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Brüll M, Geese N, Celardo I, Laumann M, Leist M. Preparation of Viable Human Neurites for Neurobiological and Neurodegeneration Studies. Cells 2024; 13:242. [PMID: 38334634 PMCID: PMC10854604 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Few models allow the study of neurite damage in the human central nervous system. We used here dopaminergic LUHMES neurons to establish a culture system that allows for (i) the observation of highly enriched neurites, (ii) the preparation of the neurite fraction for biochemical studies, and (iii) the measurement of neurite markers and metabolites after axotomy. LUHMES-based spheroids, plated in culture dishes, extended neurites of several thousand µm length, while all somata remained aggregated. These cultures allowed an easy microscopic observation of live or fixed neurites. Neurite-only cultures (NOC) were produced by cutting out the still-aggregated somata. The potential application of such cultures was exemplified by determinations of their protein and RNA contents. For instance, the mitochondrial TOM20 protein was highly abundant, while nuclear histone H3 was absent. Similarly, mitochondrial-encoded RNAs were found at relatively high levels, while the mRNA for a histone or the neuronal nuclear marker NeuN (RBFOX3) were relatively depleted in NOC. Another potential use of NOC is the study of neurite degeneration. For this purpose, an algorithm to quantify neurite integrity was developed. Using this tool, we found that the addition of nicotinamide drastically reduced neurite degeneration. Also, the chelation of Ca2+ in NOC delayed the degeneration, while inhibitors of calpains had no effect. Thus, NOC proved to be suitable for biochemical analysis and for studying degeneration processes after a defined cut injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (M.B.); (N.G.); (I.C.)
| | - Nils Geese
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (M.B.); (N.G.); (I.C.)
| | - Ivana Celardo
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (M.B.); (N.G.); (I.C.)
| | - Michael Laumann
- Electron Microscopy Centre, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany;
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany; (M.B.); (N.G.); (I.C.)
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing in Europe (CAAT-Europe), University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Loser D, Hinojosa MG, Blum J, Schaefer J, Brüll M, Johansson Y, Suciu I, Grillberger K, Danker T, Möller C, Gardner I, Ecker GF, Bennekou SH, Forsby A, Kraushaar U, Leist M. Functional alterations by a subgroup of neonicotinoid pesticides in human dopaminergic neurons. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2081-2107. [PMID: 33778899 PMCID: PMC8166715 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03031-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid pesticides, originally developed to target the insect nervous system, have been reported to interact with human receptors and to activate rodent neurons. Therefore, we evaluated in how far these compounds may trigger signaling in human neurons, and thus, affect the human adult or developing nervous system. We used SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as established model of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) signaling. In parallel, we profiled dopaminergic neurons, generated from LUHMES neuronal precursor cells, as novel system to study nAChR activation in human post-mitotic neurons. Changes of the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were used as readout, and key findings were confirmed by patch clamp recordings. Nicotine triggered typical neuronal signaling responses that were blocked by antagonists, such as tubocurarine and mecamylamine. Pharmacological approaches suggested a functional expression of α7 and non-α7 nAChRs on LUHMES cells. In this novel test system, the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiacloprid, but not thiamethoxam and dinotefuran, triggered [Ca2+]i signaling at 10-100 µM. Strong synergy of the active neonicotinoids (at low micromolar concentrations) with the α7 nAChR-positive allosteric modulator PNU-120596 was observed in LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells, and specific antagonists fully inhibited such signaling. To provide a third line of evidence for neonicotinoid signaling via nAChR, we studied cross-desensitization: pretreatment of LUHMES and SH-SY5Y cells with active neonicotinoids (at 1-10 µM) blunted the signaling response of nicotine. The pesticides (at 3-30 µM) also blunted the response to the non-α7 agonist ABT 594 in LUHMES cells. These data show that human neuronal cells are functionally affected by low micromolar concentrations of several neonicotinoids. An effect of such signals on nervous system development is a toxicological concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maria G Hinojosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Blum
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ylva Johansson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Karin Grillberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timm Danker
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Iain Gardner
- CERTARA UK Limited, Simcyp Division, Level 2-Acero, 1 Concourse Way, Sheffield, S1 2BJ, UK
| | - Gerhard F Ecker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Anna Forsby
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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Loser D, Schaefer J, Danker T, Möller C, Brüll M, Suciu I, Ückert AK, Klima S, Leist M, Kraushaar U. Human neuronal signaling and communication assays to assess functional neurotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:229-252. [PMID: 33269408 PMCID: PMC7811517 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of drug toxicity on the human nervous system still relies mainly on animal experiments. Here, we developed an alternative system allowing assessment of complex signaling in both individual human neurons and on the network level. The LUHMES cultures used for our approach can be cultured in 384-well plates with high reproducibility. We established here high-throughput quantification of free intracellular Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+]i as broadly applicable surrogate of neuronal activity and verified the main processes by patch clamp recordings. Initially, we characterized the expression pattern of many neuronal signaling components and selected the purinergic receptors to demonstrate the applicability of the [Ca2+]i signals for quantitative characterization of agonist and antagonist responses on classical ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors. This included receptor sub-typing and the characterization of the anti-parasitic drug suramin as modulator of the cellular response to ATP. To exemplify potential studies on ion channels, we characterized voltage-gated sodium channels and their inhibition by tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin and lidocaine, as well as their opening by the plant alkaloid veratridine and the food-relevant marine biotoxin ciguatoxin. Even broader applicability of [Ca2+]i quantification as an end point was demonstrated by measurements of dopamine transporter activity based on the membrane potential-changing activity of this neurotransmitter carrier. The substrates dopamine or amphetamine triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations that were synchronized over the entire culture dish. We identified compounds that modified these oscillations by interfering with various ion channels. Thus, this new test system allows multiple types of neuronal signaling, within and between cells, to be assessed, quantified and characterized for their potential disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Schaefer
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
- NMI TT GmbH, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Clemens Möller
- Life Sciences Faculty, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Markus Brüll
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Ilinca Suciu
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Ückert
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Stefanie Klima
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany
| | - Marcel Leist
- In Vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Constance, Germany.
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, 72770, Reutlingen, Germany
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Brüll M, Spreng AS, Gutbier S, Loser D, Krebs A, Reich M, Kraushaar U, Britschgi M, Patsch C, Leist M. Incorporation of stem cell-derived astrocytes into neuronal organoids to allow neuro-glial interactions in toxicological studies. ALTEX 2020; 37:409-428. [PMID: 32150624 DOI: 10.14573/altex.1911111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Human cell-based neural organoids are increasingly being used for investigations of neurotoxicity, and to study the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we present a fast and robust method to generate 3D cultured human dopaminergic neurons (LUHMES) for toxicity testing and long-term culture. Moreover, a plating step was introduced to allow generation of neurite networks with defined 2D orientation and several mm length, while all cell bodies (somata) remained in a 3D, dome-like structure. These cultures, named here 2.5D (for 2.5 dimensional), offer new approaches to quantify toxicant effects on organoids by standard technology and high throughput. For instance, the system reacted to the parkinsonian model toxicants MPP+, rotenone, MG-132 and the ferroptosis-inducer erastin. Moreover, stable incorporation of human stem cell-derived astrocytes or microglia was possible. Added astrocytes stabilized the post mitotic state of the LUHMES neurons and thereby allowed the formation of a stable micro-physiological system. We observed neuroprotection against the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and the ferroptosis-inducer erastin by such glia. This exemplifies the crucial protective role of astrocytes in neurodegeneration. The modularity of the system was further employed to incorporate microglia together with astrocytes into the organoids. Such ratio-defined, three cell type-based organoids will allow new approaches to study human pathophysiology and toxicology of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Brüll
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anna-Sophie Spreng
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Simon Gutbier
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Loser
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Alice Krebs
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Marvin Reich
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Udo Kraushaar
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Markus Britschgi
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Patsch
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Leist
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Dept inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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