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Neueder A, Kojer K, Gu Z, Wang Y, Hering T, Tabrizi S, Taanman JW, Orth M. Huntington's disease affects mitochondrial network dynamics predisposing to pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations. Brain 2024; 147:2009-2022. [PMID: 38195181 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae007] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) predominantly affects the brain, causing a mixed movement disorder, cognitive decline and behavioural abnormalities. It also causes a peripheral phenotype involving skeletal muscle. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in tissues of HD models, including skeletal muscle, and lymphoblast and fibroblast cultures from patients with HD. Mutant huntingtin protein (mutHTT) expression can impair mitochondrial quality control and accelerate mitochondrial ageing. Here, we obtained fresh human skeletal muscle, a post-mitotic tissue expressing the mutated HTT allele at physiological levels since birth, and primary cell lines from HTT CAG repeat expansion mutation carriers and matched healthy volunteers to examine whether such a mitochondrial phenotype exists in human HD. Using ultra-deep mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing, we showed an accumulation of mtDNA mutations affecting oxidative phosphorylation. Tissue proteomics indicated impairments in mtDNA maintenance with increased mitochondrial biogenesis of less efficient oxidative phosphorylation (lower complex I and IV activity). In full-length mutHTT expressing primary human cell lines, fission-inducing mitochondrial stress resulted in normal mitophagy. In contrast, expression of high levels of N-terminal mutHTT fragments promoted mitochondrial fission and resulted in slower, less dynamic mitophagy. Expression of high levels of mutHTT fragments due to somatic nuclear HTT CAG instability can thus affect mitochondrial network dynamics and mitophagy, leading to pathogenic mtDNA mutations. We show that life-long expression of mutant HTT causes a mitochondrial phenotype indicative of mtDNA instability in fresh post-mitotic human skeletal muscle. Thus, genomic instability may not be limited to nuclear DNA, where it results in somatic expansion of the HTT CAG repeat length in particularly vulnerable cells such as striatal neurons. In addition to efforts targeting the causative mutation, promoting mitochondrial health may be a complementary strategy in treating diseases with DNA instability such as HD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerstin Kojer
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Zhenglong Gu
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Yiqin Wang
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Tanja Hering
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Tabrizi
- UCL Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Jan-Willem Taanman
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Michael Orth
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
- Swiss Huntington Centre, Siloah AG, 3073 Gümligen, Switzerland
- University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bern University, CH-3000 Bern 60, Switzerland
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2
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Bou Akar R, Lama C, Aubin D, Maruotti J, Onteniente B, Esteves de Lima J, Relaix F. Generation of highly pure pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitor cells and myotubes. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:84-99. [PMID: 38101399 PMCID: PMC10828960 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.002] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Driving efficient and pure skeletal muscle cell differentiation from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has been challenging. Here, we report an optimized protocol that generates skeletal muscle progenitor cells with high efficiency and purity in a short period of time. Human induced PSCs (hiPSCs) and murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were specified into the mesodermal myogenic fate using distinct and species-specific protocols. We used a specific maturation medium to promote the terminal differentiation of both human and mouse myoblast populations, and generated myotubes associated with a large pool of cell-cycle arrested PAX7+ cells. We also show that myotube maturation is modulated by dish-coating properties, cell density, and percentage of myogenic progenitor cells. Given the high efficiency in the generation of myogenic progenitors and differentiated myofibers, this protocol provides an attractive strategy for tissue engineering, modeling of muscle dystrophies, and evaluation of new therapeutic approaches in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Bou Akar
- University Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, EnvA, EFS, AP-HP, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | - Chéryane Lama
- University Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, EnvA, EFS, AP-HP, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Frédéric Relaix
- University Paris Est Creteil, INSERM, EnvA, EFS, AP-HP, IMRB, 94010 Creteil, France.
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3
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Urzi A, Lahmann I, Nguyen LVN, Rost BR, García-Pérez A, Lelievre N, Merritt-Garza ME, Phan HC, Bassell GJ, Rossoll W, Diecke S, Kunz S, Schmitz D, Gouti M. Efficient generation of a self-organizing neuromuscular junction model from human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8043. [PMID: 38114482 PMCID: PMC10730704 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43781-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The complex neuromuscular network that controls body movements is the target of severe diseases that result in paralysis and death. Here, we report the development of a robust and efficient self-organizing neuromuscular junction (soNMJ) model from human pluripotent stem cells that can be maintained long-term in simple adherent conditions. The timely application of specific patterning signals instructs the simultaneous development and differentiation of position-specific brachial spinal neurons, skeletal muscles, and terminal Schwann cells. High-content imaging reveals self-organized bundles of aligned muscle fibers surrounded by innervating motor neurons that form functional neuromuscular junctions. Optogenetic activation and pharmacological interventions show that the spinal neurons actively instruct the synchronous skeletal muscle contraction. The generation of a soNMJ model from spinal muscular atrophy patient-specific iPSCs reveals that the number of NMJs and muscle contraction is severely affected, resembling the patient's pathology. In the future, the soNMJ model could be used for high-throughput studies in disease modeling and drug development. Thus, this model will allow us to address unmet needs in the neuromuscular disease field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Urzi
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ines Lahmann
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lan Vi N Nguyen
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Rost
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
| | - Angélica García-Pérez
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Noemie Lelievre
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Megan E Merritt-Garza
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Han C Phan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Laboratory for Translational Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Wilfried Rossoll
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sebastian Diecke
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Pluripotent Stem Cells, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Severine Kunz
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Technology Platform Electron Microscopy, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mina Gouti
- Stem Cell Modeling of Development & Disease Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125, Berlin, Germany.
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4
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Gazzola M, Martinat C. Unlocking the Complexity of Neuromuscular Diseases: Insights from Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neuromuscular Junctions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15291. [PMID: 37894969 PMCID: PMC10607237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the use of pluripotent stem cells to mimic the complexities of the human neuromuscular junction has received much attention. Deciphering the key mechanisms underlying the establishment and maturation of this complex synapse has been driven by the dual goals of addressing developmental questions and gaining insight into neuromuscular disorders. This review aims to summarise the evolution and sophistication of in vitro neuromuscular junction models developed from the first differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into motor neurons to recent neuromuscular organoids. We also discuss the potential offered by these models to decipher different neuromuscular diseases characterised by defects in the presynaptic compartment, the neuromuscular junction, and the postsynaptic compartment. Finally, we discuss the emerging field that considers the use of these techniques in drug screening assay and the challenges they will face in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Gazzola
- INSERM U861, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France;
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5
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Leng Y, Li X, Zheng F, Liu H, Wang C, Wang X, Liao Y, Liu J, Meng K, Yu J, Zhang J, Wang B, Tan Y, Liu M, Jia X, Li D, Li Y, Gu Z, Fan Y. Advances in In Vitro Models of Neuromuscular Junction: Focusing on Organ-on-a-Chip, Organoids, and Biohybrid Robotics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2211059. [PMID: 36934404 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a peripheral synaptic connection between presynaptic motor neurons and postsynaptic skeletal muscle fibers that enables muscle contraction and voluntary motor movement. Many traumatic, neurodegenerative, and neuroimmunological diseases are classically believed to mainly affect either the neuronal or the muscle side of the NMJ, and treatment options are lacking. Recent advances in novel techniques have helped develop in vitro physiological and pathophysiological models of the NMJ as well as enable precise control and evaluation of its functions. This paper reviews the recent developments in in vitro NMJ models with 2D or 3D cultures, from organ-on-a-chip and organoids to biohybrid robotics. Related derivative techniques are introduced for functional analysis of the NMJ, such as the patch-clamp technique, microelectrode arrays, calcium imaging, and stimulus methods, particularly optogenetic-mediated light stimulation, microelectrode-mediated electrical stimulation, and biochemical stimulation. Finally, the applications of the in vitro NMJ models as disease models or for drug screening related to suitable neuromuscular diseases are summarized and their future development trends and challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Leng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaorui Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Fuyin Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yulong Liao
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiangyue Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Kaiqi Meng
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiaheng Yu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Binyu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yingjun Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Meili Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoling Jia
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yinghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yubo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, and with the School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
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6
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Luzzi A, Wang F, Li S, Iacovino M, Chou TF. Skeletal muscle cell protein dysregulation highlights the pathogenesis mechanism of myopathy-associated p97/VCP R155H mutations. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1211635. [PMID: 37602234 PMCID: PMC10435852 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1211635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
p97/VCP, a hexametric member of the AAA-ATPase superfamily, has been associated with a wide range of cellular protein pathways, such as proteasomal degradation, the unfolding of polyubiquitinated proteins, and autophagosome maturation. Autosomal dominant p97/VCP mutations cause a rare hereditary multisystem disorder called IBMPFD/ALS (Inclusion Body Myopathy with Paget's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), characterized by progressive weakness and subsequent atrophy of skeletal muscles, and impacting bones and brains, such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral ALS. Among all disease-causing mutations, Arginine 155 to Histidine (R155H/+) was reported to be the most common one, affecting over 50% of IBMPFD patients, resulting in disabling muscle weakness, which might eventually be life-threatening due to cardiac and respiratory muscle involvement. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an unlimited resource of cells to study pathology's underlying molecular mechanism, perform drug screening, and investigate regeneration. Using R155H/+ patients' fibroblasts, we generated IPS cells and corrected the mutation (Histidine to Arginine, H155R) to generate isogenic control cells before differentiating them into myotubes. The further proteomic analysis allowed us to identify differentially expressed proteins associated with the R155H mutation. Our results showed that R155H/+ cells were associated with dysregulated expression of several proteins involved in skeletal muscle function, cytoskeleton organization, cell signaling, intracellular organelles organization and function, cell junction, and cell adhesion. Our findings provide molecular evidence of dysfunctional protein expression in R155H/+ myotubes and offer new therapeutic targets for treating IBMPFD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luzzi
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Feng Wang
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Shan Li
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
| | - Michelina Iacovino
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Tsui-Fen Chou
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, United States
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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7
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Massih B, Veh A, Schenke M, Mungwa S, Seeger B, Selvaraj BT, Chandran S, Reinhardt P, Sterneckert J, Hermann A, Sendtner M, Lüningschrör P. A 3D cell culture system for bioengineering human neuromuscular junctions to model ALS. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:996952. [PMID: 36866276 PMCID: PMC9973451 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.996952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The signals that coordinate and control movement in vertebrates are transmitted from motoneurons (MNs) to their target muscle cells at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Human NMJs display unique structural and physiological features, which make them vulnerable to pathological processes. NMJs are an early target in the pathology of motoneuron diseases (MND). Synaptic dysfunction and synapse elimination precede MN loss suggesting that the NMJ is the starting point of the pathophysiological cascade leading to MN death. Therefore, the study of human MNs in health and disease requires cell culture systems that enable the connection to their target muscle cells for NMJ formation. Here, we present a human neuromuscular co-culture system consisting of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs and 3D skeletal muscle tissue derived from myoblasts. We used self-microfabricated silicone dishes combined with Velcro hooks to support the formation of 3D muscle tissue in a defined extracellular matrix, which enhances NMJ function and maturity. Using a combination of immunohistochemistry, calcium imaging, and pharmacological stimulations, we characterized and confirmed the function of the 3D muscle tissue and the 3D neuromuscular co-cultures. Finally, we applied this system as an in vitro model to study the pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and found a decrease in neuromuscular coupling and muscle contraction in co-cultures with MNs harboring ALS-linked SOD1 mutation. In summary, the human 3D neuromuscular cell culture system presented here recapitulates aspects of human physiology in a controlled in vitro setting and is suitable for modeling of MND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bita Massih
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Veh
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maren Schenke
- Institute for Food Quality and Safety, Research Group Food Toxicology and Alternative/Complementary Methods to Animal Experiments, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Simon Mungwa
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bettina Seeger
- Institute for Food Quality and Safety, Research Group Food Toxicology and Alternative/Complementary Methods to Animal Experiments, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Siddharthan Chandran
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Reinhardt
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jared Sterneckert
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Lüningschrör
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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8
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Limone F, Guerra San Juan I, Mitchell JM, Smith JLM, Raghunathan K, Meyer D, Ghosh SD, Couto A, Klim JR, Joseph BJ, Gold J, Mello CJ, Nemesh J, Smith BM, Verhage M, McCarroll SA, Pietiläinen O, Nehme R, Eggan K. Efficient generation of lower induced motor neurons by coupling Ngn2 expression with developmental cues. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111896. [PMID: 36596304 PMCID: PMC10117176 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a powerful tool for disease modeling of hard-to-access tissues (such as the brain). Current protocols either direct neuronal differentiation with small molecules or use transcription-factor-mediated programming. In this study, we couple overexpression of transcription factor Neurogenin2 (Ngn2) with small molecule patterning to differentiate hPSCs into lower induced motor neurons (liMoNes/liMNs). This approach induces canonical MN markers including MN-specific Hb9/MNX1 in more than 95% of cells. liMNs resemble bona fide hPSC-derived MN, exhibit spontaneous electrical activity, express synaptic markers, and can contact muscle cells in vitro. Pooled, multiplexed single-cell RNA sequencing on 50 hPSC lines reveals reproducible populations of distinct subtypes of cervical and brachial MNs that resemble their in vivo, embryonic counterparts. Combining small molecule patterning with Ngn2 overexpression facilitates high-yield, reproducible production of disease-relevant MN subtypes, which is fundamental in propelling our knowledge of MN biology and its disruption in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Leiden University Medical Center, LUMC, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Irune Guerra San Juan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jana M Mitchell
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Janell L M Smith
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kavya Raghunathan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sulagna Dia Ghosh
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexander Couto
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Joseph R Klim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brian J Joseph
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John Gold
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Curtis J Mello
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Nemesh
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brittany M Smith
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Matthijs Verhage
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Steven A McCarroll
- Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Stanley Centre for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kevin Eggan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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9
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Strickland JB, Davis-Anderson K, Micheva-Viteva S, Twary S, Iyer R, Harris JF, Solomon EA. Optimization of Application-Driven Development of In Vitro Neuromuscular Junction Models. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2022; 28:1180-1191. [PMID: 35018825 PMCID: PMC9805869 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2021.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are specialized synapses responsible for signal transduction between motor neurons (MNs) and skeletal muscle tissue. Malfunction at this site can result from developmental disorders, toxic environmental exposures, and neurodegenerative diseases leading to severe neurological dysfunction. Exploring these conditions in human or animal subjects is restricted by ethical concerns and confounding environmental factors. Therefore, in vitro NMJ models provide exciting opportunities for advancements in tissue engineering. In the last two decades, multiple NMJ prototypes and platforms have been reported, and each model system design is strongly tied to a specific application: exploring developmental physiology, disease modeling, or high-throughput screening. Directing the differentiation of stem cells into mature MNs and/or skeletal muscle for NMJ modeling has provided critical cues to recapitulate early-stage development. Patient-derived inducible pluripotent stem cells provide a personalized approach to investigating NMJ disease, especially when disease etiology cannot be resolved down to a specific gene mutation. Having reproducible NMJ culture replicates is useful for high-throughput screening to evaluate drug toxicity and determine the impact of environmental threat exposures. Cutting-edge bioengineering techniques have propelled this field forward with innovative microfabrication and design approaches allowing both two-dimensional and three-dimensional NMJ culture models. Many of these NMJ systems require further validation for broader application by regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the general research community. In this summary, we present a comprehensive review on the current state-of-art research in NMJ models and discuss their ability to provide valuable insight into cell and tissue interactions. Impact statement In vitro neuromuscular junction (NMJ) models reveal the specialized mechanisms of communication between neurons and muscle tissue. This site can be disrupted by developmental disorders, toxic environmental exposures, or neurodegenerative diseases, which often lead to fatal outcomes and is therefore of critical importance to the medical community. Many bioengineering approaches for in vitro NMJ modeling have been designed to mimic development and disease; other approaches include in vitro NMJ models for high-throughput toxicology screening, providing a platform to limit or replace animal testing. This review describes various NMJ applications and the bioengineering advancements allowing for human NMJ characteristics to be more accurately recapitulated. While the extensive range of NMJ device structures has hindered standardization attempts, there is still a need to harmonize these devices for broader application and to continue advancing the field of NMJ modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie B. Strickland
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Katie Davis-Anderson
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Scott Twary
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Rashi Iyer
- Information System and Modeling, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Emilia A. Solomon
- Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA.,Address correspondence to: Emilia A. Solomon, PhD, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, PO Box 1663 MS M888, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
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10
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Huang Y, Gong Y, Liu Y, Lu J. Global trends and hot topics in electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle research over the past decade: A bibliometric analysis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:991099. [PMID: 36277916 PMCID: PMC9581161 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.991099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the past decade, numerous advances have been made in the research on electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle. However, the developing status and future direction of this field remain unclear. This study aims to visualize the evolution and summarize global research hot topics and trends based on quantitative and qualitative evidence from bibliometrics. Methods Literature search was based on the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2011 to 2021. CiteSpace and VOSviewer, typical bibliometric tools, were used to perform analysis and visualization. Results A total of 3,059 documents were identified. The number of literature is on the rise in general. Worldwide, researchers come primarily from North America and Europe, represented by the USA, France, Switzerland, and Canada. The Udice French Research Universities is the most published affiliation. Millet GY and Maffiuletti NA are the most prolific and the most co-cited authors, respectively. Plos One is the most popular journal, and the Journal of Applied Physiology is the top co-cited journal. The main keywords are muscle fatigue, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, spinal cord injury, tissue engineering, and atrophy. Moreover, this study systematically described the hotspots in this field. Conclusion As the first bibliometric analysis of electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle research over the past decade, this study can help scholars recognize hot topics and trends and provide a reference for further exploration in this field.
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11
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Abnormal molecular signatures of inflammation, energy metabolism, and vesicle biology in human Huntington disease peripheral tissues. Genome Biol 2022; 23:189. [PMID: 36071529 PMCID: PMC9450392 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02752-5] [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: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major challenge in neurodegenerative diseases concerns identifying biological disease signatures that track with disease progression or respond to an intervention. Several clinical trials in Huntington disease (HD), an inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disease, are currently ongoing. Therefore, we examine whether peripheral tissues can serve as a source of readily accessible biological signatures at the RNA and protein level in HD patients. RESULTS We generate large, high-quality human datasets from skeletal muscle, skin and adipose tissue to probe molecular changes in human premanifest and early manifest HD patients-those most likely involved in clinical trials. The analysis of the transcriptomics and proteomics data shows robust, stage-dependent dysregulation. Gene ontology analysis confirms the involvement of inflammation and energy metabolism in peripheral HD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we observe changes in the homeostasis of extracellular vesicles, where we find consistent changes of genes and proteins involved in this process. In-depth single nucleotide polymorphism data across the HTT gene are derived from the generated primary cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our 'omics data document the involvement of inflammation, energy metabolism, and extracellular vesicle homeostasis. This demonstrates the potential to identify biological signatures from peripheral tissues in HD suitable as biomarkers in clinical trials. The generated data, complemented by the primary cell lines established from peripheral tissues, and a large panel of iPSC lines that can serve as human models of HD are a valuable and unique resource to advance the current understanding of molecular mechanisms driving HD pathogenesis.
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12
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Vesga-Castro C, Aldazabal J, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Paredes J. Contractile force assessment methods for in vitro skeletal muscle tissues. eLife 2022; 11:e77204. [PMID: 35604384 PMCID: PMC9126583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, there has been growing interest in measuring the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues to evaluate their functionality. However, there are still no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Consequently, the high variability of published data hinders any comparison between different studies. We have identified that cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are the most commonly used configurations for CF assessment in 2D and 3D models. Additionally, we have discussed the most relevant emerging technologies that would greatly complement CF evaluation with intracellular and localized analysis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the most significant advances in CF evaluation and its critical parameters. In order to compare contractile performance across experimental platforms, we have used the specific force (sF, kN/m2), CF normalized to the calculated cross-sectional area (CSA). However, this parameter presents a high variability throughout the different studies, which indicates the need to identify additional parameters and complementary analysis suitable for proper comparison. We propose that future contractility studies in skeletal muscle constructs report detailed information about construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and, ideally, the tetanus-to-twitch ratio. These studies will hopefully shed light on the relative impact of these variables on muscle force performance of engineered muscle constructs. Prospective advances in muscle tissue engineering, particularly in muscle disease models, will require a joint effort to develop standardized methodologies for assessing CF of engineered muscle tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Vesga-Castro
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
- Group of Neurosciences, Department of Pediatrics, UPV/EHU, Hospital Donostia - IIS BiodonostiaSan SebastianSpain
| | - Javier Aldazabal
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
| | - Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi
- Group of Neurosciences, Department of Pediatrics, UPV/EHU, Hospital Donostia - IIS BiodonostiaSan SebastianSpain
- CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science, Innovation, and UniversitiesMadridSpain
| | - Jacobo Paredes
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
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13
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Bauer US, Fiskum V, Nair RR, van de Wijdeven R, Kentros C, Sandvig I, Sandvig A. Validation of Functional Connectivity of Engineered Neuromuscular Junction With Recombinant Monosynaptic Pseudotyped ΔG-Rabies Virus Tracing. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:855071. [PMID: 35669734 PMCID: PMC9163662 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.855071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Current preclinical models of neurodegenerative disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can significantly benefit from in vitro neuroengineering approaches that enable the selective study and manipulation of neurons, networks, and functional units of interest. Custom-designed compartmentalized microfluidic culture systems enable the co-culture of different relevant cell types in interconnected but fluidically isolated microenvironments. Such systems can thus be applied for ALS disease modeling, as they enable the recapitulation and study of neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) through co-culturing of motor neurons and muscle cells in separate, but interconnected compartments. These in vitro systems are particularly relevant for investigations of mechanistic aspects of the ALS pathological cascade in engineered NMJ, as progressive loss of NMJ functionality may constitute one of the hallmarks of disease related pathology at early onset, in line with the dying back hypothesis. In such models, ability to test whether motor neuron degeneration in ALS starts at the nerve terminal or at the NMJ and retrogradely progresses to the motor neuron cell body largely relies on robust methods for verification of engineered NMJ functionality. In this study, we demonstrate the functionality of engineered NMJs within a microfluidic chip with a differentially perturbable microenvironment using a designer pseudotyped ΔG-rabies virus for retrograde monosynaptic tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Stefan Bauer
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vegard Fiskum
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Rajeevkumar Raveendran Nair
- Centre for Neural Computation, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Rosanne van de Wijdeven
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Clifford Kentros
- Centre for Neural Computation, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Axel Sandvig,
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14
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Iberite F, Gruppioni E, Ricotti L. Skeletal muscle differentiation of human iPSCs meets bioengineering strategies: perspectives and challenges. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:23. [PMID: 35393412 PMCID: PMC8991236 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although skeletal muscle repairs itself following small injuries, genetic diseases or severe damages may hamper its ability to do so. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can generate myogenic progenitors, but their use in combination with bioengineering strategies to modulate their phenotype has not been sufficiently investigated. This review highlights the potential of this combination aimed at pushing the boundaries of skeletal muscle tissue engineering. First, the overall organization and the key steps in the myogenic process occurring in vivo are described. Second, transgenic and non-transgenic approaches for the myogenic induction of human iPSCs are compared. Third, technologies to provide cells with biophysical stimuli, biomaterial cues, and biofabrication strategies are discussed in terms of recreating a biomimetic environment and thus helping to engineer a myogenic phenotype. The embryonic development process and the pro-myogenic role of the muscle-resident cell populations in co-cultures are also described, highlighting the possible clinical applications of iPSCs in the skeletal muscle tissue engineering field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Iberite
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127, Pisa (PI), Italy. .,Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127, Pisa (PI), Italy.
| | - Emanuele Gruppioni
- Centro Protesi INAIL, Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, 40054, Vigorso di Budrio (BO), Italy
| | - Leonardo Ricotti
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127, Pisa (PI), Italy.,Department of Excellence in Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, 56127, Pisa (PI), Italy
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15
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Lynch E, Peek E, Reilly M, FitzGibbons C, Robertson S, Suzuki M. Current Progress in the Creation, Characterization, and Application of Human Stem Cell-derived in Vitro Neuromuscular Junction Models. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:768-780. [PMID: 34212303 PMCID: PMC8720113 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are of great value for studying developmental processes, disease modeling, and drug testing. One area in which the use of human PSCs has become of great interest in recent years is for in vitro models of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ is a synapse at which a motor neuron releases acetylcholine to bind to skeletal muscle and stimulate contraction. Degeneration of the NMJ and subsequent loss of muscle function is a common feature of many neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In order to develop new therapies for patients with neuromuscular diseases, it is essential to understand mechanisms taking place at the NMJ. However, we have limited ability to study the NMJ in living human patients, and animal models are limited by physiological relevance. Therefore, an in vitro model of the NMJ consisting of human cells is of great value. The use of stem cells for in vitro NMJ models is still in progress and requires further optimization in order to yield reliable, reproducible results. The objective of this review is (1) to outline the current progress towards fully PSC-derived in vitro co-culture models of the human NMJ and (2) to discuss future directions and challenges that must be overcome in order to create reproducible fully PSC-derived models that can be used for developmental studies, disease modeling, and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Lynch
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Emma Peek
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Megan Reilly
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Claire FitzGibbons
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samantha Robertson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Masatoshi Suzuki
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA,Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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16
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Hines TJ, Lutz C, Murray SA, Burgess RW. An Integrated Approach to Studying Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Using Animal and Human Cell-Based Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:801819. [PMID: 35047510 PMCID: PMC8762301 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.801819] [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: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As sequencing technology improves, the identification of new disease-associated genes and new alleles of known genes is rapidly increasing our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of rare diseases, including neuromuscular diseases. However, precisely because these disorders are rare and often heterogeneous, they are difficult to study in patient populations. In parallel, our ability to engineer the genomes of model organisms, such as mice or rats, has gotten increasingly efficient through techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, allowing the creation of precision human disease models. Such in vivo model systems provide an efficient means for exploring disease mechanisms and identifying therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, animal models provide a platform for preclinical studies to test the efficacy of those strategies. Determining whether the same mechanisms are involved in the human disease and confirming relevant parameters for treatment ideally involves a human experimental system. One system currently being used is induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can then be differentiated into the relevant cell type(s) for in vitro confirmation of disease mechanisms and variables such as target engagement. Here we provide a demonstration of these approaches using the example of tRNA-synthetase-associated inherited peripheral neuropathies, rare forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Mouse models have led to a better understanding of both the genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying the disease. To determine if the mechanisms are similar in human cells, we will use genetically engineered iPSC-based models. This will allow comparisons of different CMT-associated GARS alleles in the same genetic background, reducing the variability found between patient samples and simplifying the availability of cell-based models for a rare disease. The necessity of integrating mouse and human models, strategies for accomplishing this integration, and the challenges of doing it at scale are discussed using recently published work detailing the cellular mechanisms underlying GARS-associated CMT as a framework.
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17
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Fralish Z, Lotz EM, Chavez T, Khodabukus A, Bursac N. Neuromuscular Development and Disease: Learning From in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:764732. [PMID: 34778273 PMCID: PMC8579029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.764732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized cholinergic synaptic interface between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber that translates presynaptic electrical impulses into motor function. NMJ formation and maintenance require tightly regulated signaling and cellular communication among motor neurons, myogenic cells, and Schwann cells. Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) can result in loss of NMJ function and motor input leading to paralysis or even death. Although small animal models have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the NMJ structure and function, the complexities of studying this multi-tissue system in vivo and poor clinical outcomes of candidate therapies developed in small animal models has driven the need for in vitro models of functional human NMJ to complement animal studies. In this review, we discuss prevailing models of NMDs and highlight the current progress and ongoing challenges in developing human iPSC-derived (hiPSC) 3D cell culture models of functional NMJs. We first review in vivo development of motor neurons, skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the NMJ alongside current methods for directing the differentiation of relevant cell types from hiPSCs. We further compare the efficacy of modeling NMDs in animals and human cell culture systems in the context of five NMDs: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and Pompe disease. Finally, we discuss further work necessary for hiPSC-derived NMJ models to function as effective personalized NMD platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ethan M Lotz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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18
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Yan L, Rodríguez-delaRosa A, Pourquié O. Human muscle production in vitro from pluripotent stem cells: Basic and clinical applications. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 119:39-48. [PMID: 33941447 PMCID: PMC8530835 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types, offer tremendous therapeutic potential and invaluable flexibility as research tools. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in directing myogenic differentiation of human PSCs. The differentiation strategies, which were inspired by our knowledge of myogenesis in vivo, have provided an important platform for the study of human muscle development and modeling of muscular diseases, as well as a promising source of cells for cell therapy to treat muscular dystrophies. In this review, we summarize the current state of skeletal muscle generation from human PSCs, including transgene-based and transgene-free differentiation protocols, and 3D muscle tissue production through bioengineering approaches. We also highlight their basic and clinical applications, which facilitate the study of human muscle biology and deliver new hope for muscular disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yan
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alejandra Rodríguez-delaRosa
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Pourquié
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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19
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Luttrell SM, Smith AST, Mack DL. Creating stem cell-derived neuromuscular junctions in vitro. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:388-403. [PMID: 34328673 PMCID: PMC9292444 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent development of novel therapies has improved mobility and quality of life for people suffering from inheritable neuromuscular disorders. Despite this progress, the majority of neuromuscular disorders are still incurable, in part due to a lack of predictive models of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) breakdown. Improvement of predictive models of a human NMJ would be transformative in terms of expanding our understanding of the mechanisms that underpin development, maintenance, and disease, and as a testbed with which to evaluate novel therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are emerging as a clinically relevant and non‐invasive cell source to create human NMJs to study synaptic development and maturation, as well as disease modeling and drug discovery. This review will highlight the recent advances and remaining challenges to generating an NMJ capable of eliciting contraction of stem cell‐derived skeletal muscle in vitro. We explore the advantages and shortcomings of traditional NMJ culturing platforms, as well as the pioneering technologies and novel, biomimetic culturing systems currently in use to guide development and maturation of the neuromuscular synapse and extracellular microenvironment. Then, we will explore how this NMJ‐in‐a‐dish can be used to study normal assembly and function of the efferent portion of the neuromuscular arc, and how neuromuscular disease‐causing mutations disrupt structure, signaling, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Luttrell
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alec S T Smith
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David L Mack
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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20
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Azar J, Bahmad HF, Daher D, Moubarak MM, Hadadeh O, Monzer A, Al Bitar S, Jamal M, Al-Sayegh M, Abou-Kheir W. The Use of Stem Cell-Derived Organoids in Disease Modeling: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7667. [PMID: 34299287 PMCID: PMC8303386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids represent one of the most important advancements in the field of stem cells during the past decade. They are three-dimensional in vitro culturing models that originate from self-organizing stem cells and can mimic the in vivo structural and functional specificities of body organs. Organoids have been established from multiple adult tissues as well as pluripotent stem cells and have recently become a powerful tool for studying development and diseases in vitro, drug screening, and host-microbe interaction. The use of stem cells-that have self-renewal capacity to proliferate and differentiate into specialized cell types-for organoids culturing represents a major advancement in biomedical research. Indeed, this new technology has a great potential to be used in a multitude of fields, including cancer research, hereditary and infectious diseases. Nevertheless, organoid culturing is still rife with many challenges, not limited to being costly and time consuming, having variable rates of efficiency in generation and maintenance, genetic stability, and clinical applications. In this review, we aim to provide a synopsis of pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids and their use for disease modeling and other clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Azar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Hisham F. Bahmad
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
- Arkadi M. Rywlin M.D. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA
| | - Darine Daher
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Maya M. Moubarak
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Ola Hadadeh
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Alissar Monzer
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Samar Al Bitar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Mohamed Jamal
- Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai 66566, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Al-Sayegh
- Biology Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 2460, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon; (J.A.); (H.F.B.); (D.D.); (M.M.M.); (O.H.); (A.M.); (S.A.B.)
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21
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Rimington RP, Fleming JW, Capel AJ, Wheeler PC, Lewis MP. Bioengineered model of the human motor unit with physiologically functional neuromuscular junctions. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11695. [PMID: 34083648 PMCID: PMC8175425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91203-5] [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: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations of the human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) have predominately utilised experimental animals, model organisms, or monolayer cell cultures that fail to represent the physiological complexity of the synapse. Consequently, there remains a paucity of data regarding the development of the human NMJ and a lack of systems that enable investigation of the motor unit. This work addresses this need, providing the methodologies to bioengineer 3D models of the human motor unit. Spheroid culture of iPSC derived motor neuron progenitors augmented the transcription of OLIG2, ISLET1 and SMI32 motor neuron mRNAs ~ 400, ~ 150 and ~ 200-fold respectively compared to monolayer equivalents. Axon projections of adhered spheroids exceeded 1000 μm in monolayer, with transcription of SMI32 and VACHT mRNAs further enhanced by addition to 3D extracellular matrices in a type I collagen concentration dependent manner. Bioengineered skeletal muscles produced functional tetanic and twitch profiles, demonstrated increased acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering and transcription of MUSK and LRP4 mRNAs, indicating enhanced organisation of the post-synaptic membrane. The number of motor neuron spheroids, or motor pool, required to functionally innervate 3D muscle tissues was then determined, generating functional human NMJs that evidence pre- and post-synaptic membrane and motor nerve axon co-localisation. Spontaneous firing was significantly elevated in 3D motor units, confirmed to be driven by the motor nerve via antagonistic inhibition of the AChR. Functional analysis outlined decreased time to peak twitch and half relaxation times, indicating enhanced physiology of excitation contraction coupling in innervated motor units. Our findings provide the methods to maximise the maturity of both iPSC motor neurons and primary human skeletal muscle, utilising cell type specific extracellular matrices and developmental timelines to bioengineer the human motor unit for the study of neuromuscular junction physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan P. Rimington
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Jacob W. Fleming
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Andrew J. Capel
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Patrick C. Wheeler
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
| | - Mark P. Lewis
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU Leicestershire UK
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22
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Lim H, Choi IY, Hyun SH, Kim H, Lee G. Approaches to characterize the transcriptional trajectory of human myogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4221-4234. [PMID: 33590269 PMCID: PMC11072395 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have attracted considerable interest in understanding the cellular fate determination processes and modeling a number of intractable diseases. In vitro generation of skeletal muscle tissues using hPSCs provides an essential model to identify the molecular functions and gene regulatory networks controlling the differentiation of skeletal muscle progenitor cells. Such a genetic roadmap is not only beneficial to understanding human myogenesis but also to decipher the molecular pathology of many skeletal muscle diseases. The combination of established human in vitro myogenesis protocols and newly developed molecular profiling techniques offers extensive insight into the molecular signatures for the development of normal and disease human skeletal muscle tissues. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current progress of in vitro skeletal muscle generation from hPSCs and relevant examples of the transcriptional landscape and disease-related transcriptional aberrations involving signaling pathways during the development of skeletal muscle cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- HoTae Lim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
- School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - In Young Choi
- School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
- School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Hyesoo Kim
- School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gabsang Lee
- School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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23
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Stoklund Dittlau K, Krasnow EN, Fumagalli L, Vandoorne T, Baatsen P, Kerstens A, Giacomazzi G, Pavie B, Rossaert E, Beckers J, Sampaolesi M, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L. Human motor units in microfluidic devices are impaired by FUS mutations and improved by HDAC6 inhibition. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2213-2227. [PMID: 33891869 PMCID: PMC8452598 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) ensure communication between motor neurons (MNs) and muscle; however, in MN disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), NMJs degenerate resulting in muscle atrophy. The aim of this study was to establish a versatile and reproducible in vitro model of a human motor unit to investigate the effects of ALS-causing mutations. Therefore, we generated a co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MNs and human primary mesoangioblast-derived myotubes in microfluidic devices. A chemotactic and volumetric gradient facilitated the growth of MN neurites through microgrooves resulting in the interaction with myotubes and the formation of NMJs. We observed that ALS-causing FUS mutations resulted in reduced neurite outgrowth as well as an impaired neurite regrowth upon axotomy. NMJ numbers were likewise reduced in the FUS-ALS model. Interestingly, the selective HDAC6 inhibitor, Tubastatin A, improved the neurite outgrowth, regrowth, and NMJ morphology, prompting HDAC6 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS. Human motor units with functional NMJs can be generated using microfluidic devices FUS-ALS motor units display impaired neurite regrowth, outgrowth and NMJ numbers HDAC6 inhibition alleviate FUS-ALS motor unit pathology in vitro
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Stoklund Dittlau
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emily N Krasnow
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Fumagalli
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tijs Vandoorne
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Baatsen
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Axelle Kerstens
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Giacomazzi
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Pavie
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Research Group Molecular Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven - University of Leuven, VIB Bio Imaging Core, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Elisabeth Rossaert
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jimmy Beckers
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium; University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology, and Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium; VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium.
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24
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Cappella M, Elouej S, Biferi MG. The Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Test Gene Therapy Approaches for Neuromuscular and Motor Neuron Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662837. [PMID: 33937264 PMCID: PMC8080375 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a major advance for the development of human disease models. The emerging of this technique fostered the concept of "disease in a dish," which consists into the generation of patient-specific models in vitro. Currently, iPSCs are used to study pathological molecular mechanisms caused by genetic mutations and they are considered a reliable model for high-throughput drug screenings. Importantly, precision-medicine approaches to treat monogenic disorders exploit iPSCs potential for the selection and validation of lead candidates. For example, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were tested with promising results in myoblasts or motor neurons differentiated from iPSCs of patients affected by either Duchenne muscular dystrophy or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the use of iPSCs needs additional optimization to ensure translational success of the innovative strategies based on gene delivery through adeno associated viral vectors (AAV) for these diseases. Indeed, to establish an efficient transduction of iPSCs with AAV, several aspects should be optimized, including viral vector serotype, viral concentration and timing of transduction. This review will outline the use of iPSCs as a model for the development and testing of gene therapies for neuromuscular and motor neuron disorders. It will then discuss the advantages for the use of this versatile tool for gene therapy, along with the challenges associated with the viral vector transduction of iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Cappella
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Sahar Elouej
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, Paris, France
| | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne University, INSERM, Institute of Myology, Center of Research in Myology, Paris, France
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25
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Khodabukus A. Tissue-Engineered Skeletal Muscle Models to Study Muscle Function, Plasticity, and Disease. Front Physiol 2021; 12:619710. [PMID: 33716768 PMCID: PMC7952620 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.619710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle possesses remarkable plasticity that permits functional adaptations to a wide range of signals such as motor input, exercise, and disease. Small animal models have been pivotal in elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle adaptation and plasticity. However, these small animal models fail to accurately model human muscle disease resulting in poor clinical success of therapies. Here, we review the potential of in vitro three-dimensional tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models to study muscle function, plasticity, and disease. First, we discuss the generation and function of in vitro skeletal muscle models. We then discuss the genetic, neural, and hormonal factors regulating skeletal muscle fiber-type in vivo and the ability of current in vitro models to study muscle fiber-type regulation. We also evaluate the potential of these systems to be utilized in a patient-specific manner to accurately model and gain novel insights into diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and volumetric muscle loss. We conclude with a discussion on future developments required for tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models to become more mature, biomimetic, and widely utilized for studying muscle physiology, disease, and clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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26
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de Jongh R, Spijkers XM, Pasteuning-Vuhman S, Vulto P, Pasterkamp RJ. Neuromuscular junction-on-a-chip: ALS disease modeling and read-out development in microfluidic devices. J Neurochem 2021; 157:393-412. [PMID: 33382092 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons with no cure available. Clinical and animal studies reveal that the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a synaptic connection between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, is highly vulnerable in ALS and suggest that NMJ defects may occur at the early stages of the disease. However, mechanistic insight into how NMJ dysfunction relates to the onset and progression of ALS is incomplete, which hampers therapy development. This is, in part, caused by a lack of robust in vitro models. The ability to combine microfluidic and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies has opened up new avenues for studying molecular and cellular ALS phenotypes in vitro. Microfluidic devices offer several advantages over traditional culture approaches when modeling the NMJ, such as the spatial separation of different cell types and increased control over the cellular microenvironment. Moreover, they are compatible with 3D cell culture, which enhances NMJ functionality and maturity. Here, we review how microfluidic technology is currently being employed to develop more reliable in vitro NMJ models. To validate and phenotype such models, various morphological and functional read-outs have been developed. We describe and discuss the relevance of these read-outs and specifically illustrate how these read-outs have enhanced our understanding of NMJ pathology in ALS. Finally, we share our view on potential future directions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rianne de Jongh
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Xandor M Spijkers
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Svetlana Pasteuning-Vuhman
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Vulto
- Mimetas B.V., Organ-on-a-chip Company, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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27
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Marshall KL, Farah MH. Axonal regeneration and sprouting as a potential therapeutic target for nervous system disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1901-1910. [PMID: 33642358 PMCID: PMC8343323 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.308077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous system disorders are prevalent health issues that will only continue to increase in frequency as the population ages. Dying-back axonopathy is a hallmark of many neurologic diseases and leads to axonal disconnection from their targets, which in turn leads to functional impairment. During the course of many of neurologic diseases, axons can regenerate or sprout in an attempt to reconnect with the target and restore synapse function. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), distal motor axons retract from neuromuscular junctions early in the disease-course before significant motor neuron death. There is evidence of compensatory motor axon sprouting and reinnervation of neuromuscular junctions in ALS that is usually quickly overtaken by the disease course. Potential drugs that enhance compensatory sprouting and encourage reinnervation may slow symptom progression and retain muscle function for a longer period of time in ALS and in other diseases that exhibit dying-back axonopathy. There remain many outstanding questions as to the impact of distinct disease-causing mutations on axonal outgrowth and regeneration, especially in regards to motor neurons derived from patient induced pluripotent stem cells. Compartmentalized microfluidic chambers are powerful tools for studying the distal axons of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived motor neurons, and have recently been used to demonstrate striking regeneration defects in human motor neurons harboring ALS disease-causing mutations. Modeling the human neuromuscular circuit with human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived motor neurons will be critical for developing drugs that enhance axonal regeneration, sprouting, and reinnervation of neuromuscular junctions. In this review we will discuss compensatory axonal sprouting as a potential therapeutic target for ALS, and the use of compartmentalized microfluidic devices to find drugs that enhance regeneration and axonal sprouting of motor axons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohamed H Farah
- Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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28
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Barbeau S, Tahraoui-Bories J, Legay C, Martinat C. Building neuromuscular junctions in vitro. Development 2020; 147:147/22/dev193920. [PMID: 33199350 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has been the model of choice to understand the principles of communication at chemical synapses. Following groundbreaking experiments carried out over 60 years ago, many studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and physiology of these synapses. This Review summarizes the progress made to date towards obtaining faithful models of NMJs in vitro We provide a historical approach discussing initial experiments investigating NMJ development and function from Xenopus to mice, the creation of chimeric co-cultures, in vivo approaches and co-culture methods from ex vivo and in vitro derived cells, as well as the most recent developments to generate human NMJs. We discuss the benefits of these techniques and the challenges to be addressed in the future for promoting our understanding of development and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susie Barbeau
- Université de Paris, CNRS, SPPIN - Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Julie Tahraoui-Bories
- INSERM/UEPS UMR 861, Paris Saclay Université, I-STEM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Claire Legay
- Université de Paris, CNRS, SPPIN - Saints-Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences, F-75006 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- INSERM/UEPS UMR 861, Paris Saclay Université, I-STEM, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
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29
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Guo X, Smith V, Jackson M, Tran M, Thomas M, Patel A, Lorusso E, Nimbalkar S, Cai Y, McAleer CW, Wang Y, Long CJ, Hickman JJ. A Human-Based Functional NMJ System for Personalized ALS Modeling and Drug Testing. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020; 3:2000133. [PMID: 33709015 PMCID: PMC7942691 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Loss of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an early and critical hallmark in all forms of ALS. The study design was to develop a functional NMJ disease model by integrating motoneurons (MNs) differentiated from multiple ALS-patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary human muscle into a chambered system. NMJ functionality was tested by recording myotube contractions while stimulating MNs by field electrodes and a set of clinically relevant parameters were defined to characterize the NMJ function. Three ALS lines were analyzed, 2 with SOD1 mutations and 1 with a FUS mutation. The ALS-MNs reproduced pathological phenotypes, including increased axonal varicosities, reduced axonal branching and elongation and increased excitability. These MNs formed functional NMJs with wild type muscle, but with significant deficits in NMJ quantity, fidelity and fatigue index. Furthermore, treatment with the Deana protocol was found to correct the NMJ deficits in all the ALS mutant lines tested. Quantitative analysis also revealed the variations inherent in each mutant lines. This functional NMJ system provides a platform for the study of both fALS and sALS and has the capability of being adapted into subtype-specific or patient-specific models for ALS etiological investigation and patient stratification for drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Virginia Smith
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Max Jackson
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - My Tran
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Michael Thomas
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Aakash Patel
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Eric Lorusso
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Siddharth Nimbalkar
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Yunqing Cai
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Christopher W. McAleer
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 305 Weill Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Christopher J. Long
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - James J. Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
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30
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Guo X, Badu-Mensah A, Thomas MC, McAleer CW, Hickman JJ. Characterization of Functional Human Skeletal Myotubes and Neuromuscular Junction Derived-From the Same Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Source. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:E133. [PMID: 33105732 PMCID: PMC7712960 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7040133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro generation of functional neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) utilizing the same induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) source for muscle and motoneurons would be of great value for disease modeling and tissue engineering. Although, differentiation and characterization of iPSC-derived motoneurons are well established, and iPSC-derived skeletal muscle (iPSC-SKM) has been reported, there is a general lack of systemic and functional characterization of the iPSC-SKM. This study performed a systematic characterization of iPSC-SKM differentiated using a serum-free, small molecule-directed protocol. Morphologically, the iPSC-SKM demonstrated the expression and appropriate distribution of acetylcholine, ryanodine and dihydropyridine receptors. Fiber type analysis revealed a mixture of human fast (Type IIX, IIA) and slow (Type I) muscle types and the absence of animal Type IIB fibers. Functionally, the iPSC-SKMs contracted synchronously upon electrical stimulation, with the contraction force comparable to myofibers derived from primary myoblasts. Most importantly, when co-cultured with human iPSC-derived motoneurons from the same iPSC source, the myofibers contracted in response to motoneuron stimulation indicating the formation of functional NMJs. By demonstrating comparable structural and functional capacity to primary myoblast-derived myofibers, this defined, iPSC-SKM system, as well as the personal NMJ system, has applications for patient-specific drug testing and investigation of muscle physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Guo
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
| | - Agnes Badu-Mensah
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
| | - Michael C. Thomas
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
| | | | - James J. Hickman
- NanoScience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826, USA; (X.G.); (A.B.-M.); (M.C.T.)
- Biomolecular Science Center, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
- Hesperos Inc., 12501 Research Pkwy, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32826, USA;
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31
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Castellanos-Montiel MJ, Velasco I, Escobedo-Avila I. Modeling the neuromuscular junction in vitro: an approach to study neuromuscular junction disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1488:3-15. [PMID: 33040338 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized structure that works as an interface to translate the action potential of the presynaptic motor neuron (MN) in the contraction of the postsynaptic myofiber. The design of appropriate experimental models is essential to have efficient and reliable approaches to study NMJ development and function, but also to generate conditions that recapitulate distinct features of diseases. Initial studies relied on the use of tissue slices maintained under the same environment and in which single motor axons were difficult to trace. Later, MNs and muscle cells were obtained from primary cultures or differentiation of progenitors and cocultured as monolayers; however, the tissue architecture was lost. Current approaches include self-assembling 3D structures or the incorporation of biomaterials with cells to generate engineered tissues, although the incorporation of Schwann cells remains a challenge. Thus, numerous investigations have established different NMJ models, some of which are quite complex and challenging. Our review summarizes the in vitro models that have emerged in recent years to coculture MNs and skeletal muscle, trying to mimic the healthy and diseased NMJ. We expect our review may serve as a reference for choosing the appropriate experimental model for the required purposes of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Castellanos-Montiel
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Itzel Escobedo-Avila
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular-Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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32
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Saini J, Faroni A, Reid AJ, Mamchaoui K, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Lightfoot AP, McPhee JS, Degens H, Al-Shanti N. A Novel Bioengineered Functional Motor Unit Platform to Study Neuromuscular Interaction. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103238. [PMID: 33050427 PMCID: PMC7599749 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In many neurodegenerative and muscular disorders, and loss of innervation in sarcopenia, improper reinnervation of muscle and dysfunction of the motor unit (MU) are key pathogenic features. In vivo studies of MUs are constrained due to difficulties isolating and extracting functional MUs, so there is a need for a simplified and reproducible system of engineered in vitro MUs. Objective: to develop and characterise a functional MU model in vitro, permitting the analysis of MU development and function. Methods: an immortalised human myoblast cell line was co-cultured with rat embryo spinal cord explants in a serum-free/growth fact media. MUs developed and the morphology of their components (neuromuscular junction (NMJ), myotubes and motor neurons) were characterised using immunocytochemistry, phase contrast and confocal microscopy. The function of the MU was evaluated through live observations and videography of spontaneous myotube contractions after challenge with cholinergic antagonists and glutamatergic agonists. Results: blocking acetylcholine receptors with α-bungarotoxin resulted in complete, cessation of myotube contractions, which was reversible with tubocurarine. Furthermore, myotube activity was significantly higher with the application of L-glutamic acid. All these observations indicate the formed MU are functional. Conclusion: a functional nerve-muscle co-culture model was established that has potential for drug screening and pathophysiological studies of neuromuscular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep Saini
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
| | - Alessandro Faroni
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK; (A.F.); (A.J.R.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Adam J. Reid
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, UK; (A.F.); (A.J.R.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Gillian Butler-Browne
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, 75013 Paris, France; (K.M.); (V.M.); (G.B.-B.)
| | - Adam P. Lightfoot
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
| | - Jamie S. McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK;
| | - Hans Degens
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
- Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK; (J.S.); (A.P.L.); (H.D.)
- Correspondence:
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33
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Besser RR, Bowles AC, Alassaf A, Carbonero D, Maciel R, Saporta M, Agarwal A. A Chemically Defined Common Medium for Culture of C2C12 Skeletal Muscle and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Spinal Spheroids. Cell Mol Bioeng 2020; 13:605-619. [PMID: 33281990 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Multicellular platforms and linked multi organ on chip devices are powerful tools for drug discovery, and basic mechanistic studies. Often, a critical constraint is defining a culture medium optimal for all cells present in the system. In this study, we focused on the key cells of the neuromuscular junction i.e., skeletal muscle and motor neurons. Methods Formulation of a chemically defined medium for the co-culture of C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived spinal spheroids (SpS) was optimized. C2C12 cells in 10 experimental media conditions and 2 topographies were evaluated over a 14-day maturation period to determine the ideal medium formulation for skeletal muscle tissue development. Results During early maturation, overexpression of genes for myogenesis and myopathy was observed for several media conditions, corresponding to muscle delamination and death. Together, we identified 3 media formulations that allowed for more controlled differentiation, healthier muscle tissue, and long-term culture duration. This evidence was then used to select media formulations to culture SpS and subsequently assessed axonal growth. As axonal growth in SpS cultures was comparable in all selected media conditions, our data suggest that the neuronal basal medium with no added supplements is the ideal medium formulation for both cell types. Conclusions Optimization using both topographical cues and culture media formulations provides a comprehensive analyses of culture conditions that are vital to future applications for in vitro NMJ models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Besser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Annie C Bowles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Ahmad Alassaf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA.,Department of Medical Equipment Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952 Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel Carbonero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
| | - Renata Maciel
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Suite 1310, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Mario Saporta
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1120 NW 14th St, Suite 1310, Miami, FL 33136 USA
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, DJTMF Biomedical Nanotechnology Institute, University of Miami, 1251 Memorial Dr, MEA 203, Coral Gables, FL 33146 USA
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34
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Mohamed NV, Larroquette F, Beitel LK, Fon EA, Durcan TM. One Step Into the Future: New iPSC Tools to Advance Research in Parkinson's Disease and Neurological Disorders. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2020; 9:265-281. [PMID: 30741685 PMCID: PMC6597965 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-181515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Studying Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the laboratory presents many challenges, the main one being the limited availability of human cells and tissue from affected individuals. As PD is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the brain, it is nearly impossible for researchers to access and extract these cells from living patients. Thus, in the past PD research has focused on the use of patients’ post-mortem tissues, animal models, or immortalized cell lines to dissect cellular pathways of interest. While these strategies deepened our knowledge of pathological mechanisms in PD, they failed to faithfully capture key mechanisms at play in the human brain. The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is revolutionizing PD research, as it allows for the differentiation and growth of human DA neurons in vitro, holding immense potential not only for modelling PD, but also for identifying novel therapies. However, to reproduce the complexity of the brain’s environment, researchers are recognizing the need to further develop and refine iPSC-based tools. In this review, we provide an overview of different systems now available for the study of PD, with a particular emphasis on the potential and limitations of iPSC as research tools to generate more relevant models of PD pathophysiology and advance the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen-Vi Mohamed
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédérique Larroquette
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lenore K Beitel
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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35
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Sharma A, Sances S, Workman MJ, Svendsen CN. Multi-lineage Human iPSC-Derived Platforms for Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 26:309-329. [PMID: 32142662 PMCID: PMC7159985 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a powerful platform for disease modeling and have unlocked new possibilities for understanding the mechanisms governing human biology, physiology, and genetics. However, hiPSC-derivatives have traditionally been utilized in two-dimensional monocultures, in contrast to the multi-systemic interactions that influence cells in the body. We will discuss recent advances in generating more complex hiPSC-based systems using three-dimensional organoids, tissue-engineering, microfluidic organ-chips, and humanized animal systems. While hiPSC differentiation still requires optimization, these next-generation multi-lineage technologies can augment the biomedical researcher's toolkit and enable more realistic models of human tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Sharma
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Samuel Sances
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Michael J Workman
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Clive N Svendsen
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
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36
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Vila OF, Qu Y, Vunjak-Novakovic G. In vitro models of neuromuscular junctions and their potential for novel drug discovery and development. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:307-317. [PMID: 31846349 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1700225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Neuromuscular Junctions (NMJs) are the synapses between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers, and they are responsible for voluntary motor function. NMJs are affected at early stages of numerous neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological diseases. Due to the difficulty of systematically studying and manipulating NMJs in live subjects, in vitro systems with human tissue models would provide a powerful complement to simple cell cultures and animal models for mechanistic and drug development studies.Areas covered: The authors review the latest advances in in vitro models of NMJs, from traditional cell co-culture systems to novel tissue culture approaches, with focus on disease modeling and drug testing.Expert opinion: In recent years, more sophisticated in vitro models of human NMJs have been established. The combination of human stem cell technology with advanced tissue culture systems has resulted in systems that better recapitulate the human NMJ structure and function, and thereby allow for high-throughput quantitative functional measurements under both healthy and diseased conditions. Although they still have limitations, these advanced systems are increasingly demonstrating their utility for evaluating new therapies for motoneuron and autoimmune neuromuscular diseases, and we expect them to become an integral part of the drug discovery process in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaia F Vila
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yihuai Qu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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37
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A customizable microfluidic platform for medium-throughput modeling of neuromuscular circuits. Biomaterials 2019; 225:119537. [PMID: 31614290 PMCID: PMC7294901 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuromuscular circuits (NMCs) are vital for voluntary movement, and effective models of NMCs are needed to understand the pathogenesis of, as well as to identify effective treatments for, multiple diseases, including Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Microfluidics are ideal for recapitulating the central and peripheral compartments of NMCs, but myotubes often detach before functional NMCs are formed. In addition, microfluidic systems are often limited to a single experimental unit, which significantly limits their application in disease modeling and drug discovery. Here, we developed a microfluidic platform (MFP) containing over 100 experimental units, making it suitable for medium-throughput applications. To overcome detachment, we incorporated a reactive polymer surface allowing customization of the environment to culture different cell types. Using this approach, we identified conditions that enable long-term co-culture of human motor neurons and myotubes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells inside our MFP. Optogenetics demonstrated the formation of functional NMCs. Furthermore, we developed a novel application of the rabies tracing assay to efficiently identify NMCs in our MFP. Therefore, our MFP enables large-scale generation and quantification of functional NMCs for disease modeling and pharmacological drug targeting.
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38
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Picchiarelli G, Demestre M, Zuko A, Been M, Higelin J, Dieterlé S, Goy MA, Mallik M, Sellier C, Scekic-Zahirovic J, Zhang L, Rosenbohm A, Sijlmans C, Aly A, Mersmann S, Sanjuan-Ruiz I, Hübers A, Messaddeq N, Wagner M, van Bakel N, Boutillier AL, Ludolph A, Lagier-Tourenne C, Boeckers TM, Dupuis L, Storkebaum E. FUS-mediated regulation of acetylcholine receptor transcription at neuromuscular junctions is compromised in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1793-1805. [PMID: 31591561 PMCID: PMC6858880 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0498-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disruption is an early pathogenic event in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Yet, direct links between NMJ pathways and ALS-associated genes such as FUS, whose heterozygous mutations cause aggressive forms of ALS, remain elusive. In a knock-in Fus-ALS mouse model, we identified postsynaptic NMJ defects in newborn homozygous mutants, attributable to mutant FUS toxicity in skeletal muscle. Adult heterozygous knock-in mice displayed smaller neuromuscular endplates that denervated before motor neuron loss, consistent with ‘dying-back’ neuronopathy. FUS was enriched in subsynaptic myonuclei, and this innervation-dependent enrichment was distorted in FUS-ALS. Mechanistically, FUS collaborates with the ETS-transcription factor ERM to stimulate transcription of acetylcholine receptor (AchR) genes. FUS-ALS patient iPSC-derived motor neuron-myotube co-cultures revealed endplate maturation defects due to intrinsic FUS toxicity in both motor neurons and myotubes. Thus, FUS regulates AChR gene expression in subsynaptic myonuclei and muscle-intrinsic toxicity of ALS-mutant FUS may contribute to dying-back motor neuronopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Demestre
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Amila Zuko
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Been
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Higelin
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Moushami Mallik
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Chantal Sellier
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Li Zhang
- Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Céline Sijlmans
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amr Aly
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sina Mersmann
- Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | | | - Nadia Messaddeq
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Marina Wagner
- Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nick van Bakel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Laurence Boutillier
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7364, Strasbourg, France
| | - Albert Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Oberer Eselsberg 45, Ulm, Germany
| | - Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. .,DZNE, Ulm site, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Luc Dupuis
- Université de Strasbourg, INSERM, UMR-S1118, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Erik Storkebaum
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Molecular Neurogenetics Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Muenster, Germany. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
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39
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Lin CY, Yoshida M, Li LT, Ikenaka A, Oshima S, Nakagawa K, Sakurai H, Matsui E, Nakahata T, Saito MK. iPSC-derived functional human neuromuscular junctions model the pathophysiology of neuromuscular diseases. JCI Insight 2019; 4:124299. [PMID: 31534050 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The control of voluntary skeletal muscle contraction relies on action potentials, which send signals from the motor neuron through the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Although dysfunction of the NMJ causes various neuromuscular diseases, a reliable in vitro system for disease modeling is currently unavailable. Here, we present a potentially novel 2-step, self-organizing approach for generating in vitro human NMJs from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our simple and robust approach results in a complex NMJ structure that includes functional connectivity, recapitulating in vivo synapse formation. We used these in vitro NMJs to model the pathological features of spinal muscular atrophy, revealing the developmental and functional defects of NMJ formation and NMJ-dependent muscular contraction. Our differentiation system is therefore useful for investigating and understanding the physiology and pathology of human NMJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang-Yu Lin
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michiko Yoshida
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Li-Tzu Li
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Akihiro Ikenaka
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shiori Oshima
- Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Eriko Matsui
- Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsutoshi Nakahata
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Megumu K Saito
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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40
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Wang J, Khodabukus A, Rao L, Vandusen K, Abutaleb N, Bursac N. Engineered skeletal muscles for disease modeling and drug discovery. Biomaterials 2019; 221:119416. [PMID: 31419653 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is the largest organ of human body with several important roles in everyday movement and metabolic homeostasis. The limited ability of small animal models of muscle disease to accurately predict drug efficacy and toxicity in humans has prompted the development in vitro models of human skeletal muscle that fatefully recapitulate cell and tissue level functions and drug responses. We first review methods for development of three-dimensional engineered muscle tissues and organ-on-a-chip microphysiological systems and discuss their potential utility in drug discovery research and development of new regenerative therapies. Furthermore, we describe strategies to increase the functional maturation of engineered muscle, and motivate the importance of incorporating multiple tissue types on the same chip to model organ cross-talk and generate more predictive drug development platforms. Finally, we review the ability of available in vitro systems to model diseases such as type II diabetes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Pompe disease, and dysferlinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Lingjun Rao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Keith Vandusen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nadia Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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41
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Myasthenia Gravis: Pathogenic Effects of Autoantibodies on Neuromuscular Architecture. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070671. [PMID: 31269763 PMCID: PMC6678492 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Autoantibodies target key molecules at the NMJ, such as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (Lrp4), that lead by a range of different pathogenic mechanisms to altered tissue architecture and reduced densities or functionality of AChRs, reduced neuromuscular transmission, and therefore a severe fatigable skeletal muscle weakness. In this review, we give an overview of the history and clinical aspects of MG, with a focus on the structure and function of myasthenic autoantigens at the NMJ and how they are affected by the autoantibodies' pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the cells that are implicated in the production of the autoantibodies and briefly discuss diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.
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42
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Differentiation of Motor Neuron-Like Cells from Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Possible Application to Neuromuscular Junction Formation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112702. [PMID: 31159418 PMCID: PMC6600529 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (T-MSCs) are newly identified MSCs and present typical features of MSCs, including having the differentiation capacity into the three germ layers and excellent proliferation capacity. They are easily sourced and are useful for stem cell therapy in various disease states. We previously reported that T-MSCs could be differentiated into skeletal myocytes and Schwann-like cells; therefore, they are a promising candidate for cell therapies for neuromuscular disease. Motor neurons (MNs), which regulate spontaneous behavior, are affected by a wide range of MN diseases (MNDs) for which there are no effective remedies. We investigated the differentiation potential of MN-like cells derived from T-MSCs (T-MSC-MNCs) for application to therapy of MNDs. After the process of MN differentiation, the expression of MN-related markers, including Islet 1, HB9/HLXB9 (HB9), and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), was increased when compared with undifferentiated T-MSCs. The secretion of acetylcholine to the conditioned medium was significantly increased after MN differentiation. We cocultured T-MSC-MNCs and human skeletal muscle cells, and confirmed the presence of the acetylcholine receptor clusters, which demonstrated the formation of neuromuscular junctions. The potential functional improvements afforded by these T-MSC-MNCs could be useful in the treatment of MNDs caused by genetic mutation, viral infection, or environmental problems.
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Piga D, Salani S, Magri F, Brusa R, Mauri E, Comi GP, Bresolin N, Corti S. Human induced pluripotent stem cell models for the study and treatment of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2019; 12:1756286419833478. [PMID: 31105767 PMCID: PMC6501480 DOI: 10.1177/1756286419833478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are the most common muscle diseases and are both currently incurable. They are caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which lead to the absence or reduction/truncation of the encoded protein, with progressive muscle degeneration that clinically manifests in muscle weakness, cardiac and respiratory involvement and early death. The limits of animal models to exactly reproduce human muscle disease and to predict clinically relevant treatment effects has prompted the development of more accurate in vitro skeletal muscle models. However, the challenge of effectively obtaining mature skeletal muscle cells or satellite stem cells as primary cultures has hampered the development of in vitro models. Here, we discuss the recently developed technologies that enable the differentiation of skeletal muscle from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of Duchenne and Becker patients. These systems recapitulate key disease features including inflammation and scarce regenerative myogenic capacity that are partially rescued by genetic and pharmacological therapies and can provide a useful platform to study and realize future therapeutic treatments. Implementation of this model also takes advantage of the developing genome editing field, which is a promising approach not only for correcting dystrophin, but also for modulating the underlying mechanisms of skeletal muscle development, regeneration and disease. These data prove the possibility of creating an accurate Duchenne and Becker in vitro model starting from iPSCs, to be used for pathogenetic studies and for drug screening to identify strategies capable of stopping or reversing muscular dystrophinopathies and other muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Piga
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Salani
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Magri
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Brusa
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Mauri
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo P Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nereo Bresolin
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Neurology Unit, IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
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Saini J, Faroni A, Abd Al Samid M, Reid AJ, Lightfoot AP, Mamchaoui K, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, McPhee JS, Degens H, Al-Shanti N. Simplified in vitro engineering of neuromuscular junctions between rat embryonic motoneurons and immortalized human skeletal muscle cells. STEM CELLS AND CLONING-ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS 2019; 12:1-9. [PMID: 30863121 PMCID: PMC6388735 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s187655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) consist of the presynaptic cholinergic motoneuron terminals and the corresponding postsynaptic motor endplates on skeletal muscle fibers. At the NMJ the action potential of the neuron leads, via release of acetylcholine, to muscle membrane depolarization that in turn is translated into muscle contraction and physical movement. Despite the fact that substantial NMJ research has been performed, the potential of in vivo NMJ investigations is inadequate and difficult to employ. A simple and reproducible in vitro NMJ model may provide a robust means to study the impact of neurotrophic factors, growth factors, and hormones on NMJ formation, structure, and function. Methods This report characterizes a novel in vitro NMJ model utilizing immortalized human skeletal muscle stem cells seeded on 35 mm glass-bottom dishes, cocultured and innervated with spinal cord explants from rat embryos at ED 13.5. The cocultures were fixed and stained on day 14 for analysis and assessment of NMJ formation and development. Results This unique serum- and trophic factor-free system permits the growth of cholinergic motoneurons, the formation of mature NMJs, and the development of highly differentiated contractile myotubes, which exhibit appropriate configuration of transversal triads, representative of in vivo conditions. Conclusion This coculture system provides a tool to study vital features of NMJ formation, regulation, maintenance, and repair, as well as a model platform to explore neuromuscular diseases and disorders affecting NMJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasdeep Saini
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Alessandro Faroni
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, University Hospitals of South Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Marwah Abd Al Samid
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Adam J Reid
- Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.,Department of Plastic Surgery & Burns, University Hospitals of South Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam P Lightfoot
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université- INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université- INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Jamie S McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Hans Degens
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK, .,Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania.,University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine Research Centre, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
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Bioinspired Three-Dimensional Human Neuromuscular Junction Development in Suspended Hydrogel Arrays. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2019; 24:346-359. [PMID: 29739270 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2018.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The physical connection between motoneurons and skeletal muscle targets is responsible for the creation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which allow electrical signals to be translated to mechanical work. NMJ pathology contributes to the spectrum of neuromuscular, motoneuron, and dystrophic disease. Improving in vitro tools that allow for recapitulation of the physiology of the neuromuscular connection will enable researchers to better understand the development and maturation of NMJs, and will help to decipher mechanisms leading to NMJ degeneration. In this work, we first describe robust differentiation of bungarotoxin-positive human myotubes, as well as a reproducible method for encapsulating and aligning human myoblasts in three-dimensional (3D) suspended culture using bioprinted silk fibroin cantilevers as cell culture supports. Further analysis with coculture of motoneuron-like cells demonstrates feasibility of fully human coculture using two-dimensional and 2.5-dimensional culture methods, with appropriate differentiation of both cell types. Using these coculture differentiation conditions with motoneuron-like cells added to monocultures of 3D suspended human myotubes, we then demonstrate synaptic colocalization in coculture as well as acetylcholine and glutamic acid stimulation of human myocytes. This method represents a unique platform to coculture suspended human myoblast-seeded 3D hydrogels with integrated motoneuron-like cells derived from human induced neural stem cells. The platform described is fully customizable using 3D freeform printing into standard laboratory tissue culture materials, and allows for human myoblast alignment in 3D with precise motoneuron integration into preformed myotubes. The coculture method will ideally be useful in observation and analysis of neurite outgrowth and myogenic differentiation in 3D with quantification of several parameters of muscle innervation and function.
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Huang ML, Tota EM, Lucas TM, Godula K. Influencing Early Stages of Neuromuscular Junction Formation through Glycocalyx Engineering. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:3086-3093. [PMID: 30095249 PMCID: PMC6395550 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving molecular control over the formation of synaptic contacts in the nervous system can provide important insights into their regulation and can offer means for creating well-defined in vitro systems to evaluate modes of therapeutic intervention. Agrin-induced clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at postsynaptic sites is a hallmark of the formation of the neuromuscular junction, a synapse between motoneurons and muscle cells. In addition to the cognate agrin receptor LRP4 (low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-4), muscle cell heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have also been proposed to contribute to AChR clustering by acting as agrin co-receptors. Here, we provide direct evidence for the role of HS GAGs in agrin recruitment to the surface of myotubes, as well as their functional contributions toward AChR clustering. We also demonstrate that engineering of the myotube glycocalyx using synthetic HS GAG polymers can replace native HS structures to gain control over agrin-mediated AChR clustering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ember M. Tota
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
| | - Taryn M. Lucas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
| | - Kamil Godula
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
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Badiola-Mateos M, Hervera A, Del Río JA, Samitier J. Challenges and Future Prospects on 3D in-vitro Modeling of the Neuromuscular Circuit. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:194. [PMID: 30622944 PMCID: PMC6297173 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement of skeletal-muscle fibers is generated by the coordinated action of several cells taking part within the locomotion circuit (motoneurons, sensory-neurons, Schwann cells, astrocytes, microglia, and muscle-cells). Failures in any part of this circuit could impede or hinder coordinated muscle movement and cause a neuromuscular disease (NMD) or determine its severity. Studying fragments of the circuit cannot provide a comprehensive and complete view of the pathological process. We trace the historic developments of studies focused on in-vitro modeling of the spinal-locomotion circuit and how bioengineered innovative technologies show advantages for an accurate mimicking of physiological conditions of spinal-locomotion circuit. New developments on compartmentalized microfluidic culture systems (cμFCS), the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and 3D cell-cultures are analyzed. We finally address limitations of current study models and three main challenges on neuromuscular studies: (i) mimic the whole spinal-locomotion circuit including all cell-types involved and the evaluation of independent and interdependent roles of each one; (ii) mimic the neurodegenerative response of mature neurons in-vitro as it occurs in-vivo; and (iii) develop, tune, implement, and combine cμFCS, hiPSC, and 3D-culture technologies to ultimately create patient-specific complete, translational, and reliable NMD in-vitro model. Overcoming these challenges would significantly facilitate understanding the events taking place in NMDs and accelerate the process of finding new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maider Badiola-Mateos
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arnau Hervera
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Antonio Del Río
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències de la Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Samitier
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Physics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Madrid, Spain
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Abd Al Samid M, McPhee JS, Saini J, McKay TR, Fitzpatrick LM, Mamchaoui K, Bigot A, Mouly V, Butler-Browne G, Al-Shanti N. A functional human motor unit platform engineered from human embryonic stem cells and immortalized skeletal myoblasts. STEM CELLS AND CLONING-ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS 2018; 11:85-93. [PMID: 30519053 PMCID: PMC6233953 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s178562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Although considerable research on neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) has been conducted, the prospect of in vivo NMJ studies is limited and these studies are challenging to implement. Therefore, there is a clear unmet need to develop a feasible, robust, and physiologically relevant in vitro NMJ model. Objective We aimed to establish a novel functional human NMJs platform, which is serum and neural complex media/neural growth factor-free, using human immortalized myoblasts and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) that can be used to understand the mechanisms of NMJ development and degeneration. Methods Immortalized human myoblasts were co-cultured with hESCs derived committed NPCs. Over the course of the 7 days myoblasts differentiated into myotubes and NPCs differentiated into motor neurons. Results Neuronal axon sprouting branched to form multiple NMJ innervation sites along the myotubes and the myotubes showed extensive, spontaneous contractile activity. Choline acetyltransferase and βIII-tubulin immunostaining confirmed that the NPCs had matured into cholinergic motor neurons. Postsynaptic site of NMJs was further characterized by staining dihydropyridine receptors, ryanodine receptors, and acetylcholine receptors by α-bungarotoxin. Conclusion We established a functional human motor unit platform for in vitro investigations. Thus, this co-culture system can be used as a novel platform for 1) drug discovery in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, 2) deciphering vital features of NMJ formation, regulation, maintenance, and repair, and 3) exploring neuromuscular diseases, age-associated degeneration of the NMJ, muscle aging, and diabetic neuropathy and myopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwah Abd Al Samid
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Jamie S McPhee
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Jasdeep Saini
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Tristan R McKay
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Lorna M Fitzpatrick
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Anne Bigot
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Center for Research in Myology, Sorbonne Université-INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Nasser Al-Shanti
- Healthcare Science Research Institute, School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK,
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Al Samid MA, Al-Shanti N, Odeh M. Motor Neuron-Skeletal Muscle Co Culture Model: A Potential Novel in Vitro and Computaional Platform to Investigate Cancer Cachexia. 2018 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CANCER CARE INFORMATICS (CCI) 2018. [DOI: 10.1109/cancercare.2018.8618261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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Eglen RM, Reisine T. Human iPS Cell-Derived Patient Tissues and 3D Cell Culture Part 1: Target Identification and Lead Optimization. SLAS Technol 2018; 24:3-17. [PMID: 30286296 DOI: 10.1177/2472630318803277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs), and new technologies to culture them into functional cell types and tissues, are now aiding drug discovery. Patient-derived HiPSCs can provide disease models that are more clinically relevant and so more predictive than the currently available animal-derived or tumor cell-derived cells. These cells, consequently, exhibit disease phenotypes close to the human pathology, particularly when cultured under conditions that allow them to recapitulate the tissue architecture in three-dimensional (3D) systems. A key feature of HiPSCs is that they can be cultured under conditions that favor formation of multicellular spheroids or organoids. By culturing and differentiating in systems mimicking the human tissue in vivo, the HiPSC microenvironment further reflects patient in vivo physiology, pathophysiology, and ultimately pharmacological responsiveness. We assess the rationale for using HiPSCs in several phases of preclinical drug discovery, specifically in disease modeling, target identification, and lead optimization. We also discuss the growing use of HiPSCs in compound lead optimization, particularly in profiling compounds for their potential metabolic liability and off-target toxicities. Collectively, we contend that both approaches, HiPSCs and 3D cell culture, when used in concert, have exciting potential for the development of novel medicines.
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