1
|
Jevans B, Cooper F, Fatieieva Y, Gogolou A, Kang YN, Restuadi R, Moulding D, Vanden Berghe P, Adameyko I, Thapar N, Andrews PW, De Coppi P, Tsakiridis A, McCann CJ. Human enteric nervous system progenitor transplantation improves functional responses in Hirschsprung disease patient-derived tissue. Gut 2024; 73:1441-1453. [PMID: 38816188 PMCID: PMC11347211 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a severe congenital disorder affecting 1:5000 live births. HSCR results from the failure of enteric nervous system (ENS) progenitors to fully colonise the gastrointestinal tract during embryonic development. This leads to aganglionosis in the distal bowel, resulting in disrupted motor activity and impaired peristalsis. Currently, the only viable treatment option is surgical resection of the aganglionic bowel. However, patients frequently suffer debilitating, lifelong symptoms, with multiple surgical procedures often necessary. Hence, alternative treatment options are crucial. An attractive strategy involves the transplantation of ENS progenitors generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). DESIGN ENS progenitors were generated from hPSCs using an accelerated protocol and characterised, in detail, through a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, protein expression analysis and calcium imaging. We tested ENS progenitors' capacity to integrate and affect functional responses in HSCR colon, after ex vivo transplantation to organotypically cultured patient-derived colonic tissue, using organ bath contractility. RESULTS We found that our protocol consistently gives rise to high yields of a cell population exhibiting transcriptional and functional hallmarks of early ENS progenitors. Following transplantation, hPSC-derived ENS progenitors integrate, migrate and form neurons/glia within explanted human HSCR colon samples. Importantly, the transplanted HSCR tissue displayed significantly increased basal contractile activity and increased responses to electrical stimulation compared with control tissue. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of hPSC-derived ENS progenitors to repopulate and increase functional responses in human HSCR patient colonic tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jevans
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Fay Cooper
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Yuliia Fatieieva
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Centre for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Antigoni Gogolou
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Yi-Ning Kang
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Restuadi Restuadi
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Dale Moulding
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Centre for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Cell and Tissue Imaging Cluster (CIC), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Centre for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nikhil Thapar
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Queensland Children's Hospital UQ Faculty, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter W Andrews
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Conor J McCann
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wu HF, Art J, Saini T, Zeltner N. Protocol for generating postganglionic sympathetic neurons using human pluripotent stem cells for electrophysiological and functional assessments. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102970. [PMID: 38517897 PMCID: PMC10966798 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102970] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing the development and function of the sympathetic nervous system in diseases on a large scale is challenging. Here, we present a protocol to generate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived postganglionic sympathetic neurons (symNs) differentiated via neural crest cells (NCCs), which can be cryopreserved. We describe steps for hPSC replating, NCC replating and cryobanking, and symN differentiation. We then demonstrate the functionality of the hPSC-derived symNs, focusing on electrophysiological activity, calcium flux, and norepinephrine dynamics. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Wu et al.1,2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Fu Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jennifer Art
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Tripti Saini
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nadja Zeltner
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Van Lent J, Prior R, Pérez Siles G, Cutrupi AN, Kennerson ML, Vangansewinkel T, Wolfs E, Mukherjee-Clavin B, Nevin Z, Judge L, Conklin B, Tyynismaa H, Clark AJ, Bennett DL, Van Den Bosch L, Saporta M, Timmerman V. Advances and challenges in modeling inherited peripheral neuropathies using iPSCs. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:1348-1364. [PMID: 38825644 PMCID: PMC11263568 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01250-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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) are a group of diseases associated with mutations in various genes with fundamental roles in the development and function of peripheral nerves. Over the past 10 years, significant advances in identifying molecular disease mechanisms underlying axonal and myelin degeneration, acquired from cellular biology studies and transgenic fly and rodent models, have facilitated the development of promising treatment strategies. However, no clinical treatment has emerged to date. This lack of treatment highlights the urgent need for more biologically and clinically relevant models recapitulating IPNs. For both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a particularly powerful platform for disease modeling and preclinical studies. In this review, we provide an update on different in vitro human cellular IPN models, including traditional two-dimensional monoculture iPSC derivatives, and recent advances in more complex human iPSC-based systems using microfluidic chips, organoids, and assembloids.
Collapse
Grants
- Wellcome Trust
- R01 NS119678 NINDS NIH HHS
- U01 ES032673 NIEHS NIH HHS
- DOC-PRO4 Universiteit Antwerpen (University of Antwerp)
- This work was supported in part by the University of Antwerp (DOC-PRO4 PhD fellowship to J.V.L. and TOP-BOF research grant no. 38694 to V.T.), the Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM research grant no. 24063 to V.T.), Association Belge contre les Maladies Neuromusculaires (ABMM research grant no. 1 to J.V.L and V.T), the interuniversity research fund (iBOF project to. L.V.D.B, E.W. and V.T.). V.T. is part of the μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence of the University of Antwerp and is an active member of the European Network for Stem Cell Core Facilities (CorEUStem, COST Action CA20140). Work in the M.L.K group was supported by the NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP1186867), CMT Australia Grant awarded to M.L.K and G.P.-S and the Australian Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Genomics Health Futures Mission Grant 2007681. B.M.C. is supported by the American Academy of Neurology and the Passano Foundation. L.M.J. and B.R.C. are supported by the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, NINDS R01 NS119678, NIEHS U01 ES032673. H.T. is supported by Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence in Stem Cell Metabolism and Sigrid Juselius Foundation. Work in the D.L.B. group is supported by a Wellcome Investigator Grant (223149/Z/21/Z), the MRC (MR/T020113/1), and with funding from the MRC and Versus Arthritis to the PAINSTORM consortium as part of the Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (MR/W002388/1).
- Australian Medical Association (Australian Medical Association Limited)
- Universiteit Hasselt (UHasselt)
- American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
- Gladstone Institutes (J. David Gladstone Institutes)
- Academy of Finland (Suomen Akatemia)
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC)
- Wellcome Trust (Wellcome)
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Trust)
- KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)
- Miami University | Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine (Miller School of Medicine)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Van Lent
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
- Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), BIOS+, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Robert Prior
- Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Pérez Siles
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute Sydney Local Health District and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony N Cutrupi
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute Sydney Local Health District and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marina L Kennerson
- Northcott Neuroscience Laboratory, ANZAC Research Institute Sydney Local Health District and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Vangansewinkel
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, BIOMED, Laboratory for Functional Imaging and Research on Stem Cells (FIERCE Lab), Agoralaan, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- VIB-Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Esther Wolfs
- UHasselt - Hasselt University, BIOMED, Laboratory for Functional Imaging and Research on Stem Cells (FIERCE Lab), Agoralaan, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | | | | | - Luke Judge
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce Conklin
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Henna Tyynismaa
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alex J Clark
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - David L Bennett
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- VIB-Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mario Saporta
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Vincent Timmerman
- Peripheral Neuropathy Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Institute Born Bunge, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ishida T, Satou Y. Ascidian embryonic cells with properties of neural-crest cells and neuromesodermal progenitors of vertebrates. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1154-1164. [PMID: 38565680 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02387-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Neural-crest cells and neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are multipotent cells that are important for development of vertebrate embryos. In embryos of ascidians, which are the closest invertebrate relatives of vertebrates, several cells located at the border between the neural plate and the epidermal region have neural-crest-like properties; hence, the last common ancestor of ascidians and vertebrates may have had ancestral cells similar to neural-crest cells. However, these ascidian neural-crest-like cells do not produce cells that are commonly of mesodermal origin. Here we showed that a cell population located in the lateral region of the neural plate has properties resembling those of vertebrate neural-crest cells and NMPs. Among them, cells with Tbx6-related expression contribute to muscle near the tip of the tail region and cells with Sox1/2/3 expression give rise to the nerve cord. These observations and cross-species transcriptome comparisons indicate that these cells have properties similar to those of NMPs. Meanwhile, transcription factor genes Dlx.b, Zic-r.b and Snai, which are reminiscent of a gene circuit in vertebrate neural-crest cells, are involved in activation of Tbx6-related.b. Thus, the last common ancestor of ascidians and vertebrates may have had cells with properties of neural-crest cells and NMPs and such ancestral cells may have produced cells commonly of ectodermal and mesodermal origins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Ishida
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yutaka Satou
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Saldana-Guerrero IM, Montano-Gutierrez LF, Boswell K, Hafemeister C, Poon E, Shaw LE, Stavish D, Lea RA, Wernig-Zorc S, Bozsaky E, Fetahu IS, Zoescher P, Pötschger U, Bernkopf M, Wenninger-Weinzierl A, Sturtzel C, Souilhol C, Tarelli S, Shoeb MR, Bozatzi P, Rados M, Guarini M, Buri MC, Weninger W, Putz EM, Huang M, Ladenstein R, Andrews PW, Barbaric I, Cresswell GD, Bryant HE, Distel M, Chesler L, Taschner-Mandl S, Farlik M, Tsakiridis A, Halbritter F. A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3745. [PMID: 38702304 PMCID: PMC11068915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47945-7] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Early childhood tumours arise from transformed embryonic cells, which often carry large copy number alterations (CNA). However, it remains unclear how CNAs contribute to embryonic tumourigenesis due to a lack of suitable models. Here we employ female human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and single-cell transcriptome and epigenome analysis to assess the effects of chromosome 17q/1q gains, which are prevalent in the embryonal tumour neuroblastoma (NB). We show that CNAs impair the specification of trunk neural crest (NC) cells and their sympathoadrenal derivatives, the putative cells-of-origin of NB. This effect is exacerbated upon overexpression of MYCN, whose amplification co-occurs with CNAs in NB. Moreover, CNAs potentiate the pro-tumourigenic effects of MYCN and mutant NC cells resemble NB cells in tumours. These changes correlate with a stepwise aberration of developmental transcription factor networks. Together, our results sketch a mechanistic framework for the CNA-driven initiation of embryonal tumours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid M Saldana-Guerrero
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Katy Boswell
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lisa E Shaw
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dylan Stavish
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca A Lea
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sara Wernig-Zorc
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Bozsaky
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Irfete S Fetahu
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Zoescher
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Pötschger
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie Bernkopf
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Celine Souilhol
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sophia Tarelli
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mohamed R Shoeb
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Polyxeni Bozatzi
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Rados
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Guarini
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle C Buri
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Miller Huang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Helen E Bryant
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Matthias Farlik
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ahern DT, Bansal P, Faustino IV, Glatt-Deeley HR, Massey R, Kondaveeti Y, Banda EC, Pinter SF. Isogenic hiPSC models of Turner syndrome development reveal shared roles of inactive X and Y in the human cranial neural crest network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.08.531747. [PMID: 36945647 PMCID: PMC10028916 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.08.531747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Modeling the developmental etiology of viable human aneuploidy can be challenging in rodents due to syntenic boundaries, or primate-specific biology. In humans, monosomy-X (45,X) causes Turner syndrome (TS), altering craniofacial, skeletal, endocrine, and cardiovascular development, which in contrast remain unaffected in 39,X-mice. To learn how human monosomy-X may impact early embryonic development, we turned to human 45,X and isogenic euploid induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from male and female mosaic donors. Because neural crest (NC) derived cell types are hypothesized to underpin craniofacial and cardiovascular changes in TS, we performed a highly-powered differential expression study on hiPSC-derived anterior neural crest cells (NCCs). Across three independent isogenic panels, 45,X NCCs show impaired acquisition of PAX7+SOX10+ markers, and disrupted expression of other NCC-specific genes, relative to their isogenic euploid controls. In particular, 45,X NCCs increase cholesterol biosynthesis genes while reducing transcripts that feature 5' terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) motifs, including those of ribosomal protein and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. Such metabolic pathways are also over-represented in weighted co-expression gene modules that are preserved in monogenic neurocristopathy. Importantly, these gene modules are also significantly enriched in 28% of all TS-associated terms of the human phenotype ontology. Our analysis identifies specific sex-linked genes that are expressed from two copies in euploid males and females alike and qualify as candidate haploinsufficient drivers of TS phenotypes in NC-derived lineages. This study demonstrates that isogenic hiPSC-derived NCC panels representing monosomy-X can serve as a powerful model of early NC development in TS and inform new hypotheses towards its etiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darcy T. Ahern
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Developmental Biology, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Prakhar Bansal
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Developmental Biology, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Isaac V. Faustino
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Heather R. Glatt-Deeley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Rachael Massey
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Developmental Biology, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Yuvabharath Kondaveeti
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Erin C. Banda
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Stefan F. Pinter
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Developmental Biology, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xue X, Kim YS, Ponce-Arias AI, O'Laughlin R, Yan RZ, Kobayashi N, Tshuva RY, Tsai YH, Sun S, Zheng Y, Liu Y, Wong FCK, Surani A, Spence JR, Song H, Ming GL, Reiner O, Fu J. A patterned human neural tube model using microfluidic gradients. Nature 2024; 628:391-399. [PMID: 38408487 PMCID: PMC11006583 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07204-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The human nervous system is a highly complex but organized organ. The foundation of its complexity and organization is laid down during regional patterning of the neural tube, the embryonic precursor to the human nervous system. Historically, studies of neural tube patterning have relied on animal models to uncover underlying principles. Recently, models of neurodevelopment based on human pluripotent stem cells, including neural organoids1-5 and bioengineered neural tube development models6-10, have emerged. However, such models fail to recapitulate neural patterning along both rostral-caudal and dorsal-ventral axes in a three-dimensional tubular geometry, a hallmark of neural tube development. Here we report a human pluripotent stem cell-based, microfluidic neural tube-like structure, the development of which recapitulates several crucial aspects of neural patterning in brain and spinal cord regions and along rostral-caudal and dorsal-ventral axes. This structure was utilized for studying neuronal lineage development, which revealed pre-patterning of axial identities of neural crest progenitors and functional roles of neuromesodermal progenitors and the caudal gene CDX2 in spinal cord and trunk neural crest development. We further developed dorsal-ventral patterned microfluidic forebrain-like structures with spatially segregated dorsal and ventral regions and layered apicobasal cellular organizations that mimic development of the human forebrain pallium and subpallium, respectively. Together, these microfluidics-based neurodevelopment models provide three-dimensional lumenal tissue architectures with in vivo-like spatiotemporal cell differentiation and organization, which will facilitate the study of human neurodevelopment and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yung Su Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alfredo-Isaac Ponce-Arias
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Richard O'Laughlin
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Robin Zhexuan Yan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rami Yair Tshuva
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yu-Hwai Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shiyu Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Frederick C K Wong
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Orly Reiner
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Martins-Costa C, Wilson V, Binagui-Casas A. Neuromesodermal specification during head-to-tail body axis formation. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 159:232-271. [PMID: 38729677 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.02.012] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The anterior-to-posterior (head-to-tail) body axis is extraordinarily diverse among vertebrates but conserved within species. Body axis development requires a population of axial progenitors that resides at the posterior of the embryo to sustain elongation and is then eliminated once axis extension is complete. These progenitors occupy distinct domains in the posterior (tail-end) of the embryo and contribute to various lineages along the body axis. The subset of axial progenitors with neuromesodermal competency will generate both the neural tube (the precursor of the spinal cord), and the trunk and tail somites (producing the musculoskeleton) during embryo development. These axial progenitors are called Neuromesodermal Competent cells (NMCs) and Neuromesodermal Progenitors (NMPs). NMCs/NMPs have recently attracted interest beyond the field of developmental biology due to their clinical potential. In the mouse, the maintenance of neuromesodermal competency relies on a fine balance between a trio of known signals: Wnt/β-catenin, FGF signalling activity and suppression of retinoic acid signalling. These signals regulate the relative expression levels of the mesodermal transcription factor Brachyury and the neural transcription factor Sox2, permitting the maintenance of progenitor identity when co-expressed, and either mesoderm or neural lineage commitment when the balance is tilted towards either Brachyury or Sox2, respectively. Despite important advances in understanding key genes and cellular behaviours involved in these fate decisions, how the balance between mesodermal and neural fates is achieved remains largely unknown. In this chapter, we provide an overview of signalling and gene regulatory networks in NMCs/NMPs. We discuss mutant phenotypes associated with axial defects, hinting at the potential significant role of lesser studied proteins in the maintenance and differentiation of the progenitors that fuel axial elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Martins-Costa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - V Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - A Binagui-Casas
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ortiz-Salazar MA, Camacho-Aguilar E, Warmflash A. Endogenous Nodal switches Wnt interpretation from posteriorization to germ layer differentiation in geometrically constrained human pluripotent cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584912. [PMID: 38559061 PMCID: PMC10979992 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt pathway is essential for inducing the primitive streak, the precursor of the mesendoderm, as well as setting anterior-posterior coordinates. How Wnt coordinates these diverse activities remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that in Wnt-treated human pluripotent cells, endogenous Nodal signaling is a crucial switch between posteriorizing and primitive streak-including activities. While treatment with Wnt posteriorizes cells in standard culture, in micropatterned colonies, higher levels of endogenously induced Nodal signaling combine with exogenous Wnt to drive endoderm differentiation. Inhibition of Nodal signaling restores dose-dependent posteriorization by Wnt. In the absence of Nodal inhibition, micropatterned colonies undergo spontaneous, elaborate morphogenesis concomitant with endoderm differentiation even in the absence of added extracellular matrix proteins like Matrigel. Our study shows how Wnt and Nodal combinatorially coordinate germ layer differentiation with AP patterning and establishes a system to study a natural self-organizing morphogenetic event in in vitro culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Camacho-Aguilar
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA 77005
- Present address: Department of Gene Regulation and Morphogenesis, Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CSIC-UPO-JA), Seville, Spain, 41013
| | - Aryeh Warmflash
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA 77005
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA 77005
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fan Y, Huang S, Li F, Zhang X, Huang X, Li W, Zeng J, Wang W, Liu J. Generation of Functional and Mature Sympathetic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells via a Neuroepithelial Route. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:19. [PMID: 38358571 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-024-02196-5] [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: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a crucial branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that is responsible for regulating visceral function and various physiological processes. Dysfunction of the SNS can lead to various diseases, such as hypertension and metabolic disorders. However, obtaining sympathetic neurons from human tissues for research is challenging. The current research aimed at recapitulating the process of human sympathetic neuron development and achieved the successful establishment of a stepwise, highly efficient in vitro differentiation protocol. This protocol facilitated the generation of functional and mature sympathetic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using a chemical-defined induction medium. Initially, each differentiation stage was refined to derive sympathoadrenal progenitors (SAPs) from hPSCs through neural epithelial cells (NECs) and trunk neural crest stem cells (NCSCs). hPSC-derived SAPs could be expanded in vitro for at least 12 passages while maintaining the expression of SAP-specific transcription factors and neuronal differentiation potency. SAPs readily generated functional sympathetic neurons (SymNs) when cultured in the neuronal maturation medium for 3-4 weeks. These SymNs expressed sympathetic markers, exhibited electrophysiological properties, and secreted sympathetic neurotransmitters. More importantly, we further demonstrated that hPSC-derived SymNs can efficiently regulate the adipogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and lipid metabolism in vitro. In conclusion, our study provided a simple and robust protocol for generating functional sympathetic neurons from hPSCs, which may be an invaluable tool in unraveling the mechanisms of SNS-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yubao Fan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fugui Li
- Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiyu Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueying Huang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiqiang Li
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jixiao Zeng
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijia Wang
- Department of Laboratory Center, Zhongshan People's Hospital, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jia Liu
- VIP Medical Service Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Boesmans W. Fresh perspectives on how to build, maintain and repair the ENS. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 21:82-83. [PMID: 37978241 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00870-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Werend Boesmans
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cooper F, Souilhol C, Haston S, Gray S, Boswell K, Gogolou A, Frith TJR, Stavish D, James BM, Bose D, Kim Dale J, Tsakiridis A. Notch signalling influences cell fate decisions and HOX gene induction in axial progenitors. Development 2024; 151:dev202098. [PMID: 38223992 PMCID: PMC10911136 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The generation of the post-cranial embryonic body relies on the coordinated production of spinal cord neurectoderm and presomitic mesoderm cells from neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs). This process is orchestrated by pro-neural and pro-mesodermal transcription factors that are co-expressed in NMPs together with Hox genes, which are essential for axial allocation of NMP derivatives. NMPs reside in a posterior growth region, which is marked by the expression of Wnt, FGF and Notch signalling components. Although the importance of Wnt and FGF in influencing the induction and differentiation of NMPs is well established, the precise role of Notch remains unclear. Here, we show that the Wnt/FGF-driven induction of NMPs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) relies on Notch signalling. Using hESC-derived NMPs and chick embryo grafting, we demonstrate that Notch directs a pro-mesodermal character at the expense of neural fate. We show that Notch also contributes to activation of HOX gene expression in human NMPs, partly in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Finally, we provide evidence that Notch exerts its effects via the establishment of a negative-feedback loop with FGF signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Cooper
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Celine Souilhol
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Scott Haston
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Shona Gray
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Katy Boswell
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Antigoni Gogolou
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Thomas J. R. Frith
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Dylan Stavish
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Bethany M. James
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Daniel Bose
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Jacqueline Kim Dale
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Urzi A, Lahmann I, Nguyen LVN, Rost BR, García-Pérez A, Lelievre N, Merritt-Garza ME, Phan HC, Bassell GJ, Rossoll W, Diecke S, Kunz S, Schmitz D, Gouti M. Efficient generation of a self-organizing neuromuscular junction model from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8043. [PMID: 38114482 PMCID: PMC10730704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43781-3] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex neuromuscular network that controls body movements is the target of severe diseases that result in paralysis and death. Here, we report the development of a robust and efficient self-organizing neuromuscular junction (soNMJ) model from human pluripotent stem cells that can be maintained long-term in simple adherent conditions. The timely application of specific patterning signals instructs the simultaneous development and differentiation of position-specific brachial spinal neurons, skeletal muscles, and terminal Schwann cells. High-content imaging reveals self-organized bundles of aligned muscle fibers surrounded by innervating motor neurons that form functional neuromuscular junctions. Optogenetic activation and pharmacological interventions show that the spinal neurons actively instruct the synchronous skeletal muscle contraction. The generation of a soNMJ model from spinal muscular atrophy patient-specific iPSCs reveals that the number of NMJs and muscle contraction is severely affected, resembling the patient's pathology. In the future, the soNMJ model could be used for high-throughput studies in disease modeling and drug development. Thus, this model will allow us to address unmet needs in the neuromuscular disease field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Urzi
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ines Lahmann
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lan Vi N Nguyen
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Angélica García-Pérez
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Noemie Lelievre
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Megan E Merritt-Garza
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Han C Phan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Severine Kunz
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Electron Microscopy, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mina Gouti
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Frith TJR, Briscoe J, Boezio GLM. From signalling to form: the coordination of neural tube patterning. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 159:168-231. [PMID: 38729676 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.11.004] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate spinal cord involves the formation of the neural tube and the generation of multiple distinct cell types. The process starts during gastrulation, combining axial elongation with specification of neural cells and the formation of the neuroepithelium. Tissue movements produce the neural tube which is then exposed to signals that provide patterning information to neural progenitors. The intracellular response to these signals, via a gene regulatory network, governs the spatial and temporal differentiation of progenitors into specific cell types, facilitating the assembly of functional neuronal circuits. The interplay between the gene regulatory network, cell movement, and tissue mechanics generates the conserved neural tube pattern observed across species. In this review we offer an overview of the molecular and cellular processes governing the formation and patterning of the neural tube, highlighting how the remarkable complexity and precision of vertebrate nervous system arises. We argue that a multidisciplinary and multiscale understanding of the neural tube development, paired with the study of species-specific strategies, will be crucial to tackle the open questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Takayama Y, Akagi Y, Kida YS. Deciphering the Molecular Mechanisms of Autonomic Nervous System Neuron Induction through Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109053. [PMID: 37240399 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro derivation of human neurons in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an important technology, given its regulatory roles in maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Although several induction protocols for autonomic lineages have been reported, the regulatory machinery remains largely undefined, primarily due to the absence of a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating human autonomic induction in vitro. In this study, our objective was to pinpoint key regulatory components using integrated bioinformatics analysis. A protein-protein interaction network construction for the proteins encoded by the differentially expressed genes from our RNA sequencing data, and conducting subsequent module analysis, we identified distinct gene clusters and hub genes involved in the induction of autonomic lineages. Moreover, we analyzed the impact of transcription factor (TF) activity on target gene expression, revealing enhanced autonomic TF activity that could lead to the induction of autonomic lineages. The accuracy of this bioinformatics analysis was corroborated by employing calcium imaging to observe specific responses to certain ANS agonists. This investigation offers novel insights into the regulatory machinery in the generation of neurons in the ANS, which would be valuable for further understanding and precise regulation of autonomic induction and differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzo Takayama
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5-41, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Yuka Akagi
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5-41, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
- Tsukuba Life Science Innovation Program (T-LSI), School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki S Kida
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 5-41, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
- School of Integrative & Global Majors, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wu HF, Huang CW, Art J, Liu HX, Hart GW, Zeltner N. O-GlcNAcylation is crucial for sympathetic neuron development, maintenance, functionality and contributes to peripheral neuropathy. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1137847. [PMID: 37229433 PMCID: PMC10203903 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1137847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates a wide range of cellular functions and has been associated with multiple metabolic diseases in various organs. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the efferent portion of the autonomic nervous system that regulates metabolism of almost all organs in the body. How much the development and functionality of the SNS are influenced by O-GlcNAcylation, as well as how such regulation could contribute to sympathetic neuron (symN)-related neuropathy in diseased states, remains unknown. Here, we assessed the level of protein O-GlcNAcylation at various stages of symN development, using a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based symN differentiation paradigm. We found that pharmacological disruption of O-GlcNAcylation impaired both the growth and survival of hPSC-derived symNs. In the high glucose condition that mimics hyperglycemia, hPSC-derived symNs were hyperactive, and their regenerative capacity was impaired, which resembled typical neuronal defects in patients and animal models of diabetes mellitus. Using this model of sympathetic neuropathy, we discovered that O-GlcNAcylation increased in symNs under high glucose, which lead to hyperactivity. Pharmacological inhibition of O-GlcNAcylation rescued high glucose-induced symN hyperactivity and cell stress. This framework provides the first insight into the roles of O-GlcNAcylation in both healthy and diseased human symNs and may be used as a platform for therapeutic studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsueh-Fu Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Chia-Wei Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer Art
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Hong-Xiang Liu
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Gerald W. Hart
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Nadja Zeltner
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fan Y, Hackland J, Baggiolini A, Hung LY, Zhao H, Zumbo P, Oberst P, Minotti AP, Hergenreder E, Najjar S, Huang Z, Cruz NM, Zhong A, Sidharta M, Zhou T, de Stanchina E, Betel D, White RM, Gershon M, Margolis KG, Studer L. hPSC-derived sacral neural crest enables rescue in a severe model of Hirschsprung's disease. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:264-282.e9. [PMID: 36868194 PMCID: PMC10034921 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is derived from both the vagal and sacral component of the neural crest (NC). Here, we present the derivation of sacral ENS precursors from human PSCs via timed exposure to FGF, WNT, and GDF11, which enables posterior patterning and transition from posterior trunk to sacral NC identity, respectively. Using a SOX2::H2B-tdTomato/T::H2B-GFP dual reporter hPSC line, we demonstrate that both trunk and sacral NC emerge from a double-positive neuro-mesodermal progenitor (NMP). Vagal and sacral NC precursors yield distinct neuronal subtypes and migratory behaviors in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, xenografting of both vagal and sacral NC lineages is required to rescue a mouse model of total aganglionosis, suggesting opportunities in the treatment of severe forms of Hirschsprung's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Fan
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James Hackland
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Arianna Baggiolini
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lin Y Hung
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Huiyong Zhao
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Paul Zumbo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Polina Oberst
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andrew P Minotti
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emiliano Hergenreder
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarah Najjar
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Zixing Huang
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Nelly M Cruz
- Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Aaron Zhong
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mega Sidharta
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ting Zhou
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; The SKI Stem Cell Research Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Doron Betel
- Applied Bioinformatics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA; Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard M White
- Cancer Biology and Genetics and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael Gershon
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kara Gross Margolis
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY 10010, USA; Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Development and In Vitro Differentiation of Schwann Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233753. [PMID: 36497014 PMCID: PMC9739763 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cells are glial cells of the peripheral nervous system. They exist in several subtypes and perform a variety of functions in nerves. Their derivation and culture in vitro are interesting for applications ranging from disease modeling to tissue engineering. Since primary human Schwann cells are challenging to obtain in large quantities, in vitro differentiation from other cell types presents an alternative. Here, we first review the current knowledge on the developmental signaling mechanisms that determine neural crest and Schwann cell differentiation in vivo. Next, an overview of studies on the in vitro differentiation of Schwann cells from multipotent stem cell sources is provided. The molecules frequently used in those protocols and their involvement in the relevant signaling pathways are put into context and discussed. Focusing on hiPSC- and hESC-based studies, different protocols are described and compared, regarding cell sources, differentiation methods, characterization of cells, and protocol efficiency. A brief insight into developments regarding the culture and differentiation of Schwann cells in 3D is given. In summary, this contribution provides an overview of the current resources and methods for the differentiation of Schwann cells, it supports the comparison and refinement of protocols and aids the choice of suitable methods for specific applications.
Collapse
|
19
|
Toh K, Saunders D, Verd B, Steventon B. Zebrafish neuromesodermal progenitors undergo a critical state transition in vivo. iScience 2022; 25:105216. [PMID: 36274939 PMCID: PMC9579027 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition state model of cell differentiation proposes that a transient window of gene expression stochasticity precedes entry into a differentiated state. Here, we assess this theoretical model in zebrafish neuromesodermal progenitors (NMps) in vivo during late somitogenesis stages. We observed an increase in gene expression variability at the 24 somite stage (24ss) before their differentiation into spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm. Analysis of a published 18ss scRNA-seq dataset showed that the NMp population is noisier than its derivatives. By building in silico composite gene expression maps from image data, we assigned an 'NM index' to in silico NMps based on the expression of neural and mesodermal markers and demonstrated that cell population heterogeneity peaked at 24ss. Further examination revealed cells with gene expression profiles incongruent with their prospective fate. Taken together, our work supports the transition state model within an endogenous cell fate decision making event.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kane Toh
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Dillan Saunders
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Berta Verd
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Whye D, Wood D, Kim K, Chen C, Makhortova N, Sahin M, Buttermore ED. Dynamic 3D Combinatorial Generation of hPSC-Derived Neuromesodermal Organoids With Diverse Regional and Cellular Identities. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e568. [PMID: 36264199 PMCID: PMC9589923 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Neuromesodermal progenitors represent a unique, bipotent population of progenitors residing in the tail bud of the developing embryo, which give rise to the caudal spinal cord cell types of neuroectodermal lineage as well as the adjacent paraxial somite cell types of mesodermal origin. With the advent of stem cell technologies, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the modeling of rare genetic disorders can be accomplished in vitro to interrogate cell-type specific pathological mechanisms in human patient conditions. Stem cell-derived models of neuromesodermal progenitors have been accomplished by several developmental biology groups; however, most employ a 2D monolayer format that does not fully reflect the complexity of cellular differentiation in the developing embryo. This article presents a dynamic 3D combinatorial method to generate robust populations of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neuromesodermal organoids with multi-cellular fates and regional identities. By utilizing a dynamic 3D suspension format for the differentiation process, the organoids differentiated by following this protocol display a hallmark of embryonic development that involves a morphological elongation known as axial extension. Furthermore, by employing a combinatorial screening assay, we dissect essential pathways for optimally directing the patterning of pluripotent stem cells into neuromesodermal organoids. This protocol highlights the influence of timing, duration, and concentration of WNT and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways on enhancing early neuromesodermal identity, and later, downstream cell fate specification through combined synergies of retinoid signaling and sonic hedgehog activation. Finally, through robust inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway, this protocol accelerates the acquisition of terminal cell identities. This enhanced organoid model can serve as a powerful tool for studying normal developmental processes as well as investigating complex neurodevelopmental disorders, such as neural tube defects. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Robust generation of 3D hPSC-derived spheroid populations in dynamic motion settings Support Protocol 1: Pluronic F-127 reagent preparation and coating to generate low-attachment suspension culture dishes Basic Protocol 2: Enhanced specification of hPSCs into NMP organoids Support Protocol 2: Combinatorial pathway assay for NMP organoid protocol optimization Basic Protocol 3: Differentiation of NMP organoids along diverse cellular trajectories and accelerated terminal fate specification into neurons, neural crest, and sclerotome derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dosh Whye
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Delaney Wood
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kristina Kim
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Cidi Chen
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Nina Makhortova
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Elizabeth D. Buttermore
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Candido-Ferreira IL, Lukoseviciute M, Sauka-Spengler T. Multi-layered transcriptional control of cranial neural crest development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 138:1-14. [PMID: 35941042 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is an emblematic population of embryonic stem-like cells with remarkable migratory ability. These distinctive attributes have inspired the curiosity of developmental biologists for over 150 years, however only recently the regulatory mechanisms controlling the complex features of the NC have started to become elucidated at genomic scales. Regulatory control of NC development is achieved through combinatorial transcription factor binding and recruitment of associated transcriptional complexes to distal cis-regulatory elements. Together, they regulate when, where and to what extent transcriptional programmes are actively deployed, ultimately shaping ontogenetic processes. Here, we discuss how transcriptional networks control NC ontogeny, with a special emphasis on the molecular mechanisms underlying specification of the cephalic NC. We also cover emerging properties of transcriptional regulation revealed in diverse developmental systems, such as the role of three-dimensional conformation of chromatin, and how they are involved in the regulation of NC ontogeny. Finally, we highlight how advances in deciphering the NC transcriptional network have afforded new insights into the molecular basis of human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan L Candido-Ferreira
- University of Oxford, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Martyna Lukoseviciute
- University of Oxford, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Tatjana Sauka-Spengler
- University of Oxford, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Martin BL, Steventon B. A fishy tail: Insights into the cell and molecular biology of neuromesodermal cells from zebrafish embryos. Dev Biol 2022; 487:67-73. [PMID: 35525020 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate embryos establish their primary body axis in a conserved progressive fashion from the anterior to the posterior. During this process, a posteriorly localized neuromesodermal cell population called neuromesodermal progenitors (NMps) plays a critical role in contributing new cells to the spinal cord and mesoderm as the embryo elongates. Defects in neuromesodermal population development can cause severe disruptions to the formation of the body posterior to the head. Given their importance during development and their potential, some of which has already been realized, for revealing new methods of in vitro tissue generation, there is great interest in better understanding NMp biology. The zebrafish model system has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the molecular and cellular attributes of the NM cell population and its derivatives. In this review, we focus on our current understanding of the zebrafish NM population and its contribution to body axis formation, with particular emphasis on the lineage potency, morphogenesis, and niche factors that promote or inhibit differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L Martin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5215, USA.
| | - Benjamin Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Cellular plasticity in the neural crest and cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2022; 75:101928. [PMID: 35749971 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.101928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, neural crest cells (NCCs) are a multipotent embryonic population generating both neural/neuronal and mesenchymal derivatives, and thus the neural crest (NC) is often referred to as the fourth germ layer. NC development is a dynamic process, where NCCs possess substantial plasticity in transcriptional and epigenomic profiles. Recent technical advances in single-cell and low-input sequencing have empowered fine-resolution characterisation of NC development. In this review, we summarise the latest models underlying NC-plasticity acquirement and cell-fate restriction, outline the connections between NC plasticity and NC-derived cancer and envision the new opportunities in studying NC plasticity and its link to cancer.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cooper F, Tsakiridis A. Towards clinical applications of in vitro-derived axial progenitors. Dev Biol 2022; 489:110-117. [PMID: 35718236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.06.006] [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: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The production of the tissues that make up the mammalian embryonic trunk takes place in a head-tail direction, via the differentiation of posteriorly-located axial progenitor populations. These include bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), which generate both spinal cord neurectoderm and presomitic mesoderm, the precursor of the musculoskeleton. Over the past few years, a number of studies have described the derivation of NMP-like cells from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). In turn, these have greatly facilitated the establishment of PSC differentiation protocols aiming to give rise efficiently to posterior mesodermal and neural cell types, which have been particularly challenging to produce using previous approaches. Moreover, the advent of 3-dimensional-based culture systems incorporating distinct axial progenitor-derived cell lineages has opened new avenues toward the functional dissection of early patterning events and cell vs non-cell autonomous effects. Here, we provide a brief overview of the applications of these cell types in disease modelling and cell therapy and speculate on their potential uses in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Cooper
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Bioscience, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Bioscience, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cooper F, Gentsch GE, Mitter R, Bouissou C, Healy LE, Rodriguez AH, Smith JC, Bernardo AS. Rostrocaudal patterning and neural crest differentiation of human pre-neural spinal cord progenitors in vitro. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:894-910. [PMID: 35334218 PMCID: PMC9023813 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord emerges from a niche of neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) formed and maintained by WNT/fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signals at the posterior end of the embryo. NMPs can be generated from human pluripotent stem cells and hold promise for spinal cord replacement therapies. However, NMPs are transient, which compromises production of the full range of rostrocaudal spinal cord identities in vitro. Here we report the generation of NMP-derived pre-neural progenitors (PNPs) with stem cell-like self-renewal capacity. PNPs maintain pre-spinal cord identity for 7-10 passages, dividing to self-renew and to make neural crest progenitors, while gradually adopting a more posterior identity by activating colinear HOX gene expression. The HOX clock can be halted through GDF11-mediated signal inhibition to produce a PNP and NC population with a thoracic identity that can be maintained for up to 30 passages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Cooper
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK.
| | - George E Gentsch
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Richard Mitter
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Camille Bouissou
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lyn E Healy
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Ana Hernandez Rodriguez
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - James C Smith
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Andreia S Bernardo
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zschüntzsch J, Meyer S, Shahriyari M, Kummer K, Schmidt M, Kummer S, Tiburcy M. The Evolution of Complex Muscle Cell In Vitro Models to Study Pathomechanisms and Drug Development of Neuromuscular Disease. Cells 2022; 11:1233. [PMID: 35406795 PMCID: PMC8997482 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neuromuscular disease entities possess a significant disease burden and therapeutic options remain limited. Innovative human preclinical models may help to uncover relevant disease mechanisms and enhance the translation of therapeutic findings to strengthen neuromuscular disease precision medicine. By concentrating on idiopathic inflammatory muscle disorders, we summarize the recent evolution of the novel in vitro models to study disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. A particular focus is laid on the integration and simulation of multicellular interactions of muscle tissue in disease phenotypes in vitro. Finally, the requirements of a neuromuscular disease drug development workflow are discussed with a particular emphasis on cell sources, co-culture systems (including organoids), functionality, and throughput.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Zschüntzsch
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (S.M.); (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Stefanie Meyer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (S.M.); (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Mina Shahriyari
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany;
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Karsten Kummer
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (S.M.); (K.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany; (S.M.); (K.K.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany;
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Susann Kummer
- Risk Group 4 Pathogens–Stability and Persistence, Biosafety Level-4 Laboratory, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Malte Tiburcy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany;
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Needham J, Metzis V. Heads or tails: Making the spinal cord. Dev Biol 2022; 485:80-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
28
|
Cooper F, Tsakiridis A. Shaping axial identity during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to neural crest cells. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:499-511. [PMID: 35015077 PMCID: PMC9022984 DOI: 10.1042/bst20211152] [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: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent cell population which can give rise to a vast array of derivatives including neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system, cartilage, cardiac smooth muscle, melanocytes and sympathoadrenal cells. An attractive strategy to model human NC development and associated birth defects as well as produce clinically relevant cell populations for regenerative medicine applications involves the in vitro generation of NC from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). However, in vivo, the potential of NC cells to generate distinct cell types is determined by their position along the anteroposterior (A-P) axis and, therefore the axial identity of hPSC-derived NC cells is an important aspect to consider. Recent advances in understanding the developmental origins of NC and the signalling pathways involved in its specification have aided the in vitro generation of human NC cells which are representative of various A-P positions. Here, we explore recent advances in methodologies of in vitro NC specification and axis patterning using hPSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fay Cooper
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dady A, Davidson L, Halley PA, Storey KG. Human spinal cord in vitro differentiation pace is initially maintained in heterologous embryonic environments. eLife 2022; 11:e67283. [PMID: 35188104 PMCID: PMC8929931 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Species-specific differentiation pace in vitro indicates that some aspects of neural differentiation are governed by cell intrinsic properties. Here we describe a novel in vitro human neural-rosette assay that recapitulates dorsal spinal cord differentiation but proceeds more rapidly than in the human embryo, suggesting that it lacks endogenous signalling dynamics. To test whether in vitro conditions represent an intrinsic differentiation pace, human iPSC-derived neural rosettes were challenged by grafting into the faster differentiating chicken embryonic neural tube iso-chronically, or hetero-chronically into older embryos. In both contexts in vitro differentiation pace was initially unchanged, while long-term analysis revealed iso-chronic slowed and hetero-chronic conditions promoted human neural differentiation. Moreover, hetero-chronic conditions did not alter the human neural differentiation programme, which progressed to neurogenesis, while the host embryo advanced into gliogenesis. This study demonstrates that intrinsic properties limit human differentiation pace, and that timely extrinsic signals are required for progression through an intrinsic human neural differentiation programme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alwyn Dady
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Lindsay Davidson
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Pamela A Halley
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhu Y, Lohnes D. Regulation of axial elongation by Cdx. Dev Biol 2021; 483:118-127. [PMID: 34958748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The primordia of the post-otic mouse embryo forms largely from a bipotential cell population containing neuromesodermal progenitors (NMP) which reside in the tail bud and contribute to the elaboration of the major body axis after gastrulation. The mechanisms by which the NMP population is both maintained and subsequently directed down mesodermal and neural lineages is incompletely understood. The vertebrate transcription factor Cdx2, is essential for axial elongation and has been implicated in maintaining the NMP niche and in specification of NMP derivatives. To better understand the role of the Cdx family in axial elongation, we employed a conditional mutant allele which evokes total loss of Cdx function, and enriched for tail bud progenitors through the use of a Pax2-GFP transgenic reporter. Using this approach, we identified 349 Cdx-dependent genes by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). From these, Gene Ontology and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis further revealed a number of putative direct Cdx candidate target genes implicated in axial elongation, including Sp8, Isl1, Evx1, Zic3 and Nr2f1. Additional analysis of available single-cell RNA-seq data from mouse tail buds revealed the co-expression of Sp8, Isl1, Evx1 and Zic3 with Cdx2 in putative NMP cells, while Nr2f1 was excluded from this population. These findings identify a number of novel Cdx targets and provide further insight into the critical roles for Cdx in elaborating the post-otic embryo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yalun Zhu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - David Lohnes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8M5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wind M, Tsakiridis A. In Vitro Generation of Posterior Motor Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e244. [PMID: 34547185 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The ability to generate spinal cord motor neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is of great use for modelling motor neuron-based diseases and cell-replacement therapies. A key step in the design of hPSC differentiation strategies aiming to produce motor neurons involves induction of the appropriate anteroposterior (A-P) axial identity, an important factor influencing motor neuron subtype specification, functionality, and disease vulnerability. Most current protocols for induction of motor neurons from hPSCs produce predominantly cells of a mixed hindbrain/cervical axial identity marked by expression of Hox paralogous group (PG) members 1-5, but are inefficient in generating high numbers of more posterior thoracic/lumbosacral Hox PG(8-13)+ spinal cord motor neurons. Here, we describe a protocol for efficient generation of thoracic spinal cord cells and motor neurons from hPSCs. This step-wise protocol relies on the initial generation of a neuromesodermal-potent axial progenitor population, which is differentiated first to produce posterior ventral spinal cord progenitors and subsequently to produce posterior motor neurons exhibiting a predominantly thoracic axial identity. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Differentiation of neuromesodermal progenitors Basic Protocol 2: Posterior ventral spinal cord progenitor differentiation Basic Protocol 3: Posterior motor neuron differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt Wind
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
From Bipotent Neuromesodermal Progenitors to Neural-Mesodermal Interactions during Embryonic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179141. [PMID: 34502050 PMCID: PMC8431582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179141] [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: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To ensure the formation of a properly patterned embryo, multiple processes must operate harmoniously at sequential phases of development. This is implemented by mutual interactions between cells and tissues that together regulate the segregation and specification of cells, their growth and morphogenesis. The formation of the spinal cord and paraxial mesoderm derivatives exquisitely illustrate these processes. Following early gastrulation, while the vertebrate body elongates, a population of bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors resident in the posterior region of the embryo generate both neural and mesodermal lineages. At later stages, the somitic mesoderm regulates aspects of neural patterning and differentiation of both central and peripheral neural progenitors. Reciprocally, neural precursors influence the paraxial mesoderm to regulate somite-derived myogenesis and additional processes by distinct mechanisms. Central to this crosstalk is the activity of the axial notochord, which, via sonic hedgehog signaling, plays pivotal roles in neural, skeletal muscle and cartilage ontogeny. Here, we discuss the cellular and molecular basis underlying this complex developmental plan, with a focus on the logic of sonic hedgehog activities in the coordination of the neural-mesodermal axis.
Collapse
|
33
|
Razmara E, Bitaraf A, Karimi B, Babashah S. Functions of the SNAI family in chondrocyte-to-osteocyte development. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1503:5-22. [PMID: 34403146 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Different cellular mechanisms contribute to osteocyte development. And while critical roles for members of the zinc finger protein SNAI family (SNAIs) have been discussed in cancer-related models, there are few reviews summarizing their importance for chondrocyte-to-osteocyte development. To help fill this gap, we review the roles of SNAIs in the development of mature osteocytes from chondrocytes, including the regulation of chondro- and osteogenesis through different signaling pathways and in programmed cell death. We also discuss how epigenetic factors-including DNA methylation, histone methylation and acetylation, and noncoding RNAs-contribute differently to both chondrocyte and osteocyte development. To better grasp the important roles of SNAIs in bone development, we also review genotype-phenotype correlations in different animal models. We end with comments about the possible importance of the SNAI family in cartilage/bone development and the potential applications for therapeutic goals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Razmara
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amirreza Bitaraf
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnaz Karimi
- Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Babashah
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zebrafish Cdx4 regulates neural crest cell specification and migratory behaviors in the posterior body. Dev Biol 2021; 480:25-38. [PMID: 34389276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.08.002] [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: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a transient multipotent cell population that migrates extensively to produce a remarkable array of vertebrate cell types. NC cell specification progresses in an anterior to posterior fashion, resulting in distinct, axial-restricted subpopulations. The anterior-most, cranial, population of NC is specified as gastrulation concludes and neurulation begins, while more posterior populations become specified as the body elongates. The mechanisms that govern development of the more posterior NC cells remain incompletely understood. Here, we report a key role for zebrafish Cdx4, a homeodomain transcription factor, in the development of posterior NC cells. We demonstrate that cdx4 is expressed in trunk NC cell progenitors, directly binds NC cell-specific enhancers in the NC GRN, and regulates expression of the key NC development gene foxd3 in the posterior body. Moreover, cdx4 mutants show disruptions to the segmental pattern of trunk NC cell migration due to loss of normal leader/follower cell dynamics. Finally, using cell transplantation to generate chimeric specimens, we show that Cdx4 does not function in the paraxial mesoderm-the environment adjacent to which crest migrates-to influence migratory behaviors. We conclude that cdx4 plays a critical, and likely tissue autonomous, role in the establishment of trunk NC migratory behaviors. Together, our results indicate that cdx4 functions as an early NC specifier gene in the posterior body of zebrafish embryos.
Collapse
|
35
|
Olmsted ZT, Stigliano C, Scimemi A, Wolfe T, Cibelli J, Horner PJ, Paluh JL. Transplantable human motor networks as a neuron-directed strategy for spinal cord injury. iScience 2021; 24:102827. [PMID: 34381965 PMCID: PMC8333163 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To repair neural circuitry following spinal cord injury (SCI), neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has held a primary focus; however, stochastic outcomes generate challenges driven in part by NSC differentiation and tumor formation. The recent ability to generate regionally specific neurons and their support cells now allows consideration of directed therapeutic approaches with pre-differentiated and networked spinal neural cells. Here, we form encapsulated, transplantable neuronal networks of regionally matched cervical spinal motor neurons, interneurons, and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived through trunk-biased neuromesodermal progenitors. We direct neurite formation in alginate-based neural ribbons to generate electrically active, synaptically connected networks, characterized by electrophysiology and calcium imaging before transplantation into rodent models of contused SCI for evaluation at 10-day and 6-week timepoints. The in vivo analyses demonstrate viability and retention of interconnected synaptic networks that readily integrate with the host parenchyma to advance goals of transplantable neural circuitry for SCI treatment. Neuromesodermal progenitor derivation of human spinal neurons as therapeutic cells Neural ribbons bridge in vitro network formation and in vivo host transplantation In vivo visualization of encapsulated graft placement with magnetic resonance imaging Six-week viability of human neuronal networks with OPCs in rat contusion SCI
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T. Olmsted
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
| | - Cinzia Stigliano
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Annalisa Scimemi
- State University of New York at Albany, Biological Sciences, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Tatiana Wolfe
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jose Cibelli
- Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, MI48824, USA
| | - Philip J. Horner
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, 6670 Bertner Avenue R10-North, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Janet L. Paluh
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12203, USA
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Gogolou A, Frith TJR, Tsakiridis A. Generating Enteric Nervous System Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e137. [PMID: 34102038 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The intrinsic innervation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is comprised of enteric neurons and glia, which are buried within the wall of the bowel and organized into two concentric plexuses that run along the length of the gut forming the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS regulates vital GI functions including gut motility, blood flow, fluid secretion, and absorption and thus maintains gut homeostasis. During vertebrate development it originates predominantly from the vagal neural crest (NC), a multipotent cell population that emerges from the caudal hindbrain region, migrates to and within the gut to ultimately generate neurons and glia in response to gut-derived signals. Loss of GI innervation due to congenital or acquired defects in ENS development causes enteric neuropathies which lack curative treatment. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer a promising in vitro source of enteric neurons for modeling human ENS development and pathology and potential use in cell therapy applications. Here we describe in detail a differentiation strategy for the derivation of enteric neural progenitors and neurons from hPSCs through a vagal NC intermediate. Using a combination of instructive signals and retinoic acid in a dose/time dependent manner, vagal NC cells commit into the ENS lineage and develop into enteric neurons and glia upon culture in neurotrophic media. © 2021 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of vagal neural crest/early ENS progenitors from hPSCs Basic Protocol 2: Differentiation of hPSC-derived vagal NC/early ENS progenitors to enteric neurons and glia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antigoni Gogolou
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Olmsted ZT, Paluh JL. Co-development of central and peripheral neurons with trunk mesendoderm in human elongating multi-lineage organized gastruloids. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3020. [PMID: 34021144 PMCID: PMC8140076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23294-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell technologies including self-assembling 3D tissue models provide access to early human neurodevelopment and fundamental insights into neuropathologies. Gastruloid models have not been used to investigate co-developing central and peripheral neuronal systems with trunk mesendoderm which we achieve here in elongating multi-lineage organized (EMLO) gastruloids. We evaluate EMLOs over a forty-day period, applying immunofluorescence of multi-lineage and functional biomarkers, including day 16 single-cell RNA-Seq, and evaluation of ectodermal and non-ectodermal neural crest cells (NCCs). We identify NCCs that differentiate to form peripheral neurons integrated with an upstream spinal cord region after day 8. This follows initial EMLO polarization events that coordinate with endoderm differentiation and primitive gut tube formation during multicellular spatial reorganization. This combined human central-peripheral nervous system model of early organogenesis highlights developmental events of mesendoderm and neuromuscular trunk regions and enables systemic studies of tissue interactions and innervation of neuromuscular, enteric and cardiac relevance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T Olmsted
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Janet L Paluh
- State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience Constellation, Albany, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shaker MR, Lee JH, Kim KH, Ban S, Kim VJ, Kim JY, Lee JY, Sun W. Spatiotemporal contribution of neuromesodermal progenitor-derived neural cells in the elongation of developing mouse spinal cord. Life Sci 2021; 282:119393. [PMID: 34004249 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS During vertebrate development, the posterior end of the embryo progressively elongates in a head-to-tail direction to form the body plan. Recent lineage tracing experiments revealed that bi-potent progenitors, called neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), produce caudal neural and mesodermal tissues during axial elongation. However, their precise location and contribution to spinal cord development remain elusive. MAIN METHODS Here we used NMP-specific markers (Sox2 and BraT) and a genetic lineage tracing system to localize NMP progeny in vivo. KEY FINDINGS Sox2 and BraT double positive cells were initially located at the tail tip, but were later found in the caudal neural tube, which is a unique feature of mouse development. In the neural tube, they produced neural progenitors (NPCs) and contributed to the spinal cord gradually along the AP axis during axial elongation. Interestingly, NMP-derived NPCs preferentially contributed to the ventral side first and later to the dorsal side at the lumbar spinal cord level, which may be associated with atypical junctional neurulation in mice. SIGNIFICANCE Our current observations detail the contribution of NMP progeny to spinal cord elongation and provide insights into how different species uniquely execute caudal morphogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Shaker
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeli Ban
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Veronica Jihyun Kim
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Olmsted ZT, Paluh JL. Stem Cell Neurodevelopmental Solutions for Restorative Treatments of the Human Trunk and Spine. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:667590. [PMID: 33981202 PMCID: PMC8107236 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.667590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to reliably repair spinal cord injuries (SCI) will be one of the greatest human achievements realized in regenerative medicine. Until recently, the cellular path to this goal has been challenging. However, as detailed developmental principles are revealed in mouse and human models, their application in the stem cell community brings trunk and spine embryology into efforts to advance human regenerative medicine. New models of posterior embryo development identify neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) as a major bifurcation point in generating the spinal cord and somites and is leading to production of cell types with the full range of axial identities critical for repair of trunk and spine disorders. This is coupled with organoid technologies including assembloids, circuitoids, and gastruloids. We describe a paradigm for applying developmental principles towards the goal of cell-based restorative therapies to enable reproducible and effective near-term clinical interventions.
Collapse
|
40
|
Rekler D, Kalcheim C. From Neural Crest to Definitive Roof Plate: The Dynamic Behavior of the Dorsal Neural Tube. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3911. [PMID: 33920095 PMCID: PMC8070085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on the development of the dorsal neural tube is particularly challenging. In this highly dynamic domain, a temporal transition occurs between early neural crest progenitors that undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and exit the neural primordium, and the subsequent roof plate, a resident epithelial group of cells that constitutes the dorsal midline of the central nervous system. Among other functions, the roof plate behaves as an organizing center for the generation of dorsal interneurons. Despite extensive knowledge of the formation, emigration and migration of neural crest progenitors, little is known about the mechanisms leading to the end of neural crest production and the transition into a roof plate stage. Are these two mutually dependent or autonomously regulated processes? Is the generation of roof plate and dorsal interneurons induced by neural tube-derived factors throughout both crest and roof plate stages, respectively, or are there differences in signaling properties and responsiveness as a function of time? In this review, we discuss distinctive characteristics of each population and possible mechanisms leading to the shift between the above cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chaya Kalcheim
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical School, P.O.Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mouilleau V, Vaslin C, Robert R, Gribaudo S, Nicolas N, Jarrige M, Terray A, Lesueur L, Mathis MW, Croft G, Daynac M, Rouiller-Fabre V, Wichterle H, Ribes V, Martinat C, Nedelec S. Dynamic extrinsic pacing of the HOX clock in human axial progenitors controls motor neuron subtype specification. Development 2021; 148:148/6/dev194514. [PMID: 33782043 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rostro-caudal patterning of vertebrates depends on the temporally progressive activation of HOX genes within axial stem cells that fuel axial embryo elongation. Whether the pace of sequential activation of HOX genes, the 'HOX clock', is controlled by intrinsic chromatin-based timing mechanisms or by temporal changes in extrinsic cues remains unclear. Here, we studied HOX clock pacing in human pluripotent stem cell-derived axial progenitors differentiating into diverse spinal cord motor neuron subtypes. We show that the progressive activation of caudal HOX genes is controlled by a dynamic increase in FGF signaling. Blocking the FGF pathway stalled induction of HOX genes, while a precocious increase of FGF, alone or with GDF11 ligand, accelerated the HOX clock. Cells differentiated under accelerated HOX induction generated appropriate posterior motor neuron subtypes found along the human embryonic spinal cord. The pacing of the HOX clock is thus dynamically regulated by exposure to secreted cues. Its manipulation by extrinsic factors provides synchronized access to multiple human neuronal subtypes of distinct rostro-caudal identities for basic and translational applications.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mouilleau
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France.,I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Célia Vaslin
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Rémi Robert
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Simona Gribaudo
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Laboratory of Development of the Gonads, Unit of Genetic Stability, Stem Cells and Radiation, UMR 967, INSERM, CEA/DSV/iRCM/SCSR, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay aux Roses F-92265, France
| | - Margot Jarrige
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Angélique Terray
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Léa Lesueur
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Mackenzie W Mathis
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gist Croft
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mathieu Daynac
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Rouiller-Fabre
- Laboratory of Development of the Gonads, Unit of Genetic Stability, Stem Cells and Radiation, UMR 967, INSERM, CEA/DSV/iRCM/SCSR, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay aux Roses F-92265, France
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vanessa Ribes
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 15 rue Hélène Brion, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France .,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wind M, Gogolou A, Manipur I, Granata I, Butler L, Andrews PW, Barbaric I, Ning K, Guarracino MR, Placzek M, Tsakiridis A. Defining the signalling determinants of a posterior ventral spinal cord identity in human neuromesodermal progenitor derivatives. Development 2021; 148:dev194415. [PMID: 33658223 PMCID: PMC8015249 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The anteroposterior axial identity of motor neurons (MNs) determines their functionality and vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Thus, it is a crucial parameter in the design of strategies aiming to produce MNs from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative medicine/disease modelling applications. However, the in vitro generation of posterior MNs corresponding to the thoracic/lumbosacral spinal cord has been challenging. Although the induction of cells resembling neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), the bona fide precursors of the spinal cord, offers a promising solution, the progressive specification of posterior MNs from these cells is not well defined. Here, we determine the signals guiding the transition of human NMP-like cells toward thoracic ventral spinal cord neurectoderm. We show that combined WNT-FGF activities drive a posterior dorsal pre-/early neural state, whereas suppression of TGFβ-BMP signalling pathways promotes a ventral identity and neural commitment. Based on these results, we define an optimised protocol for the generation of thoracic MNs that can efficiently integrate within the neural tube of chick embryos. We expect that our findings will facilitate the comparison of hPSC-derived spinal cord cells of distinct axial identities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wind
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Antigoni Gogolou
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ichcha Manipur
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Ilaria Granata
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Larissa Butler
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | | | - Marysia Placzek
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Shen M, Quertermous T, Fischbein MP, Wu JC. Generation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Methods, Applications, and Considerations. Circ Res 2021; 128:670-686. [PMID: 33818124 PMCID: PMC10817206 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.318049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The developmental origin of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been increasingly recognized as a major determinant for regional susceptibility or resistance to vascular diseases. As a human material-based complement to animal models and human primary cultures, patient induced pluripotent stem cell iPSC-derived VSMCs have been leveraged to conduct basic research and develop therapeutic applications in vascular diseases. However, iPSC-VSMCs (induced pluripotent stem cell VSMCs) derived by most existing induction protocols are heterogeneous in developmental origins. In this review, we summarize signaling networks that govern in vivo cell fate decisions and in vitro derivation of distinct VSMC progenitors, as well as key regulators that terminally specify lineage-specific VSMCs. We then highlight the significance of leveraging patient-derived iPSC-VSMCs for vascular disease modeling, drug discovery, and vascular tissue engineering and discuss several obstacles that need to be circumvented to fully unleash the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells for precision vascular medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengcheng Shen
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | | | - Joseph C. Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Pilon N. Treatment and Prevention of Neurocristopathies. Trends Mol Med 2021; 27:451-468. [PMID: 33627291 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurocristopathies form a heterogeneous group of rare diseases caused by abnormal development of neural crest cells. Heterogeneity of neurocristopathies directly relates to the nature of these migratory and multipotent cells, which generate dozens of specialized cell types throughout the body. Neurocristopathies are thus characterized by congenital malformations of tissues/organs that otherwise appear to have very little in common, such as the craniofacial skeleton and enteric nervous system. Treatment options are currently very limited, mainly consisting of corrective surgeries. Yet, as reviewed here, analyses of normal and pathological neural crest development in model organisms have opened up the possibility for better treatment options involving cellular and molecular approaches. These approaches provide hope that some neurocristopathies might soon be curable or preventable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Pilon
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal H3C 3P8, Québec, Canada; Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal H2X 3Y7, Québec, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal H3T 1C5, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wymeersch FJ, Wilson V, Tsakiridis A. Understanding axial progenitor biology in vivo and in vitro. Development 2021; 148:148/4/dev180612. [PMID: 33593754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The generation of the components that make up the embryonic body axis, such as the spinal cord and vertebral column, takes place in an anterior-to-posterior (head-to-tail) direction. This process is driven by the coordinated production of various cell types from a pool of posteriorly-located axial progenitors. Here, we review the key features of this process and the biology of axial progenitors, including neuromesodermal progenitors, the common precursors of the spinal cord and trunk musculature. We discuss recent developments in the in vitro production of axial progenitors and their potential implications in disease modelling and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filip J Wymeersch
- Laboratory for Human Organogenesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN UK .,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kang YN, Fung C, Vanden Berghe P. Gut innervation and enteric nervous system development: a spatial, temporal and molecular tour de force. Development 2021; 148:148/3/dev182543. [PMID: 33558316 DOI: 10.1242/dev.182543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During embryonic development, the gut is innervated by intrinsic (enteric) and extrinsic nerves. Focusing on mammalian ENS development, in this Review we highlight how important the different compartments of this innervation are to assure proper gut function. We specifically address the three-dimensional architecture of the innervation, paying special attention to the differences in development along the longitudinal and circumferential axes of the gut. We review recent information about the formation of both intrinsic innervation, which is fairly well-known, as well as the establishment of the extrinsic innervation, which, despite its importance in gut-brain signaling, has received much less attention. We further discuss how external microbial and nutritional cues or neuroimmune interactions may influence development of gut innervation. Finally, we provide summary tables, describing the location and function of several well-known molecules, along with some newer factors that have more recently been implicated in the development of gut innervation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ning Kang
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Candice Fung
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Pieter Vanden Berghe
- Laboratory for Enteric NeuroScience (LENS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Nedelec S, Martinez-Arias A. In vitro models of spinal motor circuit's development in mammals: achievements and challenges. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 66:240-249. [PMID: 33677159 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The connectivity patterns of neurons sustaining the functionality of spinal locomotor circuits rely on the specification of hundreds of motor neuron and interneuron subtypes precisely arrayed within the embryonic spinal cord. Knowledge acquired by developmental biologists on the molecular mechanisms underpinning this process in vivo has supported the development of 2D and 3D differentiation strategies to generate spinal neuronal diversity from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Here, we review recent breakthroughs in this field and the perspectives opened up by models of in vitro embryogenesis to approach the mechanisms underlying neuronal diversification and the formation of functional mouse and human locomotor circuits. Beyond serving fundamental investigations, these new approaches should help engineering neuronal circuits differentially impacted in neuromuscular disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophies, and thus open new avenues for disease modeling and drug screenings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005, Paris, France; Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Di Lascio S, Benfante R, Cardani S, Fornasari D. Research Advances on Therapeutic Approaches to Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS). Front Neurosci 2021; 14:615666. [PMID: 33510615 PMCID: PMC7835644 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.615666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a genetic disorder of neurodevelopment, with an autosomal dominant transmission, caused by heterozygous mutations in the PHOX2B gene. CCHS is a rare disorder characterized by hypoventilation due to the failure of autonomic control of breathing. Until now no curative treatment has been found. PHOX2B is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in the development (and maintenance) of the autonomic nervous system, and in particular the neuronal structures involved in respiratory reflexes. The underlying pathogenetic mechanism is still unclear, although studies in vivo and in CCHS patients indicate that some neuronal structures may be damaged. Moreover, in vitro experimental data suggest that transcriptional dysregulation and protein misfolding may be key pathogenic mechanisms. This review summarizes latest researches that improved the comprehension of the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for CCHS and discusses the search for therapeutic intervention in light of the current knowledge about PHOX2B function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Benfante
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,CNR-Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy.,NeuroMi-Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Cardani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,CNR-Institute of Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Rocha M, Beiriger A, Kushkowski EE, Miyashita T, Singh N, Venkataraman V, Prince VE. From head to tail: regionalization of the neural crest. Development 2020; 147:dev193888. [PMID: 33106325 PMCID: PMC7648597 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest is regionalized along the anteroposterior axis, as demonstrated by foundational lineage-tracing experiments that showed the restricted developmental potential of neural crest cells originating in the head. Here, we explore how recent studies of experimental embryology, genetic circuits and stem cell differentiation have shaped our understanding of the mechanisms that establish axial-specific populations of neural crest cells. Additionally, we evaluate how comparative, anatomical and genomic approaches have informed our current understanding of the evolution of the neural crest and its contribution to the vertebrate body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rocha
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Anastasia Beiriger
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Elaine E Kushkowski
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tetsuto Miyashita
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4, Canada
| | - Noor Singh
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vishruth Venkataraman
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Victoria E Prince
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Transplantation of hPSC-derived pericyte-like cells promotes functional recovery in ischemic stroke mice. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5196. [PMID: 33060592 PMCID: PMC7566513 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19042-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pericytes play essential roles in blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and dysfunction or degeneration of pericytes is implicated in a set of neurological disorders although the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. However, the scarcity of material sources hinders the application of BBB models in vitro for pathophysiological studies. Additionally, whether pericytes can be used to treat neurological disorders remains to be elucidated. Here, we generate pericyte-like cells (PCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) through the intermediate stage of the cranial neural crest (CNC) and reveal that the cranial neural crest-derived pericyte-like cells (hPSC-CNC PCs) express typical pericyte markers including PDGFRβ, CD146, NG2, CD13, Caldesmon, and Vimentin, and display distinct contractile properties, vasculogenic potential and endothelial barrier function. More importantly, when transplanted into a murine model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) with BBB disruption, hPSC-CNC PCs efficiently promote neurological functional recovery in tMCAO mice by reconstructing the BBB integrity and preventing of neuronal apoptosis. Our results indicate that hPSC-CNC PCs may represent an ideal cell source for the treatment of BBB dysfunction-related disorders and help to model the human BBB in vitro for the study of the pathogenesis of such neurological diseases. Pericytes play an essential role in blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Here, the authors generate pericyte-like cells (PCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) which display functional properties and also promote BBB recovery in a mouse model of cerebral artery occlusion.
Collapse
|