer K, Brites D. Neurotoxic Astrocytes Directly Converted from Sporadic and Familial ALS Patient Fibroblasts Reveal Signature Diversities and miR-146a Theragnostic Potential in Specific Subtypes. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071186. [PMID: 35406750 PMCID: PMC8997588 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A lack of stratification methods in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is likely implicated in therapeutic failures. Regional diversities and pathophysiological abnormalities in astrocytes from mice with SOD1 mutations (mSOD1-ALS) can now be explored in human patients using somatic cell reprogramming. Here, fibroblasts from four sporadic (sALS) and three mSOD1-ALS patients were transdifferentiated into induced astrocytes (iAstrocytes). ALS iAstrocytes were neurotoxic toward HB9-GFP mouse motor neurons (MNs) and exhibited subtype stratification through GFAP, CX43, Ki-67, miR-155 and miR-146a expression levels. Up- (two cases) and down-regulated (three cases) miR-146a values in iAstrocytes were recapitulated in their secretome, either free or as cargo in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). We previously showed that the neuroprotective phenotype of depleted miR-146 mSOD1 cortical astrocytes was reverted by its mimic. Thus, we tested such modulation in the most miR-146a-depleted patient-iAstrocytes (one sALS and one mSOD1-ALS). The miR-146a mimic in ALS iAstrocytes counteracted their reactive/inflammatory profile and restored miR-146a levels in sEVs. A reduction in lysosomal activity and enhanced synaptic/axonal transport-related genes in NSC-34 MNs occurred after co-culture with miR-146a-modulated iAstrocytes. In summary, the regulation of miR-146a in depleted ALS astrocytes may be key in reestablishing their normal function and in restoring MN lysosomal/synaptic dynamic plasticity in disease sub-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Gomes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.G.); (C.S.); (A.R.V.)
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (S.L.); (C.N.D.); (B.K.K.); (K.M.)
| | - Catarina Sequeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.G.); (C.S.); (A.R.V.)
| | - Shibi Likhite
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (S.L.); (C.N.D.); (B.K.K.); (K.M.)
| | - Cassandra N. Dennys
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (S.L.); (C.N.D.); (B.K.K.); (K.M.)
| | - Stephen J. Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43214, USA;
| | - Pamela J. Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK;
| | - Ana R. Vaz
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.G.); (C.S.); (A.R.V.)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Brian K. Kaspar
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (S.L.); (C.N.D.); (B.K.K.); (K.M.)
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kathrin Meyer
- The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA; (S.L.); (C.N.D.); (B.K.K.); (K.M.)
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.G.); (C.S.); (A.R.V.)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-217946450
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Louit A, Beaudet MJ, Gros-Louis F, Berthod F. Tissue-engineered in vitro modeling of the impact of Schwann cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1938-1948. [PMID: 35289393 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons (MN). To investigate whether Schwann cells could be involved in the disease pathogenesis, we developed a tissue-engineered 3D in vitro model that combined MNs cocultured with astrocytes and microglia seeded on top of a collagen sponge populated with epineurium fibroblasts to enable 3D axonal migration. C2C12 myoblasts were seeded underneath the sponge in presence or absence of Schwann cells. To reproduce an ALS cellular microenvironment, MNs, astrocytes and microglia were extracted from SOD1G93A mice recapitulating many aspects of the human disease. This 3D ALS in vitro model was compared with a 3D control made of cells isolated from SOD1WT mice. We showed that normal Schwann cells strongly enhanced MN axonal migration in the 3D control model but had no effect in the ALS model. However, ALS-derived Schwann cells isolated from SOD1G93A mice failed to significantly improve axonal migration in both models. These results suggest that a cell therapy using healthy Schwann cells may not be effective in promoting axonal regeneration in ALS. In addition, this 3D ALS model could be used to study the impact of other cell types on ALS by various combinations of normal and diseased cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Louit
- LOEX, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval
| | | | - François Gros-Louis
- LOEX, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - François Berthod
- LOEX, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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Vargova I, Kriska J, Kwok JCF, Fawcett JW, Jendelova P. Long-Term Cultures of Spinal Cord Interneurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:827628. [PMID: 35197829 PMCID: PMC8859857 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.827628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord interneurons (SpINs) are highly diverse population of neurons that play a significant role in circuit reorganization and spontaneous recovery after spinal cord injury. Regeneration of SpIN axons across rodent spinal injuries has been demonstrated after modification of the environment and neurotrophin treatment, but development of methods to enhance the intrinsic regenerative ability of SpINs is needed. There is a lack of described in vitro models of spinal cord neurons in which to develop new regeneration treatments. For this reason, we developed a new model of mouse primary spinal cord neuronal culture in which to analyze maturation, morphology, physiology, connectivity and regeneration of identified interneurons. Isolated from E14 mice, the neurons mature over 15 days in vitro, demonstrated by expression of maturity markers, electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings, and formation of synapses. The neurons express markers of SpINs, including Tlx3, Lmx1b, Lbx1, Chx10, and Pax2. The neurons demonstrate distinct morphologies and some form perineuronal nets in long-term cultivation. Live neurons in various maturation stages were axotomized, using a 900 nm multiphoton laser and their fate was observed overnight. The percentage of axons that regenerated declined with neuronal maturity. This model of SpINs will be a valuable tool in future regenerative, developmental, and functional studies alongside existing models using cortical or hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Vargova
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Kriska
- Department of Cellular Neurophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jessica C. F. Kwok
- The Center for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - James W. Fawcett
- The Center for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pavla Jendelova
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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Bos R, Rihan K, Quintana P, El-Bazzal L, Bernard-Marissal N, Da Silva N, Jabbour R, Mégarbané A, Bartoli M, Brocard F, Delague V. Altered action potential waveform and shorter axonal initial segment in hiPSC-derived motor neurons with mutations in VRK1. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 164:105609. [PMID: 34990802 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105609] [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: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently described new pathogenic variants in VRK1, in patients affected with distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy associated with upper motor neurons signs. Specifically, we provided evidences that hiPSC-derived Motor Neurons (hiPSC-MN) from these patients display Cajal Bodies (CBs) disassembly and defects in neurite outgrowth and branching. We here focused on the Axonal Initial Segment (AIS) and the related firing properties of hiPSC-MNs from these patients. We found that the patient's Action Potential (AP) was smaller in amplitude, larger in duration, and displayed a more depolarized threshold while the firing patterns were not altered. These alterations were accompanied by a decrease in the AIS length measured in patients' hiPSC-MNs. These data indicate that mutations in VRK1 impact the AP waveform and the AIS organization in MNs and may ultimately lead to the related motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Bos
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), UMR 7289, Marseille, France.
| | - Khalil Rihan
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Patrice Quintana
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Lara El-Bazzal
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Bernard-Marissal
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Nathalie Da Silva
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Rosette Jabbour
- Neurology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, St George Hospital University Medical Center, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - André Mégarbané
- Department of Human Genetics, Gilbert and RoseMary Chagoury Hospital, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France
| | - Frédéric Brocard
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), UMR 7289, Marseille, France
| | - Valérie Delague
- Aix Marseille Univ, Inserm, MMG, U 1251, Institut Marseille Maladies Rares (MarMaRa), Marseille, France.
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9
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Barbosa M, Gomes C, Sequeira C, Gonçalves-Ribeiro J, Pina CC, Carvalho LA, Moreira R, Vaz SH, Vaz AR, Brites D. Recovery of Depleted miR-146a in ALS Cortical Astrocytes Reverts Cell Aberrancies and Prevents Paracrine Pathogenicity on Microglia and Motor Neurons. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:634355. [PMID: 33968923 PMCID: PMC8103001 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.634355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) change their molecular expression pattern and release toxic factors that contribute to neurodegeneration and microglial activation. We and others identified a dysregulated inflammatory miRNA profile in ALS patients and in mice models suggesting that they represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Such cellular miRNAs are known to be released into the secretome and to be carried by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which may be harmful to recipient cells. Thus, ALS astrocyte secretome may disrupt cell homeostasis and impact on ALS pathogenesis. Previously, we identified a specific aberrant signature in the cortical brain of symptomatic SOD1-G93A (mSOD1) mice, as well as in astrocytes isolated from the same region of 7-day-old mSOD1 mice, with upregulated S100B/HMGB1/Cx43/vimentin and downregulated GFAP. The presence of downregulated miR-146a on both cases suggests that it can be a promising target for modulation in ALS. Here, we upregulated miR-146a with pre-miR-146a, and tested glycoursodeoxycholic acid (GUDCA) and dipeptidyl vinyl sulfone (VS) for their immunoregulatory properties. VS was more effective in restoring astrocytic miR-146a, GFAP, S100B, HMGB1, Cx43, and vimentin levels than GUDCA, which only recovered Cx43 and vimentin mRNA. The miR-146a inhibitor generated typical ALS aberrancies in wild type astrocytes that were abolished by VS. Similarly, pre-miR-146a transfection into the mSOD1 astrocytes abrogated aberrant markers and intracellular Ca2+ overload. Such treatment counteracted miR-146a depletion in sEVs and led to secretome-mediated miR-146a enhancement in NSC-34-motor neurons (MNs) and N9-microglia. Secretome from mSOD1 astrocytes increased early/late apoptosis and FGFR3 mRNA in MNs and microglia, but not when derived from pre-miR-146a or VS-treated cells. These last strategies prevented the impairment of axonal transport and synaptic dynamics by the pathological secretome, while also averted microglia activation through either secretome, or their isolated sEVs. Proteomic analysis of the target cells indicated that pre-miR-146a regulates mitochondria and inflammation via paracrine signaling. We demonstrate that replenishment of miR-146a in mSOD1 cortical astrocytes with pre-miR-146a or by VS abrogates their phenotypic aberrancies and paracrine deleterious consequences to MNs and microglia. These results propose miR-146a as a new causal and emerging therapeutic target for astrocyte pathogenic processes in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barbosa
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cátia Gomes
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Sequeira
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Gonçalves-Ribeiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Campos Pina
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís A Carvalho
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Moreira
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas e do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandra H Vaz
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Instituto de Farmacologia e Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Vaz
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas e do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dora Brites
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas e do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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10
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Abstract
The muscle spindle is an important sense organ for motor control and proprioception. Specialized intrafusal fibers are innervated by both stretch sensitive afferents and γ motor neurons that control the length of the spindle and tune the sensitivity of the muscle spindle afferents to both dynamic movement and static length. γ motor neurons share many similarities with other skeletal motor neurons, making it challenging to identify and specifically record or stimulate them. This short review will discuss recent advances in genetic and molecular biology techniques, electrophysiological recording, optical imaging, computer modelling, and stem cell culture techniques that have the potential to help answer important questions about fusimotor function in motor control and disease.
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11
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Moradi SZ, Jalili F, Farhadian N, Joshi T, Wang M, Zou L, Cao H, Farzaei MH, Xiao J. Polyphenols and neurodegenerative diseases: focus on neuronal regeneration. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:3421-3436. [PMID: 33393375 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1865870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are questions that modern therapeutics can still not answer. Great milestones have been achieved regarding liver, heart, skin, kidney and other types of organ transplantations but the greatest drawback is the adequate supply of these organs. Furthermore, there are still a few options available in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. With great advances in medical science, many health problems faced by humans have been solved, and their quality of life is improving. Moreover, diseases that were incurable in the past have now been fully cured. Still, the area of regenerative medicine, especially concerning neuronal regeneration, is in its infancy. Presently allopathic drugs, surgical procedures, organ transplantation, stem cell therapy forms the core of regenerative therapy. However, many times, the currently used therapies cannot completely cure damaged organs and neurodegenerative diseases. The current review focuses on the concepts of regeneration, hurdles faced in the path of regenerative therapy, neurodegenerative diseases and the idea of using peptides, cytokines, tissue engineering, genetic engineering, advanced stem cell therapy, and polyphenolic phytochemicals to cure damaged tissues and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Zachariah Moradi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Faramarz Jalili
- Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Negin Farhadian
- Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Tanuj Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumaun University (Nainital), Nainital, India
| | - Mingfu Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Liang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hui Cao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mohammad Hosein Farzaei
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.,International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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12
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Hyung S, Lee SR, Kim J, Kim Y, Kim S, Kim HN, Jeon NL. A 3D disease and regeneration model of peripheral nervous system-on-a-chip. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabd9749. [PMID: 33514550 PMCID: PMC7846159 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd9749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Demyelinating diseases involve loss of myelin sheaths and eventually lead to neurological problems. Unfortunately, the precise mechanisms remain unknown, and there are no effective therapies. To overcome these limitations, a reliable and physiologically relevant in vitro model is required. Here, we present a three-dimensional peripheral nervous system (PNS) microfluidic platform that recapitulates the full spectrum of myelination, demyelination, and remyelination using primary Schwann cells (SCs) and motor neurons (MNs). The platform enables reproducible hydrogel patterning and long-term stable coculture of MNs and SCs over 40 days in vitro based on three distinct design factors. Furthermore, the on-demand detachable substrate allows in-depth biological analysis. We demonstrated the possibility of mimicking segmental demyelination by lysophosphatidylcholine, and recovery of myelin structure by application of two drugs: benzatropine or methylcobalamin. This 3D PNS disease-on-a-chip may serve as a potential platform for understanding the pathophysiology of demyelination and screening drugs for remyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Hyung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Ryeol Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngtaek Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Suryong Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Nam Kim
- Center for BioMicrosystems, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Noo Li Jeon
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Advanced Machinery and Design Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Velasco I, Escobedo-Avila I. Modeling the neuromuscular junction in vitro: an approach to study neuromuscular junction disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1488:3-15. [PMID: 33040338 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized structure that works as an interface to translate the action potential of the presynaptic motor neuron (MN) in the contraction of the postsynaptic myofiber. The design of appropriate experimental models is essential to have efficient and reliable approaches to study NMJ development and function, but also to generate conditions that recapitulate distinct features of diseases. Initial studies relied on the use of tissue slices maintained under the same environment and in which single motor axons were difficult to trace. Later, MNs and muscle cells were obtained from primary cultures or differentiation of progenitors and cocultured as monolayers; however, the tissue architecture was lost. Current approaches include self-assembling 3D structures or the incorporation of biomaterials with cells to generate engineered tissues, although the incorporation of Schwann cells remains a challenge. Thus, numerous investigations have established different NMJ models, some of which are quite complex and challenging. Our review summarizes the in vitro models that have emerged in recent years to coculture MNs and skeletal muscle, trying to mimic the healthy and diseased NMJ. We expect our review may serve as a reference for choosing the appropriate experimental model for the required purposes of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Castellanos-Montiel
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Itzel Escobedo-Avila
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Gomes C, Sequeira C, Barbosa M, Cunha C, Vaz AR, Brites D. Astrocyte regional diversity in ALS includes distinct aberrant phenotypes with common and causal pathological processes. Exp Cell Res 2020; 395:112209. [PMID: 32739211 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Astrocytes are major contributors of motor neuron (MN) degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether regional and cell maturation differences influence ALS astrocyte malfunction. Spinal and cortical astrocytes from SOD1G93A (mSOD1) 7-day-old mice were cultured for 5 and 13 days in vitro (DIV). Astrocyte aberrancies predominated in 13DIV cells with region specificity. 13DIV cortical mSOD1 astrocytes showed early morphological changes and a predominant reactive and inflammatory phenotype, while repressed proteins and genes were found in spinal cells. Inflammatory-associated miRNAs, e.g. miR-155/miR-21/miR-146a, were downregulated in the first and upregulated in the later ones. Interestingly, depleted miR-155/miR-21/miR-146a in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs/exosomes) was a common pathological feature. Cortical mSOD1 astrocytes induced late apoptosis and kinesin-1 downregulation in mSOD1 NSC-34 MNs, whereas spinal cells upregulated dynein, while decreased nNOS and synaptic-related genes. Both regional-distinct mSOD1 astrocytes enhanced iNOS gene expression in mSOD1 MNs. We provide information on the potential contribution of astrocytes to ALS bulbar-vs. spinal-onset pathology, local influence on neuronal dysfunction and their shared miRNA-depleted exosome trafficking. These causal and common features may have potential therapeutic implications in ALS. Future studies should clarify if astrocyte-derived sEVs are active players in ALS-related neuroinflammation and glial activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Gomes
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Sequeira
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Barbosa
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Cunha
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Vaz
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dora Brites
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Biochemistry and Human Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
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15
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Badiola-Mateos M, Hervera A, Del Río JA, Samitier J. Challenges and Future Prospects on 3D in-vitro Modeling of the Neuromuscular Circuit. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:194. [PMID: 30622944 PMCID: PMC6297173 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement of skeletal-muscle fibers is generated by the coordinated action of several cells taking part within the locomotion circuit (motoneurons, sensory-neurons, Schwann cells, astrocytes, microglia, and muscle-cells). Failures in any part of this circuit could impede or hinder coordinated muscle movement and cause a neuromuscular disease (NMD) or determine its severity. Studying fragments of the circuit cannot provide a comprehensive and complete view of the pathological process. We trace the historic developments of studies focused on in-vitro modeling of the spinal-locomotion circuit and how bioengineered innovative technologies show advantages for an accurate mimicking of physiological conditions of spinal-locomotion circuit. New developments on compartmentalized microfluidic culture systems (cμFCS), the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and 3D cell-cultures are analyzed. We finally address limitations of current study models and three main challenges on neuromuscular studies: (i) mimic the whole spinal-locomotion circuit including all cell-types involved and the evaluation of independent and interdependent roles of each one; (ii) mimic the neurodegenerative response of mature neurons in-vitro as it occurs in-vivo; and (iii) develop, tune, implement, and combine cμFCS, hiPSC, and 3D-culture technologies to ultimately create patient-specific complete, translational, and reliable NMD in-vitro model. Overcoming these challenges would significantly facilitate understanding the events taking place in NMDs and accelerate the process of finding new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Badiola-Mateos
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Hervera
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Antonio Del Río
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Madrid, Spain
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