1
|
Mihailovich M, Germain PL, Shyti R, Pozzi D, Noberini R, Liu Y, Aprile D, Tenderini E, Troglio F, Trattaro S, Fabris S, Ciptasari U, Rigoli MT, Caporale N, D’Agostino G, Mirabella F, Vitriolo A, Capocefalo D, Skaros A, Franchini AV, Ricciardi S, Biunno I, Neri A, Nadif Kasri N, Bonaldi T, Aebersold R, Matteoli M, Testa G. Multiscale modeling uncovers 7q11.23 copy number variation-dependent changes in ribosomal biogenesis and neuronal maturation and excitability. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e168982. [PMID: 39007270 PMCID: PMC11245157 DOI: 10.1172/jci168982] [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: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Copy number variation (CNV) at 7q11.23 causes Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) and 7q microduplication syndrome (7Dup), neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) featuring intellectual disability accompanied by symmetrically opposite neurocognitive features. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying 7q11.23-related pathophysiology, the propagation of CNV dosage across gene expression layers and their interplay remains elusive. Here we uncovered 7q11.23 dosage-dependent symmetrically opposite dynamics in neuronal differentiation and intrinsic excitability. By integrating transcriptomics, translatomics, and proteomics of patient-derived and isogenic induced neurons, we found that genes related to neuronal transmission follow 7q11.23 dosage and are transcriptionally controlled, while translational factors and ribosomal genes are posttranscriptionally buffered. Consistently, we found phosphorylated RPS6 (p-RPS6) downregulated in WBS and upregulated in 7Dup. Surprisingly, p-4EBP was changed in the opposite direction, reflecting dosage-specific changes in total 4EBP levels. This highlights different dosage-sensitive dyregulations of the mTOR pathway as well as distinct roles of p-RPS6 and p-4EBP during neurogenesis. Our work demonstrates the importance of multiscale disease modeling across molecular and functional layers, uncovers the pathophysiological relevance of ribosomal biogenesis in a paradigmatic pair of NDDs, and uncouples the roles of p-RPS6 and p-4EBP as mechanistically actionable relays in NDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Mihailovich
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Pierre-Luc Germain
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Computational Neurogenomics, D-HEST Institute for Neuroscience, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Reinald Shyti
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pozzi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Yansheng Liu
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Davide Aprile
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Flavia Troglio
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Fabris
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Ummi Ciptasari
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, RadboudUmc, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marco Tullio Rigoli
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Caporale
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandro Vitriolo
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Capocefalo
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Adrianos Skaros
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sara Ricciardi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics, Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Ida Biunno
- Integrated Systems Engineering Srl, c/o OpenZone, Bresso, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Cognitive Neurosciences, RadboudUmc, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tiziana Bonaldi
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rudolf Aebersold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michela Matteoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- European Institute of Oncology (IEO) IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mourtzi T, Antoniou N, Dimitriou C, Gkaravelas P, Athanasopoulou G, Kostantzo PN, Stathi O, Theodorou E, Anesti M, Matsas R, Angelatou F, Kouroupi G, Kazanis I. Enhancement of endogenous midbrain neurogenesis by microneurotrophin BNN-20 after neural progenitor grafting in a mouse model of nigral degeneration. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1318-1324. [PMID: 37905881 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202406000-00036/inline-graphic1/v/2023-10-30T152229Z/r/image-tiff
We have previously shown the neuroprotective and pro-neurogenic activity of microneurotrophin BNN-20 in the substantia nigra of the “weaver” mouse, a model of progressive nigrostriatal degeneration. Here, we extended our investigation in two clinically-relevant ways. First, we assessed the effects of BNN-20 on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells and neurons derived from healthy and parkinsonian donors. Second, we assessed if BNN-20 can boost the outcome of mouse neural progenitor cell intranigral transplantations in weaver mice, at late stages of degeneration. We found that BNN-20 has limited direct effects on cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells, marginally enhancing their differentiation towards neurons and partially reversing the pathological phenotype of dopaminergic neurons generated from parkinsonian donors. In agreement, we found no effects of BNN-20 on the mouse neural progenitor cells grafted in the substantia nigra of weaver mice. However, the graft strongly induced an endogenous neurogenic response throughout the midbrain, which was significantly enhanced by the administration of microneurotrophin BNN-20. Our results provide straightforward evidence of the existence of an endogenous midbrain neurogenic system that can be specifically strengthened by BNN-20. Interestingly, the lack of major similar activity on cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors and their progeny reveals the in vivo specificity of the aforementioned pro-neurogenic effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Mourtzi
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Nasia Antoniou
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Dimitriou
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Gkaravelas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Athanasopoulou
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Nti Kostantzo
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Olga Stathi
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Efthymia Theodorou
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Anesti
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Rebecca Matsas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Fevronia Angelatou
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgia Kouroupi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology-Stem Cells, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Kazanis
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lindhout FW, Krienen FM, Pollard KS, Lancaster MA. A molecular and cellular perspective on human brain evolution and tempo. Nature 2024; 630:596-608. [PMID: 38898293 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07521-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of the modern human brain was accompanied by distinct molecular and cellular specializations, which underpin our diverse cognitive abilities but also increase our susceptibility to neurological diseases. These features, some specific to humans and others shared with related species, manifest during different stages of brain development. In this multi-stage process, neural stem cells proliferate to produce a large and diverse progenitor pool, giving rise to excitatory or inhibitory neurons that integrate into circuits during further maturation. This process unfolds over varying time scales across species and has progressively become slower in the human lineage, with differences in tempo correlating with differences in brain size, cell number and diversity, and connectivity. Here we introduce the terms 'bradychrony' and 'tachycrony' to describe slowed and accelerated developmental tempos, respectively. We review how recent technical advances across disciplines, including advanced engineering of in vitro models, functional comparative genetics and high-throughput single-cell profiling, are leading to a deeper understanding of how specializations of the human brain arise during bradychronic neurodevelopment. Emerging insights point to a central role for genetics, gene-regulatory networks, cellular innovations and developmental tempo, which together contribute to the establishment of human specializations during various stages of neurodevelopment and at different points in evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feline W Lindhout
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Fenna M Krienen
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute for Computational Health Sciences, and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Madeline A Lancaster
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Casimir P, Iwata R, Vanderhaeghen P. Linking mitochondria metabolism, developmental timing, and human brain evolution. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102182. [PMID: 38555796 PMCID: PMC11190843 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Changes in developmental timing are an important factor of evolution in organ shape and function. This is particularly striking for human brain development, which, compared with other mammals, is considerably prolonged at the level of the cerebral cortex, resulting in brain neoteny. Here, we review recent findings that indicate that mitochondria and metabolism contribute to species differences in the tempo of cortical neuron development. Mitochondria display species-specific developmental timeline and metabolic activity patterns that are highly correlated with the speed of neuron maturation. Enhancing mitochondrial activity in human cortical neurons results in their accelerated maturation, while its reduction leads to decreased maturation rates in mouse neurons. Together with other global and gene-specific mechanisms, mitochondria thus act as a cellular hourglass of neuronal developmental tempo and may thereby contribute to species-specific features of human brain ontogeny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Casimir
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institut de Recherches en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), and ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), 1070 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Brugmann, ULB, 1020 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ryohei Iwata
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. https://twitter.com/@Ryo2Iwata
| | - Pierre Vanderhaeghen
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fellows AD, Bruntraeger M, Burgold T, Bassett AR, Carter AP. Dynein and dynactin move long-range but are delivered separately to the axon tip. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202309084. [PMID: 38407313 PMCID: PMC10896695 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202309084] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Axonal transport is essential for neuronal survival. This is driven by microtubule motors including dynein, which transports cargo from the axon tip back to the cell body. This function requires its cofactor dynactin and regulators LIS1 and NDEL1. Due to difficulties imaging dynein at a single-molecule level, it is unclear how this motor and its regulators coordinate transport along the length of the axon. Here, we use a neuron-inducible human stem cell line (NGN2-OPTi-OX) to endogenously tag dynein components and visualize them at a near-single molecule regime. In the retrograde direction, we find that dynein and dynactin can move the entire length of the axon (>500 µm). Furthermore, LIS1 and NDEL1 also undergo long-distance movement, despite being mainly implicated with the initiation of dynein transport. Intriguingly, in the anterograde direction, dynein/LIS1 moves faster than dynactin/NDEL1, consistent with transport on different cargos. Therefore, neurons ensure efficient transport by holding dynein/dynactin on cargos over long distances but keeping them separate until required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Fellows
- Division of Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Thomas Burgold
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | | | - Andrew P Carter
- Division of Structural Studies, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qu G, Merchant JP, Clatot J, DeFlitch LM, Frederick DJ, Tang S, Salvatore M, Zhang X, Li J, Anderson SA, Goldberg EM. Targeted blockade of aberrant sodium current in a stem cell-derived neuron model of SCN3A encephalopathy. Brain 2024; 147:1247-1263. [PMID: 37935051 PMCID: PMC10994535 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad376] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Missense variants in SCN3A encoding the voltage-gated sodium (Na+) channel α subunit Nav1.3 are associated with SCN3A-related neurodevelopmental disorder (SCN3A-NDD), a spectrum of disease that includes epilepsy and malformation of cortical development. How genetic variation in SCN3A leads to pathology remains unclear, as prior electrophysiological work on disease-associated variants has been performed exclusively in heterologous cell systems. To further investigate the mechanisms of SCN3A-NDD pathogenesis, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to modify a control human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line to express the recurrent de novo missense variant SCN3A c.2624T>C (p.Ile875Thr). With the established Ngn2 rapid induction protocol, we generated glutamatergic forebrain-like neurons (iNeurons), which we showed to express SCN3A mRNA and Nav1.3-mediated Na+ currents. We performed detailed whole-cell patch clamp recordings to determine the effect of the SCN3A-p.Ile875Thr variant on endogenous Na+ currents in, and intrinsic excitability of, human neurons. Compared to control iNeurons, variant-expressing iNeurons exhibit markedly increased slowly-inactivating/persistent Na+ current, abnormal firing patterns with paroxysmal bursting and plateau-like potentials with action potential failure, and a hyperpolarized voltage threshold for action potential generation. We then validated these findings using a separate iPSC line generated from a patient harbouring the SCN3A-p.Ile875Thr variant compared to a corresponding CRISPR-corrected isogenic control line. Finally, we found that application of the Nav1.3-selective blocker ICA-121431 normalizes action potential threshold and aberrant firing patterns in SCN3A-p.Ile1875Thr iNeurons; in contrast, consistent with action as a Na+ channel blocker, ICA-121431 decreases excitability of control iNeurons. Our findings demonstrate that iNeurons can model the effects of genetic variation in SCN3A yet reveal a complex relationship between gain-of-function at the level of the ion channel versus impact on neuronal excitability. Given the transient expression of SCN3A in the developing human nervous system, selective blockade or suppression of Nav1.3-containing Na+ channels could represent a therapeutic approach towards SCN3A-NDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guojie Qu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Julie P Merchant
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jérôme Clatot
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Leah M DeFlitch
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Danny J Frederick
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Sheng Tang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Madeleine Salvatore
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jianping Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Stewart A Anderson
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ethan M Goldberg
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Das D, Sonthalia S, Stein-O 'Brien G, Wahbeh MH, Feuer K, Goff L, Colantuoni C, Mahairaki V, Avramopoulos D. Insights for disease modeling from single-cell transcriptomics of iPSC-derived Ngn2-induced neurons and astrocytes across differentiation time and co-culture. BMC Biol 2024; 22:75. [PMID: 38566045 PMCID: PMC10985965 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01867-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trans-differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells into neurons via Ngn2-induction (hiPSC-N) has become an efficient system to quickly generate neurons a likely significant advance for disease modeling and in vitro assay development. Recent single-cell interrogation of Ngn2-induced neurons, however, has revealed some similarities to unexpected neuronal lineages. Similarly, a straightforward method to generate hiPSC-derived astrocytes (hiPSC-A) for the study of neuropsychiatric disorders has also been described. RESULTS Here, we examine the homogeneity and similarity of hiPSC-N and hiPSC-A to their in vivo counterparts, the impact of different lengths of time post Ngn2 induction on hiPSC-N (15 or 21 days), and the impact of hiPSC-N/hiPSC-A co-culture. Leveraging the wealth of existing public single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data in Ngn2-induced neurons and in vivo data from the developing brain, we provide perspectives on the lineage origins and maturation of hiPSC-N and hiPSC-A. While induction protocols in different labs produce consistent cell type profiles, both hiPSC-N and hiPSC-A show significant heterogeneity and similarity to multiple in vivo cell fates, and both more precisely approximate their in vivo counterparts when co-cultured. Gene expression data from the hiPSC-N show enrichment of genes linked to schizophrenia (SZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as has been previously shown for neural stem cells and neurons. These overrepresentations of disease genes are strongest in our system at early times (day 15) in Ngn2-induction/maturation of neurons, when we also observe the greatest similarity to early in vivo excitatory neurons. We have assembled this new scRNA-seq data along with the public data explored here as an integrated biologist-friendly web-resource for researchers seeking to understand this system more deeply: https://nemoanalytics.org/p?l=DasEtAlNGN2&g=NES . CONCLUSIONS While overall we support the use of the investigated cellular models for the study of neuropsychiatric disease, we also identify important limitations. We hope that this work will contribute to understanding and optimizing cellular modeling for complex brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Das
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - S Sonthalia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - G Stein-O 'Brien
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - M H Wahbeh
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - K Feuer
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - L Goff
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - C Colantuoni
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - V Mahairaki
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - D Avramopoulos
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 E. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ciceri G, Studer L. Epigenetic control and manipulation of neuronal maturation timing. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102164. [PMID: 38412562 PMCID: PMC11175593 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
During brain development, the sequence of developmental steps and the underlying transcriptional regulatory logic are largely conserved across species. However, the temporal unfolding of developmental programs varies dramatically across species and within a given species varies across brain regions and cell identities. The maturation of neurons in the human cerebral cortex is particularly slow and lasts for many years compared with only a few weeks for the corresponding mouse neurons. The mechanisms setting the 'schedule' of neuronal maturation remain unclear but appear to be linked to a cell-intrinsic 'clock'. Here, we discuss recent findings that highlight a role for epigenetic factors in the timing of neuronal maturation. Manipulations of those factors in stem cell-based models can override the intrinsic pace of neuronal maturation, including its protracted nature in human cortical neurons. We then contextualize the epigenetic regulation of maturation programs with findings from other model systems and propose potential interactions between epigenetic pathways and other drivers of developmental rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Ciceri
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lorenz Studer
- The Center for Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Biology program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Smandri A, Al-Masawa ME, Hwei NM, Fauzi MB. ECM-derived biomaterials for regulating tissue multicellularity and maturation. iScience 2024; 27:109141. [PMID: 38405613 PMCID: PMC10884934 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent breakthroughs in developing human-relevant organotypic models led to the building of highly resemblant tissue constructs that hold immense potential for transplantation, drug screening, and disease modeling. Despite the progress in fine-tuning stem cell multilineage differentiation in highly controlled spatiotemporal conditions and hosting microenvironments, 3D models still experience naive and incomplete morphogenesis. In particular, existing systems and induction protocols fail to maintain stem cell long-term potency, induce high tissue-level multicellularity, or drive the maturity of stem cell-derived 3D models to levels seen in their in vivo counterparts. In this review, we highlight the use of extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived biomaterials in providing stem cell niche-mimicking microenvironment capable of preserving stem cell long-term potency and inducing spatial and region-specific differentiation. We also examine the maturation of different 3D models, including organoids, encapsulated in ECM biomaterials and provide looking-forward perspectives on employing ECM biomaterials in building more innovative, transplantable, and functional organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Smandri
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Maimonah Eissa Al-Masawa
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Ng Min Hwei
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Mh Busra Fauzi
- Centre for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fukuda K. The role of transposable elements in human evolution and methods for their functional analysis: current status and future perspectives. Genes Genet Syst 2024; 98:289-304. [PMID: 37866889 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.23-00140] [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: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that can insert themselves into various locations within the genome, causing mutations that may provide advantages or disadvantages to individuals and species. The insertion of TEs can result in genetic variation that may affect a wide range of human traits including genetic disorders. Understanding the role of TEs in human biology is crucial for both evolutionary and medical research. This review discusses the involvement of TEs in human traits and disease susceptibility, as well as methods for functional analysis of TEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kei Fukuda
- Integrative Genomics Unit, The University of Melbourne
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pollen AA, Kilik U, Lowe CB, Camp JG. Human-specific genetics: new tools to explore the molecular and cellular basis of human evolution. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:687-711. [PMID: 36737647 PMCID: PMC9897628 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00568-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Our ancestors acquired morphological, cognitive and metabolic modifications that enabled humans to colonize diverse habitats, develop extraordinary technologies and reshape the biosphere. Understanding the genetic, developmental and molecular bases for these changes will provide insights into how we became human. Connecting human-specific genetic changes to species differences has been challenging owing to an abundance of low-effect size genetic changes, limited descriptions of phenotypic differences across development at the level of cell types and lack of experimental models. Emerging approaches for single-cell sequencing, genetic manipulation and stem cell culture now support descriptive and functional studies in defined cell types with a human or ape genetic background. In this Review, we describe how the sequencing of genomes from modern and archaic hominins, great apes and other primates is revealing human-specific genetic changes and how new molecular and cellular approaches - including cell atlases and organoids - are enabling exploration of the candidate causal factors that underlie human-specific traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex A Pollen
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Umut Kilik
- Institute of Human Biology (IHB), Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Craig B Lowe
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - J Gray Camp
- Institute of Human Biology (IHB), Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Patel N, Ouellet V, Paquet-Mercier F, Chetoui N, Bélanger E, Paquet ME, Godin AG, Marquet P. A robust and reliable methodology to perform GECI-based multi-time point neuronal calcium imaging within mixed cultures of human iPSC-derived cortical neurons. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1247397. [PMID: 37817802 PMCID: PMC10560759 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1247397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with their ability to generate human neural cells (astrocytes and neurons) from patients, hold great promise for understanding the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, which includes alterations in cerebral development. Indeed, the in vitro neurodifferentiation of iPSCs, while recapitulating certain major stages of neurodevelopment in vivo, makes it possible to obtain networks of living human neurons. The culture model presented is particularly attractive within this framework since it involves iPSC-derived neural cells, which more specifically differentiate into cortical neurons of diverse types (in particular glutamatergic and GABAergic) and astrocytes. However, these in vitro neuronal networks, which may be heterogeneous in their degree of differentiation, remain challenging to bring to an appropriate level of maturation. It is therefore necessary to develop tools capable of analyzing a large number of cells to assess this maturation process. Calcium (Ca2+) imaging, which has been extensively developed, undoubtedly offers an incredibly good approach, particularly in its versions using genetically encoded calcium indicators. However, in the context of these iPSC-derived neural cell cultures, there is a lack of studies that propose Ca2+ imaging methods that can finely characterize the evolution of neuronal maturation during the neurodifferentiation process. Methods In this study, we propose a robust and reliable method for specifically measuring neuronal activity at two different time points of the neurodifferentiation process in such human neural cultures. To this end, we have developed a specific Ca2+ signal analysis procedure and tested a series of different AAV serotypes to obtain expression levels of GCaMP6f under the control of the neuron-specific human synapsin1 (hSyn) promoter. Results The retro serotype has been found to be the most efficient in driving the expression of the GCaMP6f and is compatible with multi-time point neuronal Ca2+ imaging in our human iPSC-derived neural cultures. An AAV2/retro carrying GCaMP6f under the hSyn promoter (AAV2/retro-hSyn-GCaMP6f) is an efficient vector that we have identified. To establish the method, calcium measurements were carried out at two time points in the neurodifferentiation process with both hSyn and CAG promoters, the latter being known to provide high transient gene expression across various cell types. Discussion Our results stress that this methodology involving AAV2/retro-hSyn-GCaMP6f is suitable for specifically measuring neuronal calcium activities over multiple time points and is compatible with the neurodifferentiation process in our mixed human neural cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niraj Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Ouellet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Nizar Chetoui
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Erik Bélanger
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Paquet
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Antoine G. Godin
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL), Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Marquet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL), Laval University, Quebec, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sheta R, Teixeira M, Idi W, Oueslati A. Optimized protocol for the generation of functional human induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102486. [PMID: 37515763 PMCID: PMC10400954 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Generation of functional human dopaminergic (DA) neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is a crucial tool for modeling dopamine-related human diseases and cell replacement therapies. Here, we present a protocol to combine neuralizing transcription factor (NGN2) programming and DA patterning to differentiate hiPSCs into mature and functional induced DA (iDA) neurons. We describe steps from transduction of hiPSCs and neural induction through to differentiation and maturation of near-pure, fully functional iDA neurons within 3 weeks. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sheta et al. (2022).1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razan Sheta
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| | - Maxime Teixeira
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Walid Idi
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Abid Oueslati
- CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Charvet CJ, Ofori K, Falcone C, Rigby Dames BA. Transcription, structure, and organoids translate time across the lifespan of humans and great apes. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad230. [PMID: 37554928 PMCID: PMC10406161 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
How the neural structures supporting human cognition developed and arose in evolution is an enduring question of interest. Yet, we still lack appropriate procedures to align ages across primates, and this lacuna has hindered progress in understanding the evolution of biological programs. We generated a dataset of unprecedented size consisting of 573 time points from abrupt and gradual changes in behavior, anatomy, and transcription across human and 8 nonhuman primate species. We included time points from diverse human populations to capture within-species variation in the generation of cross-species age alignments. We also extracted corresponding ages from organoids. The identification of corresponding ages across the lifespan of 8 primate species, including apes (e.g., orangutans, gorillas) and monkeys (i.e., marmosets, macaques), reveals that some biological pathways are extended in humans compared with some nonhuman primates. Notably, the human lifespan is unusually extended relative to studied nonhuman primates demonstrating that very old age is a phase of life in humans that does not map to other studied primate species. More generally, our work prompts a reevaluation in the choice of a model system to understand aging given very old age in humans is a period of life without a clear counterpart in great apes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine J Charvet
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, 1130 Wire Road, Auburn, 36832, AL, USA
| | - Kwadwo Ofori
- Department of Biology, Delaware State University, 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE, 19901, USA
| | - Carmen Falcone
- Department of Neuroscience, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea, 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Brier A Rigby Dames
- Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
de Sousa AA, Beaudet A, Calvey T, Bardo A, Benoit J, Charvet CJ, Dehay C, Gómez-Robles A, Gunz P, Heuer K, van den Heuvel MP, Hurst S, Lauters P, Reed D, Salagnon M, Sherwood CC, Ströckens F, Tawane M, Todorov OS, Toro R, Wei Y. From fossils to mind. Commun Biol 2023; 6:636. [PMID: 37311857 PMCID: PMC10262152 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04803-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fossil endocasts record features of brains from the past: size, shape, vasculature, and gyrification. These data, alongside experimental and comparative evidence, are needed to resolve questions about brain energetics, cognitive specializations, and developmental plasticity. Through the application of interdisciplinary techniques to the fossil record, paleoneurology has been leading major innovations. Neuroimaging is shedding light on fossil brain organization and behaviors. Inferences about the development and physiology of the brains of extinct species can be experimentally investigated through brain organoids and transgenic models based on ancient DNA. Phylogenetic comparative methods integrate data across species and associate genotypes to phenotypes, and brains to behaviors. Meanwhile, fossil and archeological discoveries continuously contribute new knowledge. Through cooperation, the scientific community can accelerate knowledge acquisition. Sharing digitized museum collections improves the availability of rare fossils and artifacts. Comparative neuroanatomical data are available through online databases, along with tools for their measurement and analysis. In the context of these advances, the paleoneurological record provides ample opportunity for future research. Biomedical and ecological sciences can benefit from paleoneurology's approach to understanding the mind as well as its novel research pipelines that establish connections between neuroanatomy, genes and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amélie Beaudet
- Laboratoire de Paléontologie, Évolution, Paléoécosystèmes et Paléoprimatologie (PALEVOPRIM), UMR 7262 CNRS & Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Tanya Calvey
- Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Ameline Bardo
- UMR 7194, CNRS-MNHN, Département Homme et Environnement, Musée de l'Homme, Paris, France
- Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Julien Benoit
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christine J Charvet
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Colette Dehay
- University of Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, F-69500, Bron, France
| | | | - Philipp Gunz
- Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Heuer
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité de Neuroanatomie Appliquée et Théorique, F-75015, Paris, France
| | | | - Shawn Hurst
- University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Pascaline Lauters
- Institut royal des Sciences naturelles, Direction Opérationnelle Terre et Histoire de la Vie, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Denné Reed
- Department of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mathilde Salagnon
- CNRS, CEA, IMN, GIN, UMR 5293, Université Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- PACEA UMR 5199, CNRS, Université Bordeaux, Pessac, France
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Felix Ströckens
- C. & O. Vogt Institute for Brain Research, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mirriam Tawane
- Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Orlin S Todorov
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roberto Toro
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité de Neuroanatomie Appliquée et Théorique, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Yongbin Wei
- Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nadler MJS, Chang W, Ozkaynak E, Huo Y, Nong Y, Boillot M, Johnson M, Moreno A, Matthew P Anderson. Hominoid SVA-lncRNA AK057321 targets human-specific SVA retrotransposons in SCN8A and CDK5RAP2 to initiate neuronal maturation. Commun Biol 2023; 6:347. [PMID: 36997626 PMCID: PMC10063665 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04683-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) retrotransposons arose and expanded in the genome of hominoid primates concurrent with the slowing of brain maturation. We report genes with intronic SVA transposons are enriched for neurodevelopmental disease and transcribed into long non-coding SVA-lncRNAs. Human-specific SVAs in microcephaly CDK5RAP2 and epilepsy SCN8A gene introns repress their expression via transcription factor ZNF91 to delay neuronal maturation. Deleting the SVA in CDK5RAP2 initiates multi-dimensional and in SCN8A selective sodium current neuronal maturation by upregulating these genes. SVA-lncRNA AK057321 forms RNA:DNA heteroduplexes with the genomic SVAs and upregulates these genes to initiate neuronal maturation. SVA-lncRNA AK057321 also promotes species-specific cortex and cerebellum-enriched expression upregulating human genes with intronic SVAs (e.g., HTT, CHAF1B and KCNJ6) but not mouse orthologs. The diversity of neuronal genes with intronic SVAs suggest this hominoid-specific SVA transposon-based gene regulatory mechanism may act at multiple steps to specialize and achieve neoteny of the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monica J S Nadler
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Weipang Chang
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ekim Ozkaynak
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yuda Huo
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Focus Area, Regeneron, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Yi Nong
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Focus Area, Regeneron, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA
| | - Morgane Boillot
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mark Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Antonio Moreno
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Matthew P Anderson
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Boston Children's Hospital Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Focus Area, Regeneron, 777 Old Saw Mill River Road, Tarrytown, NY, 10591, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vanderhaeghen P, Polleux F. Developmental mechanisms underlying the evolution of human cortical circuits. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:213-232. [PMID: 36792753 PMCID: PMC10064077 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00675-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The brain of modern humans has evolved remarkable computational abilities that enable higher cognitive functions. These capacities are tightly linked to an increase in the size and connectivity of the cerebral cortex, which is thought to have resulted from evolutionary changes in the mechanisms of cortical development. Convergent progress in evolutionary genomics, developmental biology and neuroscience has recently enabled the identification of genomic changes that act as human-specific modifiers of cortical development. These modifiers influence most aspects of corticogenesis, from the timing and complexity of cortical neurogenesis to synaptogenesis and the assembly of cortical circuits. Mutations of human-specific genetic modifiers of corticogenesis have started to be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, providing evidence for their physiological relevance and suggesting potential relationships between the evolution of the human brain and its sensitivity to specific diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Vanderhaeghen
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Franck Polleux
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Linker SB, Narvaiza I, Hsu JY, Wang M, Qiu F, Mendes APD, Oefner R, Kottilil K, Sharma A, Randolph-Moore L, Mejia E, Santos R, Marchetto MC, Gage FH. Human-specific regulation of neural maturation identified by cross-primate transcriptomics. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4797-4807.e5. [PMID: 36228612 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Unique aspects of human behavior are often attributed to differences in the relative size and organization of the human brain: these structural aspects originate during early development. Recent studies indicate that human neurodevelopment is considerably slower than that in other nonhuman primates, a finding that is termed neoteny. One aspect of neoteny is the slow onset of action potentials. However, which molecular mechanisms play a role in this process remain unclear. To examine the evolutionary constraints on the rate of neuronal maturation, we have generated transcriptional data tracking five time points, from the neural progenitor state to 8-week-old neurons, in primates spanning the catarrhine lineage, including Macaca mulatta, Gorilla gorilla, Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, and Homo sapiens. Despite finding an overall similarity of many transcriptional signatures, species-specific and clade-specific distinctions were observed. Among the genes that exhibited human-specific regulation, we identified a key pioneer transcription factor, GATA3, that was uniquely upregulated in humans during the neuronal maturation process. We further examined the regulatory nature of GATA3 in human cells and observed that downregulation quickened the speed of developing spontaneous action potentials, thereby modulating the human neotenic phenotype. These results provide evidence for the divergence of gene regulation as a key molecular mechanism underlying human neoteny.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara B Linker
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Iñigo Narvaiza
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jonathan Y Hsu
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Meiyan Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Fan Qiu
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ana P D Mendes
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ruth Oefner
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kalyani Kottilil
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Amandeep Sharma
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lynne Randolph-Moore
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eunice Mejia
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Renata Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Laboratory of Dynamics of Neuronal Structure in Health and Disease, 102 rue de la Santé, 75014 Paris, France; Institut des Sciences Biologiques, CNRS, 16 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Maria C Marchetto
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Nakai R, Hamazaki Y, Ito H, Imamura M. Early neurogenic properties of iPSC-derived neurosphere formation in Japanese macaque monkeys. Differentiation 2022; 128:33-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
20
|
Sheta R, Teixeira M, Idi W, Pierre M, de Rus Jacquet A, Emond V, Zorca CE, Vanderperre B, Durcan TM, Fon EA, Calon F, Chahine M, Oueslati A. Combining NGN2 programming and dopaminergic patterning for a rapid and efficient generation of hiPSC-derived midbrain neurons. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17176. [PMID: 36229560 PMCID: PMC9562300 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of human derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) differentiated to dopaminergic (DA) neurons offers a valuable experimental model to decorticate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. However, the existing approaches present with several limitations, notably the lengthy time course of the protocols and the high variability in the yield of DA neurons. Here we report on the development of an improved approach that combines neurogenin-2 programming with the use of commercially available midbrain differentiation kits for a rapid, efficient, and reproducible directed differentiation of hiPSCs to mature and functional induced DA (iDA) neurons, with minimum contamination by other brain cell types. Gene expression analysis, associated with functional characterization examining neurotransmitter release and electrical recordings, support the functional identity of the iDA neurons to A9 midbrain neurons. iDA neurons showed selective vulnerability when exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine, thus providing a viable in vitro approach for modeling PD and for the screening of small molecules with neuroprotective proprieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razan Sheta
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Maxime Teixeira
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Walid Idi
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Marion Pierre
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390CERVO Brain Research Center, 2601, rue de La Canardière, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Aurelie de Rus Jacquet
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Vincent Emond
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Cornelia E. Zorca
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Benoît Vanderperre
- grid.38678.320000 0001 2181 0211Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC Canada ,Centre d’Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines – Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Montreal, Canada
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Edward A. Fon
- grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada ,grid.14709.3b0000 0004 1936 8649The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Frédéric Calon
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390CERVO Brain Research Center, 2601, rue de La Canardière, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Abid Oueslati
- grid.411081.d0000 0000 9471 1794CHU de Québec Research Center, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, Canada ,grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Massimo M, Long KR. Orchestrating human neocortex development across the scales; from micro to macro. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 130:24-36. [PMID: 34583893 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
How our brains have developed to perform the many complex functions that make us human has long remained a question of great interest. Over the last few decades, many scientists from a wide range of fields have tried to answer this question by aiming to uncover the mechanisms that regulate the development of the human neocortex. They have approached this on different scales, focusing microscopically on individual cells all the way up to macroscopically imaging entire brains within living patients. In this review we will summarise these key findings and how they fit together.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Massimo
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine R Long
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bergmann T, Liu Y, Skov J, Mogus L, Lee J, Pfisterer U, Handfield LF, Asenjo-Martinez A, Lisa-Vargas I, Seemann SE, Lee JTH, Patikas N, Kornum BR, Denham M, Hyttel P, Witter MP, Gorodkin J, Pers TH, Hemberg M, Khodosevich K, Hall VJ. Production of human entorhinal stellate cell-like cells by forward programming shows an important role of Foxp1 in reprogramming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:976549. [PMID: 36046338 PMCID: PMC9420913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.976549] [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: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stellate cells are principal neurons in the entorhinal cortex that contribute to spatial processing. They also play a role in the context of Alzheimer's disease as they accumulate Amyloid beta early in the disease. Producing human stellate cells from pluripotent stem cells would allow researchers to study early mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, however, no protocols currently exist for producing such cells. In order to develop novel stem cell protocols, we characterize at high resolution the development of the porcine medial entorhinal cortex by tracing neuronal and glial subtypes from mid-gestation to the adult brain to identify the transcriptomic profile of progenitor and adult stellate cells. Importantly, we could confirm the robustness of our data by extracting developmental factors from the identified intermediate stellate cell cluster and implemented these factors to generate putative intermediate stellate cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Six transcription factors identified from the stellate cell cluster including RUNX1T1, SOX5, FOXP1, MEF2C, TCF4, EYA2 were overexpressed using a forward programming approach to produce neurons expressing a unique combination of RELN, SATB2, LEF1 and BCL11B observed in stellate cells. Further analyses of the individual transcription factors led to the discovery that FOXP1 is critical in the reprogramming process and omission of RUNX1T1 and EYA2 enhances neuron conversion. Our findings contribute not only to the profiling of cell types within the developing and adult brain's medial entorhinal cortex but also provides proof-of-concept for using scRNAseq data to produce entorhinal intermediate stellate cells from human pluripotent stem cells in-vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bergmann
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Yong Liu
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Skov
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Leo Mogus
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Julie Lee
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Research, DanStem University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrich Pfisterer
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Andrea Asenjo-Martinez
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Irene Lisa-Vargas
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan E. Seemann
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jimmy Tsz Hang Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Patikas
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Birgitte Rahbek Kornum
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Denham
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Disease, Stem Cells and Embryology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Menno P. Witter
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jan Gorodkin
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Tune H. Pers
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantin Khodosevich
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Jane Hall
- Group of Brain Development and Disease, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
August I, Semendeferi K, Marchetto MC. Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and the role of stem cells in primate comparative studies. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2940-2953. [PMID: 35929189 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25394] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is ultimately fatal. Currently, millions of Americans are living with AD, and this number is predicted to grow with increases in the aging population. Interestingly, despite the prevalence of AD in human populations, the full AD phenotype has not been observed in any nonhuman primate (NHP) species, and it has been suggested that NHPs are immune to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Here, we review the typical age-related changes and pathologies in humans along with the neuropathologic changes associated with AD, and we place this information in the context of the comparative neuropathology of NHPs. We further propose the use of induced pluripotent stem cell technology as a way of addressing initial molecular processes and changes that occur in neurons and glia (in both humans and NHPs) when exposed to AD-inducing pathology prior to cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel August
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Katerina Semendeferi
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maria Carolina Marchetto
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Galiakberova AA, Surin AM, Bakaeva ZV, Sharipov RR, Zhang D, Dorovskoy DA, Shakirova KM, Fisenko AP, Dashinimaev EB. IPSC-Derived Human Neurons with GCaMP6s Expression Allow In Vitro Study of Neurophysiological Responses to Neurochemicals. Neurochem Res 2021; 47:952-966. [PMID: 34855047 PMCID: PMC8891101 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03497-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The study of human neurons and their interaction with neurochemicals is difficult due to the inability to collect primary biomaterial. However, recent advances in the cultivation of human stem cells, methods for their neuronal differentiation and chimeric fluorescent calcium indicators have allowed the creation of model systems in vitro. In this paper we report on the development of a method to obtain human neurons with the GCaMP6s calcium indicator, based on a human iPSC line with the TetON–NGN2 transgene complex. The protocol we developed allows us quickly, conveniently and efficiently obtain significant amounts of human neurons suitable for the study of various neurochemicals and their effects on specific neurophysiological activity, which can be easily registered using fluorescence microscopy. In the neurons we obtained, glutamate (Glu) induces rises in [Ca2+]i which are caused by ionotropic receptors for Glu, predominantly of the NMDA-type. Taken together, these facts allow us to consider the model we have created to be a useful and successful development of this technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A A Galiakberova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianov Street, Moscow, Russia, 117997.
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, Russia, 119991.
| | - A M Surin
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, "National Medical Research Center of Children's Health", Russian Ministry of Health, Lomonosov Avenue, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Laboratory of Pathology of Ion Transport and Intracellular Signaling, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Baltiyskaya St., Moscow, Russia, 125315
| | - Z V Bakaeva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, "National Medical Research Center of Children's Health", Russian Ministry of Health, Lomonosov Avenue, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- Department of General Biology and Physiology, Gorodovikov Kalmyk State University, Pushkin St., Elista, Russia, 358000
| | - R R Sharipov
- Laboratory of Pathology of Ion Transport and Intracellular Signaling, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Baltiyskaya St., Moscow, Russia, 125315
| | - Dongxing Zhang
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy per., 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - D A Dorovskoy
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy per., 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - K M Shakirova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianov Street, Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - A P Fisenko
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, "National Medical Research Center of Children's Health", Russian Ministry of Health, Lomonosov Avenue, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - E B Dashinimaev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianov Street, Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Institutskiy per., 141701, Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov St., Moscow, Russia, 119334
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Dailamy A, Parekh U, Katrekar D, Kumar A, McDonald D, Moreno A, Bagheri P, Ng TN, Mali P. Programmatic introduction of parenchymal cell types into blood vessel organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2432-2441. [PMID: 34559998 PMCID: PMC8515093 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids have transformed our ability to recreate complex three-dimensional models of human tissue. However, the directed differentiation methods used to create them do not afford the ability to introduce cross-germ-layer cell types. Here, we present a bottom-up engineering approach to building vascularized human tissue by combining genetic reprogramming with chemically directed organoid differentiation. As a proof of concept, we created neuro-vascular and myo-vascular organoids via transcription factor overexpression in vascular organoids. We comprehensively characterized neuro-vascular organoids in terms of marker gene expression and composition, and demonstrated that the organoids maintain neural and vascular function for at least 45 days in culture. Finally, we demonstrated chronic electrical stimulation of myo-vascular organoid aggregates as a potential path toward engineering mature and large-scale vascularized skeletal muscle tissue from organoids. Our approach offers a roadmap to build diverse vascularized tissues of any type derived entirely from pluripotent stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Dailamy
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Udit Parekh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dhruva Katrekar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Aditya Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Daniella McDonald
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ana Moreno
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Pegah Bagheri
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tse Nga Ng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, CA 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Libé-Philippot B, Vanderhaeghen P. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Linking Human Cortical Development and Evolution. Annu Rev Genet 2021; 55:555-581. [PMID: 34535062 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-071719-020705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral cortex is at the core of brain functions that are thought to be particularly developed in the human species. Human cortex specificities stem from divergent features of corticogenesis, leading to increased cortical size and complexity. Underlying cellular mechanisms include prolonged patterns of neuronal generation and maturation, as well as the amplification of specific types of stem/progenitor cells. While the gene regulatory networks of corticogenesis appear to be largely conserved among all mammals including humans, they have evolved in primates, particularly in the human species, through the emergence of rapidly divergent transcriptional regulatory elements, as well as recently duplicated novel genes. These human-specific molecular features together control key cellular milestones of human corticogenesis and are often affected in neurodevelopmental disorders, thus linking human neural development, evolution, and diseases. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Genetics, Volume 55 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Libé-Philippot
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; .,Institut de Recherches Interdisciplinaires en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM) and ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Vanderhaeghen
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; .,Institut de Recherches Interdisciplinaires en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM) and ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Iwata R. Temporal differences of neurodevelopment processes between species. Neurosci Res 2021; 177:8-15. [PMID: 34419562 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.08.004] [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] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ontogeny programs are highly conserved across all vertebrates, although there are significant temporal variations in interspecies developmental processes. Changing the timing and rate of developmental processes could affect subsequent organogenesis profoundly and may also have been critical factors in evolutionary diversity. However, despite their potential importance, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control interspecies differences in developmental timescale remain unclear. This review highlights recent advances in the experimental models to compare interspecies differences in neurodevelopmental processes, neurogenesis, and neuronal maturation and discusses the possible mechanisms that could generate species-specific timescales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Iwata
- VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Institut de Recherches en Biologie Humaine et Moléculaire (IRIBHM), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Lin HC, He Z, Ebert S, Schörnig M, Santel M, Nikolova MT, Weigert A, Hevers W, Kasri NN, Taverna E, Camp JG, Treutlein B. NGN2 induces diverse neuron types from human pluripotency. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2118-2127. [PMID: 34358451 PMCID: PMC8452516 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human neurons engineered from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through neurogenin 2 (NGN2) overexpression are widely used to study neuronal differentiation mechanisms and to model neurological diseases. However, the differentiation paths and heterogeneity of emerged neurons have not been fully explored. Here, we used single-cell transcriptomics to dissect the cell states that emerge during NGN2 overexpression across a time course from pluripotency to neuron functional maturation. We find a substantial molecular heterogeneity in the neuron types generated, with at least two populations that express genes associated with neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Neuron heterogeneity is observed across multiple iPSC clones and lines from different individuals. We find that neuron fate acquisition is sensitive to NGN2 expression level and the duration of NGN2-forced expression. Our data reveal that NGN2 dosage can regulate neuron fate acquisition, and that NGN2-iN heterogeneity can confound results that are sensitive to neuron type. NGN2-iNs are molecularly heterogeneous NGN2-iNs subtypes have signatures of central and peripheral nervous system Neural fate acquisition is sensitive to the level and duration of NGN2 expression
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Zhisong He
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Ebert
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Schörnig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Santel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marina T Nikolova
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Weigert
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wulf Hevers
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elena Taverna
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
| | - J Gray Camp
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Barbara Treutlein
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Rayon T, Briscoe J. Cross-species comparisons and in vitro models to study tempo in development and homeostasis. Interface Focus 2021; 11:20200069. [PMID: 34055305 PMCID: PMC8086913 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2020.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Time is inherent to biological processes. It determines the order of events and the speed at which they take place. However, we still need to refine approaches to measure the course of time in biological systems and understand what controls the pace of development. Here, we argue that the comparison of biological processes across species provides molecular insight into the timekeeping mechanisms in biology. We discuss recent findings and the open questions in the field and highlight the use of in vitro systems as tools to investigate cell-autonomous control as well as the coordination of temporal mechanisms within tissues. Further, we discuss the relevance of studying tempo for tissue transplantation, homeostasis and lifespan.
Collapse
|
30
|
Pinson A, Huttner WB. Neocortex expansion in development and evolution-from genes to progenitor cell biology. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 73:9-18. [PMID: 34098196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary expansion of the neocortex, the seat of higher cognitive functions in humans, is primarily due to an increased and prolonged proliferation of neural progenitor cells during development. Basal progenitors, and in particular basal radial glial cells, are thought to have a key role in the increased generation of neurons that constitutes a foundation of neocortex expansion. Recent studies have identified primate-specific and human-specific genes and changes in gene expression that promote increased proliferative capacity of cortical progenitors. In many cases, the cell biological basis underlying this increase has been uncovered. Model systems such as mouse, ferret, nonhuman primates, and cerebral organoids have been used to establish the relevance of these genes for neocortex expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneline Pinson
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Song S, Ashok A, Williams D, Kaufman M, Duff K, Sproul A. Efficient Derivation of Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Stably Expressing Direct Reprogramming Factors. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e141. [PMID: 34102035 PMCID: PMC8191582 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to generate isolated populations of human neuronal subtypes in order to understand cell-type-specific roles in brain function and susceptibility to disease pathology. Here we describe a protocol for in-parallel generation of cortical glutamatergic (excitatory) and GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by using the neurogenic transcription factors Ngn2 and a combination of Ascl1 and Dlx2, respectively. In contrast to the majority of neural transdifferentiation protocols that use transient lentiviral infection, the use of stable hPSC lines carrying doxycycline-inducible transcription factors allows neuronal differentiation to be initiated by addition of doxycycline and neural medium. This article presents a method to generate lentivirus from cultured mammalian cells and establish stable transcription factor-expressing cell lines (Basic Protocol 1), followed by a method for monolayer excitatory and inhibitory neuronal differentiation from the established lines (Basic Protocol 2). The resulting neurons reproducibly exhibit properties consistent with human cortical neurons, including the expected morphologies, expression of glutamatergic and GABAergic genes, and functional properties. Our approach enables the scalable and rapid production of human neurons suitable for modeling human brain diseases in a subtype-specific manner and examination of differential cellular vulnerability. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Lentivirus production and generation of stable hPSC lines Support Protocol 1: Expansion and maintenance of hPSCs Basic Protocol 2: Differentiation of EX- and IN-neurons Support Protocol 2: Experimental methods for validation of EX- and IN-neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saera Song
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Archana Ashok
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Damian Williams
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Maria Kaufman
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Karen Duff
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Current address: UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Sproul
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Schörnig M, Taverna E. A Closer Look to the Evolution of Neurons in Humans and Apes Using Stem-Cell-Derived Model Systems. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:661113. [PMID: 33968936 PMCID: PMC8097028 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.661113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular, molecular and functional comparison of neurons from closely related species is crucial in evolutionary neurobiology. The access to living tissue and post-mortem brains of humans and non-human primates is limited and the state of the tissue might not allow recapitulating important species-specific differences. A valid alternative is offered by neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) obtained from humans and non-human apes and primates. We will review herein the contribution of iPSCs-derived neuronal models to the field of evolutionary neurobiology, focusing on species-specific aspects of neuron’s cell biology and timing of maturation. In addition, we will discuss the use of iPSCs for the study of ancient human traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Schörnig
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elena Taverna
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Dannemann M, Gallego Romero I. Harnessing pluripotent stem cells as models to decipher human evolution. FEBS J 2021; 289:2992-3010. [PMID: 33876573 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The study of human evolution, long constrained by a lack of experimental model systems, has been transformed by the emergence of the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) field. iPSCs can be readily established from noninvasive tissue sources, from both humans and other primates; they can be maintained in the laboratory indefinitely, and they can be differentiated into other tissue types. These qualities mean that iPSCs are rapidly becoming established as viable and powerful model systems with which it is possible to address questions in human evolution that were until now logistically and ethically intractable, especially in the quest to understand humans' place among the great apes, and the genetic basis of human uniqueness. In this review, we discuss the key lessons and takeaways of this nascent field; from the types of research, iPSCs make possible to lingering challenges and likely future directions. We provide a comprehensive overview of how the seemingly unlikely combination of iPSCs and explicit evolutionary frameworks is transforming what is possible in our understanding of humanity's past and present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Gallego Romero
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Estonia.,Melbourne Integrative Genomics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,The Centre for Stem Cell Systems, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Mora-Bermúdez F, Taverna E, Huttner WB. From stem and progenitor cells to neurons in the developing neocortex: key differences among hominids. FEBS J 2021; 289:1524-1535. [PMID: 33638923 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Comparing the biology of humans to that of other primates, and notably other hominids, is a useful path to learn more about what makes us human. Some of the most interesting differences among hominids are closely related to brain development and function, for example behaviour and cognition. This makes it particularly interesting to compare the hominid neural cells of the neocortex, a part of the brain that plays central roles in those processes. However, well-preserved tissue from great apes is usually extremely difficult to obtain. A variety of new alternative tools, for example brain organoids, are now beginning to make it possible to search for such differences and analyse their potential biological and biomedical meaning. Here, we present an overview of recent findings from comparisons of the neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) and neurons of hominids. In addition to differences in proliferation and differentiation of NSPCs, and maturation of neurons, we highlight that the regulation of the timing of these processes is emerging as a general foundational difference in the development of the neocortex of hominids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Mora-Bermúdez
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elena Taverna
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|