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Huang Y, Wang M, Ni H, Zhang J, Li A, Hu B, Junqueira Alves C, Wahane S, Rios de Anda M, Ho L, Li Y, Kang S, Neff R, Kostic A, Buxbaum JD, Crary JF, Brennand KJ, Zhang B, Zou H, Friedel RH. Regulation of cell distancing in peri-plaque glial nets by Plexin-B1 affects glial activation and amyloid compaction in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Neurosci 2024:10.1038/s41593-024-01664-w. [PMID: 38802590 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01664-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Communication between glial cells has a profound impact on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We reveal here that reactive astrocytes control cell distancing in peri-plaque glial nets, which restricts microglial access to amyloid deposits. This process is governed by guidance receptor Plexin-B1 (PLXNB1), a network hub gene in individuals with late-onset AD that is upregulated in plaque-associated astrocytes. Plexin-B1 deletion in a mouse AD model led to reduced number of reactive astrocytes and microglia in peri-plaque glial nets, but higher coverage of plaques by glial processes, along with transcriptional changes signifying reduced neuroinflammation. Additionally, a reduced footprint of glial nets was associated with overall lower plaque burden, a shift toward dense-core-type plaques and reduced neuritic dystrophy. Altogether, our study demonstrates that Plexin-B1 regulates peri-plaque glial net activation in AD. Relaxing glial spacing by targeting guidance receptors may present an alternative strategy to increase plaque compaction and reduce neuroinflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Huang
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Haofei Ni
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinglong Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aiqun Li
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chrystian Junqueira Alves
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shalaka Wahane
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mitzy Rios de Anda
- Seaver Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lap Ho
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuhuan Li
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'An, China
| | - Sangjo Kang
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Neff
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Kostic
- Seaver Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Mount Sinai Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research Core, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Departments of Psychiatry and Genetics, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Hongyan Zou
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Roland H Friedel
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Cao Z, Kong F, Ding J, Chen C, He F, Deng W. Promoting Alzheimer's disease research and therapy with stem cell technology. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:136. [PMID: 38715083 PMCID: PMC11077895 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent form of dementia leading to memory loss, reduced cognitive and linguistic abilities, and decreased self-care. Current AD treatments aim to relieve symptoms and slow disease progression, but a cure is elusive due to limited understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. MAIN CONTENT Stem cell technology has the potential to revolutionize AD research. With the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types, stem cells are valuable tools for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell therapy. Recent advances have broadened our understanding beyond the deposition of amyloidβ (Aβ) or tau proteins in AD to encompass risk genes, immune system disorders, and neuron-glia mis-communication, relying heavily on stem cell-derived disease models. These stem cell-based models (e.g., organoids and microfluidic chips) simulate in vivo pathological processes with extraordinary spatial and temporal resolution. Stem cell technologies have the potential to alleviate AD pathology through various pathways, including immunomodulation, replacement of damaged neurons, and neurotrophic support. In recent years, transplantation of glial cells like oligodendrocytes and the infusion of exosomes have become hot research topics. CONCLUSION Although stem cell-based models and therapies for AD face several challenges, such as extended culture time and low differentiation efficiency, they still show considerable potential for AD treatment and are likely to become preferred tools for AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimeng Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Fanshu Kong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiaqi Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Chunxia Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Fumei He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dali University, Dali, 671000, China.
| | - Wenbin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Nonaka H, Kondo T, Suga M, Yamanaka R, Sagara Y, Tsukita K, Mitsutomi N, Homma K, Saito R, Miyoshi F, Ohzeki H, Okuyama M, Inoue H. Induced pluripotent stem cell-based assays recapture multiple properties of human astrocytes. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18214. [PMID: 38509731 PMCID: PMC10955154 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18214] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The majority of the population of glial cells in the central nervous system consists of astrocytes, and impairment of astrocytes causes various disorders. It is useful to assess the multiple astrocytic properties in order to understand their complex roles in the pathophysiology. Although we can differentiate human astrocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), it remains unknown how we can analyse and reveal the multiple properties of astrocytes in complexed human disease conditions. For this purpose, we tested astrocytic differentiation protocols from feeder-free iPSCs based on the previous method with some modifications. Then, we set up extra- and intracellular assessments of iPSC-derived astrocytes by testing cytokine release, calcium influx, autophagy induction and migration. The results led us to analytic methods with conditions in which iPSC-derived astrocytes behave as in vivo. Finally, we applied these methods for modelling an astrocyte-related disease, Alexander disease. An analytic system using iPSC-derived astrocytes could be used to recapture complexities in human astrocyte diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Nonaka
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma CorporationYokohamaJapan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Medical‐risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP)KyotoJapan
| | - Mika Suga
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Ryu Yamanaka
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma CorporationYokohamaJapan
| | - Yukako Sagara
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Kayoko Tsukita
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | | | - Kengo Homma
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma CorporationYokohamaJapan
| | - Ryuta Saito
- Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma CorporationYokohamaJapan
| | | | | | | | - Haruhisa Inoue
- iPSC‐based Drug Discovery and Development Team, RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)KyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Medical‐risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP)KyotoJapan
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4
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Marcó de la Cruz B, Campos J, Molinaro A, Xie X, Jin G, Wei Z, Acuna C, Sterky FH. Liprin-α proteins are master regulators of human presynapse assembly. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:629-642. [PMID: 38472649 PMCID: PMC11001580 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01592-9] [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: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The formation of mammalian synapses entails the precise alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic receptors but how nascent cell-cell contacts translate into assembly of presynaptic specializations remains unclear. Guided by pioneering work in invertebrates, we hypothesized that in mammalian synapses, liprin-α proteins directly link trans-synaptic initial contacts to downstream steps. Here we show that, in human neurons lacking all four liprin-α isoforms, nascent synaptic contacts are formed but recruitment of active zone components and accumulation of synaptic vesicles is blocked, resulting in 'empty' boutons and loss of synaptic transmission. Interactions with presynaptic cell adhesion molecules of either the LAR-RPTP family or neurexins via CASK are required to localize liprin-α to nascent synaptic sites. Liprin-α subsequently recruits presynaptic components via a direct interaction with ELKS proteins. Thus, assembly of human presynaptic terminals is governed by a hierarchical sequence of events in which the recruitment of liprin-α proteins by presynaptic cell adhesion molecules is a critical initial step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Marcó de la Cruz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joaquín Campos
- Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angela Molinaro
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Xingqiao Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Gaowei Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiyi Wei
- School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Brain Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomolecular Assembling and Regulation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Claudio Acuna
- Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Fredrik H Sterky
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute for Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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5
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Stefanakis N, Jiang J, Liang Y, Shaham S. LET-381/FoxF and its target UNC-30/Pitx2 specify and maintain the molecular identity of C. elegans mesodermal glia that regulate motor behavior. EMBO J 2024; 43:956-992. [PMID: 38360995 PMCID: PMC10943081 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00049-w] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
While most glial cell types in the central nervous system (CNS) arise from neuroectodermal progenitors, some, like microglia, are mesodermally derived. To understand mesodermal glia development and function, we investigated C. elegans GLR glia, which envelop the brain neuropil and separate it from the circulatory system cavity. Transcriptome analysis shows that GLR glia combine astrocytic and endothelial characteristics, which are relegated to separate cell types in vertebrates. Combined fate acquisition is orchestrated by LET-381/FoxF, a fate-specification/maintenance transcription factor also expressed in glia and endothelia of other animals. Among LET-381/FoxF targets, the UNC-30/Pitx2 transcription factor controls GLR glia morphology and represses alternative mesodermal fates. LET-381 and UNC-30 co-expression in naive cells is sufficient for GLR glia gene expression. GLR glia inactivation by ablation or let-381 mutation disrupts locomotory behavior and promotes salt-induced paralysis, suggesting brain-neuropil activity dysregulation. Our studies uncover mechanisms of mesodermal glia development and show that like neuronal differentiation, glia differentiation requires autoregulatory terminal selector genes that define and maintain the glial fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Stefanakis
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jessica Jiang
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yupu Liang
- Research Bioinformatics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA, 02135, USA
| | - Shai Shaham
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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6
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Wang M, Zhang L, Novak SW, Yu J, Gallina IS, Xu LL, Lim CK, Fernandes S, Shokhirev MN, Williams AE, Saxena MD, Coorapati S, Parylak SL, Quintero C, Molina E, Andrade LR, Manor U, Gage FH. Morphological diversification and functional maturation of human astrocytes in glia-enriched cortical organoid transplanted in mouse brain. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8. [PMID: 38418648 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell type in the brain, are underrepresented in traditional cortical organoid models due to the delayed onset of cortical gliogenesis. Here we introduce a new glia-enriched cortical organoid model that exhibits accelerated astrogliogenesis. We demonstrated that induction of a gliogenic switch in a subset of progenitors enabled the rapid derivation of astroglial cells, which account for 25-31% of the cell population within 8-10 weeks of differentiation. Intracerebral transplantation of these organoids reliably generated a diverse repertoire of cortical neurons and anatomical subclasses of human astrocytes. Spatial transcriptome profiling identified layer-specific expression patterns among distinct subclasses of astrocytes within organoid transplants. Using an in vivo acute neuroinflammation model, we identified a subpopulation of astrocytes that rapidly activates pro-inflammatory pathways upon cytokine stimulation. Additionally, we demonstrated that CD38 signaling has a crucial role in mediating metabolic and mitochondrial stress in reactive astrocytes. This model provides a robust platform for investigating human astrocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyan Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sammy Weiser Novak
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jingting Yu
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Iryna S Gallina
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lynne L Xu
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christina K Lim
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Fernandes
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maxim N Shokhirev
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - April E Williams
- Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Monisha D Saxena
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shashank Coorapati
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sarah L Parylak
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Cristian Quintero
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elsa Molina
- Next Generation Sequencing Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leonardo R Andrade
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Uri Manor
- Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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7
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Gu J, Rollo B, Berecki G, Petrou S, Kwan P, Sumer H, Cromer B. Generation of a stably transfected mouse embryonic stem cell line for inducible differentiation to excitatory neurons. Exp Cell Res 2024; 435:113902. [PMID: 38145818 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113902] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In vitro differentiation of stem cells into various cell lineages is valuable in developmental studies and an important source of cells for modelling physiology and pathology, particularly for complex tissues such as the brain. Conventional protocols for in vitro neuronal differentiation often suffer from complicated procedures, high variability and low reproducibility. Over the last decade, the identification of cell fate-determining transcription factors has provided new tools for cellular studies in neuroscience and enabled rapid differentiation driven by ectopic transcription factor expression. As a proneural transcription factor, Neurogenin 2 (Ngn2) expression alone is sufficient to trigger rapid and robust neurogenesis from pluripotent cells. Here, we established a stable cell line, by piggyBac (PB) transposition, that conditionally expresses Ngn2 for generation of excitatory neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using an all-in-one PB construct. Our results indicate that Ngn2-induced excitatory neurons have mature and functional characteristics consistent with previous studies using conventional differentiation methods. This approach provides an all-in-one PB construct for rapid and high copy number gene delivery of dox-inducible transcription factors to induce differentiation. This approach is a valuable in vitro cell model for disease modeling, drug screening and cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchao Gu
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben Rollo
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Geza Berecki
- Ion Channels and Human Diseases Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Ion Channels and Human Diseases Laboratory, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Huseyin Sumer
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Brett Cromer
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
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8
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Khatun M, Lundin K, Naillat F, Loog L, Saarela U, Tuuri T, Salumets A, Piltonen TT, Tapanainen JS. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Possible Approach for Exploring the Pathophysiology of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:67-87. [PMID: 37768523 PMCID: PMC10799779 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10627-w] [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] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine condition among women with pleiotropic sequelae possessing reproductive, metabolic, and psychological characteristics. Although the exact origin of PCOS is elusive, it is known to be a complex multigenic disorder with a genetic, epigenetic, and environmental background. However, the pathogenesis of PCOS, and the role of genetic variants in increasing the risk of the condition, are still unknown due to the lack of an appropriate study model. Since the debut of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, the ability of reprogrammed somatic cells to self-renew and their potential for multidirectional differentiation have made them excellent tools to study different disease mechanisms. Recently, researchers have succeeded in establishing human in vitro PCOS disease models utilizing iPSC lines from heterogeneous PCOS patient groups (iPSCPCOS). The current review sets out to summarize, for the first time, our current knowledge of the implications and challenges of iPSC technology in comprehending PCOS pathogenesis and tissue-specific disease mechanisms. Additionally, we suggest that the analysis of polygenic risk prediction based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) could, theoretically, be utilized when creating iPSC lines as an additional research tool to identify women who are genetically susceptible to PCOS. Taken together, iPSCPCOS may provide a new paradigm for the exploration of PCOS tissue-specific disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuma Khatun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, 00029 HUS, Finland.
| | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Florence Naillat
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Liisa Loog
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Ulla Saarela
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, 50406, Estonia
- Competence Centre of Health Technologies, Tartu, 50411, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, 14186, Sweden
| | - Terhi T Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki, 00029 HUS, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HFR - Cantonal Hospital of Fribourg and University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
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9
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Chou V, Pearse RV, Aylward AJ, Ashour N, Taga M, Terzioglu G, Fujita M, Fancher SB, Sigalov A, Benoit CR, Lee H, Lam M, Seyfried NT, Bennett DA, De Jager PL, Menon V, Young-Pearse TL. INPP5D regulates inflammasome activation in human microglia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7552. [PMID: 38016942 PMCID: PMC10684891 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42819-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia and neuroinflammation play an important role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D/SHIP1) is a myeloid-expressed gene genetically-associated with AD. Through unbiased analyses of RNA and protein profiles in INPP5D-disrupted iPSC-derived human microglia, we find that reduction in INPP5D activity is associated with molecular profiles consistent with disrupted autophagy and inflammasome activation. These findings are validated through targeted pharmacological experiments which demonstrate that reduced INPP5D activity induces the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cleavage of CASP1, and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18. Further, in-depth analyses of human brain tissue across hundreds of individuals using a multi-analytic approach provides evidence that a reduction in function of INPP5D in microglia results in inflammasome activation in AD. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying microglia-mediated processes in AD and highlight the inflammasome as a potential therapeutic target for modulating INPP5D-mediated vulnerability to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicky Chou
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard V Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aimee J Aylward
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nancy Ashour
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mariko Taga
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gizem Terzioglu
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Masashi Fujita
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seeley B Fancher
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alina Sigalov
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Courtney R Benoit
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hyo Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matti Lam
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas T Seyfried
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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10
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Michalski C, Wen Z. Leveraging iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1291115. [PMID: 38025464 PMCID: PMC10672983 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1291115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Communication between the immune and the nervous system is essential for human brain development and homeostasis. Disruption of this intricately regulated crosstalk can lead to neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, or neurodegenerative disorders. While animal models have been essential in characterizing the role of neuroimmunity in development and disease, they come with inherent limitations due to species specific differences, particularly with regard to microglia, the major subset of brain resident immune cells. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology now allows the development of clinically relevant models of the central nervous system that adequately reflect human genetic architecture. This article will review recent publications that have leveraged iPSC technology to assess neuro-immune interactions. First, we will discuss the role of environmental stressors such as neurotropic viruses or pro-inflammatory cytokines on neuronal and glial function. Next, we will review how iPSC models can be used to study genetic risk factors in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Lastly, we will evaluate current challenges and future potential for iPSC models in the field of neuroimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Michalski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhexing Wen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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11
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Spruit CM, Sweet IR, Maliepaard JCL, Bestebroer T, Lexmond P, Qiu B, Damen MJA, Fouchier RAM, Reiding KR, Snijder J, Herfst S, Boons GJ, de Vries RP. Contemporary human H3N2 influenza A viruses require a low threshold of suitable glycan receptors for efficient infection. Glycobiology 2023; 33:784-800. [PMID: 37471650 PMCID: PMC10629718 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent human H3N2 influenza A viruses have evolved to employ elongated glycans terminating in α2,6-linked sialic acid as their receptors. These glycans are displayed in low abundancies by (humanized) Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells, which are commonly employed to propagate influenza A virus, resulting in low or no viral propagation. Here, we examined whether the overexpression of the glycosyltransferases β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and β-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1, which are responsible for the elongation of poly-N-acetyllactosamines (LacNAcs), would result in improved A/H3N2 propagation. Stable overexpression of β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and β-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney and "humanized" Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells was achieved by lentiviral integration and subsequent antibiotic selection and confirmed by qPCR and protein mass spectrometry experiments. Flow cytometry and glycan mass spectrometry experiments using the β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase and/or β-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 knock-in cells demonstrated increased binding of viral hemagglutinins and the presence of a larger number of LacNAc repeating units, especially on "humanized" Madin-Darby Canine Kidney-β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase cells. An increase in the number of glycan receptors did, however, not result in a greater infection efficiency of recent human H3N2 viruses. Based on these results, we propose that H3N2 influenza A viruses require a low number of suitable glycan receptors to infect cells and that an increase in the glycan receptor display above this threshold does not result in improved infection efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy M Spruit
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Igor R Sweet
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua C L Maliepaard
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Theo Bestebroer
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Lexmond
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Boning Qiu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam J A Damen
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ron A M Fouchier
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karli R Reiding
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Snijder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Herfst
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, 315 Riverbend Rd, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Robert P de Vries
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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12
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Basak I, Harfoot R, Palmer JE, Kumar A, Quiñones-Mateu ME, Schweitzer L, Hughes SM. Neuroproteomic Analysis after SARS-CoV-2 Infection Reveals Overrepresented Neurodegeneration Pathways and Disrupted Metabolic Pathways. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1597. [PMID: 38002279 PMCID: PMC10669333 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111597] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides respiratory illness, SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, leads to neurological symptoms. The molecular mechanisms leading to neuropathology after SARS-CoV-2 infection are sparsely explored. SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells via different receptors, including ACE-2, TMPRSS2, and TMEM106B. In this study, we used a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal model, which expresses ACE-2, TMPRSS2, TMEM106B, and other possible SARS-CoV-2 receptors, to evaluate its susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The neurons were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, followed by RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry, and proteomic analyses of the infected neurons. Our findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 infects neurons at a lower rate than other human cells; however, the virus could not replicate or produce infectious virions in this neuronal model. Despite the aborted SARS-CoV-2 replication, the infected neuronal nuclei showed irregular morphology compared to other human cells. Since cytokine storm is a significant effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients, in addition to the direct neuronal infection, the neurons were treated with pre-conditioned media from SARS-CoV-2-infected lung cells, and the neuroproteomic changes were investigated. The limited SARS-CoV-2 infection in the neurons and the neurons treated with the pre-conditioned media showed changes in the neuroproteomic profile, particularly affecting mitochondrial proteins and apoptotic and metabolic pathways, which may lead to the development of neurological complications. The findings from our study uncover a possible mechanism behind SARS-CoV-2-mediated neuropathology that might contribute to the lingering effects of the virus on the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Basak
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Rhodri Harfoot
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Jennifer E. Palmer
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- Centre for Protein Research, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand (M.E.Q.-M.)
| | - Lucia Schweitzer
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Stephanie M. Hughes
- Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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13
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Stefanakis N, Jiang J, Liang Y, Shaham S. LET-381/FoxF and UNC-30/Pitx2 control the development of C. elegans mesodermal glia that regulate motor behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.23.563501. [PMID: 37961181 PMCID: PMC10634723 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.23.563501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
While most CNS glia arise from neuroectodermal progenitors, some, like microglia, are mesodermally derived. To understand mesodermal glia development and function, we investigated C. elegans GLR glia, which ensheath the brain neuropil and separate it from the circulatory-system cavity. Transcriptome analysis suggests GLR glia merge astrocytic and endothelial characteristics relegated to separate cell types in vertebrates. Combined fate acquisition is orchestrated by LET-381/FoxF, a fate-specification/maintenance transcription factor expressed in glia and endothelia of other animals. Among LET-381/FoxF targets, UNC-30/Pitx2 transcription factor controls GLR glia morphology and represses alternative mesodermal fates. LET-381 and UNC-30 co-expression in naïve cells is sufficient for GLR glia gene expression. GLR glia inactivation by ablation or let-381 mutation disrupts locomotory behavior and induces salt hypersensitivity, suggesting brain-neuropil activity dysregulation. Our studies uncover mechanisms of mesodermal glia development and show that like neurons, glia differentiation requires autoregulatory terminal selector genes that define and maintain the glial fate.
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14
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Gonzalez H, Narasipura SD, Shull T, Shetty A, Teppen TL, Naqib A, Al-Harthi L. An Efficient and Cost-Effective Approach to Generate Functional Human Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes. Cells 2023; 12:2357. [PMID: 37830571 PMCID: PMC10571578 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Human inducible pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes (iAs) are critical to study astrocytes in health and disease. They provide several advantages over human fetal astrocytes in research, which include consistency, availability, disease modeling, customization, and ethical considerations. The generation of iAs is hampered by the requirement of Matrigel matrix coating for survival and proliferation. We provide a protocol demonstrating that human iAs cultured in the absence of Matrigel are viable and proliferative. Further, through a side-by-side comparison of cultures with and without Matrigel, we show significant similarities in astrocyte-specific profiling, including morphology (shape and structure), phenotype (cell-specific markers), genotype (transcriptional expression), metabolic (respiration), and functional aspects (glutamate uptake and cytokine response). In addition, we report that, unlike other CNS cell types, such as neuronal progenitor cells and neurons, iAs can withstand the absence of Matrigel coating. Our study demonstrates that Matrigel is dispensable for the culture of human iPSC-derived astrocytes, facilitating an easy, streamlined, and cost-effective method of generating these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemil Gonzalez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.D.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Srinivas D. Narasipura
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.D.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Tanner Shull
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.D.N.); (T.S.)
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
| | - Amogh Shetty
- Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, IL 60506, USA
| | - Tara L. Teppen
- Molecular Neurobiology Division, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ankur Naqib
- Genome Core Facility, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (S.D.N.); (T.S.)
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15
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Lee H, Aylward AJ, Pearse RV, Lish AM, Hsieh YC, Augur ZM, Benoit CR, Chou V, Knupp A, Pan C, Goberdhan S, Duong DM, Seyfried NT, Bennett DA, Taga MF, Huynh K, Arnold M, Meikle PJ, De Jager PL, Menon V, Young JE, Young-Pearse TL. Cell-type-specific regulation of APOE and CLU levels in human neurons by the Alzheimer's disease risk gene SORL1. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112994. [PMID: 37611586 PMCID: PMC10568487 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
SORL1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through genetic studies. To interrogate the roles of SORL1 in human brain cells, SORL1-null induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were differentiated to neuron, astrocyte, microglial, and endothelial cell fates. Loss of SORL1 leads to alterations in both overlapping and distinct pathways across cell types, with the greatest effects in neurons and astrocytes. SORL1 loss induces a neuron-specific reduction in apolipoprotein E (APOE) and clusterin (CLU) and altered lipid profiles. Analyses of iPSCs derived from a large cohort reveal a neuron-specific association between SORL1, APOE, and CLU levels, a finding validated in postmortem brain. Enhancement of retromer-mediated trafficking rescues tau phenotypes observed in SORL1-null neurons but does not rescue APOE levels. Pathway analyses implicate transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/SMAD signaling in SORL1 function, and modulating SMAD signaling in neurons alters APOE RNA levels in a SORL1-dependent manner. Taken together, these data provide a mechanistic link between strong genetic risk factors for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Lee
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aimee J Aylward
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard V Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra M Lish
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yi-Chen Hsieh
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary M Augur
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Courtney R Benoit
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vicky Chou
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison Knupp
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cheryl Pan
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Srilakshmi Goberdhan
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Duc M Duong
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mariko F Taga
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Huynh
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthias Arnold
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter J Meikle
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for the Study of Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessica E Young
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Jovanovic VM, Weber C, Slamecka J, Ryu S, Chu PH, Sen C, Inman J, De Sousa JF, Barnaeva E, Hirst M, Galbraith D, Ormanoglu P, Jethmalani Y, Mercado JC, Michael S, Ward ME, Simeonov A, Voss TC, Tristan CA, Singeç I. A defined roadmap of radial glia and astrocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1701-1720. [PMID: 37451260 PMCID: PMC10444578 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.06.007] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human gliogenesis remains poorly understood, and derivation of astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is inefficient and cumbersome. Here, we report controlled glial differentiation from hPSCs that bypasses neurogenesis, which otherwise precedes astrogliogenesis during brain development and in vitro differentiation. hPSCs were first differentiated into radial glial cells (RGCs) resembling resident RGCs of the fetal telencephalon, and modulation of specific cell signaling pathways resulted in direct and stepwise induction of key astroglial markers (NFIA, NFIB, SOX9, CD44, S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]). Transcriptomic and genome-wide epigenetic mapping and single-cell analysis confirmed RGC-to-astrocyte differentiation, obviating neurogenesis and the gliogenic switch. Detailed molecular and cellular characterization experiments uncovered new mechanisms and markers for human RGCs and astrocytes. In summary, establishment of a glia-exclusive neural lineage progression model serves as a unique serum-free platform of manufacturing large numbers of RGCs and astrocytes for neuroscience, disease modeling (e.g., Alexander disease), and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vukasin M Jovanovic
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
| | - Claire Weber
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jaroslav Slamecka
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Seungmi Ryu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Pei-Hsuan Chu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Chaitali Sen
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jason Inman
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Juliana Ferreira De Sousa
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Elena Barnaeva
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | | | | | - Pinar Ormanoglu
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Yogita Jethmalani
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jennifer Colon Mercado
- Inherited Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sam Michael
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Michael E Ward
- Inherited Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Ty C Voss
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Carlos A Tristan
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Ilyas Singeç
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Division of Preclinical Innovation, Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
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17
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Dai DL, Li M, Lee EB. Human Alzheimer's disease reactive astrocytes exhibit a loss of homeostastic gene expression. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:127. [PMID: 37533101 PMCID: PMC10398957 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01624-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are one of the brain's major cell types and are responsible for maintaining neuronal homeostasis via regulating the extracellular environment, providing metabolic support, and modulating synaptic activity. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, astrocytes can take on a hypertrophic appearance. These reactive astrocytes are canonically associated with increases in cytoskeletal proteins, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. However, the molecular alterations that characterize astrocytes in human disease tissues have not been extensively studied with single cell resolution. Using single nucleus RNA sequencing data from normal, pathologic aging, and Alzheimer's disease brains, we identified the transcriptomic changes associated with reactive astrocytes. Deep learning-based clustering algorithms denoised expression data for 17,012 genes and clustered 15,529 astrocyte nuclei, identifying protoplasmic, gray matter and fibrous, white matter astrocyte clusters. RNA trajectory analyses revealed a spectrum of reactivity within protoplasmic astrocytes characterized by a modest increase of reactive genes and a marked decrease in homeostatic genes. Amyloid but not tau pathology correlated with astrocyte reactivity. To identify reactivity-associated genes, linear regressions of gene expression versus reactivity were used to identify the top 52 upregulated and 144 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that upregulated genes were associated with cellular growth, responses to metal ions, inflammation, and proteostasis. Downregulated genes were involved in cellular interactions, neuronal development, ERBB signaling, and synapse regulation. Transcription factors were significantly enriched among the downregulated genes. Using co-immunofluorescence staining of Alzheimer's disease brain tissues, we confirmed pathologic downregulation of ERBB4 and transcription factor NFIA in reactive astrocytes. Our findings reveal that protoplasmic, gray matter astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease exist within a spectrum of reactivity that is marked by a strong loss of normal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Dai
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA
| | - Edward B Lee
- Translational Neuropathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA.
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18
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Yeon GB, Jeon BM, Yoo SH, Kim D, Oh SS, Park S, Shin WH, Kim HW, Na D, Kim DW, Kim DS. Differentiation of astrocytes with characteristics of ventral midbrain from human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:1890-1906. [PMID: 37067644 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10536-y] [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] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Molecular and functional diversity among region-specific astrocytes is of great interest in basic neuroscience and the study of neurological diseases. In this study, we present the generation and characterization of astrocytes from human embryonic stem cells with the characteristics of the ventral midbrain (VM). Fine modulation of WNT and SHH signaling during neural differentiation induced neural precursor cells (NPCs) with high expression of EN1 and NKX6.1, but less expression of FOXA2. Overexpression of nuclear factor IB in NPCs induced astrocytes, thereby maintaining the expression of region-specific genes acquired in the NPC stage. When cocultured with dopaminergic (DA) precursors or DA neurons, astrocytes with VM characteristics (VM-iASTs) promoted the differentiation and survival of DA neurons better than those that were not regionally specified. Transcriptomic analysis showed that VM-iASTs were more closely related to human primary midbrain astrocytes than to cortical astrocytes, and revealed the upregulation of WNT1 and WNT5A, which supports their VM identity and explains their superior activity in DA neurons. Taken together, we hope that VM-iASTs can serve to improve ongoing DA precursor transplantation for Parkinson's disease, and that their transcriptomic data provide a valuable resource for investigating regional diversity in human astrocyte populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyu-Bum Yeon
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Min Jeon
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Hyun Yoo
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongyun Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Soo Oh
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyun Park
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ho Shin
- Department of Predictive Toxicology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 141 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Kim
- Department of Bio-Integrated Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-Ro, Gwangjin-Gu, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Dokyun Na
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-Ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Wook Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Brain Korea 21 PLUS Program for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Severance Biomedical Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dae-Sung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Guro Hospital, 97 Gurodong-Gil, Guro-Gu, Seoul, 08308, Republic of Korea.
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19
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Baranes K, Hastings N, Rahman S, Poulin N, Tavares JM, Kuan W, Syed N, Kunz M, Blighe K, Belgard TG, Kotter MRN. Transcription factor combinations that define human astrocyte identity encode significant variation of maturity and function. Glia 2023; 71:1870-1889. [PMID: 37029764 PMCID: PMC10952910 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24372] [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: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that cellular identity can be reduced to the distinct gene regulatory networks controlled by transcription factors (TFs). However, redundancy exists in these states as different combinations of TFs can induce broadly similar cell types. We previously demonstrated that by overcoming gene silencing, it is possible to deterministically reprogram human pluripotent stem cells directly into cell types of various lineages. In the present study we leverage the consistency and precision of our approach to explore four different TF combinations encoding astrocyte identity, based on previously published reports. Analysis of the resulting induced astrocytes (iAs) demonstrated that all four cassettes generate cells with the typical morphology of in vitro astrocytes, which expressed astrocyte-specific markers. The transcriptional profiles of all four iAs clustered tightly together and displayed similarities with mature human astrocytes, although maturity levels differed between cells. Importantly, we found that the TF cassettes induced iAs with distinct differences with regards to their cytokine response and calcium signaling. In vivo transplantation of selected iAs into immunocompromised rat brains demonstrated long term stability and integration. In conclusion, all four TF combinations were able to induce stable astrocyte-like cells that were morphologically similar but showed subtle differences with respect to their transcriptome. These subtle differences translated into distinct differences with regards to cell function, that could be related to maturation state and/or regional identity of the resulting cells. This insight opens an opportunity to precision-engineer cells to meet functional requirements, for example, in the context of therapeutic cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koby Baranes
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Nataly Hastings
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Saifur Rahman
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Noah Poulin
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Joana M. Tavares
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
| | - Wei‐Li Kuan
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
| | - Najeeb Syed
- The Bioinformatics CROSanfordFlorida32771USA
| | - Meik Kunz
- The Bioinformatics CROSanfordFlorida32771USA
| | | | | | - Mark R. N. Kotter
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0QQUK
- Wellcome‐MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeCB2 0AWUK
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20
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Berryer MH, Tegtmeyer M, Binan L, Valakh V, Nathanson A, Trendafilova D, Crouse E, Klein JA, Meyer D, Pietiläinen O, Rapino F, Farhi SL, Rubin LL, McCarroll SA, Nehme R, Barrett LE. Robust induction of functional astrocytes using NGN2 expression in human pluripotent stem cells. iScience 2023; 26:106995. [PMID: 37534135 PMCID: PMC10391684 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence of species divergent features of astrocytes coupled with the relative inaccessibility of human brain tissue underscore the utility of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies for the generation and study of human astrocytes. However, existing approaches for hPSC-astrocyte generation are typically lengthy or require intermediate purification steps. Here, we establish a rapid and highly scalable method for generating functional human induced astrocytes (hiAs). These hiAs express canonical astrocyte markers, respond to pro-inflammatory stimuli, exhibit ATP-induced calcium transients and support neuronal network development. Moreover, single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal the generation of highly reproducible cell populations across individual donors, mostly resembling human fetal astrocytes. Finally, hiAs generated from a trisomy 21 disease model identify expected alterations in cell-cell adhesion and synaptic signaling, supporting their utility for disease modeling applications. Thus, hiAs provide a valuable and practical resource for the study of basic human astrocyte function and dysfunction in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin H. Berryer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Tegtmeyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King’s College, London, UK
| | - Loïc Binan
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vera Valakh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna Nathanson
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Darina Trendafilova
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ethan Crouse
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jenny A. Klein
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Meyer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francesca Rapino
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samouil L. Farhi
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lee L. Rubin
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven A. McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralda Nehme
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lindy E. Barrett
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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21
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Lindblad C, Neumann S, Kolbeinsdóttir S, Zachariadis V, Thelin EP, Enge M, Thams S, Brundin L, Svensson M. Stem cell-derived brainstem mouse astrocytes obtain a neurotoxic phenotype in vitro upon neuroinflammation. J Inflamm (Lond) 2023; 20:22. [PMID: 37370141 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-023-00349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes respond to injury and disease through a process known as reactive astrogliosis, of which inflammatory signaling is one subset. This inflammatory response is heterogeneous with respect to the inductive stimuli and the afflicted central nervous system region. This is of plausible importance in e.g. traumatic axonal injury (TAI), where lesions in the brainstem carries a particularly poor prognosis. In fact, astrogliotic forebrain astrocytes were recently suggested to cause neuronal death following axotomy. We therefore sought to assess if ventral brainstem- or rostroventral spinal astrocytes exert similar effects on motor neurons in vitro. METHODS We derived brainstem/rostroventral spinal astrocyte-like cells (ES-astrocytes) and motor neurons using directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ES). We activated the ES-astrocytes using the neurotoxicity-eliciting cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 1α and tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-)α and clinically relevant inflammatory mediators. In co-cultures with reactive ES-astrocytes and motor neurons, we assessed neurotoxic ES-astrocyte activity, similarly to what has previously been shown for other central nervous system (CNS) regions. RESULTS We confirmed the brainstem/rostroventral ES-astrocyte identity using RNA-sequencing, immunocytochemistry, and by comparison with primary subventricular zone-astrocytes. Following cytokine stimulation, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway down-stream product phosphorylated c-Jun was increased, thus demonstrating ES-astrocyte reactivity. These reactive ES-astrocytes conferred a contact-dependent neurotoxic effect upon co-culture with motor neurons. When exposed to IL-1β and IL-6, two neuroinflammatory cytokines found in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum proteome following human severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), ES-astrocytes exerted similar effects on motor neurons. Activation of ES-astrocytes by these cytokines was associated with pathways relating to endoplasmic reticulum stress and altered regulation of MYC. CONCLUSIONS Ventral brainstem and rostroventral spinal cord astrocytes differentiated from mouse ES can exert neurotoxic effects in vitro. This highlights how neuroinflammation following CNS lesions can exert region- and cell-specific effects. Our in vitro model system, which uniquely portrays astrocytes and neurons from one niche, allows for a detailed and translationally relevant model system for future studies on how to improve neuronal survival in particularly vulnerable CNS regions following e.g. TAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lindblad
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Susanne Neumann
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Eric P Thelin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Enge
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Thams
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lou Brundin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Svensson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, J5:20 Svensson Group, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Solna, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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22
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Yan YW, Qian ES, Woodard LE, Bejoy J. Neural lineage differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells: Advances in disease modeling. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:530-547. [PMID: 37424945 PMCID: PMC10324500 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i6.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain diseases affect 1 in 6 people worldwide. These diseases range from acute neurological conditions such as stroke to chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recent advancements in tissue-engineered brain disease models have overcome many of the different shortcomings associated with the various animal models, tissue culture models, and epidemiologic patient data that are commonly used to study brain disease. One innovative method by which to model human neurological disease is via the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to neural lineages including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Three-dimensional models such as brain organoids have also been derived from hPSCs, offering more physiological relevance due to their incorporation of various cell types. As such, brain organoids can better model the pathophysiology of neural diseases observed in patients. In this review, we will emphasize recent developments in hPSC-based tissue culture models of neurological disorders and how they are being used to create neural disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Wei Yan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, United States
| | - Eddie S Qian
- Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Lauren E Woodard
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
- Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Julie Bejoy
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
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23
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Watson LA, Meharena HS. From neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration: utilizing human stem cell models to gain insight into Down syndrome. Front Genet 2023; 14:1198129. [PMID: 37323671 PMCID: PMC10267712 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1198129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), caused by triplication of chromosome 21, is the most frequent aneuploidy observed in the human population and represents the most common genetic form of intellectual disability and early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individuals with DS exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, with a number of organs implicated including the neurological, immune, musculoskeletal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal systems. Decades of DS research have illuminated our understanding of the disorder, however many of the features that limit quality of life and independence of individuals with DS, including intellectual disability and early-onset dementia, remain poorly understood. This lack of knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to neurological features of DS has caused significant roadblocks in developing effective therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life for individuals with DS. Recent technological advances in human stem cell culture methods, genome editing approaches, and single-cell transcriptomics have provided paradigm-shifting insights into complex neurological diseases such as DS. Here, we review novel neurological disease modeling approaches, how they have been used to study DS, and what questions might be addressed in the future using these innovative tools.
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24
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Canals I, Comella-Bolla A, Cepeda-Prado E, Avaliani N, Crowe JA, Oburoglu L, Bruzelius A, King N, Pajares MA, Pérez-Sala D, Heuer A, Rylander Ottosson D, Soriano J, Ahlenius H. Astrocyte dysfunction and neuronal network hyperactivity in a CRISPR engineered pluripotent stem cell model of frontotemporal dementia. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad158. [PMID: 37274831 PMCID: PMC10233896 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most prevalent type of early-onset dementia and up to 40% of cases are familial forms. One of the genes mutated in patients is CHMP2B, which encodes a protein found in a complex important for maturation of late endosomes, an essential process for recycling membrane proteins through the endolysosomal system. Here, we have generated a CHMP2B-mutated human embryonic stem cell line using genome editing with the purpose to create a human in vitro FTD disease model. To date, most studies have focused on neuronal alterations; however, we present a new co-culture system in which neurons and astrocytes are independently generated from human embryonic stem cells and combined in co-cultures. With this approach, we have identified alterations in the endolysosomal system of FTD astrocytes, a higher capacity of astrocytes to uptake and respond to glutamate, and a neuronal network hyperactivity as well as excessive synchronization. Overall, our data indicates that astrocyte alterations precede neuronal impairments and could potentially trigger neuronal network changes, indicating the important and specific role of astrocytes in disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Canals
- Correspondence to: Isaac Canals Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University Klinikgatan 26 BMC B10, 22184, Lund, Sweden E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - James A Crowe
- Lund Stem Cell Center, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Glial and Neuronal Biology lab, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leal Oburoglu
- Lund Stem Cell Center, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Andreas Bruzelius
- Lund Stem Cell Center, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Regenerative Neurophysiology group, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Naomi King
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - María A Pajares
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, C.S.I.C., 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreas Heuer
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniella Rylander Ottosson
- Lund Stem Cell Center, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Regenerative Neurophysiology group, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jordi Soriano
- The Neurophysics group, Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Henrik Ahlenius
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: Henrik Ahlenius E-mail:
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25
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Ren B, Burkovetskaya M, Jung Y, Bergdolt L, Totusek S, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Stauch K, Korade Z, Dunaevsky A. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism, aberrant excitability and altered cell cycle of astrocytes in fragile X syndrome. Glia 2023; 71:1176-1196. [PMID: 36594399 PMCID: PMC10023374 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most prevalent heritable form of intellectual disability, is caused by the transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene. While neuronal contribution to FXS has been extensively studied in both animal and human-based models of FXS, the roles of astrocytes, a type of glial cells in the brain, are largely unknown. Here, we generated a human-based FXS model via differentiation of astrocytes from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and characterized their development, function, and proteomic profiles. We identified shortened cell cycle, enhanced Ca2+ signaling, impaired sterol biosynthesis, and pervasive alterations in the proteome of FXS astrocytes. Our work identified astrocytic impairments that could contribute to the pathogenesis of FXS and highlight astrocytes as a novel therapeutic target for FXS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyan Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Maria Burkovetskaya
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Yoosun Jung
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Lara Bergdolt
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Steven Totusek
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, MIND Institute, and Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at UC Davis School of Medicine, and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kelly Stauch
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Zeljka Korade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, CHRI, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Anna Dunaevsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Hicks EM, Seah C, Cote A, Marchese S, Brennand KJ, Nestler EJ, Girgenti MJ, Huckins LM. Integrating genetics and transcriptomics to study major depressive disorder: a conceptual framework, bioinformatic approaches, and recent findings. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:129. [PMID: 37076454 PMCID: PMC10115809 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and heterogeneous psychiatric syndrome with genetic and environmental influences. In addition to neuroanatomical and circuit-level disturbances, dysregulation of the brain transcriptome is a key phenotypic signature of MDD. Postmortem brain gene expression data are uniquely valuable resources for identifying this signature and key genomic drivers in human depression; however, the scarcity of brain tissue limits our capacity to observe the dynamic transcriptional landscape of MDD. It is therefore crucial to explore and integrate depression and stress transcriptomic data from numerous, complementary perspectives to construct a richer understanding of the pathophysiology of depression. In this review, we discuss multiple approaches for exploring the brain transcriptome reflecting dynamic stages of MDD: predisposition, onset, and illness. We next highlight bioinformatic approaches for hypothesis-free, genome-wide analyses of genomic and transcriptomic data and their integration. Last, we summarize the findings of recent genetic and transcriptomic studies within this conceptual framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Hicks
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Carina Seah
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Alanna Cote
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Shelby Marchese
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA
| | - Matthew J Girgenti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Departments of Psychiatry and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, 10029, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
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27
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Hong Y, Yang Q, Song H, Ming GL. Opportunities and limitations for studying neuropsychiatric disorders using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1430-1439. [PMID: 36782062 PMCID: PMC10213114 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-01990-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders affect a large proportion of the global population and there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis and to develop novel and improved treatments of these devastating disorders. However, the diverse symptomatology combined with complex polygenic etiology, and the limited access to disorder-relevant cell types in human brains represent a major obstacle for mechanistic disease research. Conventional animal models, such as rodents, are limited by inherent species differences in brain development, architecture, and function. Advances in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) technologies have provided platforms for new discoveries in neuropsychiatric disorders. First, hiPSC-based disease models enable unprecedented investigation of psychiatric disorders at the molecular, cellular, and structural levels. Second, hiPSCs derived from patients with known genetics, symptoms, and drug response profiles offer an opportunity to recapitulate pathogenesis in relevant cell types and provide novel approaches for understanding disease mechanisms and for developing effective treatments. Third, genome-editing technologies have extended the potential of hiPSCs for generating models to elucidate the genetic basis of rare monogenetic and complex polygenic psychiatric disorders and to establish the causality between genotype and phenotype. Here we review opportunities and limitations for studying psychiatric disorders using various hiPSC-derived model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hong
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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28
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Seah C, Huckins LM, Brennand KJ. Stem Cell Models for Context-Specific Modeling in Psychiatric Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 93:642-650. [PMID: 36658083 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies reveal the complex polygenic architecture underlying psychiatric disorder risk, but there is an unmet need to validate causal variants, resolve their target genes(s), and explore their functional impacts on disorder-related mechanisms. Disorder-associated loci regulate transcription of target genes in a cell type- and context-specific manner, which can be measured through expression quantitative trait loci. In this review, we discuss methods and insights from context-specific modeling of genetically and environmentally regulated expression. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell type and organoid models have uncovered context-specific psychiatric disorder associations by investigating tissue-, cell type-, sex-, age-, and stressor-specific genetic regulation of expression. Techniques such as massively parallel reporter assays and pooled CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) screens make it possible to functionally fine-map genome-wide association study loci and validate their target genes at scale. Integration of disorder-associated contexts with these patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell models makes it possible to uncover gene by environment interactions that mediate disorder risk, which will ultimately improve our ability to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Seah
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
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29
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Ng NS, Newbery M, Touffu A, Maksour S, Chung J, Carroll L, Zaw T, Wu Y, Ooi L. Edaravone and mitochondrial transfer as potential therapeutics for vanishing white matter disease astrocyte dysfunction. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023. [PMID: 36971196 PMCID: PMC10401142 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous research has suggested that vanishing white matter disease (VWMD) astrocytes fail to fully differentiate and respond differently to cellular stresses compared to healthy astrocytes. However, few studies have investigated potential VWMD therapeutics in monoculture patient-derived cell-based models. METHODS To investigate the impact of alterations in astrocyte expression and function in VWMD, astrocytes were differentiated from patient and control induced pluripotent stem cells and analyzed by proteomics, pathway analysis, and functional assays, in the absence and presence of stressors or potential therapeutics. RESULTS Vanishing white matter disease astrocytes demonstrated significantly reduced expression of astrocyte markers and markers of inflammatory activation or cellular stress relative to control astrocytes. These alterations were identified both in the presence and absence of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid stimuli, which is used to simulate viral infections. Pathway analysis highlighted differential signaling in multiple pathways in VWMD astrocytes, including eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (EIF2) signaling, oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), mitochondrial function, the unfolded protein response (UPR), phagosome regulation, autophagy, ER stress, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle, glycolysis, tRNA signaling, and senescence pathways. Since oxidative stress and mitochondrial function were two of the key pathways affected, we investigated whether two independent therapeutic strategies could ameliorate astrocyte dysfunction: edaravone treatment and mitochondrial transfer. Edaravone treatment reduced differential VWMD protein expression of the UPR, phagosome regulation, ubiquitination, autophagy, ER stress, senescence, and TCA cycle pathways. Meanwhile, mitochondrial transfer decreased VWMD differential expression of the UPR, glycolysis, calcium transport, phagosome formation, and ER stress pathways, while further modulating EIF2 signaling, tRNA signaling, TCA cycle, and OXPHOS pathways. Mitochondrial transfer also increased the gene and protein expression of the astrocyte marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in VWMD astrocytes. CONCLUSION This study provides further insight into the etiology of VWMD astrocytic failure and suggests edaravone and mitochondrial transfer as potential candidate VWMD therapeutics that can ameliorate disease pathways in astrocytes related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and proteostasis.
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Mukherjee P, Peng CY, McGuire T, Hwang JW, Puritz CH, Pathak N, Patino CA, Braun R, Kessler JA, Espinosa HD. Single cell transcriptomics reveals reduced stress response in stem cells manipulated using localized electric fields. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100601. [PMID: 37063248 PMCID: PMC10102005 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane disruption using Bulk Electroporation (BEP) is a widely used non-viral method for delivering biomolecules into cells. Recently, its microfluidic counterpart, Localized Electroporation (LEP), has been successfully used for several applications ranging from reprogramming and engineering cells for therapeutic purposes to non-destructive sampling from live cells for temporal analysis. However, the side effects of these processes on gene expression, that can affect the physiology of sensitive stem cells are not well understood. Here, we use single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the effects of BEP and LEP on murine neural stem cell (NSC) gene expression. Our results indicate that unlike BEP, LEP does not lead to extensive cell death or activation of cell stress response pathways that may affect their long-term physiology. Additionally, our demonstrations show that LEP is suitable for multi-day delivery protocols as it enables better preservation of cell viability and integrity as compared to BEP.
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31
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Jin C, Wu Y, Zhang H, Xu B, Liu W, Ji C, Li P, Chen Z, Chen B, Li J, Wu X, Jiang P, Hu Y, Xiao Z, Zhao Y, Dai J. Spinal cord tissue engineering using human primary neural progenitor cells and astrocytes. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10448. [PMID: 36925694 PMCID: PMC10013752 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising approach for repairing spinal cord injury (SCI). However, cell survival, maturation and integration after transplantation are still major challenges. Here, we produced a novel centimeter-scale human spinal cord neural tissue (hscNT) construct with human spinal cord neural progenitor cells (hscNPCs) and human spinal cord astrocytes (hscAS) on a linearly ordered collagen scaffold (LOCS). The hscAS promoted hscNPC adhesion, survival and neurite outgrowth on the LOCS, to form a linearly ordered spinal cord-like structure consisting of mature neurons and glia cells. When transplanted into rats with SCI, the hscNT created a favorable microenvironment by inhibiting inflammation and glial scar formation, and promoted neural and vascular regeneration. Notably, the hscNT promoted neural circuit reconstruction and motor functional recovery. Engineered human spinal cord implants containing astrocytes and neurons assembled on axon guidance scaffolds may therefore have potential in the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jin
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yayu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Bai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Chunnan Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Panpan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Zhenni Chen
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Bing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jiayin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Xianming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Zhifeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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32
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Chou V, Fancher SB, Pearse RV, Lee H, Lam M, Seyfried NT, Bennett DA, De Jager PL, Menon V, Young-Pearse TL. INPP5D/SHIP1 regulates inflammasome activation in human microglia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530025. [PMID: 36865139 PMCID: PMC9980181 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Microglia and neuroinflammation are implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To better understand microglia-mediated processes in AD, we studied the function of INPP5D/SHIP1, a gene linked to AD through GWAS. Immunostaining and single nucleus RNA sequencing confirmed that INPP5D expression in the adult human brain is largely restricted to microglia. Examination of prefrontal cortex across a large cohort revealed reduced full length INPP5D protein levels in AD patient brains compared to cognitively normal controls. The functional consequences of reduced INPP5D activity were evaluated in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived microglia (iMGLs), using both pharmacological inhibition of the phosphatase activity of INPP5D and genetic reduction in copy number. Unbiased transcriptional and proteomic profiling of iMGLs suggested an upregulation of innate immune signaling pathways, lower levels of scavenger receptors, and altered inflammasome signaling with INPP5D reduction. INPP5D inhibition induced the secretion of IL-1ß and IL-18, further implicating inflammasome activation. Inflammasome activation was confirmed through visualization of inflammasome formation through ASC immunostaining in INPP5D-inhibited iMGLs, increased cleaved caspase-1 and through rescue of elevated IL-1ß and IL-18 with caspase-1 and NLRP3 inhibitors. This work implicates INPP5D as a regulator of inflammasome signaling in human microglia.
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Lee H, Aylward AJ, Pearse RV, Hsieh YC, Augur ZM, Benoit CR, Chou V, Knupp A, Pan C, Goberdhan S, Duong DM, Seyfried NT, Bennett DA, Klein HU, De Jager PL, Menon V, Young JE, Young-Pearse TL. Cell-type-specific regulation of APOE levels in human neurons by the Alzheimer's disease risk gene SORL1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.25.530017. [PMID: 36865313 PMCID: PMC9980168 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.25.530017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
SORL1 is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through human genetic studies that point to an association of reduced SORL1 levels with higher risk for AD. To interrogate the role(s) of SORL1 in human brain cells, SORL1 null iPSCs were generated, followed by differentiation to neuron, astrocyte, microglia, and endothelial cell fates. Loss of SORL1 led to alterations in both overlapping and distinct pathways across cell types, with the greatest effects in neurons and astrocytes. Intriguingly, SORL1 loss led to a dramatic neuron-specific reduction in APOE levels. Further, analyses of iPSCs derived from a human aging cohort revealed a neuron-specific linear correlation between SORL1 and APOE RNA and protein levels, a finding validated in human post-mortem brain. Pathway analysis implicated intracellular transport pathways and TGF- β/SMAD signaling in the function of SORL1 in neurons. In accord, enhancement of retromer-mediated trafficking and autophagy rescued elevated phospho-tau observed in SORL1 null neurons but did not rescue APOE levels, suggesting that these phenotypes are separable. Stimulation and inhibition of SMAD signaling modulated APOE RNA levels in a SORL1-dependent manner. These studies provide a mechanistic link between two of the strongest genetic risk factors for AD.
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34
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Berg LJ, Brüstle O. Stem cell programming - prospects for perinatal medicine. J Perinat Med 2023:jpm-2022-0575. [PMID: 36809086 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2022-0575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Recreating human cell and organ systems in vitro has tremendous potential for disease modeling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. The aim of this short overview is to recapitulate the impressive progress that has been made in the fast-developing field of cell programming during the past years, to illuminate the advantages and limitations of the various cell programming technologies for addressing nervous system disorders and to gauge their impact for perinatal medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea J Berg
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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35
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Wang J, Xu L, Peng D, Zhu Y, Gu Z, Yao Y, Li H, Cao X, Fu CY, Zheng M, Song X, Ding Y, Shen Y, Zhong J, Chen YY, Hu J, Wang LL. IFN-γ-STAT1-mediated CD8 + T-cell-neural stem cell cross talk controls astrogliogenesis after spinal cord injury. Inflamm Regen 2023; 43:12. [PMID: 36782279 PMCID: PMC9926765 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-023-00263-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes nearly all patients to suffer from protracted disabilities. An emerging therapeutic strategy involving the recruitment of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) has been developed. However, endogenous NSCs in the adult spinal cord differentiate into mostly astrocytes after traumatic injury, forming glial scars, which is a major cause of regeneration failure in SCI. Thus, understanding which factors drive the activation and differentiation of endogenous NSCs after SCI is critical for developing therapeutic drugs. METHODS The infiltration, state, and location of CD8+ T cells in spinal cord after traumatic injury were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) scores and rotarod testing were used for motor behavioral analysis. NSCs were co-cultured with CD8+ T cells. EdU assay was used to detect proliferative cells. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of STAT1, p-STAT1, and p27. ChIP-seq and ChIP-qRT-PCR analyses were used to detect the downstream of STAT1. Nestin-CreERT2::Ai9 transgenic mice were used to genetic lineage tracing of Nestin+ NSCs after SCI in vivo. RESULTS A prolonged increase of activated CD8+ T cells occurs in the injured spinal cords. The behavioral analysis demonstrated that the administration of an anti-CD8 antibody promotes the recovery of locomotor function. Then, we discovered that CD8+ T cells suppressed the proliferation of NSCs and promoted the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes by the IFN-γ-STAT1 pathway in vitro. ChIP-seq and ChIP-qRT-PCR analysis revealed that STAT1 could directly bind to the promoters of astrocyte marker genes GFAP and Aldh1l1. Genetic lineage tracing of Nestin+ NSCs demonstrated that most NSCs differentiated into astrocytes following SCI. Depleting CD8+ T cells reduced the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes and instead promoted the differentiation of NSCs into oligodendrocytes. CONCLUSION In conclusion, CD8+ T cells suppressed the proliferation of NSCs and promoted the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes by the IFN-γ-STAT1-GFAP/Aldhl1l axis. Our study identifies INF-γ as a critical mediator of CD8+ T-cell-NSC cross talk and a potential node for therapeutic intervention in SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Wang
- grid.412465.0Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Lintao Xu
- grid.412465.0Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Deqing Peng
- grid.417401.70000 0004 1798 6507Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Yongjian Zhu
- grid.412465.0Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Zhaowen Gu
- grid.412465.0Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Key Laboratory of Precise Treatment and Clinical Translational Research of Neurological Diseases, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Ying Yao
- grid.412465.0Department of Neurointensive Care Unit, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Heyangzi Li
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Xi Cao
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Chun-yan Fu
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Mingzhi Zheng
- grid.506977.a0000 0004 1757 7957School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053 China
| | - Xinghui Song
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XCentral Laboratory, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006 China
| | - Yueming Ding
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XSchool of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, 310015 China
| | - Yueliang Shen
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Jinjie Zhong
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences and Department of Obstetrics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Ying-ying Chen
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences and Department of Obstetrics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Jue Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310053, China.
| | - Lin-lin Wang
- grid.13402.340000 0004 1759 700XDepartment of Basic Medicine Sciences and Department of Orthopaedics of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058 China
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Transition from Animal-Based to Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)-Based Models of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040538. [PMID: 36831205 PMCID: PMC9954744 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arise from the disruption of highly coordinated mechanisms underlying brain development, which results in impaired sensory, motor and/or cognitive functions. Although rodent models have offered very relevant insights to the field, the translation of findings to clinics, particularly regarding therapeutic approaches for these diseases, remains challenging. Part of the explanation for this failure may be the genetic differences-some targets not being conserved between species-and, most importantly, the differences in regulation of gene expression. This prompts the use of human-derived models to study NDDS. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) added a new suitable alternative to overcome species limitations, allowing for the study of human neuronal development while maintaining the genetic background of the donor patient. Several hIPSC models of NDDs already proved their worth by mimicking several pathological phenotypes found in humans. In this review, we highlight the utility of hIPSCs to pave new paths for NDD research and development of new therapeutic tools, summarize the challenges and advances of hIPSC-culture and neuronal differentiation protocols and discuss the best way to take advantage of these models, illustrating this with examples of success for some NDDs.
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Trovato F, Stefani FR, Li J, Zetterdahl OG, Canals I, Ahlenius H, Bengzon J. Transcription Factor-Forced Astrocytic Differentiation Impairs Human Glioblastoma Growth In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:274-286. [PMID: 36508391 PMCID: PMC9890139 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Direct cellular reprogramming has recently gained attention of cancer researchers for the possibility to convert undifferentiated cancer cells into more differentiated, postmitotic cell types. While a few studies have attempted reprogramming of glioblastoma (GBM) cells toward a neuronal fate, this approach has not yet been used to induce differentiation into other lineages and in vivo data on reduction in tumorigenicity are limited. Here, we employ cellular reprogramming to induce astrocytic differentiation as a therapeutic approach in GBM. To this end, we overexpressed key transcriptional regulators of astroglial development in human GBM and GBM stem cell lines. Treated cells undergo a remarkable shift in structure, acquiring an astrocyte-like morphology with star-shaped bodies and radial branched processes. Differentiated cells express typical glial markers and show a marked decrease in their proliferative state. In addition, forced differentiation induces astrocytic functions such as induced calcium transients and ability to respond to inflammatory stimuli. Most importantly, forced differentiation substantially reduces tumorigenicity of GBM cells in an in vivo xenotransplantation model. The current study capitalizes on cellular plasticity with a novel application in cancer. We take advantage of the similarity between neural developmental processes and cancer hierarchy to mitigate, if not completely abolish, the malignant nature of tumor cells and pave the way for new intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Trovato
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Corresponding Author: Francesco Trovato, Stem Cell Center/Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Klinikgatan 26, Lund, Scania 221 84, Sweden. Phone: 46-222-3159; E-mail:
| | - Francesca Romana Stefani
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
| | - Oskar G. Zetterdahl
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
| | - Isaac Canals
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
| | - Henrik Ahlenius
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
| | - Johan Bengzon
- Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Scania, Sweden
- Department of Neurosurgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Scania, Sweden
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Sahlgren Bendtsen KM, Hall VJ. The Breakthroughs and Caveats of Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Modeling Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030420. [PMID: 36766763 PMCID: PMC9913971 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD) using human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a field now spanning 15 years. Developments in the field have shown a shift in using simple 2D cortical neuron models to more advanced tri-cultures and 3D cerebral organoids that recapitulate more features of the disease. This is largely due to development and optimization of new cell protocols. In this review, we highlight recent major breakthroughs in the AD field and the implications this has in modeling AD using iPSCs (AD-iPSCs). To date, AD-iPSCs have been largely used to recapitulate and study impaired amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and tau phosphorylation in both familial and sporadic AD. AD-iPSCs have also been studied for varying neuronal and glial dysfunctions. Moreover, they have been useful for discovering new molecular mechanisms, such as identifying proteins that bridge APP processing with tau phosphorylation and for identifying molecular pathways that bridge APP processing dysfunction with impaired cholesterol biosynthesis. Perhaps the greatest use of AD-iPSCs has been in discovering compounds via drug screening, that reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) in neurons, such as the anti-inflammatory compound, cromolyn, and antiparasitic drugs, avermectins. In addition, high content screening using AD-iPSCs has led to the identification of statins that can reduce levels of phosphorylated tau (p-Tau) in neurons. Some of these compounds have made it through to testing in human clinical trials. Improvements in omic technologies including single cell RNA sequencing and proteomics as well as advances in production of iPSC-cerebral organoids and tri-cultures is likely to result in the further discovery of new drugs and treatments for AD. Some caveats remain in the field, including, long experimental conditions to create mature neurons, high costs of media that limit research capabilities, and a lack of reproducibility using current iPSC-cerebral organoid protocols. Despite these current limitations, AD-iPSCs remain an excellent cellular model for studying AD mechanisms and for drug discovery.
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Joung J, Ma S, Tay T, Geiger-Schuller KR, Kirchgatterer PC, Verdine VK, Guo B, Arias-Garcia MA, Allen WE, Singh A, Kuksenko O, Abudayyeh OO, Gootenberg JS, Fu Z, Macrae RK, Buenrostro JD, Regev A, Zhang F. A transcription factor atlas of directed differentiation. Cell 2023; 186:209-229.e26. [PMID: 36608654 PMCID: PMC10344468 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) regulate gene programs, thereby controlling diverse cellular processes and cell states. To comprehensively understand TFs and the programs they control, we created a barcoded library of all annotated human TF splice isoforms (>3,500) and applied it to build a TF Atlas charting expression profiles of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) overexpressing each TF at single-cell resolution. We mapped TF-induced expression profiles to reference cell types and validated candidate TFs for generation of diverse cell types, spanning all three germ layers and trophoblasts. Targeted screens with subsets of the library allowed us to create a tailored cellular disease model and integrate mRNA expression and chromatin accessibility data to identify downstream regulators. Finally, we characterized the effects of combinatorial TF overexpression by developing and validating a strategy for predicting combinations of TFs that produce target expression profiles matching reference cell types to accelerate cellular engineering efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Joung
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sai Ma
- Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tristan Tay
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kathryn R Geiger-Schuller
- Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Paul C Kirchgatterer
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Vanessa K Verdine
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Baolin Guo
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mario A Arias-Garcia
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - William E Allen
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Society of Fellows, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ankita Singh
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Olena Kuksenko
- Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Omar O Abudayyeh
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan S Gootenberg
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rhiannon K Macrae
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jason D Buenrostro
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Yang Z, Gong M, Yang C, Chen C, Zhang K. Applications of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Glia in Brain Disease Research and Treatment. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:103-140. [PMID: 37735301 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_697] [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] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Glia are integral components of neural networks and are crucial in both physiological functions and pathological processes of the brain. Many brain diseases involve glial abnormalities, including inflammatory changes, mitochondrial damage, calcium signaling disturbance, hemichannel opening, and loss of glutamate transporters. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived glia provide opportunities to study the contributions of glia in human brain diseases. These cells have been used for human disease modeling as well as generating new therapies. This chapter introduces glial involvement in brain diseases, then summarizes different methods of generating iPSC-derived glia disease models of these cells. Finally, strategies for treating disease using iPSC-derived glia are discussed. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview and shed light on the applications of iPSC-derived glia in brain disease research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Yang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingyue Gong
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuanyan Yang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunhai Chen
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kuan Zhang
- Brain Research Center and State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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41
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Bi W, Lei T, Cai S, Zhang X, Yang Y, Xiao Z, Wang L, Du H. Potential of astrocytes in targeting therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109368. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Limone F, Klim JR, Mordes DA. Pluripotent stem cell strategies for rebuilding the human brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1017299. [PMID: 36408113 PMCID: PMC9667068 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1017299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders have been extremely challenging to treat with traditional drug-based approaches and curative therapies are lacking. Given continued progress in stem cell technologies, cell replacement strategies have emerged as concrete and potentially viable therapeutic options. In this review, we cover advances in methods used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into several highly specialized types of neurons, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and motor neurons, and the potential clinical applications of stem cell-derived neurons for common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ataxia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Additionally, we summarize cellular differentiation techniques for generating glial cell populations, including oligodendrocytes and microglia, and their conceivable translational roles in supporting neural function. Clinical trials of specific cell replacement therapies in the nervous system are already underway, and several attractive avenues in regenerative medicine warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Limone
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joseph R. Klim
- Faze Medicines, Cambridge, MA, United States,*Correspondence: Joseph R. Klim,
| | - Daniel A. Mordes
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States,Daniel A. Mordes,
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Habibey R, Striebel J, Schmieder F, Czarske J, Busskamp V. Long-term morphological and functional dynamics of human stem cell-derived neuronal networks on high-density micro-electrode arrays. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:951964. [PMID: 36267241 PMCID: PMC9578684 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.951964] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive electrophysiological characterizations of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neuronal networks are essential to determine to what extent these in vitro models recapitulate the functional features of in vivo neuronal circuits. High-density micro-electrode arrays (HD-MEAs) offer non-invasive recording with the best spatial and temporal resolution possible to date. For 3 months, we tracked the morphology and activity features of developing networks derived from a transgenic hiPSC line in which neurogenesis is inducible by neurogenic transcription factor overexpression. Our morphological data revealed large-scale structural changes from homogeneously distributed neurons in the first month to the formation of neuronal clusters over time. This led to a constant shift in position of neuronal cells and clusters on HD-MEAs and corresponding changes in spatial distribution of the network activity maps. Network activity appeared as scarce action potentials (APs), evolved as local bursts with longer duration and changed to network-wide synchronized bursts with higher frequencies but shorter duration over time, resembling the emerging burst features found in the developing human brain. Instantaneous firing rate data indicated that the fraction of fast spiking neurons (150–600 Hz) increases sharply after 63 days post induction (dpi). Inhibition of glutamatergic synapses erased burst features from network activity profiles and confirmed the presence of mature excitatory neurotransmission. The application of GABAergic receptor antagonists profoundly changed the bursting profile of the network at 120 dpi. This indicated a GABAergic switch from excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmission during circuit development and maturation. Our results suggested that an emerging GABAergic system at older culture ages is involved in regulating spontaneous network bursts. In conclusion, our data showed that long-term and continuous microscopy and electrophysiology readouts are crucial for a meaningful characterization of morphological and functional maturation in stem cell-derived human networks. Most importantly, assessing the level and duration of functional maturation is key to subject these human neuronal circuits on HD-MEAs for basic and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schmieder
- Laboratory of Measurement and Sensor System Technique, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Czarske
- Laboratory of Measurement and Sensor System Technique, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Competence Center for Biomedical Computational Laser Systems (BIOLAS), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- School of Science, Institute of Applied Physics, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- *Correspondence: Volker Busskamp,
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44
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Ahlenius H. Past, Present, and Future of Direct Cell Reprogramming. Cell Reprogram 2022; 24:205-211. [DOI: 10.1089/cell.2022.0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Ahlenius
- Stem Cells, Aging and Neurodegeneration, Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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45
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Habibey R, Rojo Arias JE, Striebel J, Busskamp V. Microfluidics for Neuronal Cell and Circuit Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:14842-14880. [PMID: 36070858 PMCID: PMC9523714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread adoption of microfluidic devices among the neuroscience and neurobiology communities has enabled addressing a broad range of questions at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels. Here, we review biomedical engineering approaches that harness the power of microfluidics for bottom-up generation of neuronal cell types and for the assembly and analysis of neural circuits. Microfluidics-based approaches are instrumental to generate the knowledge necessary for the derivation of diverse neuronal cell types from human pluripotent stem cells, as they enable the isolation and subsequent examination of individual neurons of interest. Moreover, microfluidic devices allow to engineer neural circuits with specific orientations and directionality by providing control over neuronal cell polarity and permitting the isolation of axons in individual microchannels. Similarly, the use of microfluidic chips enables the construction not only of 2D but also of 3D brain, retinal, and peripheral nervous system model circuits. Such brain-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip technologies are promising platforms for studying these organs as they closely recapitulate some aspects of in vivo biological processes. Microfluidic 3D neuronal models, together with 2D in vitro systems, are widely used in many applications ranging from drug development and toxicology studies to neurological disease modeling and personalized medicine. Altogether, microfluidics provide researchers with powerful systems that complement and partially replace animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Habibey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jesús Eduardo Rojo Arias
- Wellcome─MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Striebel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Volker Busskamp
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, University of Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
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46
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Drouin-Ouellet J. An Improved Method to Generate Human Induced Astrocytes. Cell Reprogram 2022; 24:163-164. [PMID: 35969675 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2022.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A major improvement in the generation of astrocytes directly from human fibroblasts will now facilitate the study of how aging impacts on astrocyte function and whether this contributes to neurodegenerative disorders.
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Uchino K, Tanaka Y, Kawaguchi S, Kubota K, Watanabe T, Katsurabayashi S, Hirose S, Iwasaki K. Establishment of autaptic culture with human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes. iScience 2022; 25:104762. [PMID: 35942096 PMCID: PMC9356095 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104762] [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: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although astrocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of CNS diseases, how they induce synaptic abnormalities is unclear. Currently, in vitro pathological astrocyte cultures or animal models do not reproduce human disease phenotypes accurately. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are replacing animal models in pathological studies. We developed an autaptic culture (AC) system containing single neuron cultures grown on microislands of astrocytes. AC with human iPSC-derived astrocytes (HiA) was established. We evaluated the effect of astrocytes on the synaptic functions of human-derived neurons. We found a significantly higher Na+ current amplitude, membrane capacitance, and number of synapses, as well as longer dendrites, in HiAACs compared with neuron monocultures. Furthermore, HiAs were involved in the formation and maturation of functional synapses that exhibited excitatory postsynaptic currents. This system can facilitate the study of CNS diseases and advance the development of drugs targeting glial cells. We developed an autaptic culture with human iPSCs-derived astrocytes Neurons in HiAACs developed after culture and formed functional synapses EPSC and mEPSC were recorded showing HiAs promoted synapse formation/maturation Autaptic cultures can be used to analyze synaptic activity and human CNS disease
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouya Uchino
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Yasuyoshi Tanaka
- Department of Advanced Pharmacology, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, 22-1 Tamagawa-machi, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan
- iONtarget, Co., Inc., 1-3-70-5805 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0006, Japan
- Research Institute for the Molecular Pathogeneses of Epilepsy, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Sayaka Kawaguchi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Kaori Kubota
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Takuya Watanabe
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Shutaro Katsurabayashi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
- Research Institute for the Molecular Pathogeneses of Epilepsy, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
- Corresponding author
| | - Shinichi Hirose
- iONtarget, Co., Inc., 1-3-70-5805 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka 814-0006, Japan
- Research Institute for the Molecular Pathogeneses of Epilepsy, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
- General Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
| | - Katsunori Iwasaki
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, 8-19-1 Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
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LaNoce E, Dumeng-Rodriguez J, Christian KM. Using 2D and 3D pluripotent stem cell models to study neurotropic viruses. FRONTIERS IN VIROLOGY 2022; 2:869657. [PMID: 36325520 PMCID: PMC9624474 DOI: 10.3389/fviro.2022.869657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the impact of viral pathogens on the human central nervous system (CNS) has been challenging due to the lack of viable human CNS models for controlled experiments to determine the causal factors underlying pathogenesis. Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and, more recently, cellular reprogramming of adult somatic cells to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide opportunities for directed differentiation to neural cells that can be used to evaluate the impact of known and emerging viruses on neural cell types. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be induced to neural lineages in either two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures, each bearing distinct advantages and limitations for modeling viral pathogenesis and evaluating effective therapeutics. Here we review the current state of technology in stem cell-based modeling of the CNS and how these models can be used to determine viral tropism and identify cellular phenotypes to investigate virus-host interactions and facilitate drug screening. We focus on several viruses (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Zika virus (ZIKV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), SARS-CoV-2, West Nile virus (WNV)) to illustrate key advantages, as well as challenges, of PSC-based models. We also discuss how human PSC-based models can be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs by generating data that are complementary to existing preclinical models. Ultimately, these efforts could facilitate the movement towards personalized medicine and provide patients and physicians with an additional source of information to consider when evaluating available treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma LaNoce
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jeriel Dumeng-Rodriguez
- Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Christian
- Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Sebastian R, Song Y, Pak C. Probing the molecular and cellular pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia using human induced pluripotent stem cell models. Schizophr Res 2022:S0920-9964(22)00263-8. [PMID: 35835709 PMCID: PMC9832179 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2022.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
With recent advancements in psychiatric genomics, as a field, "stem cell-based disease modelers" were given the exciting yet daunting task of translating the extensive list of disease-associated risks into biologically and clinically relevant information in order to deliver therapeutically meaningful leads and insights. Despite their limitations, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) based models have greatly aided our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the complex etiology of brain disorders including schizophrenia (SCZ). In this review, we summarize the major findings from studies in the past decade which utilized iPSC models to investigate cell type-specific phenotypes relevant to idiopathic SCZ and disease penetrant alleles. Across cell type differences, several biological themes emerged, serving as potential neurodevelopmental mechanisms of SCZ, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, depletion of progenitor pools and insufficient differentiation potential of these progenitors, and structural and functional deficits of neurons and other supporting cells. Here, we discuss both the recent progress as well as challenges and improvements needed for future studies utilizing iPSCs as a model for SCZ and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Sebastian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Yoonjae Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - ChangHui Pak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
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Chimeric cerebral organoids reveal the essentials of neuronal and astrocytic APOE4 for Alzheimer's tau pathology. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:176. [PMID: 35691989 PMCID: PMC9189105 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype is one of the strongest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and is generally believed to cause widespread pathological alterations in various types of brain cells. Here, we developed a novel engineering method of creating the chimeric human cerebral organoids (chCOs) to assess the differential roles of APOE4 in neurons and astrocytes. First, the astrogenic factors NFIB and SOX9 were introduced into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to accelerate the induction of astrocytes. Then the above induced iPSCs were mixed and cocultured with noninfected iPSCs under the standard culturing condition of cerebral organoids. As anticipated, the functional astrocytes were detected as early as 45 days, and it helped more neurons matured in chCOs in comparation of the control human cerebral organoids (hCOs). More interestingly, this method enabled us to generate chCOs containing neurons and astrocytes with different genotypes, namely APOE3 or APOE4. Then, it was found in chCOs that astrocytic APOE4 already significantly promoted lipid droplet formation and cholesterol accumulation in neurons while both astrocytic and neuronal APOE4 contributed to the maximum effect. Most notably, we observed that the co-occurrence of astrocytic and neuronal APOE4 were required to elevate neuronal phosphorylated tau levels in chCOs while Aβ levels were increased in chCOs with neuronal APOE4. Altogether, our results not only revealed the essence of both neuronal and astrocytic APOE4 for tau pathology, but also suggested chCOs as a valuable pathological model for AD research and drug discovery.
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