A functional hiPSC-cortical neuron differentiation and maturation model and its application to neurological disorders

In vitro human cell culture models in a bench-to-bedside approach to epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease, affecting nearly 1%-2% of the world's population. Current pharmacological treatment and regimen adjustments are aimed at controlling seizures; however, they are ineffective in one-third of the patients. Although neuronal hyperexcitability was previously thought to be mainly due to ion channel alterations, current research has revealed other contributing molecular pathways, including processes involved in cellular signaling, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, axon guidance, inflammation, and others. Some forms of drug-resistant epilepsy are caused by genetic defects that constitute potential targets for precision therapy. Although such approaches are increasingly important, they are still in the early stages of development. This review aims to provide a summary of practical aspects of the employment of in vitro human cell culture models in epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, and research. First, we briefly summarize the genetic testing that may result in the detection of candidate pathogenic variants in genes involved in epilepsy pathogenesis. Consequently, we review existing in vitro cell models, including induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiated neuronal cells, providing their specific properties, validity, and employment in research pipelines. We cover two methodological approaches. The first approach involves the utilization of somatic cells directly obtained from individual patients, while the second approach entails the utilization of characterized cell lines. The models are evaluated in terms of their research and clinical benefits, relevance to the in vivo conditions, legal and ethical aspects, time and cost demands, and available published data. Despite the methodological, temporal, and financial demands of the reviewed models they possess high potential to be used as robust systems in routine testing of pathogenicity of detected variants in the near future and provide a solid experimental background for personalized therapy of genetic epilepsies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, but current treatments fail for many patients. Beyond traditional ion channel alterations, various genetic factors contribute to the disorder's complexity. This review explores how in vitro human cell models, either from patients or from cell lines, can aid in understanding epilepsy's genetic roots and developing personalized therapies. While these models require further investigation, they offer hope for improved diagnosis and treatment of genetic forms of epilepsy.

Protocol for quantifying stem-cell-derived cardiomyocyte maturity using transcriptomic entropy score

The inability to quantify cardiomyocyte (CM) maturation remains a significant barrier to evaluating the effects of ongoing efforts to produce adult-like CMs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Here, we present a protocol to quantify stem-cell-derived CM maturity using a single-cell RNA sequencing-based metric "entropy score." We describe steps for generating an entropy score using customized R code. This tool can be used to quantify maturation levels of PSC-CMs and potentially other cell types. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Kannan et al.1.

Validation of a functional human AD model with four AD therapeutics utilizing patterned iPSC-derived cortical neurons integrated with microelectrode arrays

Preclinical methods are needed for screening potential Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics that recapitulate phenotypes found in the Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) stage or even before this stage of the disease. This would require a phenotypic system that reproduces cognitive deficits without significant neuronal cell death to mimic the clinical manifestations of AD during these stages. A potential functional parameter to be monitored is long-term potentiation (LTP), which is a correlate of learning and memory, that would be one of the first functions effected by AD onset. Mature human iPSC-derived cortical neurons and primary astrocytes were co-cultured on microelectrode arrays (MEA) where surface chemistry was utilized to create circuit patterns connecting two adjacent electrodes to model LTP function. LTP maintenance was significantly reduced in the presence of Amyloid-Beta 42 (Aβ42) oligomers compared to the controls, however, co-treatment with AD therapeutics (Donepezil, Memantine, Rolipram and Saracatinib) corrected Aβ42 induced LTP impairment. The results presented here illustrate the significance of the system as a validated platform that can be utilized to model and study MCI AD pathology, and potentially for the pre-MCI phase before the occurrence of significant cell death. It also has the potential to become an ideal platform for high content therapeutic screening for other neurodegenerative diseases.

A novel induced pluripotent stem cell model of schwann cell differentiation reveals NF2 -related gene regulatory networks of the extracellular matrix

Schwann cells are vital to development and maintenance of the peripheral nervous system and their dysfunction has been implicated in a range of neurological and neoplastic disorders, including NF2 -related schwannomatosis. We have developed a novel human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model for the study of Schwann cell differentiation in health and disease. We performed transcriptomic, immunofluorescence, and morphological analysis of hiPSC derived Schwann cell precursors (SPCs) and terminally differentiated Schwann-like cells (SLCs) representing distinct stages of development. To further validate our findings, we performed integrated, cross-species analyses across multiple external datasets at bulk and single cell resolution. Our hiPSC model of Schwann cell development shared overlapping gene expression signatures with human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSCs) derived SLCs and in vivo mouse models, but also revealed unique features that may reflect species-specific aspects of Schwann cell biology. Moreover, we have identified gene co-expression modules that are dynamically regulated during hiPSC to SLC differentiation associated with ear and neural development, cell fate determination, the NF2 gene, and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. By cross-referencing results between multiple datasets and analyses, we have identified potential new genes that are related to NF2 for further study including: ANXA1, CDH6, COL1A1, COL8A1, MFAP5, IGFBP5, FGF1, AHNAK, CDKN2B, LOX, CAV1 , and CAV2 . Our hiPSC model further provides a tractable platform for studying Schwann cell development in the context of human disease.

Directed differentiation of functional corticospinal-like neurons from endogenous SOX6+/NG2+ cortical progenitors

Corticospinal neurons (CSN) centrally degenerate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), along with spinal motor neurons, and loss of voluntary motor function in spinal cord injury (SCI) results from damage to CSN axons. For functional regeneration of specifically affected neuronal circuitry in vivo , or for optimally informative disease modeling and/or therapeutic screening in vitro , it is important to reproduce the type or subtype of neurons involved. No such appropriate in vitro models exist with which to investigate CSN selective vulnerability and degeneration in ALS, or to investigate routes to regeneration of CSN circuitry for ALS or SCI, critically limiting the relevance of much research. Here, we identify that the HMG-domain transcription factor Sox6 is expressed by a subset of NG2+ endogenous cortical progenitors in postnatal and adult cortex, and that Sox6 suppresses a latent neurogenic program by repressing inappropriate proneural Neurog2 expression by progenitors. We FACS-purify these genetically accessible progenitors from postnatal mouse cortex and establish a pure culture system to investigate their potential for directed differentiation into CSN. We then employ a multi-component construct with complementary and differentiation-sharpening transcriptional controls (activating Neurog2, Fezf2 , while antagonizing Olig2 with VP16:Olig2 ). We generate corticospinal-like neurons from SOX6+/NG2+ cortical progenitors, and find that these neurons differentiate with remarkable fidelity compared with corticospinal neurons in vivo . They possess appropriate morphological, molecular, transcriptomic, and electrophysiological characteristics, without characteristics of the alternate intracortical or other neuronal subtypes. We identify that these critical specifics of differentiation are not reproduced by commonly employed Neurog2 -driven differentiation. Neurons induced by Neurog2 instead exhibit aberrant multi-axon morphology and express molecular hallmarks of alternate cortical projection subtypes, often in mixed form. Together, this developmentally-based directed differentiation from genetically accessible cortical progenitors sets a precedent and foundation for in vitro mechanistic and therapeutic disease modeling, and toward regenerative neuronal repopulation and circuit repair.

Recent Research Trends in Neuroinflammatory and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are chronic major health disorders. The exact mechanism of the neuroimmune dysfunctions of these disease pathogeneses is currently not clearly understood. These disorders show dysregulated neuroimmune and inflammatory responses, including activation of neurons, glial cells, and neurovascular unit damage associated with excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, neurotoxic mediators, and infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the brain, as well as entry of inflammatory mediators through damaged neurovascular endothelial cells, blood-brain barrier and tight junction proteins. Activation of glial cells and immune cells leads to the release of many inflammatory and neurotoxic molecules that cause neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Gulf War Illness (GWI) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are chronic disorders that are also associated with neuroimmune dysfunctions. Currently, there are no effective disease-modifying therapeutic options available for these diseases. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells and pericytes are currently used for many disease models for drug discovery. This review highlights certain recent trends in neuroinflammatory responses and iPSC-derived brain cell applications in neuroinflammatory disorders.

Antiretroviral drugs from multiple classes induce loss of excitatory synapses between hippocampal neurons in culture

Introduction: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have improved prognoses for people living with HIV. However, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) persist despite undetectable viral loads. Some ARVs have been linked to neuropsychiatric effects that may contribute to HAND. Synapse loss correlates with cognitive decline in HAND and synaptic deficits may contribute to the neuropsychiatric effects of ARV drugs. Methods: Using an automated high content assay, rat hippocampal neurons in culture expressing PSD95-eGFP to label glutamatergic synapses and mCherry to fill neuronal structures were imaged before and after treatment with 25 clinically used ARVs. Results and Discussion: At a concentration of 10 μM the protease inhibitors nelfinavir and saquinavir, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors etravirine and the 8-OH metabolite of efavirenz, the integrase inhibitor bictegravir, and the capsid inhibitor lenacapavir produced synaptic toxicity. Only lenacapavir produced synapse loss at the nanomolar concentrations estimated free in the plasma, although all 4 ARV drugs induced synapse loss at Cmax. Evaluation of combination therapies did not reveal synergistic synaptic toxicity. Synapse loss developed fully by 24 h and persisted for at least 3 days. Bictegravir-induced synapse loss required activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and bictegravir, etravirine, and lenacapavir produced synapse loss by an excitotoxic mechanism. These results indicate that select ARV drugs might contribute to neuropsychiatric effects in combination with drugs that bind serum proteins or in disease states in which synaptic function is altered. The high content imaging assay used here provides an efficient means to evaluate new drugs and drug combinations for potential CNS toxicity.

Multielectrode array characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons in co-culture with primary human astrocytes

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived into neurons offer a powerful in vitro model to study cellular processes. One method to characterize functional network properties of these cells is using multielectrode arrays (MEAs). MEAs can measure the electrophysiological activity of cellular cultures for extended periods of time without disruption. Here we used WTC11 hiPSCs with a doxycycline-inducible neurogenin 2 (NGN2) transgene differentiated into neurons co-cultured with primary human astrocytes. We achieved a synchrony index ~0.9 in as little as six-weeks with a mean firing rate of ~13 Hz. Previous reports show that derived 3D brain organoids can take several months to achieve similar strong network burst synchrony. We also used this co-culture to model aspects of sporadic Alzheimer's disease by mimicking blood-brain barrier breakdown using a human serum. Our fully human co-culture achieved strong network burst synchrony in a fraction of the time of previous reports, making it an excellent first pass, high-throughput method for studying network properties and neurodegenerative diseases.

Impact of Suramin on Key Pathological Features of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease-Derived Forebrain Neurons

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by disrupted proteostasis and macroautophagy (hereafter "autophagy"). The pharmacological agent suramin has known autophagy modulation properties with potential efficacy in mitigating AD neuronal pathology.

Objective

In the present work, we investigate the impact of forebrain neuron exposure to suramin on the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, a major regulator of autophagy, in comparison with rapamycin and chloroquine. We further investigate the effect of suramin on several AD-related biomarkers in sporadic AD (sAD)-derived forebrain neurons.

Methods

Neurons differentiated from ReNcell neural progenitors were used to assess the impact of suramin on the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway relative to the autophagy inducer rapamycin and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. Mature forebrain neurons were differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) sourced from a late-onset sAD patient and treated with 100μM suramin for 72 h, followed by assessments for amyloid-β, phosphorylated tau, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and synaptic puncta density.

Results

Suramin treatment of sAD-derived neurons partially ameliorated the increased p-Tau(S199)/Tau ratio, and fully remediated the increased glutathione to oxidized nitric oxide ratio, observed in untreated sAD-derived neurons relative to healthy controls. These positive results may be due in part to the distinct increases in Akt/mTOR pathway mediator p-p70S6K noted with suramin treatment of both ReNcell-derived and iPSC-derived neurons. Longer term neuronal markers, such as synaptic puncta density, were unaffected by suramin treatment.

Conclusions

These findings provide initial evidence supporting the potential of suramin to reduce the degree of dysregulation in sAD-derived forebrain neurons in part via the modulation of autophagy.

Long-termin vitroculture of 3D brain tissue model based on chitosan thermogel

Methods for studying brain function and disease heavily rely onin vivoanimal models,ex-vivotissue slices, and 2D cell culture platforms. These methods all have limitations that significantly impact the clinical translatability of results. Consequently, models able to better recapitulate some aspects ofin vivohuman brain are needed as additional preclinical tools. In this context, 3D hydrogel-basedin vitromodels of the brain are considered promising tools. To create a 3D brain-on-a-chip model, a hydrogel capable of sustaining neuronal maturation over extended culture periods is required. Among biopolymeric hydrogels, chitosan-β-glycerophosphate (CHITO-β-GP) thermogels have demonstrated their versatility and applicability in the biomedical field over the years. In this study, we investigated the ability of this thermogel to encapsulate neuronal cells and support the functional maturation of a 3D neuronal network in long-term cultures. To the best of our knowledge, we demonstrated for the first time that CHITO-β-GP thermogel possesses optimal characteristics for promoting neuronal growth and the development of an electrophysiologically functional neuronal network derived from both primary rat neurons and neurons differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (h-iPSCs) co-cultured with astrocytes. Specifically, two different formulations were firstly characterized by rheological, mechanical and injectability tests. Primary nervous cells and neurons differentiated from h-iPSCs were embedded into the two thermogel formulations. The 3D cultures were then deeply characterized by immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and electrophysiological recordings, employing both 2D and 3D micro-electrode arrays. The thermogels supported the long-term culture of neuronal networks for up to 100 d. In conclusion, CHITO-β-GP thermogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties, stability over time under culture conditions, and bioactivity toward nervous cells. Therefore, they are excellent candidates as artificial extracellular matrices in brain-on-a-chip models, with applications in neurodegenerative disease modeling, drug screening, and neurotoxicity evaluation.

Using Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neurons on Microelectrode Arrays to Model Neurological Disease: A Review

In situ physiological signals of in vitro neural disease models are essential for studying pathogenesis and drug screening. Currently, an increasing number of in vitro neural disease models are established using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived neurons (hiPSC-DNs) to overcome interspecific gene expression differences. Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) can be readily interfaced with two-dimensional (2D), and more recently, three-dimensional (3D) neural stem cell-derived in vitro models of the human brain to monitor their physiological activity in real time. Therefore, MEAs are emerging and useful tools to model neurological disorders and disease in vitro using human iPSCs. This is enabling a real-time window into neuronal signaling at the network scale from patient derived. This paper provides a comprehensive review of MEA's role in analyzing neural disease models established by hiPSC-DNs. It covers the significance of MEA fabrication, surface structure and modification schemes for hiPSC-DNs culturing and signal detection. Additionally, this review discusses advances in the development and use of MEA technology to study in vitro neural disease models, including epilepsy, autism spectrum developmental disorder (ASD), and others established using hiPSC-DNs. The paper also highlights the application of MEAs combined with hiPSC-DNs in detecting in vitro neurotoxic substances. Finally, the future development and outlook of multifunctional and integrated devices for in vitro medical diagnostics and treatment are discussed.

Neuronal maturation-dependent nano-neuro interaction and modulation

Nanotechnology-enabled neuromodulation is a promising minimally-invasive tool in neuroscience and engineering for both fundamental studies and clinical applications. However, the nano-neuro interaction at different stages of maturation of a neural network and its implications for the nano-neuromodulation remain unclear. Here, we report heterogeneous to homogeneous transformation of neuromodulation in a progressively maturing neural network. Utilizing plasmonic-fluors as ultrabright fluorescent nanolabels, we reveal that negative surface charge of nanoparticles renders selective nano-neuro interaction with a strong correlation between the maturation stage of the individual neurons in the neural network and the density of the nanoparticles bound on the neurons. In stark contrast to homogeneous neuromodulation in a mature neural network reported so far, the maturation-dependent density of the nanoparticles bound to neurons in a developing neural network resulted in a heterogeneous optical neuromodulation (i.e., simultaneous excitation and inhibition of neural network activity). This study advances our understanding of nano-neuro interactions and nano-neuromodulation with potential applications in minimally-invasive technologies for treating neuronal disorders in parts of the mammalian brain where neurogenesis persists throughout aging.

Transcriptional Dysregulation and Impaired Neuronal Activity in FMR1 Knock-Out and Fragile X Patients' iPSC-Derived Models

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by a repression of the FMR1 gene that codes the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an RNA binding protein involved in processes that are crucial for proper brain development. To better understand the consequences of the absence of FMRP, we analyzed gene expression profiles and activities of cortical neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons obtained from FXS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) and IPSC-derived cells from FMR1 knock-out engineered using CRISPR-CAS9 technology. Multielectrode array recordings revealed in FMR1 KO and FXS patient cells, decreased mean firing rates; activities blocked by tetrodotoxin application. Increased expression of presynaptic mRNA and transcription factors involved in the forebrain specification and decreased levels of mRNA coding AMPA and NMDA subunits were observed using RNA sequencing on FMR1 KO neurons and validated using quantitative PCR in both models. Intriguingly, 40% of the differentially expressed genes were commonly deregulated between NPCs and differentiating neurons with significant enrichments in FMRP targets and autism-related genes found amongst downregulated genes. Our findings suggest that the absence of FMRP affects transcriptional profiles since the NPC stage, and leads to impaired activity and neuronal differentiation over time, which illustrates the critical role of FMRP protein in neuronal development.

Organelle mapping in dendrites of human iPSC-derived neurons reveals dynamic functional dendritic Golgi structures

Secretory pathways within dendrites of neurons have been proposed for local transport of newly synthesized proteins. However, little is known about the dynamics of the local secretory system and whether the organelles are transient or stable structures. Here, we quantify the spatial and dynamic behavior of dendritic Golgi and endosomes during differentiation of human neurons generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In early neuronal development, before and during migration, the entire Golgi apparatus transiently translocates from the soma into dendrites. In mature neurons, dynamic Golgi elements, containing cis and trans cisternae, are transported from the soma along dendrites, in an actin-dependent process. Dendritic Golgi outposts are dynamic and display bidirectional movement. Similar structures were observed in cerebral organoids. Using the retention using selective hooks (RUSH) system, Golgi resident proteins are transported efficiently into Golgi outposts from the endoplasmic reticulum. This study reveals dynamic, functional Golgi structures in dendrites and a spatial map for investigating dendrite trafficking in human neurons.

Neuropharmacology of human TERA2.cl.SP12 stem cell-derived neurons in ultra-long-term culture for antiseizure drug discovery

Modeling the complex and prolonged development of the mammalian central nervous system in vitro remains a profound challenge. Most studies of human stem cell derived neurons are conducted over days to weeks and may or may not include glia. Here we have utilized a single human pluripotent stem cell line, TERA2.cl.SP12 to derive both neurons and glial cells and determined their differentiation and functional maturation over 1 year in culture together with their ability to display epileptiform activity in response to pro-convulsant agents and to detect antiseizure drug actions. Our experiments show that these human stem cells differentiate in vitro into mature neurons and glia cells and form inhibitory and excitatory synapses and integrated neural circuits over 6-8 months, paralleling early human neurogenesis in vivo; these neuroglia cultures display complex electrochemical signaling including high frequency trains of action potentials from single neurons, neural network bursts and highly synchronized, rhythmical firing patterns. Neural activity in our 2D neuron-glia circuits is modulated by a variety of voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channel acting drugs and these actions were consistent in both young and highly mature neuron cultures. We also show for the first time that spontaneous and epileptiform activity is modulated by first, second and third generation antiseizure agents consistent with animal and human studies. Together, our observations strongly support the value of long-term human stem cell-derived neuroglial cultures in disease modeling and neuropsychiatric drug discovery.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and epilepsy

Despite recent advances in understanding the causes of epilepsy, especially the genetic, comprehending the biological mechanisms that lead to the epileptic phenotype remains difficult. A paradigmatic case is constituted by the epilepsies caused by altered neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which exert complex physiological functions in mature as well as developing brain. The ascending cholinergic projections exert potent control of forebrain excitability, and wide evidence implicates nAChR dysregulation as both cause and effect of epileptiform activity. First, tonic-clonic seizures are triggered by administration of high doses of nicotinic agonists, whereas non-convulsive doses have kindling effects. Second, sleep-related epilepsy can be caused by mutations on genes encoding nAChR subunits widely expressed in the forebrain (CHRNA4, CHRNB2, CHRNA2). Third, in animal models of acquired epilepsy, complex time-dependent alterations in cholinergic innervation are observed following repeated seizures. Heteromeric nAChRs are central players in epileptogenesis. Evidence is wide for autosomal dominant sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (ADSHE). Studies of ADSHE-linked nAChR subunits in expression systems suggest that the epileptogenic process is promoted by overactive receptors. Investigation in animal models of ADSHE indicates that expression of mutant nAChRs can lead to lifelong hyperexcitability by altering i) the function of GABAergic populations in the mature neocortex and thalamus, ii) synaptic architecture during synaptogenesis. Understanding the balance of the epileptogenic effects in adult and developing networks is essential to plan rational therapy at different ages. Combining this knowledge with a deeper understanding of the functional and pharmacological properties of individual mutations will advance precision and personalized medicine in nAChR-dependent epilepsy.

Detection of astrocytic slow oscillatory activity and response to seizurogenic compounds using planar microelectrode array

Since the development of the planar microelectrode array (MEA), it has become popular to evaluate compounds based on the electrical activity of rodent and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. However, there are no reports recording spontaneous human astrocyte activity from astrocyte-only culture sample by MEA. It is becoming clear that astrocytes play an important role in various neurological diseases, and astrocytes are expected to be excellent candidates for targeted therapeutics for the treatment of neurological diseases. Therefore, measuring astrocyte activity is very important for drug development for astrocytes. Recently, astrocyte activity has been found to be reflected in the low-frequency band < 1 Hz, which is much lower than the frequency band for recording neural activity. Here, we separated the signals obtained from human primary astrocytes cultured on MEA into seven frequency bands and successfully recorded the extracellular electrical activity of human astrocytes. The slow waveforms of spontaneous astrocyte activity were observed most clearly in direct current potentials < 1 Hz. We established nine parameters to assess astrocyte activity and evaluated five seizurogenic drug responses in human primary astrocytes and human iPSC-derived astrocytes. Astrocytes demonstrated the most significant dose-dependent changes in pilocarpine. Furthermore, in a principal component analysis using those parameter sets, the drug responses to each seizurogenic compound were separated. In this paper, we report the spontaneous electrical activity measurement of astrocytes alone using MEA for the first time and propose that the MEA measurement focusing on the low-frequency band could be useful as one of the methods to assess drug response in vitro.

A Robust Pipeline for the Multi-Stage Accelerated Differentiation of Functional 3D Cortical Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Disordered cellular development, abnormal neuroanatomical formations, and dysfunction of neuronal circuitry are among the pathological manifestations of cortical regions in the brain that are often implicated in complex neurodevelopmental disorders. With the advancement of stem cell methodologies such as cerebral organoid generation, it is possible to study these processes in vitro using 3D cellular platforms that mirror key developmental stages occurring throughout embryonic neurogenesis. Patterning-based stem cell models of directed neuronal development offer one approach to accomplish this, but these protocols often require protracted periods of cell culture to generate diverse cell types and current methods are plagued by a lack of specificity, reproducibility, and temporal control over cell derivation. Although ectopic expression of transcription factors offers another avenue to rapidly generate neurons, this process of direct lineage conversion bypasses critical junctures of neurodevelopment during which disease-relevant manifestations may occur. Here, we present a directed differentiation approach for generating human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cortical organoids with accelerated lineage specification to generate functionally mature cortical neurons in a shorter timeline than previously established protocols. This novel protocol provides precise guidance for the specification of neuronal cell type identity as well as temporal control over the pace at which cortical lineage trajectories are established. Furthermore, we present assays that can be used as tools to interrogate stage-specific developmental signaling mechanisms. By recapitulating major components of embryonic neurogenesis, this protocol allows for improved in vitro modeling of cortical development while providing a platform that can be utilized to uncover disease-specific mechanisms of disordered development at various stages across the differentiation timeline. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: 3D hPSC neural induction Support Protocol 1: Neural rosette formation assay Support Protocol 2: Neurosphere generation Support Protocol 3: Enzymatic dissociation, NSC expansion, and cryopreservation Basic Protocol 2: 3D neural progenitor expansion Basic Protocol 3: 3D accelerated cortical lineage patterning and terminal differentiation.

A functional neuron maturation device provides convenient application on microelectrode array for neural network measurement

BACKGROUND

Microelectrode array (MEA) systems are valuable for in vitro assessment of neurotoxicity and drug efficiency. However, several difficulties such as protracted functional maturation and high experimental costs hinder the use of MEA analysis requiring human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Neural network functional parameters are also needed for in vitro to in vivo extrapolation.

METHODS

In the present study, we produced a cost effective nanofiber culture platform, the SCAD device, for long-term culture of hiPSC-derived neurons and primary peripheral neurons. The notable advantage of SCAD device is convenient application on multiple MEA systems for neuron functional analysis.

RESULTS

We showed that the SCAD device could promote functional maturation of cultured hiPSC-derived neurons, and neurons responded appropriately to convulsant agents. Furthermore, we successfully analyzed parameters for in vitro to in vivo extrapolation, i.e., low-frequency components and synaptic propagation velocity of the signal, potentially reflecting neural network functions from neurons cultured on SCAD device. Finally, we measured the axonal conduction velocity of peripheral neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurons cultured on SCAD devices might constitute a reliable in vitro platform to investigate neuron functions, drug efficacy and toxicity, and neuropathological mechanisms by MEA.

Modeling Movement Disorders via Generation of hiPSC-Derived Motor Neurons

Generation of motor neurons (MNs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) overcomes the limited access to human brain tissues and provides an unprecedent approach for modeling MN-related diseases. In this review, we discuss the recent progression in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of MN differentiation and their applications in the generation of MNs from hiPSCs, with a particular focus on two approaches: induction by small molecules and induction by lentiviral delivery of transcription factors. At each induction stage, different culture media and supplements, typical growth conditions and cellular morphology, and specific markers for validation of cell identity and quality control are specifically discussed. Both approaches can generate functional MNs. Currently, the major challenges in modeling neurological diseases using iPSC-derived neurons are: obtaining neurons with high purity and yield; long-term neuron culture to reach full maturation; and how to culture neurons more physiologically to maximize relevance to in vivo conditions.

A microcarrier-based protocol for scalable generation and purification of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes

Here, we describe a protocol for a microcarrier (MC)-based, large-scale generation and cryopreservation of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons and astrocytes. We also detail steps to isolate these populations with a high degree of purity. Finally, we describe how to cryopreserve these cell types while maintaining high levels of viability and preserving cellular function post-thaw. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Brookhouser et al. (2021).

Development of a platform to investigate long-term potentiation in human iPSC-derived neuronal networks

Impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) is a common feature of many pre-clinical models of neurological disorders; however, studies in humans are limited by the inaccessibility of the brain. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a unique opportunity to study LTP in disease-specific genetic backgrounds. Here we describe a multi-electrode array (MEA)-based assay to investigate chemically induced LTP (cLTP) across entire networks of hiPSC-derived midbrain dopaminergic (DA) and cortical neuronal populations that lasts for days, allowing studies of the late phases of LTP and enabling detection of associated molecular changes. We show that cLTP on midbrain DA neuronal networks is largely independent of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and partially dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Finally, we describe activity-regulated gene expression induced by cLTP. This cLTP-MEA assay platform will enable phenotype discovery and higher-throughput analyses of synaptic plasticity on hiPSC-derived neurons.

Vesicular Glutamate Release from Feeder-FreehiPSC-Derived Neurons

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent one of the main and powerful tools for the in vitro modeling of neurological diseases. Standard hiPSC-based protocols make use of animal-derived feeder systems to better support the neuronal differentiation process. Despite their efficiency, such protocols may not be appropriate to dissect neuronal specific properties or to avoid interspecies contaminations, hindering their future translation into clinical and drug discovery approaches. In this work, we focused on the optimization of a reproducible protocol in feeder-free conditions able to generate functional glutamatergic neurons. This protocol is based on a generation of neuroprecursor cells differentiated into human neurons with the administration in the culture medium of specific neurotrophins in a Geltrex-coated substrate. We confirmed the efficiency of this protocol through molecular analysis (upregulation of neuronal markers and neurotransmitter receptors assessed by gene expression profiling and expression of the neuronal markers at the protein level), morphological analysis, and immunfluorescence detection of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic markers at synaptic boutons. The hiPSC-derived neurons acquired Ca²⁺-dependent glutamate release properties as a hallmark of neuronal maturation. In conclusion, our study describes a new methodological approach to achieve feeder-free neuronal differentiation from hiPSC and adds a new tool for functional characterization of hiPSC-derived neurons.

Bacterial cellulose-based composites for nerve tissue engineering

Nerve injuries and neurodegenerative disorders are very serious and costly medical challenges. Damaged nerve tissue may not be able to heal and regain its function, and scar tissue may restrict nerve cell regeneration. In recent years, new electroactive biomaterials have attracted widespread attention in the neural tissue engineering field. Bacterial cellulose (BC) due to its unique properties such as good mechanical properties, high water retention, biocompatibility, high crystallinity, large surface area, high purity, very fine network, and inability to absorb in the human body due to cellulase deficiency, can be considered a promising treatment for neurological injuries and disorders that require long-term support. However, BC lacks electrical activity, but can significantly improve the nerve regeneration rate by combining with conductive structures. Electrical stimulation has been shown to be an effective means of increasing the rate and accuracy of nerve regeneration. Many factors, such as the intensity and pattern of electrical current, have positive effects on cellular activity, including cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and differentiation, and cell-cell/tissue/molecule/drug interaction. This study discusses the importance and essential role of BC-based biomaterials in neural tissue regeneration and the effects of electrical stimulation on cellular behaviors.