1
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Malepathirana T, Senanayake D, Gautam V, Engel M, Balez R, Lovelace MD, Sundaram G, Heng B, Chow S, Marquis C, Guillemin GJ, Brew B, Jagadish C, Ooi L, Halgamuge S. Visualization of incrementally learned projection trajectories for longitudinal data. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13558. [PMID: 38866809 PMCID: PMC11169470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63511-z] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies that continuously generate data enable the capture of temporal variations in experimentally observed parameters, facilitating the interpretation of results in a time-aware manner. We propose IL-VIS (incrementally learned visualizer), a new machine learning pipeline that incrementally learns and visualizes a progression trajectory representing the longitudinal changes in longitudinal studies. At each sampling time point in an experiment, IL-VIS generates a snapshot of the longitudinal process on the data observed thus far, a new feature that is beyond the reach of classical static models. We first verify the utility and correctness of IL-VIS using simulated data, for which the true progression trajectories are known. We find that it accurately captures and visualizes the trends and (dis)similarities between high-dimensional progression trajectories. We then apply IL-VIS to longitudinal multi-electrode array data from brain cortical organoids when exposed to different levels of quinolinic acid, a metabolite contributing to many neuroinflammatory diseases including Alzheimer's disease, and its blocking antibody. We uncover valuable insights into the organoids' electrophysiological maturation and response patterns over time under these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamasha Malepathirana
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Damith Senanayake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
| | - Vini Gautam
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Martin Engel
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachelle Balez
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael D Lovelace
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, 405 Liverpool St., Darlinghurst, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Benjamin Heng
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharron Chow
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, 2109, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher Marquis
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2052, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, 405 Liverpool St., Darlinghurst, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
- IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Bruce Brew
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, 405 Liverpool St., Darlinghurst, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
- Departments of Neurology and Immunology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia
| | - Chennupati Jagadish
- Research School of Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, 2601, ACT, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2522, NSW, Australia.
| | - Saman Halgamuge
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, VIC, Australia.
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2
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Pagotto GLDO, dos Santos LMO, Osman N, Lamas CB, Laurindo LF, Pomini KT, Guissoni LM, de Lima EP, Goulart RDA, Catharin VMCS, Direito R, Tanaka M, Barbalho SM. Ginkgo biloba: A Leaf of Hope in the Fight against Alzheimer's Dementia: Clinical Trial Systematic Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:651. [PMID: 38929090 PMCID: PMC11201198 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a stealthy and progressive neurological disorder that is a leading cause of dementia in the global elderly population, imposing a significant burden on both the elderly and society. Currently, the condition is treated with medications that alleviate symptoms. Nonetheless, these drugs may not consistently produce the desired results and can cause serious side effects. Hence, there is a vigorous pursuit of alternative options to enhance the quality of life for patients. Ginkgo biloba (GB), an herb with historical use in traditional medicine, contains bioactive compounds such as terpenoids (Ginkgolides A, B, and C), polyphenols, organic acids, and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin). These compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, making them valuable for cognitive health. A systematic search across three databases using specific keywords-GB in AD and dementia-yielded 1702 documents, leading to the selection of 15 clinical trials for synthesis. In eleven studies, GB extract/EGb 761® was shown to improve cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and functional abilities in both dementia types. In four studies, however, there were no significant differences between the GB-treated and placebo groups. Significant improvements were observed in scores obtained from the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Short Cognitive Performance Test (SKT), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). While the majority of synthesized clinical trials show that Ginkgo biloba has promising potential for the treatment of these conditions, more research is needed to determine optimal dosages, effective delivery methods, and appropriate pharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, a thorough assessment of adverse effects, exploration of long-term use implications, and investigation into potential drug interactions are critical aspects that must be carefully evaluated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Lopes de Oliveira Pagotto
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
| | - Livia Maria Oliveira dos Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
| | - Najwa Osman
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
| | - Caroline Barbalho Lamas
- Department of Gerontology, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, UFSCar, São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil;
| | - Lucas Fornari Laurindo
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), Marília 17519-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Karina Torres Pomini
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil;
| | - Leila M. Guissoni
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil;
| | - Enzo Pereira de Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
| | - Ricardo de Alvares Goulart
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil;
| | - Virginia M. C. Strozze Catharin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil;
| | - Rosa Direito
- Laboratory of Systems Integration Pharmacology, Clinical & Regulatory Science, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Masaru Tanaka
- Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, HUN-REN-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, University of Szeged (HUN-REN-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sandra Maria Barbalho
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Higino Muzzi Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil; (G.L.d.O.P.); (L.M.O.d.S.); (N.O.); (L.F.L.); (K.T.P.); (L.M.G.); (E.P.d.L.); (V.M.C.S.C.)
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil;
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Food and Technology of Marília (FATEC), Marília 17500-000, SP, Brazil
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Salerno JA, Rehen S. Human pluripotent stem cells as a translational toolkit in psychedelic research in vitro. iScience 2024; 27:109631. [PMID: 38628967 PMCID: PMC11019282 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109631] [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] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics, recognized for their impact on perception, are resurging as promising treatments with rapid onset for mood and substance use disorders. Despite increasing evidence from clinical trials, questions persist about the cellular and molecular mechanisms and their precise correlation with treatment outcomes. Murine neurons and immortalized non-neural cell lines harboring overexpressed constructs have shed light on neuroplastic changes mediated by the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) as the primary mechanism. However, limitations exist in capturing human- and disease-specific traits. Here, we discuss current accomplishments and prospects for incorporating human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to complement these models. PSCs can differentiate into various brain cell types, mirroring endogenous expression patterns and cell identities to recreate disease phenotypes. Brain organoids derived from PSCs resemble cell diversity and patterning, while region-specific organoids simulate circuit-level phenotypes. PSC-based models hold significant promise to illuminate the cellular and molecular substrates of psychedelic-induced phenotypic recovery in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alexandre Salerno
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stevens Rehen
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Usona Institute, Fitchburg, WI, USA
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA
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4
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Serafini MM, Sepehri S, Midali M, Stinckens M, Biesiekierska M, Wolniakowska A, Gatzios A, Rundén-Pran E, Reszka E, Marinovich M, Vanhaecke T, Roszak J, Viviani B, SenGupta T. Recent advances and current challenges of new approach methodologies in developmental and adult neurotoxicity testing. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1271-1295. [PMID: 38480536 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03703-8] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessments aim to understand the adverse effects and underlying mechanisms of toxicants on the human nervous system. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the so-called new approach methodologies (NAMs). The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with European and American regulatory agencies, promote the use of validated alternative test systems, but to date, guidelines for regulatory DNT and ANT assessment rely primarily on classical animal testing. Alternative methods include both non-animal approaches and test systems on non-vertebrates (e.g., nematodes) or non-mammals (e.g., fish). Therefore, this review summarizes the recent advances of NAMs focusing on ANT and DNT and highlights the potential and current critical issues for the full implementation of these methods in the future. The status of the DNT in vitro battery (DNT IVB) is also reviewed as a first step of NAMs for the assessment of neurotoxicity in the regulatory context. Critical issues such as (i) the need for test batteries and method integration (from in silico and in vitro to in vivo alternatives, e.g., zebrafish, C. elegans) requiring interdisciplinarity to manage complexity, (ii) interlaboratory transferability, and (iii) the urgent need for method validation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Maria Serafini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara Sepehri
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miriam Midali
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marth Stinckens
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marta Biesiekierska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Wolniakowska
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Alexandra Gatzios
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elise Rundén-Pran
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Edyta Reszka
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marina Marinovich
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joanna Roszak
- Department of Translational Research, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center of Research on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment (SAFE-MI), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tanima SenGupta
- The Climate and Environmental Research Institute NILU, Kjeller, Norway
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Zhou G, Pang S, Li Y, Gao J. Progress in the generation of spinal cord organoids over the past decade and future perspectives. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1013-1019. [PMID: 37862203 PMCID: PMC10749595 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385280] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord organoids are three-dimensional tissues derived from stem cells that recapitulate the primary morphological and functional characteristics of the spinal cord in vivo. As emerging bioengineering methods have led to the optimization of cell culture protocols, spinal cord organoids technology has made remarkable advancements in the past decade. Our literature search found that current spinal cord organoids do not only dynamically simulate neural tube formation but also exhibit diverse cytoarchitecture along the dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal axes. Moreover, fused organoids that integrate motor neurons and other regionally specific organoids exhibit intricate neural circuits that allows for functional assessment. These qualities make spinal cord organoids valuable tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and tissue regeneration. By utilizing this emergent technology, researchers have made significant progress in investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of spinal cord diseases. However, at present, spinal cord organoid technology remains in its infancy and has not been widely applied in translational medicine. Establishment of the next generation of spinal cord organoids will depend on good manufacturing practice standards and needs to focus on diverse cell phenotypes and electrophysiological functionality evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Siyuan Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of International Medical Service, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Magni G, Riboldi B, Ceruti S. Human Glial Cells as Innovative Targets for the Therapy of Central Nervous System Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:606. [PMID: 38607045 PMCID: PMC11011741 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro and preclinical in vivo research in the last 35 years has clearly highlighted the crucial physiopathological role of glial cells, namely astrocytes/microglia/oligodendrocytes and satellite glial cells/Schwann cells in the central and peripheral nervous system, respectively. Several possible pharmacological targets to various neurodegenerative disorders and painful conditions have therefore been successfully identified, including receptors and enzymes, and mediators of neuroinflammation. However, the translation of these promising data to a clinical setting is often hampered by both technical and biological difficulties, making it necessary to perform experiments on human cells and models of the various diseases. In this review we will, therefore, summarize the most relevant data on the contribution of glial cells to human pathologies and on their possible pharmacological modulation based on data obtained in post-mortem tissues and in iPSC-derived human brain cells and organoids. The possibility of an in vivo visualization of glia reaction to neuroinflammation in patients will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefania Ceruti
- Laboratory of Pain Therapy and Neuroimmunology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Balzaretti, 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (G.M.); (B.R.)
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Stöberl N, Maguire E, Salis E, Shaw B, Hall-Roberts H. Human iPSC-derived glia models for the study of neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:231. [PMID: 37817184 PMCID: PMC10566197 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02919-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that plays a significant role in various brain disorders. Microglia and astrocytes are the key cell types involved in inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation results in increased levels of secreted inflammatory factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species. To model neuroinflammation in vitro, various human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models have been utilized, including monocultures, transfer of conditioned media between cell types, co-culturing multiple cell types, neural organoids, and xenotransplantation of cells into the mouse brain. To induce neuroinflammatory responses in vitro, several stimuli have been established that can induce responses in either microglia, astrocytes, or both. Here, we describe and critically evaluate the different types of iPSC models that can be used to study neuroinflammation and highlight how neuroinflammation has been induced and measured in these cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Elisa Salis
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Bethany Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
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Gaston-Breton R, Maïza Letrou A, Hamoudi R, Stonestreet BS, Mabondzo A. Brain organoids for hypoxic-ischemic studies: from bench to bedside. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:318. [PMID: 37804439 PMCID: PMC10560197 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04951-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Our current knowledge regarding the development of the human brain mostly derives from experimental studies on non-human primates, sheep, and rodents. However, these studies may not completely simulate all the features of human brain development as a result of species differences and variations in pre- and postnatal brain maturation. Therefore, it is important to supplement the in vivo animal models to increase the possibility that preclinical studies have appropriate relevance for potential future human trials. Three-dimensional brain organoid culture technology could complement in vivo animal studies to enhance the translatability of the preclinical animal studies and the understanding of brain-related disorders. In this review, we focus on the development of a model of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury using human brain organoids to complement the translation from animal experiments to human pathophysiology. We also discuss how the development of these tools provides potential opportunities to study fundamental aspects of the pathophysiology of HI-related brain injury including differences in the responses between males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romane Gaston-Breton
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Laboratoire d'Etude de l'Unité Neurovasculaire & Innovation Thérapeutique, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Auriane Maïza Letrou
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Laboratoire d'Etude de l'Unité Neurovasculaire & Innovation Thérapeutique, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, P. O. 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, P. O. 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK
- ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Barbara S Stonestreet
- Departments of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry and Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 101 Dudley Street, Providence, RI, 02905, USA
| | - Aloïse Mabondzo
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), Laboratoire d'Etude de l'Unité Neurovasculaire & Innovation Thérapeutique, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France.
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Pantoja IEM, Ding L, Leite PEC, Marques SA, Romero JC, Din DMAE, Zack DJ, Chamling X, Smirnova L. A novel approach to increase glial cell populations in brain microphysiological systems. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.14.557775. [PMID: 37745321 PMCID: PMC10515937 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.14.557775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Brain microphysiological systems (bMPS), which recapitulate human brain cellular architecture and functionality more closely than traditional monolayer cultures, have become a practical, non-invasive, and increasingly relevant platform for the study of neurological function in health and disease. These models include 3D spheroids and organoids as well as organ-on-chip models. Currently, however, existing 3D brain models vary in reflecting the relative populations of the different cell types present in the human brain. Most of the models consist mainly of neurons, while glial cells represent a smaller portion of the cell populations. Here, by means of a chemically defined glial-enriched medium (GEM), we present an improved method to expand the population of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes without compromising neuronal differentiation in bMPS. An important finding is that astrocytes not only increased in number but also changed in morphology when cultured in GEM, more closely recapitulating primary culture astrocytes. We demonstrate oligodendrocyte and astrocyte enrichment in GEM bMPS using a variety of complementary methods. We found that GEM bMPS are electro-chemically active and showed different patterns of Ca +2 staining and flux. Synaptic vesicles and terminals observed by electron microscopy were also present. No significant changes in neuronal differentiation were observed by gene expression, however, GEM enhanced neurite outgrowth and cell migration, and differentially modulated neuronal maturation in two different iPSC lines. Our results have the potential to significantly improve in vivo-like functionality of bMPS for the study of neurological diseases and drug discovery, contributing to the unmet need for safe human models.
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Oyefeso FA, Goldberg G, Opoku NYPS, Vazquez M, Bertucci A, Chen Z, Wang C, Muotri AR, Pecaut MJ. Effects of acute low-moderate dose ionizing radiation to human brain organoids. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282958. [PMID: 37256873 PMCID: PMC10231836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human exposure to low-to-moderate dose ionizing radiation (LMD-IR) is increasing via environmental, medical, occupational sources. Acute exposure to LMD-IR can cause subclinical damage to cells, resulting in altered gene expression and cellular function within the human brain. It has been difficult to identify diagnostic and predictive biomarkers of exposure using traditional research models due to factors including lack of 3D structure in monolayer cell cultures, limited ability of animal models to accurately predict human responses, and technical limitations of studying functional human brain tissue. To address this gap, we generated brain/cerebral organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells to study the radiosensitivity of human brain cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. While organoids have become popular models for studying brain physiology and pathology, there is little evidence to confirm that exposing brain organoids to LMD-IR will recapitulate previous in vitro and in vivo observations. We hypothesized that exposing brain organoids to proton radiation would (1) cause a time- and dose-dependent increase in DNA damage, (2) induce cell type-specific differences in radiosensitivity, and (3) increase expression of oxidative stress and DNA damage response genes. Organoids were exposed to 0.5 or 2 Gy of 250 MeV protons and samples were collected at 30 minute, 24 hour, and 48 hour timepoints. Using immunofluorescence and RNA sequencing, we found time- and dose-dependent increases in DNA damage in irradiated organoids; no changes in cell populations for neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes by 24 hours; decreased expression of genes related to oligodendrocyte lineage, astrocyte lineage, mitochondrial function, and cell cycle progression by 48 hours; increased expression of genes related to neuron lineage, oxidative stress, and DNA damage checkpoint regulation by 48 hours. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of using organoids to characterize cell-specific radiosensitivity and early radiation-induced gene expression changes within the human brain, providing new avenues for further study of the mechanisms underlying acute neural cell responses to IR exposure at low-to-moderate doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foluwasomi A. Oyefeso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nana Yaa P. S. Opoku
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Marcelo Vazquez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Center for Genomics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Antonella Bertucci
- Center for Genomics, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Charles Wang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Pecaut
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, United States of America
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, Archealization Center (ArchC), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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Akcay G, Luttge R. Microenvironments Matter: Advances in Brain-on-Chip. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:551. [PMID: 37232912 PMCID: PMC10216565 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To highlight the particular needs with respect to modeling the unique and complex organization of the human brain structure, we reviewed the state-of-the-art in devising brain models with engineered instructive microenvironments. To acquire a better perspective on the brain's working mechanisms, we first summarize the importance of regional stiffness gradients in brain tissue, varying per layer and the cellular diversities of the layers. Through this, one can acquire an understanding of the essential parameters in emulating the brain in vitro. In addition to the brain's organizational architecture, we addressed also how the mechanical properties have an impact on neuronal cell responses. In this respect, advanced in vitro platforms emerged and profoundly changed the methods of brain modeling efforts from the past, mainly focusing on animal or cell line research. The main challenges in imitating features of the brain in a dish are with regard to composition and functionality. In neurobiological research, there are now methods that aim to cope with such challenges by the self-assembly of human-derived pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), i.e., brainoids. Alternatively, these brainoids can be used stand-alone or in conjunction with Brain-on-Chip (BoC) platform technology, 3D-printed gels, and other types of engineered guidance features. Currently, advanced in vitro methods have made a giant leap forward regarding cost-effectiveness, ease-of-use, and availability. We bring these recent developments together into one review. We believe our conclusions will give a novel perspective towards advancing instructive microenvironments for BoCs and the understanding of the brain's cellular functions either in modeling healthy or diseased states of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulden Akcay
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Regina Luttge
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Kadlecova M, Freude K, Haukedal H. Complexity of Sex Differences and Their Impact on Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051261. [PMID: 37238932 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are present in brain morphology, sex hormones, aging processes and immune responses. These differences need to be considered for proper modelling of neurological diseases with clear sex differences. This is the case for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder with two-thirds of cases diagnosed in women. It is becoming clear that there is a complex interplay between the immune system, sex hormones and AD. Microglia are major players in the neuroinflammatory process occurring in AD and have been shown to be directly affected by sex hormones. However, many unanswered questions remain as the importance of including both sexes in research studies has only recently started receiving attention. In this review, we provide a summary of sex differences and their implications in AD, with a focus on microglia action. Furthermore, we discuss current available study models, including emerging complex microfluidic and 3D cellular models and their usefulness for studying hormonal effects in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Kadlecova
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 C Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 C Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Henriette Haukedal
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 C Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Human Brain Organoids in Migraine Research: Pathogenesis and Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043113. [PMID: 36834522 PMCID: PMC9961184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043113] [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: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human organoids are small, self-organized, three-dimensional (3D) tissue cultures that have started to revolutionize medical science in terms of understanding disease, testing pharmacologically active compounds, and offering novel ways to treat disease. Organoids of the liver, kidney, intestine, lung, and brain have been developed in recent years. Human brain organoids are used for understanding pathogenesis and investigating therapeutic options for neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neurological disorders. Theoretically, several brain disorders can be modeled with the aid of human brain organoids, and hence the potential exists for understanding migraine pathogenesis and its treatment with the aid of brain organoids. Migraine is considered a brain disorder with neurological and non-neurological abnormalities and symptoms. Both genetic and environmental factors play essential roles in migraine pathogenesis and its clinical manifestations. Several types of migraines are classified, for example, migraines with and without aura, and human brain organoids can be developed from patients with these types of migraines to study genetic factors (e.g., channelopathy in calcium channels) and environmental stressors (e.g., chemical and mechanical). In these models, drug candidates for therapeutic purposes can also be tested. Here, the potential and limitations of human brain organoids for studying migraine pathogenesis and its treatment are communicated to generate motivation and stimulate curiosity for further research. This must, however, be considered alongside the complexity of the concept of brain organoids and the neuroethical aspects of the topic. Interested researchers are invited to join the network for protocol development and testing the hypothesis presented here.
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Kim JT, Kim TY, Youn DH, Han SW, Park CH, Lee Y, Jung H, Rhim JK, Park JJ, Ahn JH, Kim HC, Cho SM, Jeon JP. Human embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral organoids for treatment of mild traumatic brain injury in a mouse model. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 635:169-178. [PMID: 36274367 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are no effective treatments for relieving neuronal dysfunction after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we evaluated therapeutic efficacy of human embryonic stem cell-derived cerebral organoids (hCOs) in a mild TBI model, in terms of repair of damaged cortical regions, neurogenesis, and improved cognitive function. METHODS Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into sham-operated, mild TBI, and mild TBI with hCO groups. hCOs cultured at 8 weeks were used for transplantation. Mice were sacrificed at 7 and 14 days after transplantation followed by immunofluorescence staining, cytokine profile microarray, and novel object recognition test. RESULTS 8W-hCOs transplantation significantly reduced neuronal cell death, recovered microvessel density, and promoted neurogenesis in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of hippocampus after mild TBI. In addition, increased angiogenesis into the engrafted hCOs was observed. Microarray results of hCOs revealed neuronal differentiation potential and higher expression of early brain development proteins associated with neurogenesis, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Ultimately, 8W-hCO transplantation resulted in reconstruction of damaged cortex and improvement in cognitive function after mild TBI. CONCLUSION hCO transplantation may be feasible for treating mild TBI-related neuronal dysfunction via reconstruction of damaged cortex and neurogenesis in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Tae Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Tae Yeon Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Dong Hyuk Youn
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sung Woo Han
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Chan Hum Park
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Younghyurk Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Harry Jung
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Jong Kook Rhim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Jeong Jin Park
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun Hyong Ahn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Heung Cheol Kim
- Department of Radiology, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sung Min Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea.
| | - Jin Pyeong Jeon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea.
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Iyer NR, Ashton RS. Bioengineering the human spinal cord. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:942742. [PMID: 36092702 PMCID: PMC9458954 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.942742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Three dimensional, self-assembled organoids that recapitulate key developmental and organizational events during embryogenesis have proven transformative for the study of human central nervous system (CNS) development, evolution, and disease pathology. Brain organoids have predominated the field, but human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived models of the spinal cord are on the rise. This has required piecing together the complex interactions between rostrocaudal patterning, which specifies axial diversity, and dorsoventral patterning, which establishes locomotor and somatosensory phenotypes. Here, we review how recent insights into neurodevelopmental biology have driven advancements in spinal organoid research, generating experimental models that have the potential to deepen our understanding of neural circuit development, central pattern generation (CPG), and neurodegenerative disease along the body axis. In addition, we discuss the application of bioengineering strategies to drive spinal tissue morphogenesis in vitro, current limitations, and future perspectives on these emerging model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha R. Iyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Randolph S. Ashton
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Towards 3D Bioprinted Spinal Cord Organoids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105788. [PMID: 35628601 PMCID: PMC9144715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cultures, so-called organoids, have emerged as an attractive tool for disease modeling and therapeutic innovations. Here, we aim to determine if boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BC) can survive and differentiate in gelatin-based 3D bioprinted bioink scaffolds in order to establish an enabling technology for the fabrication of spinal cord organoids on a chip. BC previously demonstrated the ability to support survival and differentiation of co-implanted or co-cultured cells and supported motor neuron survival in excitotoxically challenged spinal cord slice cultures. We tested different combinations of bioink and cross-linked material, analyzed the survival of BC on the surface and inside the scaffolds, and then tested if human iPSC-derived neural cells (motor neuron precursors and astrocytes) can be printed with the same protocol, which was developed for BC. We showed that this protocol is applicable for human cells. Neural differentiation was more prominent in the peripheral compared to central parts of the printed construct, presumably because of easier access to differentiation-promoting factors in the medium. These findings show that the gelatin-based and enzymatically cross-linked hydrogel is a suitable bioink for building a multicellular, bioprinted spinal cord organoid, but that further measures are still required to achieve uniform neural differentiation.
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Yun W, Kim YJ, Lee G. Direct Conversion to Achieve Glial Cell Fates: Oligodendrocytes and Schwann Cells. Int J Stem Cells 2022; 15:14-25. [PMID: 35220289 PMCID: PMC8889328 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc22008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glia have been known for its pivotal roles in physiological and pathological conditions in the nervous system. To study glial biology, multiple approaches have been applied to utilize glial cells for research, including stem cell-based technologies. Human glial cells differentiated from pluripotent stem cells are now available, allowing us to study the structural and functional roles of glia in the nervous system, although the efficiency is still low. Direct conversion is an advanced strategy governing fate conversion of diverse cell types directly into the desired lineage. This novel strategy stands as a promising approach for preliminary research and regenerative medicine. Direct conversion employs genetic and environmental cues to change cell fate to that with the required functional cell properties while retaining maturity-related molecular features. As an alternative method, it is now possible to obtain a variety of mature cell populations that could not be obtained using conventional differentiation methods. This review summarizes current achievements in obtaining glia, particularly oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjin Yun
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yong Jun Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gabsang Lee
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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