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Lavekar SS, Patel MD, Montalvo-Parra MD, Krencik R. Asteroid impact: the potential of astrocytes to modulate human neural networks within organoids. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1305921. [PMID: 38075269 PMCID: PMC10702564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1305921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a vital cellular component of the central nervous system that impact neuronal function in both healthy and pathological states. This includes intercellular signals to neurons and non-neuronal cells during development, maturation, and aging that can modulate neural network formation, plasticity, and maintenance. Recently, human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural aggregate cultures, known as neurospheres or organoids, have emerged as improved experimental platforms for basic and pre-clinical neuroscience compared to traditional approaches. Here, we summarize the potential capability of using organoids to further understand the mechanistic role of astrocytes upon neural networks, including the production of extracellular matrix components and reactive signaling cues. Additionally, we discuss the application of organoid models to investigate the astrocyte-dependent aspects of neuropathological diseases and to test astrocyte-inspired technologies. We examine the shortcomings of organoid-based experimental platforms and plausible improvements made possible by cutting-edge neuroengineering technologies. These advancements are expected to enable the development of improved diagnostic strategies and high-throughput translational applications regarding neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R. Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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2
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Girardin S, Ihle SJ, Menghini A, Krubner M, Tognola L, Duru J, Fruh I, Müller M, Ruff T, Vörös J. Engineering circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons and rat primary glia. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1103437. [PMID: 37250404 PMCID: PMC10213452 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1103437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel in vitro platforms based on human neurons are needed to improve early drug testing and address the stalling drug discovery in neurological disorders. Topologically controlled circuits of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons have the potential to become such a testing system. In this work, we build in vitro co-cultured circuits of human iPSC-derived neurons and rat primary glial cells using microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures on microelectrode arrays (MEAs). Our PDMS microstructures are designed in the shape of a stomach, which guides axons in one direction and thereby facilitates the unidirectional flow of information. Such circuits are created by seeding either dissociated cells or pre-aggregated spheroids at different neuron-to-glia ratios. Furthermore, an antifouling coating is developed to prevent axonal overgrowth in undesired locations of the microstructure. We assess the electrophysiological properties of different types of circuits over more than 50 days, including their stimulation-induced neural activity. Finally, we demonstrate the inhibitory effect of magnesium chloride on the electrical activity of our iPSC circuits as a proof-of-concept for screening of neuroactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Girardin
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan J. Ihle
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Menghini
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Krubner
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Tognola
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jens Duru
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Fruh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Müller
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Ruff
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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3
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Cvetkovic C, Patel R, Shetty A, Hogan MK, Anderson M, Basu N, Aghlara-Fotovat S, Ramesh S, Sardar D, Veiseh O, Ward ME, Deneen B, Horner PJ, Krencik R. Assessing Gq-GPCR-induced human astrocyte reactivity using bioengineered neural organoids. J Cell Biol 2022; 221:212997. [PMID: 35139144 PMCID: PMC8842185 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202107135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocyte reactivity can directly modulate nervous system function and immune responses during disease and injury. However, the consequence of human astrocyte reactivity in response to specific contexts and within neural networks is obscure. Here, we devised a straightforward bioengineered neural organoid culture approach entailing transcription factor-driven direct differentiation of neurons and astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells combined with genetically encoded tools for dual cell-selective activation. This strategy revealed that Gq-GPCR activation via chemogenetics in astrocytes promotes a rise in intracellular calcium followed by induction of immediate early genes and thrombospondin 1. However, astrocytes also undergo NF-κB nuclear translocation and secretion of inflammatory proteins, correlating with a decreased evoked firing rate of cocultured optogenetic neurons in suboptimal conditions, without overt neurotoxicity. Altogether, this study clarifies the intrinsic reactivity of human astrocytes in response to targeting GPCRs and delivers a bioengineered approach for organoid-based disease modeling and preclinical drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Cvetkovic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | | | - Arya Shetty
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Matthew K Hogan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Morgan Anderson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Nupur Basu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Samira Aghlara-Fotovat
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX
| | | | | | - Omid Veiseh
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX
| | - Michael E Ward
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - Philip J Horner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Robert Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX
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4
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Zinger A, Cvetkovic C, Sushnitha M, Naoi T, Baudo G, Anderson M, Shetty A, Basu N, Covello J, Tasciotti E, Amit M, Xie T, Taraballi F, Krencik R. Humanized Biomimetic Nanovesicles for Neuron Targeting. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2101437. [PMID: 34382379 PMCID: PMC8498895 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202101437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nanovesicles (NVs) are emerging as innovative, theranostic tools for cargo delivery. Recently, surface engineering of NVs with membrane proteins from specific cell types has been shown to improve the biocompatibility of NVs and enable the integration of functional attributes. However, this type of biomimetic approach has not yet been explored using human neural cells for applications within the nervous system. Here, this paper optimizes and validates the scalable and reproducible production of two types of neuron-targeting NVs, each with a distinct lipid formulation backbone suited to potential therapeutic cargo, by integrating membrane proteins that are unbiasedly sourced from human pluripotent stem-cell-derived neurons. The results establish that both endogenous and genetically engineered cell-derived proteins effectively transfer to NVs without disruption of their physicochemical properties. NVs with neuron-derived membrane proteins exhibit enhanced neuronal association and uptake compared to bare NVs. Viability of 3D neural sphere cultures is not disrupted by treatment, which verifies the utility of organoid-based approaches as NV testing platforms. Finally, these results confirm cellular association and uptake of the biomimetic humanized NVs to neurons within rodent cranial nerves. In summary, the customizable NVs reported here enable next-generation functionalized theranostics aimed to promote neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Zinger
- Center for Musculoskeletal RegenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteOrthopedics and Sports MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
- Laboratory for Bioinspired Nano Engineering and Translational Therapeutics, Department of Chemical EngineeringTechnion−Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifa3200003Israel
| | - Caroline Cvetkovic
- Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of NeurosurgeryHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Manuela Sushnitha
- Center for Musculoskeletal RegenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteOrthopedics and Sports MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
- Department of BioengineeringRice UniversityHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Tomoyuki Naoi
- Center for Musculoskeletal RegenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteOrthopedics and Sports MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Gherardo Baudo
- Center for Musculoskeletal RegenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteOrthopedics and Sports MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Morgan Anderson
- Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of NeurosurgeryHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Arya Shetty
- Department of BioSciencesRice UniversityHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Nupur Basu
- Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of NeurosurgeryHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Jennifer Covello
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTX77030USA
| | | | - Moran Amit
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Tongxin Xie
- Department of Head and Neck SurgeryThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Center for Musculoskeletal RegenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteOrthopedics and Sports MedicineHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Robert Krencik
- Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteDepartment of NeurosurgeryHouston Methodist HospitalHoustonTX77030USA
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5
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Zhang N, Bewick B, Schultz J, Tiwari A, Krencik R, Zhang A, Adachi K, Xia G, Yun K, Sarkar P, Ashizawa T. DNAzyme Cleavage of CAG Repeat RNA in Polyglutamine Diseases. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1710-1728. [PMID: 34160773 PMCID: PMC8609077 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01075-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CAG repeat expansion is the genetic cause of nine incurable polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases with neurodegenerative features. Silencing repeat RNA holds great therapeutic value. Here, we developed a repeat-based RNA-cleaving DNAzyme that catalyzes the destruction of expanded CAG repeat RNA of six polyQ diseases with high potency. DNAzyme preferentially cleaved the expanded allele in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) cells. While cleavage was non-allele-specific for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) cells, treatment of DNAzyme leads to improved cell viability without affecting mitochondrial metabolism or p62-dependent aggresome formation. DNAzyme appears to be stable in mouse brain for at least 1 month, and an intermediate dosage of DNAzyme in a SCA3 mouse model leads to a significant reduction of high molecular weight ATXN3 proteins. Our data suggest that DNAzyme is an effective RNA silencing molecule for potential treatment of multiple polyQ diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Brittani Bewick
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Jason Schultz
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Anjana Tiwari
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Robert Krencik
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Center for Bioenergetics, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Kaho Adachi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Guangbin Xia
- Indiana University School of Medicine-Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN USA
| | - Kyuson Yun
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
| | - Partha Sarkar
- Department of Neurology and Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, UTMB Health, Galveston, TX USA
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX USA
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6
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Shin HY, Lee SJ, Seo HW, Kim MY, Intisar A, Yea K, Cho SC, Lee YI, Kim YZ, Gurel O, van Noort D, Park SC, Kim MS. Cell Seeding Technology for Microarray-Based Quantitative Human Primary Skeletal Muscle Cell Analysis. Anal Chem 2019; 91:14214-14219. [PMID: 31631648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pipetting techniques play a crucial role in obtaining reproducible and reliable results, especially when seeding cells on small target areas, such as on microarrays, biochips or microfabricated cell culture systems. For very rare cells, such as human primary skeletal muscle cells (skMCs), manual (freehand) cell seeding techniques invariably result in nonuniform cell spreading and heterogeneous cell densities, giving rise to undesirable variations in myogenesis and differentiation. To prevent such technique-dependent variation, we have designed and fabricated a simple, low-cost pipet guidance device (PGD), and holder that works with hand-held pipettes. This work validates the accuracy and reproducibility of the PGD platform and compares its effectiveness with manual and robotic seeding techniques. The PGD system ensures reproducibility of cell seeding, comparable to that of more expensive robotic dispensing systems, resulting in a high degree of cell uniformity and homogeneous cell densities, while also enabling cell community studies. As compared to freehand pipetting, PGD-assisted seeding of C2C12 mouse myoblasts showed 5.3 times more myotube formation and likewise myotubes derived from PGD-seeded human primary skMCs were 3.6 times thicker and 2.2 times longer. These results show that this novel, yet simple PGD-assisted pipetting technique provides precise cell seeding on small targets, ensuring reproducible and reliable high-throughput cell assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Young Zoon Kim
- Division of Neurooncology and Department of Neurosurgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital , Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Changwon , Republic of Korea
| | | | - Danny van Noort
- Division of Biotechnology, IFM , Linköping University , Linköping 58183 , Sweden
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7
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Sandvig A, Sandvig I. Connectomics of Morphogenetically Engineered Neurons as a Predictor of Functional Integration in the Ischemic Brain. Front Neurol 2019; 10:630. [PMID: 31249553 PMCID: PMC6582372 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00630] [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: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in cell reprogramming technologies enable the in vitro generation of theoretically unlimited numbers of cells, including cells of neural lineage and specific neuronal subtypes from human, including patient-specific, somatic cells. Similarly, as demonstrated in recent animal studies, by applying morphogenetic neuroengineering principles in situ, it is possible to reprogram resident brain cells to the desired phenotype. These developments open new exciting possibilities for cell replacement therapy in stroke, albeit not without caveats. Main challenges include the successful integration of engineered cells in the ischemic brain to promote functional restoration as well as the fact that the underlying mechanisms of action are not fully understood. In this review, we aim to provide new insights to the above in the context of connectomics of morphogenetically engineered neural networks. Specifically, we discuss the relevance of combining advanced interdisciplinary approaches to: validate the functionality of engineered neurons by studying their self-organizing behavior into neural networks as well as responses to stroke-related pathology in vitro; derive structural and functional connectomes from these networks in healthy and perturbed conditions; and identify and extract key elements regulating neural network dynamics, which might predict the behavior of grafted engineered neurons post-transplantation in the stroke-injured brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Neurology, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neuro, Head, and Neck, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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8
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Chukwurah E, Osmundsen A, Davis SW, Lizarraga SB. All Together Now: Modeling the Interaction of Neural With Non-neural Systems Using Organoid Models. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:582. [PMID: 31293366 PMCID: PMC6598414 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex development of the human nervous system has been traditionally studied using a combination of animal models, human post-mortem brain tissue, and human genetics studies. However, there has been a lack of experimental human cellular models that would allow for a more precise elucidation of the intricate dynamics of early human brain development. The development of stem cell technologies, both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has given neuroscientists access to the previously inaccessible early stages of human brain development. In particular, the recent development of three-dimensional culturing methodologies provides a platform to study the differentiation of stem cells in both normal development and disease states in a more in vivo like context. Three-dimensional neural models or cerebral organoids possess an innate advantage over two-dimensional neural cultures as they can recapitulate tissue organization and cell type diversity that resemble the developing brain. Brain organoids also provide the exciting opportunity to model the integration of different brain regions in vitro. Furthermore, recent advances in the differentiation of non-neuronal tissue from stem cells provides the opportunity to study the interaction between the developing nervous system and other non-neuronal systems that impact neuronal function. In this review, we discuss the potential and limitations of the organoid system to study in vitro neurological diseases that arise in the neuroendocrine and the enteric nervous system or from interactions with the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Chukwurah
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Allison Osmundsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Shannon W. Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Sofia B. Lizarraga
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Center for Childhood Neurotherapeutics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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