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Piscopo VEC, Chapleau A, Blaszczyk GJ, Sirois J, You Z, Soubannier V, Chen CXQ, Bernard G, Antel JP, Durcan TM. The use of a SOX10 reporter toward ameliorating oligodendrocyte lineage differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Glia 2024; 72:1165-1182. [PMID: 38497409 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24524] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are key players in the central nervous system, critical for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheaths insulating axons, ensuring efficient neuronal communication. In the last decade, the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has become essential for recapitulating and understanding the differentiation and role of OLs in vitro. Current methods include overexpression of transcription factors for rapid OL generation, neglecting the complexity of OL lineage development. Alternatively, growth factor-based protocols offer physiological relevance but struggle with efficiency and cell heterogeneity. To address these issues, we created a novel SOX10-P2A-mOrange iPSC reporter line to track and purify oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Using this reporter cell line, we analyzed an existing differentiation protocol and shed light on the origin of glial cell heterogeneity. Additionally, we have modified the differentiation protocol, toward enhancing reproducibility, efficiency, and terminal maturity. Our approach not only advances OL biology but also holds promise to accelerate research and translational work with iPSC-derived OLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio E C Piscopo
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexandra Chapleau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gabriela J Blaszczyk
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julien Sirois
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zhipeng You
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Carol X-Q Chen
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Coulombe B, Durcan TM, Bernard G, Moursli A, Poitras C, Faubert D, Pinard M. The 37TrillionCells initiative for improving global healthcare via cell-based interception and precision medicine: focus on neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Brain 2024; 17:18. [PMID: 38605409 PMCID: PMC11007934 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01088-4] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the main burdens in the treatment of diseases is imputable to the delay between the appearance of molecular dysfunctions in the first affected disease cells and their presence in sufficient number for detection in specific tissues or organs. This delay obviously plays in favor of disease progression to an extent that makes efficient treatments difficult, as they arrive too late. The development of a novel medical strategy, termed cell-based interception and precision medicine, seeks to identify dysfunctional cells early, when tissue damages are not apparent and symptoms not yet present, and develop therapies to treat diseases early. Central to this strategy is the use of single-cell technologies that allow detection of molecular changes in cells at the time of phenotypical bifurcation from health to disease. In this article we describe a general procedure to support such an approach applied to neurodegenerative disorders. This procedure combines four components directed towards highly complementary objectives: 1) a high-performance single-cell proteomics (SCP) method (Detect), 2) the development of disease experimental cell models and predictive computational models of cell trajectories (Understand), 3) the discovery of specific targets and personalized therapies (Cure), and 4) the creation of a community of collaborating laboratories to accelerate the development of this novel medical paradigm (Collaborate). A global initiative named 37TrillionCells (37TC) was launched to advance the development of cell-based interception and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Coulombe
- Translational Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department Specialized Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Asmae Moursli
- Translational Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Christian Poitras
- Translational Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Denis Faubert
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Platform, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2W1R7, Canada
| | - Maxime Pinard
- Translational Proteomics Laboratory, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada
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Dorion MF, Casas D, Shlaifer I, Yaqubi M, Fleming P, Karpilovsky N, Chen CXQ, Nicouleau M, Piscopo VEC, MacDougall EJ, Alluli A, Goldsmith TM, Schneider A, Dorion S, Aprahamian N, MacDonald A, Thomas RA, Dudley RWR, Hall JA, Fon EA, Antel JP, Stratton JA, Durcan TM, La Piana R, Healy LM. An adapted protocol to derive microglia from stem cells and its application in the study of CSF1R-related disorders. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:31. [PMID: 38576039 PMCID: PMC10996091 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00723-x] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (iMGL) represent an excellent tool in studying microglial function in health and disease. Yet, since differentiation and survival of iMGL are highly reliant on colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) signaling, it is difficult to use iMGL to study microglial dysfunction associated with pathogenic defects in CSF1R. METHODS Serial modifications to an existing iMGL protocol were made, including but not limited to changes in growth factor combination to drive microglial differentiation, until successful derivation of microglia-like cells from an adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) patient carrying a c.2350G > A (p.V784M) CSF1R variant. Using healthy control lines, the quality of the new iMGL protocol was validated through cell yield assessment, measurement of microglia marker expression, transcriptomic comparison to primary microglia, and evaluation of inflammatory and phagocytic activities. Similarly, molecular and functional characterization of the ALSP patient-derived iMGL was carried out in comparison to healthy control iMGL. RESULTS The newly devised protocol allowed the generation of iMGL with enhanced transcriptomic similarity to cultured primary human microglia and with higher scavenging and inflammatory competence at ~ threefold greater yield compared to the original protocol. Using this protocol, decreased CSF1R autophosphorylation and cell surface expression was observed in iMGL derived from the ALSP patient compared to those derived from healthy controls. Additionally, ALSP patient-derived iMGL presented a migratory defect accompanying a temporal reduction in purinergic receptor P2Y12 (P2RY12) expression, a heightened capacity to internalize myelin, as well as heightened inflammatory response to Pam3CSK4. Poor P2RY12 expression was confirmed to be a consequence of CSF1R haploinsufficiency, as this feature was also observed following CSF1R knockdown or inhibition in mature control iMGL, and in CSF1RWT/KO and CSF1RWT/E633K iMGL compared to their respective isogenic controls. CONCLUSIONS We optimized a pre-existing iMGL protocol, generating a powerful tool to study microglial involvement in human neurological diseases. Using the optimized protocol, we have generated for the first time iMGL from an ALSP patient carrying a pathogenic CSF1R variant, with preliminary characterization pointing toward functional alterations in migratory, phagocytic and inflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Dorion
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Diana Casas
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Peter Fleming
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nathan Karpilovsky
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carol X-Q Chen
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Valerio E C Piscopo
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Emma J MacDougall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Aeshah Alluli
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Taylor M Goldsmith
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alexandria Schneider
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Samuel Dorion
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, H3T 1NB, Canada
| | - Nathalia Aprahamian
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Rhalena A Thomas
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roy W R Dudley
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centers, Montreal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Hall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roberta La Piana
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Luke M Healy
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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4
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Jones-Tabah J, He K, Senkevich K, Karpilovsky N, Deyab G, Cousineau Y, Nikanorova D, Goldsmith T, Del-Cid Pellitero E, Chen CX, Luo W, You Z, Abdian N, Pietrantonio I, Goiran T, Ahmad J, Ruskey JA, Asayesh F, Spiegelman D, Waters C, Monchi O, Dauvilliers Y, Dupre N, Miliukhina I, Timofeeva A, Emelyanov A, Pchelina S, Greenbaum L, HassinBaer S, Alcalay RN, Milnerwood A, Durcan TM, Gan-Or Z, Fon EA. The Parkinson's disease risk gene cathepsin B promotes fibrillar alpha-synuclein clearance, lysosomal function and glucocerebrosidase activity in dopaminergic neurons. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3979098. [PMID: 38562709 PMCID: PMC10984014 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3979098/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Variants in the CTSB gene encoding the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (catB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, neither the specific CTSB variants driving these associations nor the functional pathways that link catB to PD pathogenesis have been characterized. CatB activity contributes to lysosomal protein degradation and regulates signaling processes involved in autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Previous in vitro studies have found that catB can cleave monomeric and fibrillar alpha-synuclein, a key protein involved in the pathogenesis of PD that accumulates in the brains of PD patients. However, truncated synuclein isoforms generated by catB cleavage have an increased propensity to aggregate. Thus, catB activity could potentially contribute to lysosomal degradation and clearance of pathogenic alpha synuclein from the cell, but also has the potential of enhancing synuclein pathology by generating aggregation-prone truncations. Therefore, the mechanisms linking catB to PD pathophysiology remain to be clarified. Methods Here, we conducted genetic analyses of the association between common and rare CTSB variants and risk of PD. We then used genetic and pharmacological approaches to manipulate catB expression and function in cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and assessed lysosomal activity and the handling of aggregated synuclein fibrils. Results We first identified specific non-coding variants in CTSB that drive the association with PD and are linked to changes in brain CTSB expression levels. Using iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons we then find that catB inhibition impairs autophagy, reduces glucocerebrosidase (encoded by GBA1) activity, and leads to an accumulation of lysosomal content. Moreover, in cell lines, reduction of CTSB gene expression impairs the degradation of pre-formed alpha-synuclein fibrils, whereas CTSB gene activation enhances fibril clearance. Similarly, in midbrain organoids and dopaminergic neurons treated with alpha-synuclein fibrils, catB inhibition or knockout potentiates the formation of inclusions which stain positively for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. Conclusions The results of our genetic and functional studies indicate that the reduction of catB function negatively impacts lysosomal pathways associated with PD pathogenesis, while conversely catB activation could promote the clearance of pathogenic alpha-synuclein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathy He
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wen Luo
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cheryl Waters
- Columbia University Medical Center: Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Oury Monchi
- Université de Montréal: Universite de Montreal
| | | | | | - Irina Miliukhina
- Institute of the Human Brain RAS: FGBUN Institut mozga celoveka im N P Behterevoj Rossijskoj akademii nauk
| | | | | | | | - Lior Greenbaum
- Sheba Medical Center: Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer
| | | | - Roy N Alcalay
- Tel Aviv Ichilov-Sourasky Medical Center: Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
| | | | | | - Ziv Gan-Or
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital
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Lépine S, Nauleau-Javaudin A, Deneault E, Chen CXQ, Abdian N, Franco-Flores AK, Haghi G, Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Maussion G, Chaineau M, Durcan TM. Homozygous ALS-linked mutations in TARDBP/TDP-43 lead to hypoactivity and synaptic abnormalities in human iPSC-derived motor neurons. iScience 2024; 27:109166. [PMID: 38433895 PMCID: PMC10905001 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TDP-43 is a pathological hallmark of the motor neuron (MN) disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Furthermore, while mutations in TARDBP (encoding TDP-43) have been associated with ALS, the pathogenic consequences of these mutations remain poorly understood. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we engineered two homozygous knock-in induced pluripotent stem cell lines carrying mutations in TARDBP encoding TDP-43A382T and TDP-43G348C, two common yet understudied ALS TDP-43 variants. Motor neurons (MNs) differentiated from knock-in iPSCs had normal viability and displayed no significant changes in TDP-43 subcellular localization, phosphorylation, solubility, or aggregation compared with isogenic control MNs. However, our results highlight synaptic impairments in both TDP-43A382T and TDP-43G348C MN cultures, as reflected in synapse abnormalities and alterations in spontaneous neuronal activity. Collectively, our findings suggest that MN dysfunction may precede the occurrence of TDP-43 pathology and neurodegeneration in ALS and further implicate synaptic and excitability defects in the pathobiology of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lépine
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - Angela Nauleau-Javaudin
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Eric Deneault
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research; Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Carol X.-Q. Chen
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Narges Abdian
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Anna Krystina Franco-Flores
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Ghazal Haghi
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - María José Castellanos-Montiel
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Thomas Martin Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), The Neuro-Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
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6
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Dorion MF, Yaqubi M, Senkevich K, Kieran NW, MacDonald A, Chen CXQ, Luo W, Wallis A, Shlaifer I, Hall JA, Dudley RWR, Glass IA, Stratton JA, Fon EA, Bartels T, Antel JP, Gan-or Z, Durcan TM, Healy LM. MerTK is a mediator of alpha-synuclein fibril uptake by human microglia. Brain 2024; 147:427-443. [PMID: 37671615 PMCID: PMC10834256 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad298] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates non-inflammatory, homeostatic phagocytosis of diverse types of cellular debris. Highly expressed on the surface of microglial cells, MerTK is of importance in brain development, homeostasis, plasticity and disease. Yet, involvement of this receptor in the clearance of protein aggregates that accumulate with ageing and in neurodegenerative diseases has yet to be defined. The current study explored the function of MerTK in the microglial uptake of alpha-synuclein fibrils which play a causative role in the pathobiology of synucleinopathies. Using human primary and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia, the MerTK-dependence of alpha-synuclein fibril internalization was investigated in vitro. Relevance of this pathway in synucleinopathies was assessed through burden analysis of MERTK variants and analysis of MerTK expression in patient-derived cells and tissues. Pharmacological inhibition of MerTK and siRNA-mediated MERTK knockdown both caused a decreased rate of alpha-synuclein fibril internalization by human microglia. Consistent with the non-inflammatory nature of MerTK-mediated phagocytosis, alpha-synuclein fibril internalization was not observed to induce secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 or TNF, and downmodulated IL-1β secretion from microglia. Burden analysis in two independent patient cohorts revealed a significant association between rare functionally deleterious MERTK variants and Parkinson's disease in one of the cohorts (P = 0.002). Despite a small upregulation in MERTK mRNA expression in nigral microglia from Parkinson's disease/Lewy body dementia patients compared to those from non-neurological control donors in a single-nuclei RNA-sequencing dataset (P = 5.08 × 10-21), no significant upregulation in MerTK protein expression was observed in human cortex and substantia nigra lysates from Lewy body dementia patients compared to controls. Taken together, our findings define a novel role for MerTK in mediating the uptake of alpha-synuclein fibrils by human microglia, with possible involvement in limiting alpha-synuclein spread in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Upregulation of this pathway in synucleinopathies could have therapeutic values in enhancing alpha-synuclein fibril clearance in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Dorion
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Konstantin Senkevich
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Nicholas W Kieran
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carol X Q Chen
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Wen Luo
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Amber Wallis
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jeffery A Hall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roy W R Dudley
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centers, Montreal H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Ian A Glass
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Tim Bartels
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Ziv Gan-or
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Luke M Healy
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada
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7
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Jones-Tabah J, He K, Senkevich K, Karpilovsky N, Deyab G, Cousineau Y, Nikanorova D, Goldsmith T, Pellitero EDC, Chen CXQ, Luo W, You Z, Abdian N, Pietrantonio I, Goiran T, Ahmad J, Ruskey JA, Asayesh F, Spiegelman D, Waters C, Monchi O, Dauvilliers Y, Dupré N, Miliukhina I, Timofeeva A, Emelyanov A, Pchelina S, Greenbaum L, Hassin-Baer S, Alcalay RN, Milnerwood A, Durcan TM, Gan-Or Z, Fon EA. The Parkinson's disease risk gene cathepsin B promotes fibrillar alpha-synuclein clearance, lysosomal function and glucocerebrosidase activity in dopaminergic neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.11.566693. [PMID: 38014143 PMCID: PMC10680785 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.566693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Variants in the CTSB gene encoding the lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin B (catB) are associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, neither the specific CTSB variants driving these associations nor the functional pathways that link catB to PD pathogenesis have been characterized. CatB activity contributes to lysosomal protein degradation and regulates signaling processes involved in autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. Previous in vitro studies have found that catB can cleave monomeric and fibrillar alpha-synuclein, a key protein involved in the pathogenesis of PD that accumulates in the brains of PD patients. However, truncated synuclein isoforms generated by catB cleavage have an increased propensity to aggregate. Thus, catB activity could potentially contribute to lysosomal degradation and clearance of pathogenic alpha synuclein from the cell, but also has the potential of enhancing synuclein pathology by generating aggregation-prone truncations. Therefore, the mechanisms linking catB to PD pathophysiology remain to be clarified. Here, we conducted genetic analyses of the association between common and rare CTSB variants and risk of PD. We then used genetic and pharmacological approaches to manipulate catB expression and function in cell lines and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and assessed lysosomal activity and the handling of aggregated synuclein fibrils. We find that catB inhibition impairs autophagy, reduces glucocerebrosidase (encoded by GBA1 ) activity, and leads to an accumulation of lysosomal content. In cell lines, reduction of CTSB gene expression impairs the degradation of pre-formed alpha-synuclein fibrils, whereas CTSB gene activation enhances fibril clearance. In midbrain organoids and dopaminergic neurons treated with alpha-synuclein fibrils, catB inhibition potentiates the formation of inclusions which stain positively for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein. These results indicate that the reduction of catB function negatively impacts lysosomal pathways associated with PD pathogenesis, while conversely catB activation could promote the clearance of pathogenic alpha-synuclein.
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8
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Maussion G, Rocha C, Abdian N, Yang D, Turk J, Carrillo Valenzuela D, Pimentel L, You Z, Morquette B, Nicouleau M, Deneault E, Higgins S, Chen CXQ, Reintsch WE, Ho S, Soubannier V, Lépine S, Modrusan Z, Lund J, Stephenson W, Schubert R, Durcan TM. Transcriptional Dysregulation and Impaired Neuronal Activity in FMR1 Knock-Out and Fragile X Patients' iPSC-Derived Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14926. [PMID: 37834379 PMCID: PMC10573568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914926] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a repression of the FMR1 gene that codes the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA binding protein involved in processes that are crucial for proper brain development. To better understand the consequences of the absence of FMRP, we analyzed gene expression profiles and activities of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons obtained from FXS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and IPSC-derived cells from FMR1 knock-out engineered using CRISPR-CAS9 technology. Multielectrode array recordings revealed in FMR1 KO and FXS patient cells, decreased mean firing rates; activities blocked by tetrodotoxin application. Increased expression of presynaptic mRNA and transcription factors involved in the forebrain specification and decreased levels of mRNA coding AMPA and NMDA subunits were observed using RNA sequencing on FMR1 KO neurons and validated using quantitative PCR in both models. Intriguingly, 40% of the differentially expressed genes were commonly deregulated between NPCs and differentiating neurons with significant enrichments in FMRP targets and autism-related genes found amongst downregulated genes. Our findings suggest that the absence of FMRP affects transcriptional profiles since the NPC stage, and leads to impaired activity and neuronal differentiation over time, which illustrates the critical role of FMRP protein in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Narges Abdian
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dimitri Yang
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Julien Turk
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Dulce Carrillo Valenzuela
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Luisa Pimentel
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Zhipeng You
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Barbara Morquette
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Eric Deneault
- Regulatory Research Division, Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Samuel Higgins
- Roche Sequencing, Computational Science and Informatics, Roche Molecular Systems, Santa Clara, CA 95050, USA
| | - Carol X.-Q. Chen
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Wolfgang E. Reintsch
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Stanley Ho
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Vincent Soubannier
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
| | - Sarah Lépine
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Rajib Schubert
- Research and Early Development, Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (G.M.); (C.R.)
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9
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Smullen M, Olson MN, Reichert JM, Dawes P, Murray LF, Baer CE, Wang Q, Readhead B, Church GM, Lim ET, Chan Y. Reliable multiplex generation of pooled induced pluripotent stem cells. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100570. [PMID: 37751688 PMCID: PMC10545906 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100570] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Reprogramming somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) enables the study of systems in vitro. To increase the throughput of reprogramming, we present induction of pluripotency from pooled cells (iPPC)-an efficient, scalable, and reliable reprogramming procedure. Using our deconvolution algorithm that employs pooled sequencing of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we accurately estimated individual donor proportions of the pooled iPSCs. With iPPC, we concurrently reprogrammed over one hundred donor lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) into iPSCs and found strong correlations of individual donors' reprogramming ability across multiple experiments. Individual donors' reprogramming ability remains consistent across both same-day replicates and multiple experimental runs, and the expression of certain immunoglobulin precursor genes may impact reprogramming ability. The pooled iPSCs were also able to differentiate into cerebral organoids. Our procedure enables a multiplex framework of using pooled libraries of donor iPSCs for downstream research and investigation of in vitro phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Smullen
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Meagan N Olson
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Julia M Reichert
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Pepper Dawes
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Liam F Murray
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Christina E Baer
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Benjamin Readhead
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elaine T Lim
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yingleong Chan
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA; NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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10
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Martins M, Oliveira AR, Martins S, Vieira JP, Perdigão P, Fernandes AR, de Almeida LP, Palma PJ, Sequeira DB, Santos JMM, Duque F, Oliveira G, Cardoso AL, Peça J, Seabra CM. A Novel Genetic Variant in MBD5 Associated with Severe Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability: Potential Implications on Neural Primary Cilia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12603. [PMID: 37628781 PMCID: PMC10454663 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruptions in the MBD5 gene have been linked with an array of clinical features such as global developmental delay, intellectual disability, autistic-like symptoms, and seizures, through unclear mechanisms. MBD5 haploinsufficiency has been associated with the disruption of primary cilium-related processes during early cortical development, and this has been reported in many neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we describe the clinical history of a 12-year-old child harboring a novel MBD5 rare variant and presenting psychomotor delay and seizures. To investigate the impact of MBD5 haploinsufficiency on neural primary cilia, we established a novel patient-derived cell line and used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to create an isogenic control. The patient-derived neural progenitor cells revealed a decrease in the length of primary cilia and in the total number of ciliated cells. This study paves the way to understanding the impact of MBD5 haploinsufficiency in brain development through its potential impact on neural primary cilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Martins
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Rafaela Oliveira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Solange Martins
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Vieira
- Neuropediatrics Unit, Central Lisbon Hospital Center, 1169-045 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Perdigão
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Fernandes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paulo Jorge Palma
- Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana Bela Sequeira
- Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Miguel Marques Santos
- Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
- Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Frederico Duque
- University Clinic of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
- Child Developmental Center and Research and Clinical Training Center, Pediatric Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Guiomar Oliveira
- University Clinic of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
- Child Developmental Center and Research and Clinical Training Center, Pediatric Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), 3000-602 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Cardoso
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Peça
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Morais Seabra
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
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11
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Bourque K, Jones-Tabah J, Pétrin D, Martin RD, Tanny JC, Hébert TE. Comparing the signaling and transcriptome profiling landscapes of human iPSC-derived and primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12248. [PMID: 37507481 PMCID: PMC10382583 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39525-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The inaccessibility of human cardiomyocytes significantly hindered years of cardiovascular research efforts. To overcome these limitations, non-human cell sources were used as proxies to study heart function and associated diseases. Rodent models became increasingly acceptable surrogates to model the human heart either in vivo or through in vitro cultures. More recently, due to concerns regarding animal to human translation, including cross-species differences, the use of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes presented a renewed opportunity. Here, we conducted a comparative study, assessing cellular signaling through cardiac G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (RNCMs) and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Genetically encoded biosensors were used to explore GPCR-mediated nuclear protein kinase A (PKA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/ 2 (ERK1/2) activities in both cardiomyocyte populations. To increase data granularity, a single-cell analytical approach was conducted. Using automated high content microscopy, our analyses of nuclear PKA and ERK1/2 signaling revealed distinct response clusters in rat and human cardiomyocytes. In line with this, bulk RNA-seq revealed key differences in the expression patterns of GPCRs, G proteins and downstream effector expression levels. Our study demonstrates that human stem cell-derived models of the cardiomyocyte offer distinct advantages for understanding cellular signaling in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla Bourque
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jace Jones-Tabah
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Darlaine Pétrin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ryan D Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jason C Tanny
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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12
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Nouri Nojadeh J, Bildiren Eryilmaz NS, Ergüder BI. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for neurodegenerative diseases. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:567-582. [PMID: 37636024 PMCID: PMC10450213 DOI: 10.17179/excli2023-6155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for various conditions, including blood disorders, ocular disease, cancer, and nervous system disorders. The advent of gene editing techniques has facilitated the ability of researchers to specifically target and modify the eukaryotic cell genome, making it a valuable tool for gene therapy. This can be performed through either in vivo or ex vivo approaches. Gene editing tools, such as zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and CRISPR-Cas-associated nucleases, can be employed for gene therapy purposes. Among these tools, CRISPR-Cas-based gene editing stands out because of its ability to introduce heritable genome changes by designing short guide RNAs. This review aims to provide an overview of CRISPR-Cas technology and summarizes the latest research on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology for the treatment of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Spinocerebellar ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Nouri Nojadeh
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
- The Graduate School of Health Sciences of Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Berrin Imge Ergüder
- Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
- The Graduate School of Health Sciences of Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
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13
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Dorion MF, Yaqubi M, Murdoch HJ, Hall JA, Dudley R, Antel JP, Durcan TM, Healy LM. Systematic comparison of culture media uncovers phenotypic shift of primary human microglia defined by reduced reliance to CSF1R signaling. Glia 2023; 71:1278-1293. [PMID: 36680780 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to understand microglia function in health and diseases have been hindered by the lack of culture models that recapitulate in situ cellular properties. In recent years, the use of serum-free media with brain-derived growth factors (colony stimulating factor 1 receptor [CSF1R] ligands and TGF-β1/2) have been favored for the maintenance of rodent microglia as they promote morphological features observed in situ. Here we study the functional and transcriptomic impacts of such media on human microglia (hMGL). Media formulation had little impact on microglia transcriptome assessed by RNA sequencing which was sufficient to significantly alter microglia capacity to phagocytose myelin debris and to elicit an inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide. When compared to immediately ex vivo microglia from the same donors, the addition of fetal bovine serum to culture media, but not growth factors, was found to aid in the maintenance of key signature genes including those involved in phagocytic processes. A phenotypic shift characterized by CSF1R downregulation in culture correlated with a lack of reliance on CSF1R signaling for survival. Consequently, no improvement in cell survival was observed following culture supplementation with CSF1R ligands. Our study provides better understanding of hMGL in culture, with observations that diverge from those previously made in rodent microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Dorion
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Hunter J Murdoch
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Jeffery A Hall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Roy Dudley
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Thomas Martin Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
| | - Luke Michael Healy
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Québec, Canada
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14
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Chaineau M, Franco-Flores AK, Haghi G, Carrillo-Valenzuela D, Reintsch WE, Chen CXQ, Durcan TM. An Optimized Workflow to Generate and Characterize iPSC-Derived Motor Neuron (MN) Spheroids. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040545. [PMID: 36831212 PMCID: PMC9954647 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A multitude of in vitro models based on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) have been developed to investigate the underlying causes of selective MN degeneration in motor neuron diseases (MNDs). For instance, spheroids are simple 3D models that have the potential to be generated in large numbers that can be used across different assays. In this study, we generated MN spheroids and developed a workflow to analyze them. To start, the morphological profiling of the spheroids was achieved by developing a pipeline to obtain measurements of their size and shape. Next, we confirmed the expression of different MN markers at the transcript and protein levels by qPCR and immunocytochemistry of tissue-cleared samples, respectively. Finally, we assessed the capacity of the MN spheroids to display functional activity in the form of action potentials and bursts using a microelectrode array approach. Although most of the cells displayed an MN identity, we also characterized the presence of other cell types, namely interneurons and oligodendrocytes, which share the same neural progenitor pool with MNs. In summary, we successfully developed an MN 3D model, and we optimized a workflow that can be applied to perform its morphological, gene expression, protein, and functional profiling over time.
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15
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Tang YM, Pulimood NS, Stifani S. Comparing the Characteristics of Microglia Preparations Generated Using Different Human iPSC-Based Differentiation Methods to Model Neurodegenerative Diseases. ASN Neuro 2022; 14:17590914221145105. [PMID: 36524236 PMCID: PMC9761225 DOI: 10.1177/17590914221145105] [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: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As the resident immune cells of the healthy nervous system, homeostatic microglia can rapidly become activated in response to injury/disease. Dysregulated microglia activation is a hallmark of nervous system disorders including neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease. The elucidation of the biological and pathological roles of microglia has recently benefitted from the development of microglia-like cells using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches. The success of iPSC-derived microglia preparations as a disease-relevant model system depends on their representation of the in vivo spatial and temporal heterogeneity of microglia under pathological conditions. Little is currently known about the potential of human iPSC-derived microglia generated using different methods for the study of neurodegenerative diseases. We compared the transcriptomes of human iPSC-derived microglia generated using two frequently used in vitro differentiation methods to determine whether separate strategies can generate microglia with distinct transcriptional signatures in vitro. We show that microglia derived using different differentiation methods display distinct maturation characteristics after equivalent times in culture. We also reveal that iPSC-derived microglia preparations generated using these two methods are composed of different subpopulations with transcriptomic signatures resembling those of in vivo regionally distinct microglia subtypes, specifically white-matter and gray-matter microglia. These findings highlight the need to better characterize the subtype composition of each microglia preparation prior to its use to model neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Man Tang
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological
Institute-Hospital, McGill
University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nisha S. Pulimood
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological
Institute-Hospital, McGill
University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stefano Stifani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological
Institute-Hospital, McGill
University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Stefano Stifani, Department of Neurology
and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University,
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4.
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16
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X-Q Chen C, Deneault E, Abdian N, You Z, Sirois J, Nicouleau M, Shlaifer I, Villegas L, Boivin MN, Gaborieau L, Karamchandani J, Beitel LK, Fon EA, Durcan TM. Generation of patient-derived pluripotent stem cell-lines and CRISPR modified isogenic controls with mutations in the Parkinson's associated GBA gene. Stem Cell Res 2022; 64:102919. [PMID: 36130446 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The GBA gene encodes the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase), responsible for the hydrolysis of glucocerebroside to glucose and ceramide. Heterozygous GBA mutations have been associated with the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We generated two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from PD patients carrying heterozygous GBA W378G or N370S mutations and subsequently produced isogenic control lines using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. The patient-derived iPSCs and isogenic control lines maintained full pluripotency, normal karyotypes, and differentiation capacity. All iPSC lines could be differentiated into dopaminergic neurons, thus providing valuable tools for studying PD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol X-Q Chen
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Eric Deneault
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Narges Abdian
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Zhipeng You
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Julien Sirois
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lorenza Villegas
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Marie-Noëlle Boivin
- C-BIG Biorepository (C-BIG), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lydiane Gaborieau
- C-BIG Biorepository (C-BIG), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jason Karamchandani
- C-BIG Biorepository (C-BIG), Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lenore K Beitel
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
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17
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Generation and Characterization of Novel iPSC Lines from a Portuguese Family Bearing Heterozygous and Homozygous GRN Mutations. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081905. [PMID: 36009452 PMCID: PMC9405606 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in granulin (GRN) have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). In Portugal, GRN mutations account for around half of all FTLD cases with known genetic origin. Here, we describe the generation and characterization of three human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from a Portuguese family harboring heterozygous and homozygous GRN mutation. hiPSCs were reprogrammed from human dermal fibroblasts by episomal nucleofection of the Yamanaka factors. The new generated lines were positive for pluripotency markers, could be further differentiated to cells expressing all trilineage markers, and presented a normal karyotype. They were also capable of differentiating into 3D brain organoids and presented a significant decrease in progranulin protein levels. Hence, these cell lines constitute suitable new tools to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with the GRN mutations in the context of FTLD.
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18
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Azzam SK, Alsafar H, Sajini AA. Generation of the UAE's first Emirati induced pluripotent stem cell line KUSTi001-A from peripheral blood derived CD34+ hematopoietic cells. Stem Cell Res 2022; 63:102853. [PMID: 35816920 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we report the generation of the first Emirati iPSC line in the United Arab Emirates and name it KUSTi001-A. CD34+ hematopoietic cells purified from peripheral blood of a 27-year-old healthy female donor were reprogrammed using Sendai vectors. Twenty days post-reprogramming colonies were manually picked, and expanded clones were verified for transgene clearance by RT-PCR. Pluripotency was validated by pluripotency genes and differentiation into all three germ layers. Finally, chromosome stability was confirmed by testing 8 common abnormality loci. KUSTi001-A, alternatively called UAE001, is an Emirati hiPSC line that holds great potential for UAE specific regenerative medicine, disease modelling and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kassem Azzam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba Alsafar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulrahim A Sajini
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates; Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates.
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19
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Chen CXQ, You Z, Abdian N, Sirois J, Shlaifer I, Tabatabaei M, Boivin MN, Gaborieau L, Karamchandani J, Beitel LK, Fon EA, Durcan TM. Generation of homozygous PRKN, PINK1 and double PINK1/PRKN knockout cell lines from healthy induced pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 editing. Stem Cell Res 2022; 62:102806. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2022.102806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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20
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Improving Cell Recovery: Freezing and Thawing Optimization of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050799. [PMID: 35269421 PMCID: PMC8909336 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving good cell recovery after cryopreservation is an essential process when working with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Optimized freezing and thawing methods are required for good cell attachment and survival. In this review, we concentrate on these two aspects, freezing and thawing, but also discuss further factors influencing cell recovery such as cell storage and transport. Whenever a problem occurs during the thawing process of iPSC, it is initially not clear what it is caused by, because there are many factors involved that can contribute to insufficient cell recovery. Thawing problems can usually be solved more quickly when a certain order of steps to be taken is followed. Under optimized conditions, iPSC should be ready for further experiments approximately 4–7 days after thawing and seeding. However, if the freezing and thawing protocols are not optimized, this time can increase up to 2–3 weeks, complicating any further experiments. Here, we suggest optimization steps and troubleshooting options for the freezing, thawing, and seeding of iPSC on feeder-free, Matrigel™-coated, cell culture plates whenever iPSC cannot be recovered in sufficient quality. This review applies to two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell culture and to iPSC, passaged, frozen, and thawed as cell aggregates (clumps). Furthermore, we discuss usually less well-described factors such as the cell growth phase before freezing and the prevention of osmotic shock during thawing.
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21
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Soubannier V, Chaineau M, Gursu L, Haghi G, Franco Flores AK, Rouleau G, Durcan TM, Stifani S. Rapid Generation of Ventral Spinal Cord-like Astrocytes from Human iPSCs for Modeling Non-Cell Autonomous Mechanisms of Lower Motor Neuron Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030399. [PMID: 35159209 PMCID: PMC8834281 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play important roles in the function and survival of neuronal cells. Dysfunctions of astrocytes are associated with numerous disorders and diseases of the nervous system, including motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches are becoming increasingly important for the study of the mechanisms underlying the involvement of astrocytes in non-cell autonomous processes of motor neuron degeneration in ALS. These studies must account for the molecular and functional diversity among astrocytes in different regions of the brain and spinal cord. It is essential that the most pathologically relevant astrocyte preparations are used when investigating non-cell autonomous mechanisms of either upper or lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS. Here, we describe the efficient and streamlined generation of human iPSC-derived astrocytes with molecular and biological properties similar to physiological astrocytes in the ventral spinal cord. These induced astrocytes exhibit spontaneous and ATP-induced calcium transients, and lack signs of overt activation. Human iPSC-derived astrocytes with ventral spinal cord features offer advantages over more generic astrocyte preparations for the study of both ventral spinal cord astrocyte biology and the involvement of astrocytes in mechanisms of lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Soubannier
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Lale Gursu
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Ghazal Haghi
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Anna Kristyna Franco Flores
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Guy Rouleau
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (M.C.); (L.G.); (G.H.); (A.K.F.F.)
| | - Stefano Stifani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada; (V.S.); (G.R.); (T.M.D.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Bourque K, Hawey C, Jones-Tabah J, Pétrin D, Martin RD, Ling Sun Y, Hébert TE. Measuring hypertrophy in neonatal rat primary cardiomyocytes and human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Methods 2021; 203:447-464. [PMID: 34933120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the heart, left ventricular hypertrophy is initially an adaptive mechanism that increases wall thickness to preserve normal cardiac output and function in the face of coronary artery disease or hypertension. Cardiac hypertrophy develops in response to pressure and volume overload but can also be seen in inherited cardiomyopathies. As the wall thickens, it becomes stiffer impairing the distribution of oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. With complex cellular signalling and transcriptional networks involved in the establishment of the hypertrophic state, several model systems have been developed to better understand the molecular drivers of disease. Immortalized cardiomyocyte cell lines, primary rodent and larger animal models have all helped understand the pathological mechanisms underlying cardiac hypertrophy. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are also used and have the additional benefit of providing access to human samples with direct disease relevance as when generated from patients suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Here, we briefly review in vitro and in vivo model systems that have been used to model hypertrophy and provide detailed methods to isolate primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes as well as to generate cardiomyocytes from human iPSCs. We also describe how to model hypertrophy in a "dish" using gene expression analysis and immunofluorescence combined with automated high-content imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla Bourque
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Cara Hawey
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jace Jones-Tabah
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Darlaine Pétrin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Ryan D Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Yi Ling Sun
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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23
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Auto-qPCR; a python-based web app for automated and reproducible analysis of qPCR data. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21293. [PMID: 34716395 PMCID: PMC8556264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantifying changes in DNA and RNA levels is essential in numerous molecular biology protocols. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) techniques have evolved to become commonplace, however, data analysis includes many time-consuming and cumbersome steps, which can lead to mistakes and misinterpretation of data. To address these bottlenecks, we have developed an open-source Python software to automate processing of result spreadsheets from qPCR machines, employing calculations usually performed manually. Auto-qPCR is a tool that saves time when computing qPCR data, helping to ensure reproducibility of qPCR experiment analyses. Our web-based app (https://auto-q-pcr.com/) is easy to use and does not require programming knowledge or software installation. Using Auto-qPCR, we provide examples of data treatment, display and statistical analyses for four different data processing modes within one program: (1) DNA quantification to identify genomic deletion or duplication events; (2) assessment of gene expression levels using an absolute model, and relative quantification (3) with or (4) without a reference sample. Our open access Auto-qPCR software saves the time of manual data analysis and provides a more systematic workflow, minimizing the risk of errors. Our program constitutes a new tool that can be incorporated into bioinformatic and molecular biology pipelines in clinical and research labs.
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24
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Deneault E, Chaineau M, Nicouleau M, Castellanos Montiel MJ, Franco Flores AK, Haghi G, Chen CXQ, Abdian N, Shlaifer I, Beitel LK, Durcan TM. A streamlined CRISPR workflow to introduce mutations and generate isogenic iPSCs for modeling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods 2021; 203:297-310. [PMID: 34500068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents a complex neurodegenerative disorder with significant genetic heterogeneity. To date, both the genetic etiology and the underlying molecular mechanisms driving this disease remain poorly understood, although in recent years several studies have highlighted a number of genetic mutations causative for ALS. With these mutations pointing to potential pathways that may be affected within individuals with ALS, having the ability to generate human neurons and other disease relevant cells containing these mutations becomes even more critical if new therapies are to emerge. Recent developments with the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing fields gave us the tools to introduce or correct a specific mutation at any site within the genome of an iPSC, and thus model the specific contribution of risk mutations. In this study we describe a rapid and efficient way to either introduce a mutation into a control line, or to correct an allele-specific mutation, generating an isogenic control line from patient-derived iPSCs with a given mutation. The mutations introduced were the G94A (also known as G93A) mutation into SOD1 or H517Q into FUS, and the mutation corrected was a patient iPSC line with I114T mutation in SOD1. A combination of small molecules and growth factors were used to guide a stepwise differentiation of the edited cells into motor neurons in order to demonstrate that disease-relevant cells could be generated for downstream applications. Through a combination of iPSCs and CRISPR editing, the cells generated here will provide fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neuron degeneration in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Deneault
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Mathilde Chaineau
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Maria José Castellanos Montiel
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Anna Kristyna Franco Flores
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Ghazal Haghi
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carol X-Q Chen
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Narges Abdian
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lenore K Beitel
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
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