1
|
Lin YL, Nhieu J, Lerdall T, Milbauer L, Wei CW, Lee DJ, Oh SH, Thayer S, Wei LN. A novel 3D bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system for studying functional motor units. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:168. [PMID: 37700376 PMCID: PMC10496371 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01115-2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A motor unit (MU) is formed by a single alpha motor neuron (MN) and the muscle fibers it innervates. The MU is essential for all voluntary movements. Functional deficits in the MU result in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The pathological mechanisms underlying most NMDs remain poorly understood, in part due to the lack of in vitro models that can comprehensively recapitulate multistage intercellular interactions and physiological function of the MU. RESULTS We have designed a novel three-dimensional (3D) bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system where architecturally organized MUs can form in vitro. A sequential co-culture procedure using the three cell types of a MU, MN, myoblast, and Schwann cell was designed to construct a co-differentiating tri-culture on a bilayer hydrogel matrix. We utilized a µ-molded hydrogel with an additional Matrigel layer to form the bilayer hydrogel device. The µ-molded hydrogel layer provides the topological cues for myoblast differentiation. The Matrigel layer, with embedded Schwann cells, not only separates the MNs from myoblasts but also provides a proper micro-environment for MU development. The completed model shows key MU features including an organized MU structure, myelinated nerves, aligned myotubes innervated on clustered neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), MN-driven myotube contractions, and increases in cytosolic Ca2+ upon stimulation. CONCLUSIONS This organized and functional in vitro MU model provides an opportunity to study pathological events involved in NMDs and peripheral neuropathies, and can serve as a platform for physiological and pharmacological studies such as modeling and drug screening. Technically, the rational of this 3D bilayer hydrogel co-culture system exploits multiple distinct properties of hydrogels, facilitating effective and efficient co-culturing of diverse cell types for tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Sciences and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dong Jun Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Hyun Oh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stanley Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Petri S, Grehl T, Grosskreutz J, Hecht M, Hermann A, Jesse S, Lingor P, Löscher W, Maier A, Schoser B, Weber M, Ludolph AC. Guideline "Motor neuron diseases" of the German Society of Neurology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie). Neurol Res Pract 2023; 5:25. [PMID: 37316950 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-023-00251-x] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2021, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurology published a new guideline on diagnosis and therapy of motor neuron disorders. Motor neuron disorders affect upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex and/or lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. The most frequent motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive disease with an average life expectancy of 2-4 years with a yearly incidence of 3.1/100,000 in Central Europe (Rosenbohm et al. in J Neurol 264(4):749-757, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-017-8413-3 ). It is considered a rare disease mainly due to its low prevalence as a consequence of short disease duration. RECOMMENDATIONS These guidelines comprise recommendations regarding differential diagnosis, neuroprotective therapies and multidisciplinary palliative care including management of respiration and nutrition as well as provision of assistive devices and end-of-life situations. CONCLUSION Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are necessary due the comparatively high number of cases and the aggressive disease course. Given the low prevalence and the severe impairment of patients, it is often impossible to generate evidence-based data so that ALS guidelines are partially dependent on expert opinion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Petri
- Klinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Torsten Grehl
- Neurologie, Alfried-Krupp-Krankenhaus, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Martin Hecht
- Neurologie, Bezirkskrankenhaus Kaufbeuren, Kaufbeuren, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Neurologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- ÖGN, Vienna, Austria
| | - André Maier
- Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Marcus Weber
- Muskelzentrum, Kantonspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- SNG, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abramzon Y, Dewan R, Cortese A, Resnick S, Ferrucci L, Houlden H, Traynor BJ. Investigating RFC1 expansions in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2021; 430:118061. [PMID: 34537679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.118061] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
A homozygous AAGGG repeat expansion within the RFC1 gene was recently described as a common cause of CANVAS syndrome. We examined 1069 sporadic ALS patients for the presence of this repeat expansion. We did not discover any carriers of the homozygous AAGGG expansion in our ALS cohort, indicating that this form of RFC1 repeat expansions is not a common cause of sporadic ALS. However, our study did identify a novel repeat conformation and further expanded on the highly polymorphic nature of the RFC1 locus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yevgenya Abramzon
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK.
| | - Ramita Dewan
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrea Cortese
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Susan Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK; Neurology Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Increased understanding of disease pathophysiology and advances in gene therapies and drug technologies are revolutionizing treatment of muscular dystrophies and motor neuron disorders (MNDs). New drugs have been approved for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For other diseases, new targets have been identified, and new therapies are in clinical trials. The impact of such therapies will be fully understood only in the next decades. Cost burden and accessibility are major challenges in the wide application of new drugs. This article reviews advances in gene therapies, newly approved drugs, and therapeutic promises in muscular dystrophies and MNDs.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bashford J, Mills K, Shaw C. The evolving role of surface electromyography in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:942-950. [PMID: 32044239 PMCID: PMC7083223 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that leads to inexorable motor decline and a median survival of three years from symptom onset. Surface EMG represents a major technological advance that has been harnessed in the development of novel neurophysiological biomarkers. We have systematically reviewed the current application of surface EMG techniques in ALS. METHODS We searched PubMed to identify 42 studies focusing on surface EMG and its associated analytical methods in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of ALS patients. RESULTS A wide variety of analytical techniques were identified, involving motor unit decomposition from high-density grids, motor unit number estimation and measurements of neuronal hyperexcitability or neuromuscular architecture. Some studies have proposed specific diagnostic and prognostic criteria however clinical calibration in large ALS cohorts is currently lacking. The most validated method to monitor disease is the motor unit number index (MUNIX), which has been implemented as an outcome measure in two ALS clinical trials. CONCLUSION Surface EMG offers significant practical and analytical flexibility compared to invasive techniques. To capitalise on this fully, emphasis must be placed upon the multi-disciplinary collaboration of clinicians, bioengineers, mathematicians and biostatisticians. SIGNIFICANCE Surface EMG techniques can enrich effective biomarker development in ALS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Bashford
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Motor neuron disorders (MNDs) are a clinically heterogeneous group of neurological diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons, and share some common pathological pathways. Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of these diseases, no curative treatment for MNDs exists. To better understand the pathogenesis of MNDs and to help develop new treatments, the establishment of animal models that can be studied efficiently and thoroughly is paramount. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is increasingly becoming a valuable model for studying human diseases and in screening for potential therapeutics. In this Review, we highlight recent progress in using zebrafish to study the pathology of the most common MNDs: spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). These studies indicate the power of zebrafish as a model to study the consequences of disease-related genes, because zebrafish homologues of human genes have conserved functions with respect to the aetiology of MNDs. Zebrafish also complement other animal models for the study of pathological mechanisms of MNDs and are particularly advantageous for the screening of compounds with therapeutic potential. We present an overview of their potential usefulness in MND drug discovery, which is just beginning and holds much promise for future therapeutic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunmoogum A Patten
- Department of Neuroscience, FRQS Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central and CRCHUM, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gary A B Armstrong
- Department of Neuroscience, FRQS Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central and CRCHUM, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alexandra Lissouba
- Department of Neuroscience, FRQS Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central and CRCHUM, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edor Kabashi
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, Centre de Recherche, CHU Pitié-Salpétrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - J Alex Parker
- Department of Neuroscience, FRQS Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central and CRCHUM, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Pierre Drapeau
- Department of Neuroscience, FRQS Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central and CRCHUM, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|