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Stöberl N, Donaldson J, Binda CS, McAllister B, Hall-Roberts H, Jones L, Massey TH, Allen ND. Mutant huntingtin confers cell-autonomous phenotypes on Huntington's disease iPSC-derived microglia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20477. [PMID: 37993517 PMCID: PMC10665390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46852-z] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a dominantly inherited CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene (HTT). Neuroinflammation and microglia have been implicated in HD pathology, however it has been unclear if mutant HTT (mHTT) expression has an adverse cell-autonomous effect on microglial function, or if they are only activated in response to the neurodegenerative brain environment in HD. To establish a human cell model of HD microglia function, we generated isogenic controls for HD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) with 109 CAG repeats (Q109). Q109 and isogenic Q22 iPSC, as well as non-isogenic Q60 and Q33 iPSC lines, were differentiated to iPSC-microglia. Our study supports a model of basal microglia dysfunction in HD leading to elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine production together with impaired phagocytosis and endocytosis capacity, in the absence of immune stimulation. These findings are consistent with early microglia activation observed in pre-manifest patients and indicate that mHTT gene expression affects microglia function in a cell-autonomous way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Jasmine Donaldson
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Caroline S Binda
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Branduff McAllister
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lesley Jones
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Thomas H Massey
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Stöberl N, Maguire E, Salis E, Shaw B, Hall-Roberts H. Human iPSC-derived glia models for the study of neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:231. [PMID: 37817184 PMCID: PMC10566197 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02919-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that plays a significant role in various brain disorders. Microglia and astrocytes are the key cell types involved in inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation results in increased levels of secreted inflammatory factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species. To model neuroinflammation in vitro, various human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models have been utilized, including monocultures, transfer of conditioned media between cell types, co-culturing multiple cell types, neural organoids, and xenotransplantation of cells into the mouse brain. To induce neuroinflammatory responses in vitro, several stimuli have been established that can induce responses in either microglia, astrocytes, or both. Here, we describe and critically evaluate the different types of iPSC models that can be used to study neuroinflammation and highlight how neuroinflammation has been induced and measured in these cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Elisa Salis
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Bethany Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
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Maguire E, Connor-Robson N, Shaw B, O’Donoghue R, Stöberl N, Hall-Roberts H. Assaying Microglia Functions In Vitro. Cells 2022; 11:3414. [PMID: 36359810 PMCID: PMC9654693 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the main immune modulators of the central nervous system, have key roles in both the developing and adult brain. These functions include shaping healthy neuronal networks, carrying out immune surveillance, mediating inflammatory responses, and disposing of unwanted material. A wide variety of pathological conditions present with microglia dysregulation, highlighting the importance of these cells in both normal brain function and disease. Studies into microglial function in the context of both health and disease thus have the potential to provide tremendous insight across a broad range of research areas. In vitro culture of microglia, using primary cells, cell lines, or induced pluripotent stem cell derived microglia, allows researchers to generate reproducible, robust, and quantifiable data regarding microglia function. A broad range of assays have been successfully developed and optimised for characterizing microglial morphology, mediation of inflammation, endocytosis, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and random motility, and mediation of immunometabolism. This review describes the main functions of microglia, compares existing protocols for measuring these functions in vitro, and highlights common pitfalls and future areas for development. We aim to provide a comprehensive methodological guide for researchers planning to characterise microglial functions within a range of contexts and in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
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Ruigrok SR, Yim K, Emmerzaal TL, Geenen B, Stöberl N, den Blaauwen JL, Abbink MR, Kiliaan AJ, van Schothorst EM, Kozicz T, Korosi A. Effects of early-life stress on peripheral and central mitochondria in male mice across ages. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 132:105346. [PMID: 34274734 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to early-life stress (ES) increases the vulnerability to develop metabolic diseases as well as cognitive dysfunction, but the specific biological underpinning of the ES-induced programming is unknown. Metabolic and cognitive disorders are often comorbid, suggesting possible converging underlying pathways. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in both metabolic diseases and cognitive dysfunction and chronic stress impairs mitochondrial functioning. However, if and how mitochondria are impacted by ES and whether they are implicated in the ES-induced programming remains to be determined. ES was applied by providing mice with limited nesting and bedding material from postnatal day (P)2-P9, and metabolic parameters, cognitive functions and multiple aspects of mitochondria biology (i.e. mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex activity, mitochondrial DNA copy number, expression of genes relevant for mitochondrial function, and the antioxidant capacity) were studied in muscle, hypothalamus and hippocampus at P9 and late adulthood (10-12 months of age). We show that ES altered bodyweight (gain), adiposity and glucose levels at P9, but not in late adulthood. At this age, however, ES exposure led to cognitive impairments. ES affected peripheral and central mitochondria in an age-dependent manner. At P9, both muscle and hypothalamic ETC activity were affected by ES, while in hippocampus, ES altered the expression of genes involved in fission and antioxidant defence. In adulthood, alterations in ETC complex activity were observed in the hypothalamus specifically, whereas in muscle and hippocampus ES affected the expression of genes involved in mitophagy and fission, respectively. Our study demonstrates that ES affects peripheral and central mitochondria biology throughout life, thereby uncovering a converging mechanism that might contribute to the ES-induced vulnerability for both metabolic diseases and cognitive dysfunction, which could serve as a novel target for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Ruigrok
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Yim
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T L Emmerzaal
- Department of Medical Imaging - Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - B Geenen
- Department of Medical Imaging - Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - N Stöberl
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J L den Blaauwen
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M R Abbink
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A J Kiliaan
- Department of Medical Imaging - Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E M van Schothorst
- Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University, 6700AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - T Kozicz
- Department of Medical Imaging - Anatomy, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - A Korosi
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ruigrok SR, Stöberl N, Yam KY, de Lucia C, Lucassen PJ, Thuret S, Korosi A. Modulation of the Hypothalamic Nutrient Sensing Pathways by Sex and Early-Life Stress. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:695367. [PMID: 34366778 PMCID: PMC8342927 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.695367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are sex differences in metabolic disease risk, and early-life stress (ES) increases the risk to develop such diseases, potentially in a sex-specific manner. It remains to be understood, however, how sex and ES affect such metabolic vulnerability. The hypothalamus regulates food intake and energy expenditure by sensing the organism's energy state via metabolic hormones (leptin, insulin, ghrelin) and nutrients (glucose, fatty acids). Here, we investigated if and how sex and ES alter hypothalamic nutrient sensing short and long-term. ES was induced in mice by limiting the bedding and nesting material from postnatal day (P)2-P9, and the expression of genes critical for hypothalamic nutrient sensing were studied in male and female offspring, both at P9 and in adulthood (P180). At P9, we observed a sex difference in both Ppargc1a and Lepr expression, while the latter was also increased in ES-exposed animals relative to controls. In adulthood, we found sex differences in Acacb, Agrp, and Npy expression, whereas ES did not affect the expression of genes involved in hypothalamic nutrient sensing. Thus, we observe a pervasive sex difference in nutrient sensing pathways and a targeted modulation of this pathway by ES early in life. Future research is needed to address if the modulation of these pathways by sex and ES is involved in the differential vulnerability to metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvie R. Ruigrok
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nina Stöberl
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kit-Yi Yam
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Chiara de Lucia
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sandrine Thuret
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aniko Korosi
- Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Ruigrok SR, Abbink MR, Geertsema J, Kuindersma JE, Stöberl N, van der Beek EM, Lucassen PJ, Schipper L, Korosi A. Effects of Early-Life Stress, Postnatal Diet Modulation and Long-Term Western-Style Diet on Peripheral and Central Inflammatory Markers. Nutrients 2021; 13:288. [PMID: 33498469 PMCID: PMC7909521 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress (ES) exposure increases the risk of developing obesity. Breastfeeding can markedly decrease this risk, and it is thought that the physical properties of the lipid droplets in human milk contribute to this benefit. A concept infant milk formula (IMF) has been developed that mimics these physical properties of human milk (Nuturis®, N-IMF). Previously, we have shown that N-IMF reduces, while ES increases, western-style diet (WSD)-induced fat accumulation in mice. Peripheral and central inflammation are considered to be important for obesity development. We therefore set out to test the effects of ES, Nuturis® and WSD on adipose tissue inflammatory gene expression and microglia in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. ES was induced in mice by limiting the nesting and bedding material from postnatal day (P) 2 to P9. Mice were fed a standard IMF (S-IMF) or N-IMF from P16 to P42, followed by a standard diet (STD) or WSD until P230. ES modulated adipose tissue inflammatory gene expression early in life, while N-IMF had lasting effects into adulthood. Centrally, ES led to a higher microglia density and more amoeboid microglia at P9. In adulthood, WSD increased the number of amoeboid microglia, and while ES exposure increased microglia coverage, Nuturis® reduced the numbers of amoeboid microglia upon the WSD challenge. These results highlight the impact of the early environment on central and peripheral inflammatory profiles, which may be key in the vulnerability to develop metabolic derangements later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvie R. Ruigrok
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Maralinde R. Abbink
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Jorine Geertsema
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Jesse E. Kuindersma
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Nina Stöberl
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | - Eline M. van der Beek
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
| | | | - Aniko Korosi
- Brain Plasticity Group, Center for Neuroscience, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (S.R.R.); (M.R.A.); (J.G.); (J.E.K.); (N.S.); (P.J.L.)
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Galino J, Cervellini I, Zhu N, Stöberl N, Hütte M, Fricker FR, Lee G, McDermott L, Lalli G, Bennett DLH. RalGTPases contribute to Schwann cell repair after nerve injury via regulation of process formation. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:2370-2387. [PMID: 31201266 PMCID: PMC6605803 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201811002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
RalA and RalB are involved in cell migration and membrane dynamics. This study finds that ablation of RalGTPases impairs nerve regeneration and alters Schwann cell process formation; conversely, activation of RalGTPases enhancea Schwann cell process formation, migration, and axon myelination. RalA and RalB are small GTPases that are involved in cell migration and membrane dynamics. We used transgenic mice in which one or both GTPases were genetically ablated to investigate the role of RalGTPases in the Schwann cell (SC) response to nerve injury and repair. RalGTPases were dispensable for SC function in the naive uninjured state. Ablation of both RalA and RalB (but not individually) in SCs resulted in impaired axon remyelination and target reinnervation following nerve injury, which resulted in slowed recovery of motor function. Ral GTPases were localized to the leading lamellipodia in SCs and were required for the formation and extension of both axial and radial processes of SCs. These effects were dependent on interaction with the exocyst complex and impacted on the rate of SC migration and myelination. Our results show that RalGTPases are required for efficient nerve repair by regulating SC process formation, migration, and myelination, therefore uncovering a novel role for these GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Galino
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ilaria Cervellini
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Ning Zhu
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Nina Stöberl
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Meike Hütte
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Florence R Fricker
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Garrett Lee
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy McDermott
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Giovanna Lalli
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - David L H Bennett
- The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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