1
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Vardhan S, Jordan T, Sakiyama-Elbert S. Stem cell engineering approaches for investigating glial cues in central nervous system disorders. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 87:103131. [PMID: 38599012 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Glial cells are important in maintaining homeostasis for neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). During CNS disease or after injury, glia react to altered microenvironments and often acquire altered functions that contribute to disease pathology. A major focus for research is utilizing stem cell (SC)-derived glia as a potential renewable source for cell replacement to restore function, including neuronal support, and as a model for disease states to identify therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on SC differentiation protocols for deriving three types of glial cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. These SC-derived glia can be used to identify critical cues that contribute to CNS disease progression and aid in investigation of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangamithra Vardhan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Tyler Jordan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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2
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Teo F, Kok CYL, Tan MJ, Je HS. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived microglia for the study of brain disorders. A comprehensive review of existing protocols. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:497-508. [PMID: 38655500 PMCID: PMC11035045 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia, resident immune cells of the brain that originate from the yolk sac, play a critical role in maintaining brain homeostasis by monitoring and phagocytosing pathogens and cellular debris in the central nervous system (CNS). While they share characteristics with myeloid cells, they are distinct from macrophages. In response to injury, microglia release pro-inflammatory factors and contribute to brain homeostasis through activities such as synapse pruning and neurogenesis. To better understand their role in neurological disorders, the generation of in vitro models of human microglia has become essential. These models, derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), provide a controlled environment to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The incorporation or generation of microglia into three-dimensional (3D) organoid cultures provides a more physiologically relevant environment that offers further opportunities to study microglial dynamics and disease modeling. This review describes several protocols that have been recently developed for the generation of human-induced microglia. Importantly, it highlights the promise of these in vitro models in advancing our understanding of brain disorders and facilitating personalized drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fionicca Teo
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Catherine Yen Li Kok
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Mao-Jia Tan
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - H. Shawn Je
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Advanced Bioimaging Centre, SingHealth, Academia, 20 College Road, Singapore 169856, Singapore
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3
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Ciucci G, Braga L, Zacchigna S. Discovery platforms for RNA therapeutics. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38760893 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA therapeutics are emerging as a unique opportunity to drug currently "undruggable" molecules and diseases. While their advantages over conventional, small molecule drugs, their therapeutic implications and the tools for their effective in vivo delivery have been extensively reviewed, little attention has been so far paid to the technological platforms exploited for the discovery of RNA therapeutics. Here, we provide an overview of the existing platforms and ex vivo assays for RNA discovery, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their main fields of application, with specific focus on RNA therapies that have reached either phase 3 or market approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Ciucci
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- Functional Cell Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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4
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Iyer AK, Vermunt L, Mirfakhar FS, Minaya M, Acquarone M, Koppisetti RK, Renganathan A, You SF, Danhash EP, Verbeck A, Galasso G, Lee SM, Marsh J, Nana AL, Spina S, Seeley WW, Grinberg LT, Temple S, Teunissen CE, Sato C, Karch CM. Cell autonomous microglia defects in a stem cell model of frontotemporal dementia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.15.24307444. [PMID: 38798451 PMCID: PMC11118656 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.24307444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal dysfunction has been extensively studied as a central feature of neurodegenerative tauopathies. However, across neurodegenerative diseases, there is strong evidence for active involvement of immune cells like microglia in driving disease pathophysiology. Here, we demonstrate that tau mRNA and protein are expressed in microglia in human brains and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia like cells (iMGLs). Using iMGLs harboring the MAPT IVS10+16 mutation and isogenic controls, we demonstrate that a tau mutation is sufficient to alter microglial transcriptional states. We discovered that MAPT IVS10+16 microglia exhibit cytoskeletal abnormalities, stalled phagocytosis, disrupted TREM2/TYROBP networks, and altered metabolism. Additionally, we found that secretory factors from MAPT IVS10+16 iMGLs impact neuronal health, reducing synaptic density in neurons. Key features observed in vitro were recapitulated in human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid from MAPT mutations carriers. Together, our findings that MAPT IVS10+16 drives cell-intrinsic dysfunction in microglia that impacts neuronal health has major implications for development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirami K. Iyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lisa Vermunt
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands
| | | | - Miguel Minaya
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mariana Acquarone
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Arun Renganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shih-Feng You
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Emma P. Danhash
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Anthony Verbeck
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Grant Galasso
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Scott M. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacob Marsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alissa L. Nana
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Salvatore Spina
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - William W. Seeley
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo
| | | | - Charlotte E. Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands
| | - Chihiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- The Tracy Family Stable Isotope Labeling Quantitation Center, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Celeste M. Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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5
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Csatári J, Wiendl H, Pawlowski M. Forward programming human pluripotent stem cells into microglia. Trends Cell Biol 2024:S0962-8924(24)00069-2. [PMID: 38702219 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2024.03.006] [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: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Microglia play vital roles in embryonic and post-natal development, homeostasis, and pathogen defence in the central nervous system. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based methods have emerged as an important source for the study of human microglia in vitro. Classical approaches to differentiate hiPSCs into microglia suffer from limitations including extended culture periods, consistency, and efficiency. More recently, forward programming has arisen as a promising alternative for the manufacture of bulk quantities of human microglia. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of published forward programming protocols that are based on forced expression of key lineage transcription factors (TFs). We focus on the choice of reprogramming factors, transgene delivery methods, and medium composition, which impact induction kinetics and the resulting microglia phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Csatári
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Matthias Pawlowski
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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6
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Kong W, Frouard J, Xie G, Corley MJ, Helmy E, Zhang G, Schwarzer R, Montano M, Sohn P, Roan NR, Ndhlovu LC, Gan L, Greene WC. Neuroinflammation generated by HIV-infected microglia promotes dysfunction and death of neurons in human brain organoids. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae179. [PMID: 38737767 PMCID: PMC11086946 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for individuals living with HIV, mild forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) continue to occur. Brain microglia form the principal target for HIV infection in the brain. It remains unknown how infection of these cells leads to neuroinflammation, neuronal dysfunction, and/or death observed in HAND. Utilizing two different inducible pluripotent stem cell-derived brain organoid models (cerebral and choroid plexus [ChP] organoids) containing microglia, we investigated the pathogenic changes associated with HIV infection. Infection of microglia was associated with a sharp increase in CCL2 and CXCL10 chemokine gene expression and the activation of many type I interferon stimulated genes (MX1, ISG15, ISG20, IFI27, IFITM3 and others). Production of the proinflammatory chemokines persisted at low levels after treatment of the cell cultures with ART, consistent with the persistence of mild HAND following clinical introduction of ART. Expression of multiple members of the S100 family of inflammatory genes sharply increased following HIV infection of microglia measured by single-cell RNA-seq. However, S100 gene expression was not limited to microglia but was also detected more broadly in uninfected stromal cells, mature and immature ChP cells, neural progenitor cells and importantly in bystander neurons suggesting propagation of the inflammatory response to bystander cells. Neurotransmitter transporter expression declined in uninfected neurons, accompanied by increased expression of genes promoting cellular senescence and cell death. Together, these studies underscore how an inflammatory response generated in HIV-infected microglia is propagated to multiple uninfected bystander cells ultimately resulting in the dysfunction and death of bystander neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Kong
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Julie Frouard
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Guorui Xie
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michael J Corley
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ekram Helmy
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gang Zhang
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Roland Schwarzer
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mauricio Montano
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Peter Sohn
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Nadia R Roan
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lishomwa C Ndhlovu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Warner C Greene
- Michael Hulton Center for HIV Cure Research at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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7
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Cerneckis J, Cai H, Shi Y. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): molecular mechanisms of induction and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:112. [PMID: 38670977 PMCID: PMC11053163 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01809-0] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has transformed in vitro research and holds great promise to advance regenerative medicine. iPSCs have the capacity for an almost unlimited expansion, are amenable to genetic engineering, and can be differentiated into most somatic cell types. iPSCs have been widely applied to model human development and diseases, perform drug screening, and develop cell therapies. In this review, we outline key developments in the iPSC field and highlight the immense versatility of the iPSC technology for in vitro modeling and therapeutic applications. We begin by discussing the pivotal discoveries that revealed the potential of a somatic cell nucleus for reprogramming and led to successful generation of iPSCs. We consider the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of somatic cell reprogramming as well as the numerous methods available to induce pluripotency. Subsequently, we discuss various iPSC-based cellular models, from mono-cultures of a single cell type to complex three-dimensional organoids, and how these models can be applied to elucidate the mechanisms of human development and diseases. We use examples of neurological disorders, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and cancer to highlight the diversity of disease-specific phenotypes that can be modeled using iPSC-derived cells. We also consider how iPSC-derived cellular models can be used in high-throughput drug screening and drug toxicity studies. Finally, we discuss the process of developing autologous and allogeneic iPSC-based cell therapies and their potential to alleviate human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Cerneckis
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongxia Cai
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Yanhong Shi
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
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8
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Franks SN, Heon-Roberts R, Ryan BJ. CRISPRi: a way to integrate iPSC-derived neuronal models. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:539-551. [PMID: 38526223 PMCID: PMC11088925 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230190] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The genetic landscape of neurodegenerative diseases encompasses genes affecting multiple cellular pathways which exert effects in an array of neuronal and glial cell-types. Deconvolution of the roles of genes implicated in disease and the effects of disease-associated variants remains a vital step in the understanding of neurodegeneration and the development of therapeutics. Disease modelling using patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has enabled the generation of key cell-types associated with disease whilst maintaining the genomic variants that predispose to neurodegeneration. The use of CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), alongside other CRISPR-perturbations, allows the modelling of the effects of these disease-associated variants or identifying genes which modify disease phenotypes. This review summarises the current applications of CRISPRi in iPSC-derived neuronal models, such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based screens, and discusses the future opportunities for disease modelling, identification of disease risk modifiers and target/drug discovery in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N.J. Franks
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Rachel Heon-Roberts
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Brent J. Ryan
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre and Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Building, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
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9
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Haq I, Ngo JC, Roy N, Pan RL, Nawsheen N, Chiu R, Zhang Y, Fujita M, Soni RK, Wu X, Bennett DA, Menon V, Olah M, Sher F. An integrated toolkit for human microglia functional genomics. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:104. [PMID: 38600587 PMCID: PMC11005142 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03700-9] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play vital roles in brain development, and disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Human iPSC-derived microglia (iMG) provide a promising model to study these processes. However, existing iMG generation protocols face challenges, such as prolonged differentiation time, lack of detailed characterization, and limited gene function investigation via CRISPR-Cas9. METHODS Our integrated toolkit for in-vitro microglia functional genomics optimizes iPSC differentiation into iMG through a streamlined two-step, 20-day process, producing iMG with a normal karyotype. We confirmed the iMG's authenticity and quality through single-cell RNA sequencing, chromatin accessibility profiles (ATAC-Seq), proteomics and functional tests. The toolkit also incorporates a drug-dependent CRISPR-ON/OFF system for temporally controlled gene expression. Further, we facilitate the use of multi-omic data by providing online searchable platform that compares new iMG profiles to human primary microglia: https://sherlab.shinyapps.io/IPSC-derived-Microglia/ . RESULTS Our method generates iMG that closely align with human primary microglia in terms of transcriptomic, proteomic, and chromatin accessibility profiles. Functionally, these iMG exhibit Ca2 + transients, cytokine driven migration, immune responses to inflammatory signals, and active phagocytosis of CNS related substrates including synaptosomes, amyloid beta and myelin. Significantly, the toolkit facilitates repeated iMG harvesting, essential for large-scale experiments like CRISPR-Cas9 screens. The standalone ATAC-Seq profiles of our iMG closely resemble primary microglia, positioning them as ideal tools to study AD-associated single nucleotide variants (SNV) especially in the genome regulatory regions. CONCLUSIONS Our advanced two-step protocol rapidly and efficiently produces authentic iMG. With features like the CRISPR-ON/OFF system and a comprehensive multi-omic data platform, our toolkit equips researchers for robust microglial functional genomic studies. By facilitating detailed SNV investigation and offering a sustainable cell harvest mechanism, the toolkit heralds significant progress in neurodegenerative disease drug research and therapeutic advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imdadul Haq
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason C Ngo
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nainika Roy
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard L Pan
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadiya Nawsheen
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca Chiu
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroimmunology Core, Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ya Zhang
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Neuroimmunology Core, Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masashi Fujita
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rajesh K Soni
- Proteomics Core, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuebing Wu
- Department of Medicine, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vilas Menon
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marta Olah
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Falak Sher
- Center for Translational and Computational Neuroimmunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Dorion MF, Casas D, Shlaifer I, Yaqubi M, Fleming P, Karpilovsky N, Chen CXQ, Nicouleau M, Piscopo VEC, MacDougall EJ, Alluli A, Goldsmith TM, Schneider A, Dorion S, Aprahamian N, MacDonald A, Thomas RA, Dudley RWR, Hall JA, Fon EA, Antel JP, Stratton JA, Durcan TM, La Piana R, Healy LM. An adapted protocol to derive microglia from stem cells and its application in the study of CSF1R-related disorders. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:31. [PMID: 38576039 PMCID: PMC10996091 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00723-x] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia (iMGL) represent an excellent tool in studying microglial function in health and disease. Yet, since differentiation and survival of iMGL are highly reliant on colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) signaling, it is difficult to use iMGL to study microglial dysfunction associated with pathogenic defects in CSF1R. METHODS Serial modifications to an existing iMGL protocol were made, including but not limited to changes in growth factor combination to drive microglial differentiation, until successful derivation of microglia-like cells from an adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) patient carrying a c.2350G > A (p.V784M) CSF1R variant. Using healthy control lines, the quality of the new iMGL protocol was validated through cell yield assessment, measurement of microglia marker expression, transcriptomic comparison to primary microglia, and evaluation of inflammatory and phagocytic activities. Similarly, molecular and functional characterization of the ALSP patient-derived iMGL was carried out in comparison to healthy control iMGL. RESULTS The newly devised protocol allowed the generation of iMGL with enhanced transcriptomic similarity to cultured primary human microglia and with higher scavenging and inflammatory competence at ~ threefold greater yield compared to the original protocol. Using this protocol, decreased CSF1R autophosphorylation and cell surface expression was observed in iMGL derived from the ALSP patient compared to those derived from healthy controls. Additionally, ALSP patient-derived iMGL presented a migratory defect accompanying a temporal reduction in purinergic receptor P2Y12 (P2RY12) expression, a heightened capacity to internalize myelin, as well as heightened inflammatory response to Pam3CSK4. Poor P2RY12 expression was confirmed to be a consequence of CSF1R haploinsufficiency, as this feature was also observed following CSF1R knockdown or inhibition in mature control iMGL, and in CSF1RWT/KO and CSF1RWT/E633K iMGL compared to their respective isogenic controls. CONCLUSIONS We optimized a pre-existing iMGL protocol, generating a powerful tool to study microglial involvement in human neurological diseases. Using the optimized protocol, we have generated for the first time iMGL from an ALSP patient carrying a pathogenic CSF1R variant, with preliminary characterization pointing toward functional alterations in migratory, phagocytic and inflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-France Dorion
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Diana Casas
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Irina Shlaifer
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Peter Fleming
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nathan Karpilovsky
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Carol X-Q Chen
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Michael Nicouleau
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Valerio E C Piscopo
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Emma J MacDougall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Aeshah Alluli
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Taylor M Goldsmith
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Alexandria Schneider
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Samuel Dorion
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, H3T 1NB, Canada
| | - Nathalia Aprahamian
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Adam MacDonald
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Rhalena A Thomas
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roy W R Dudley
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centers, Montreal, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jeffrey A Hall
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Edward A Fon
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- McGill Parkinson Program and Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jo Anne Stratton
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Roberta La Piana
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Luke M Healy
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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11
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Wasielewska JM, Szostak K, McInnes LE, Quek H, Chaves JCS, Liddell JR, Koistinaho J, Oikari LE, Donnelly PS, White AR. Patient-Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Model for Screening Copper Bis(thiosemicarbazone) Complexes as Potential Therapeutics in Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:1432-1455. [PMID: 38477556 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00743] [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: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia characterized by a progressive cognitive decline. Addressing neuroinflammation represents a promising therapeutic avenue to treat AD; however, the development of effective antineuroinflammatory compounds is often hindered by their limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Consequently, there is an urgent need for accurate, preclinical AD patient-specific BBB models to facilitate the early identification of immunomodulatory drugs capable of efficiently crossing the human AD BBB. This study presents a unique approach to BBB drug permeability screening as it utilizes the familial AD patient-derived induced brain endothelial-like cell (iBEC)-based model, which exhibits increased disease relevance and serves as an improved BBB drug permeability assessment tool when compared to traditionally employed in vitro models. To demonstrate its utility as a small molecule drug candidate screening platform, we investigated the effects of diacetylbis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) (CuII(atsm)) and a library of metal bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes─a class of compounds exhibiting antineuroinflammatory therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders. By evaluating the toxicity, cellular accumulation, and permeability of those compounds in the AD patient-derived iBEC, we have identified 3,4-hexanedione bis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) (CuII(dtsm)) as a candidate with good transport across the AD BBB. Furthermore, we have developed a multiplex approach where AD patient-derived iBEC were combined with immune modulators TNFα and IFNγ to establish an in vitro model representing the characteristic neuroinflammatory phenotype at the patient's BBB. Here, we observed that treatment with CuII(dtsm) not only reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes but also reversed the detrimental effects of TNFα and IFNγ on the integrity and function of the AD iBEC monolayer. This suggests a novel pathway through which copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes may exert neurotherapeutic effects on AD by mitigating BBB neuroinflammation and related BBB integrity impairment. Together, the presented model provides an effective and easily scalable in vitro BBB platform for screening AD drug candidates. Its improved translational potential makes it a valuable tool for advancing the development of metal-based compounds aimed at modulating neuroinflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Wasielewska
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Kathryn Szostak
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Lachlan E McInnes
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hazel Quek
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Juliana C S Chaves
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Jeffrey R Liddell
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014,Finland
- Neuroscience Centre, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Lotta E Oikari
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Paul S Donnelly
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science and Biotechnology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony R White
- Mental Health and Neuroscience Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
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12
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Huckins LM, Brennand K, Bulik CM. Dissecting the biology of feeding and eating disorders. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:380-391. [PMID: 38431502 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.01.009] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) are heterogenous and characterized by varying patterns of dysregulated eating and weight. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) are clarifying their underlying biology and their genetic relationship to other psychiatric and metabolic/anthropometric traits. Genetic research on anorexia nervosa (AN) has identified eight significant loci and uncovered genetic correlations implicating both psychiatric and metabolic/anthropometric risk factors. Careful explication of these metabolic contributors may be key to developing effective and enduring treatments for devastating, life-altering, and frequently lethal illnesses. We discuss clinical phenomenology, genomics, phenomics, intestinal microbiota, and functional genomics and propose a path that translates variants to genes, genes to pathways, and pathways to metabolic outcomes to advance the science and eventually treatment of FEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Huckins
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kristen Brennand
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; Department of Genetics, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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13
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Matrella ML, Valletti A, Gigante I, De Rasmo D, Signorile A, Russo S, Lobasso S, Lobraico D, Dibattista M, Pacelli C, Cocco T. High OXPHOS efficiency in RA-FUdr-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells: involvement of cAMP signalling and respiratory supercomplexes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7411. [PMID: 38548913 PMCID: PMC10978939 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57613-x] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons are highly dependent on mitochondria to meet their bioenergetic needs and understanding the metabolic changes during the differentiation process is crucial in the neurodegeneration context. Several in vitro approaches have been developed to study neuronal differentiation and bioenergetic changes. The human SH-SY5Y cell line is a widely used cellular model and several differentiation protocols have been developed to induce a neuron-like phenotype including retinoic acid (RA) treatment. In this work we obtained a homogeneous functional population of neuron-like cells by a two-step differentiation protocol in which SH-SY5Y cells were treated with RA plus the mitotic inhibitor 2-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (FUdr). RA-FUdr treatment induced a neuronal phenotype characterized by increased expression of neuronal markers and electrical properties specific to excitable cells. In addition, the RA-FUdr differentiated cells showed an enrichment of long chain and unsaturated fatty acids (FA) in the acyl chain composition of cardiolipin (CL) and the bioenergetic analysis evidences a high coupled and maximal respiration associated with high mitochondrial ATP levels. Our results suggest that the observed high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity may be related to the activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway and the assembly of respiratory supercomplexes (SCs), highlighting the change in mitochondrial phenotype during neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Matrella
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessio Valletti
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
- MASMEC Biomed S.p.A, 70026, Modugno, Italy
| | - Isabella Gigante
- National Institute of Gastroenterology- IRCCS "Saverio De Bellis", Via Turi 27, Castellana Grotte, 70013, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico De Rasmo
- Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, CNR-Institute of Biomembranes, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Signorile
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvia Russo
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Lobasso
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Donatella Lobraico
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Dibattista
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Consiglia Pacelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Cocco
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70124, Bari, Italy.
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14
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Funes S, Jung J, Gadd DH, Mosqueda M, Zhong J, Shankaracharya, Unger M, Stallworth K, Cameron D, Rotunno MS, Dawes P, Fowler-Magaw M, Keagle PJ, McDonough JA, Boopathy S, Sena-Esteves M, Nickerson JA, Lutz C, Skarnes WC, Lim ET, Schafer DP, Massi F, Landers JE, Bosco DA. Expression of ALS-PFN1 impairs vesicular degradation in iPSC-derived microglia. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2497. [PMID: 38509062 PMCID: PMC10954694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46695-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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis, but the mechanisms underlying microglia dysfunction and toxicity remain to be elucidated. To investigate the effect of neurodegenerative disease-linked genes on the intrinsic properties of microglia, we studied microglia-like cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), termed iMGs, harboring mutations in profilin-1 (PFN1) that are causative for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS-PFN1 iMGs exhibited evidence of lipid dysmetabolism, autophagy dysregulation and deficient phagocytosis, a canonical microglia function. Mutant PFN1 also displayed enhanced binding affinity for PI3P, a critical signaling molecule involved in autophagic and endocytic processing. Our cumulative data implicate a gain-of-toxic function for mutant PFN1 within the autophagic and endo-lysosomal pathways, as administration of rapamycin rescued phagocytic dysfunction in ALS-PFN1 iMGs. These outcomes demonstrate the utility of iMGs for neurodegenerative disease research and implicate microglial vesicular degradation pathways in the pathogenesis of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome Funes
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Translational Science Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jonathan Jung
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Del Hayden Gadd
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Michelle Mosqueda
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jianjun Zhong
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Shankaracharya
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Matthew Unger
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Karly Stallworth
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Debra Cameron
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Melissa S Rotunno
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Pepper Dawes
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Megan Fowler-Magaw
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Pamela J Keagle
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | | | - Sivakumar Boopathy
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Nickerson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Cathleen Lutz
- The Jackson Laboratory Center for Precision Genetics, Rare Disease Translational Center, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - William C Skarnes
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Elaine T Lim
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Genomics and Computational Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Dorothy P Schafer
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Francesca Massi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Daryl A Bosco
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Translational Science Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology Program, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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15
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Nimmo J, Byrne R, Daskoulidou N, Watkins L, Carpanini S, Zelek W, Morgan B. The complement system in neurodegenerative diseases. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:387-412. [PMID: 38505993 PMCID: PMC10958133 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230513] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Complement is an important component of innate immune defence against pathogens and crucial for efficient immune complex disposal. These core protective activities are dependent in large part on properly regulated complement-mediated inflammation. Dysregulated complement activation, often driven by persistence of activating triggers, is a cause of pathological inflammation in numerous diseases, including neurological diseases. Increasingly, this has become apparent not only in well-recognized neuroinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis but also in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases where inflammation was previously either ignored or dismissed as a secondary event. There is now a large and rapidly growing body of evidence implicating complement in neurological diseases that cannot be comprehensively addressed in a brief review. Here, we will focus on neurodegenerative diseases, including not only the 'classical' neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, but also two other neurological diseases where neurodegeneration is a neglected feature and complement is implicated, namely, schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder with many mechanistic features of neurodegeneration, and multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disorder where neurodegeneration is a major cause of progressive decline. We will discuss the evidence implicating complement as a driver of pathology in these diverse diseases and address briefly the potential and pitfalls of anti-complement drug therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqui Nimmo
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - Robert A.J. Byrne
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - Nikoleta Daskoulidou
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - Lewis M. Watkins
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - Sarah M. Carpanini
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - Wioleta M. Zelek
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
| | - B. Paul Morgan
- UK Dementia Research Institute Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, U.K
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16
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Clark T, Waller MA, Loo L, Moreno CL, Denes CE, Neely GG. CRISPR activation screens: navigating technologies and applications. Trends Biotechnol 2024:S0167-7799(24)00036-2. [PMID: 38493051 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.02.007] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) activation (CRISPRa) has become an integral part of the molecular biology toolkit. CRISPRa genetic screens are an exciting high-throughput means of identifying genes the upregulation of which is sufficient to elicit a given phenotype. Activation machinery is continually under development to achieve greater, more robust, and more consistent activation. In this review, we offer a succinct technological overview of available CRISPRa architectures and a comprehensive summary of pooled CRISPRa screens. Furthermore, we discuss contemporary applications of CRISPRa across broad fields of research, with the aim of presenting a view of exciting emerging applications for CRISPRa screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teleri Clark
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew A Waller
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lipin Loo
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cesar L Moreno
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher E Denes
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - G Gregory Neely
- Charles Perkins Centre, Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.
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17
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Lv Z, Chen L, Chen P, Peng H, Rong Y, Hong W, Zhou Q, Li N, Li B, Paolicelli RC, Zhan Y. Clearance of β-amyloid and synapses by the optogenetic depolarization of microglia is complement selective. Neuron 2024; 112:740-754.e7. [PMID: 38295790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.12.003] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Microglia actively monitor the neighboring brain microenvironments and constantly contact synapses with their unique ramified processes. In neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), microglia undergo morphological and functional alterations. Whether the direct manipulation of microglia can selectively or concurrently modulate synaptic function and the response to disease-associated factors remains elusive. Here, we employ optogenetic methods to stimulate microglia in vitro and in vivo. Membrane depolarization rapidly changes microglia morphology and leads to enhanced phagocytosis. We found that the optogenetic stimulation of microglia can efficiently promote β-amyloid (Aβ) clearance in the brain parenchyma, but it can also enhance synapse elimination. Importantly, the inhibition of C1q selectively prevents synapse loss induced by microglia depolarization but does not affect Aβ clearance. Our data reveal independent microglia-mediated phagocytosis pathways toward Aβ and synapses. Our results also shed light on a synergistic strategy of depolarizing microglia and inhibiting complement functions for the clearance of Aβ while sparing synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zezhong Lv
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lixi Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huipai Peng
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory for Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yi Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Hong
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Nan Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, CAS Key Laboratory for Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Boxing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Neuroscience Program, Zhongshan School of Medicine and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Rosa C Paolicelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1005, Switzerland
| | - Yang Zhan
- Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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18
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Bobotis BC, Halvorson T, Carrier M, Tremblay MÈ. Established and emerging techniques for the study of microglia: visualization, depletion, and fate mapping. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1317125. [PMID: 38425429 PMCID: PMC10902073 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1317125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is an essential hub for neuronal communication. As a major component of the CNS, glial cells are vital in the maintenance and regulation of neuronal network dynamics. Research on microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the CNS, has advanced considerably in recent years, and our understanding of their diverse functions continues to grow. Microglia play critical roles in the formation and regulation of neuronal synapses, myelination, responses to injury, neurogenesis, inflammation, and many other physiological processes. In parallel with advances in microglial biology, cutting-edge techniques for the characterization of microglial properties have emerged with increasing depth and precision. Labeling tools and reporter models are important for the study of microglial morphology, ultrastructure, and dynamics, but also for microglial isolation, which is required to glean key phenotypic information through single-cell transcriptomics and other emerging approaches. Strategies for selective microglial depletion and modulation can provide novel insights into microglia-targeted treatment strategies in models of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, cancer, and autoimmunity. Finally, fate mapping has emerged as an important tool to answer fundamental questions about microglial biology, including their origin, migration, and proliferation throughout the lifetime of an organism. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of these established and emerging techniques, with applications to the study of microglia in development, homeostasis, and CNS pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Caroline Bobotis
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Torin Halvorson
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Axe neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
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19
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Ralvenius WT, Andresen JL, Huston MM, Penney J, Bonner JM, Fenton OS, Langer R, Tsai LH. Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Anti-PU.1 siRNA via Localized Intracisternal Administration Reduces Neuroinflammation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2309225. [PMID: 38018280 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202309225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia, the brain's immune cells, express many of the AD-risk loci identified in genome wide association studies and present a promising target for anti-inflammatory RNA therapeutics but are difficult to transfect with current methods. Here, several lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations are examined, and a lead candidate that supports efficient RNA delivery in cultures of human stem cell-derived microglia-like cells (iMGLs) and animal models of neuroinflammation is identified. The lead microglia LNP (MG-LNP) formulation shows minimal toxicity and improves delivery efficiency to inflammatory iMGLs, suggesting a preference for delivery into activated microglia. Intraperitoneal injection of the MG-LNP formulation generates widespread expression of the delivered reporter construct in all organs, whereas local intracisternal injection directly into the cerebrospinal fluid leads to preferential expression in the brain. It is shown that LNP-mediated delivery of siRNA targeting the PU.1 transcription factor, a known AD-risk locus, successfully reduces PU.1 levels in iMGLs and reduces neuroinflammation in mice injected with LPS and in CK-p25 mice that mimic the chronic neuroinflammation seen in AD patients. The LNP formulation represents an effective RNA delivery vehicle when applied intrathecally and can be broadly utilized to test potential neuroinflammation-directed gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Ralvenius
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jason L Andresen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Margaret M Huston
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jay Penney
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Julia Maeve Bonner
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Owen S Fenton
- UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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20
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Sun J, Noss S, Banerjee D, Das M, Girirajan S. Strategies for dissecting the complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders. Trends Genet 2024; 40:187-202. [PMID: 37949722 PMCID: PMC10872993 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.10.009] [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: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are associated with a wide range of clinical features, affecting multiple pathways involved in brain development and function. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have unveiled numerous genetic variants associated with NDDs, which further contribute to disease complexity and make it challenging to infer disease causation and underlying mechanisms. Herein, we review current strategies for dissecting the complexity of NDDs using model organisms, induced pluripotent stem cells, single-cell sequencing technologies, and massively parallel reporter assays. We further highlight single-cell CRISPR-based screening techniques that allow genomic investigation of cellular transcriptomes with high efficiency, accuracy, and throughput. Overall, we provide an integrated review of experimental approaches that can be applicable for investigating a broad range of complex disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawan Sun
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Serena Noss
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepro Banerjee
- Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Maitreya Das
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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21
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Beirute-Herrera J, López-Amo Calvo B, Edenhofer F, Esk C. The promise of genetic screens in human in vitro brain models. Biol Chem 2024; 405:13-24. [PMID: 37697643 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0174] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Advances of in vitro culture models have allowed unprecedented insights into human neurobiology. At the same time genetic screening has matured into a robust and accessible experimental strategy allowing for the simultaneous study of many genes in parallel. The combination of both technologies is a newly emerging tool for neuroscientists, opening the door to identifying causal cell- and tissue-specific developmental and disease mechanisms. However, with complex experimental genetic screening set-ups new challenges in data interpretation and experimental scope arise that require a deep understanding of the benefits and challenges of individual approaches. In this review, we summarize the literature that applies genetic screening to in vitro brain models, compare experimental strengths and weaknesses and point towards future directions of these promising approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Beirute-Herrera
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Beatriz López-Amo Calvo
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christopher Esk
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Center for Molecular Biosciences, University Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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22
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Ramaswami G, Yuva-Aydemir Y, Akerberg B, Matthews B, Williams J, Golczer G, Huang J, Al Abdullatif A, Huh D, Burkly LC, Engle SJ, Grossman I, Sehgal A, Sigova AA, Fremeau RT, Liu Y, Bumcrot D. Transcriptional characterization of iPSC-derived microglia as a model for therapeutic development in neurodegeneration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2153. [PMID: 38272949 PMCID: PMC10810793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52311-0] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain that play a key role in driving neuroinflammation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. Inducible microglia-like cells have been developed as an in vitro platform for molecular and therapeutic hypothesis generation and testing. However, there has been no systematic assessment of similarity of these cells to primary human microglia along with their responsiveness to external cues expected of primary cells in the brain. In this study, we performed transcriptional characterization of commercially available human inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia-like (iMGL) cells by bulk and single cell RNA sequencing to assess their similarity with primary human microglia. To evaluate their stimulation responsiveness, iMGL cells were treated with Liver X Receptor (LXR) pathway agonists and their transcriptional responses characterized by bulk and single cell RNA sequencing. Bulk transcriptome analyses demonstrate that iMGL cells have a similar overall expression profile to freshly isolated human primary microglia and express many key microglial transcription factors and functional and disease-associated genes. Notably, at the single-cell level, iMGL cells exhibit distinct transcriptional subpopulations, representing both homeostatic and activated states present in normal and diseased primary microglia. Treatment of iMGL cells with LXR pathway agonists induces robust transcriptional changes in lipid metabolism and cell cycle at the bulk level. At the single cell level, we observe heterogeneity in responses between cell subpopulations in homeostatic and activated states and deconvolute bulk expression changes into their corresponding single cell states. In summary, our results demonstrate that iMGL cells exhibit a complex transcriptional profile and responsiveness, reminiscent of in vivo microglia, and thus represent a promising model system for therapeutic development in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiaqi Huang
- CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuting Liu
- CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation, Cambridge, MA, USA
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23
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Miao Y, Meng H. The involvement of α-synucleinopathy in the disruption of microglial homeostasis contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:31. [PMID: 38216911 PMCID: PMC10785555 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01402-y] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The intracellular deposition and intercellular transmission of α-synuclein (α-syn) are shared pathological characteristics among neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as α-synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the precise triggers of α-synucleinopathies remain unclear, recent findings indicate that disruption of microglial homeostasis contributes to the pathogenesis of PD. Microglia play a crucial role in maintaining optimal neuronal function by ensuring a homeostatic environment, but this function is disrupted during the progression of α-syn pathology. The involvement of microglia in the accumulation, uptake, and clearance of aggregated proteins is critical for managing disease spread and progression caused by α-syn pathology. This review summarizes current knowledge on the interrelationships between microglia and α-synucleinopathies, focusing on the remarkable ability of microglia to recognize and internalize extracellular α-syn through diverse pathways. Microglia process α-syn intracellularly and intercellularly to facilitate the α-syn neuronal aggregation and cell-to-cell propagation. The conformational state of α-synuclein distinctly influences microglial inflammation, which can affect peripheral immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes and may regulate the pathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies. We also discuss ongoing research efforts to identify potential therapeutic approaches targeting both α-syn accumulation and inflammation in PD. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Miao
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongrui Meng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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24
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Luo EY, Sugimura RR. Taming microglia: the promise of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:19. [PMID: 38212785 PMCID: PMC10785527 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03015-9] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the CNS-resident immune cells, are implicated in many neurological diseases. Nearly one in six of the world's population suffers from neurological disorders, encompassing neurodegenerative and neuroautoimmune diseases, most with dysregulated neuroinflammation involved. Activated microglia become phagocytotic and secret various immune molecules, which are mediators of the brain immune microenvironment. Given their ability to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier in the neuroinflammatory context and their close interaction with neurons and other glial cells, microglia are potential therapeutic delivery vehicles and modulators of neuronal activity. Re-engineering microglia to treat neurological diseases is, thus, increasingly gaining attention. By altering gene expression, re-programmed microglia can be utilized to deliver therapeutics to targeted sites and control neuroinflammation in various neuroinflammatory diseases. This review addresses the current development in microglial engineering, including genetic targeting and therapeutic modulation. Furthermore, we discuss limitations to the genetic engineering techniques and models used to test the functionality of re-engineered microglia, including cell culture and animal models. Finally, we will discuss future directions for the application of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Echo Yongqi Luo
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Rio Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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25
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Bai Y, Camargo CM, Glasauer SMK, Gifford R, Tian X, Longhini AP, Kosik KS. Single-cell mapping of lipid metabolites using an infrared probe in human-derived model systems. Nat Commun 2024; 15:350. [PMID: 38191490 PMCID: PMC10774263 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44675-0] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding metabolic heterogeneity is the key to uncovering the underlying mechanisms of metabolic-related diseases. Current metabolic imaging studies suffer from limitations including low resolution and specificity, and the model systems utilized often lack human relevance. Here, we present a single-cell metabolic imaging platform to enable direct imaging of lipid metabolism with high specificity in various human-derived 2D and 3D culture systems. Through the incorporation of an azide-tagged infrared probe, selective detection of newly synthesized lipids in cells and tissue became possible, while simultaneous fluorescence imaging enabled cell-type identification in complex tissues. In proof-of-concept experiments, newly synthesized lipids were directly visualized in human-relevant model systems among different cell types, mutation status, differentiation stages, and over time. We identified upregulated lipid metabolism in progranulin-knockdown human induced pluripotent stem cells and in their differentiated microglia cells. Furthermore, we observed that neurons in brain organoids exhibited a significantly lower lipid metabolism compared to astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeran Bai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
- Photothermal Spectroscopy Corp., Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Carolina M Camargo
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Stella M K Glasauer
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Raymond Gifford
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Xinran Tian
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Andrew P Longhini
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
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26
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Halder A, Drummond E. Strategies for translating proteomics discoveries into drug discovery for dementia. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:132-139. [PMID: 37488854 PMCID: PMC10479849 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.373681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies, diseases characterized by neuropathological aggregates of tau including Alzheimer's disease and subtypes of frontotemporal dementia, make up the vast majority of dementia cases. Although there have been recent developments in tauopathy biomarkers and disease-modifying treatments, ongoing progress is required to ensure these are effective, economical, and accessible for the globally ageing population. As such, continued identification of new potential drug targets and biomarkers is critical. "Big data" studies, such as proteomics, can generate information on thousands of possible new targets for dementia diagnostics and therapeutics, but currently remain underutilized due to the lack of a clear process by which targets are selected for future drug development. In this review, we discuss current tauopathy biomarkers and therapeutics, and highlight areas in need of improvement, particularly when addressing the needs of frail, comorbid and cognitively impaired populations. We highlight biomarkers which have been developed from proteomic data, and outline possible future directions in this field. We propose new criteria by which potential targets in proteomics studies can be objectively ranked as favorable for drug development, and demonstrate its application to our group's recent tau interactome dataset as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Halder
- School of Medical Sciences and Brain & Mind Center, University of Sydney, NSW, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Aged Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eleanor Drummond
- School of Medical Sciences and Brain & Mind Center, University of Sydney, NSW, Sydney, Australia
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27
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Min AK, Javidfar B, Missall R, Doanman D, Durens M, Graziani M, Mordelt A, Marro SG, de Witte L, Chen BK, Swartz TH, Akbarian S. HIV-1 infection of genetically engineered iPSC-derived central nervous system-engrafted microglia in a humanized mouse model. J Virol 2023; 97:e0159523. [PMID: 38032195 PMCID: PMC10734545 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01595-23] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Our mouse model is a powerful tool for investigating the genetic mechanisms governing central nervous system (CNS) human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection and latency in the CNS at a single-cell level. A major advantage of our model is that it uses induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia, which enables human genetics, including gene function and therapeutic gene manipulation, to be explored in vivo, which is more challenging to study with current hematopoietic stem cell-based models for neuroHIV. Our transgenic tracing of xenografted human cells will provide a quantitative medium to develop new molecular and epigenetic strategies for reducing the HIV-1 latent reservoir and to test the impact of therapeutic inflammation-targeting drug interventions on CNS HIV-1 latency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice K. Min
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Behnam Javidfar
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Roy Missall
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Donald Doanman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Madel Durens
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mara Graziani
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Annika Mordelt
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Samuele G. Marro
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lotje de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Human Genetics and Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Benjamin K. Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Talia H. Swartz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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28
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Lalwani RC, Volmar CH, Wahlestedt C, Webster KA, Shehadeh LA. Contextualizing the Role of Osteopontin in the Inflammatory Responses of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3232. [PMID: 38137453 PMCID: PMC10741223 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123232] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive accumulations of extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates from soluble oligomers to insoluble plaques and hyperphosphorylated intraneuronal tau, also from soluble oligomers to insoluble neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Tau and Aβ complexes spread from the entorhinal cortex of the brain to interconnected regions, where they bind pattern recognition receptors on microglia and astroglia to trigger inflammation and neurotoxicity that ultimately lead to neurodegeneration and clinical AD. Systemic inflammation is initiated by Aβ's egress into the circulation, which may be secondary to microglial activation and can confer both destructive and reparative actions. Microglial activation pathways and downstream drivers of Aβ/NFT neurotoxicity, including inflammatory regulators, are primary targets for AD therapy. Osteopontin (OPN), an inflammatory cytokine and biomarker of AD, is implicated in Aβ clearance and toxicity, microglial activation, and inflammation, and is considered to be a potential therapeutic target. Here, using the most relevant works from the literature, we review and contextualize the evidence for a central role of OPN and associated inflammation in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshni C. Lalwani
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Department of Psychiatry, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (C.-H.V.); (C.W.)
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Department of Psychiatry, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (C.-H.V.); (C.W.)
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Keith A. Webster
- Integene International Holdings, LLC, Miami, FL 33137, USA;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Everglades BioPharma, Houston, TX 77098, USA
| | - Lina A. Shehadeh
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
- Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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29
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Zhou L, Yang L, Feng Y, Chen S. Pooled screening with next-generation gene editing tools. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 28:100479. [PMID: 38222973 PMCID: PMC10786633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2023.100479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Pooled screening creates a pool of cells with genetic variants, allowing for the simultaneous examination for changes in behavior or function. By selectively inducing mutations or perturbing expression, it enables scientists to systematically investigate the function of genes or genetic elements. Emerging gene editing tools, such as CRISPR, coupled with advances in sequencing and computational capabilities, provide growing opportunities to understand biological processes in humans, animals, and plants as well as to identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions and agricultural research. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of pooled screens using next-generation gene editing tools along with relevant challenges and describe potential future directions of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqun Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Luojia Yang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yanzhi Feng
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sidi Chen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- System Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
- Immunobiology Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Center for Biomedical Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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30
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Schraivogel D, Steinmetz LM, Parts L. Pooled Genome-Scale CRISPR Screens in Single Cells. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:223-244. [PMID: 37562410 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-072920-013842] [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: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Assigning functions to genes and learning how to control their expression are part of the foundation of cell biology and therapeutic development. An efficient and unbiased method to accomplish this is genetic screening, which historically required laborious clone generation and phenotyping and is still limited by scale today. The rapid technological progress on modulating gene function with CRISPR-Cas and measuring it in individual cells has now relaxed the major experimental constraints and enabled pooled screening with complex readouts from single cells. Here, we review the principles and practical considerations for pooled single-cell CRISPR screening. We discuss perturbation strategies, experimental model systems, matching the perturbation to the individual cells, reading out cell phenotypes, and data analysis. Our focus is on single-cell RNA sequencing and cell sorting-based readouts, including image-enabled cell sorting. We expect this transformative approach to fuel biomedical research for the next several decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Schraivogel
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Lars M Steinmetz
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany;
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA;
- Stanford Genome Technology Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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31
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Lavekar SS, Patel MD, Montalvo-Parra MD, Krencik R. Asteroid impact: the potential of astrocytes to modulate human neural networks within organoids. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1305921. [PMID: 38075269 PMCID: PMC10702564 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1305921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are a vital cellular component of the central nervous system that impact neuronal function in both healthy and pathological states. This includes intercellular signals to neurons and non-neuronal cells during development, maturation, and aging that can modulate neural network formation, plasticity, and maintenance. Recently, human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural aggregate cultures, known as neurospheres or organoids, have emerged as improved experimental platforms for basic and pre-clinical neuroscience compared to traditional approaches. Here, we summarize the potential capability of using organoids to further understand the mechanistic role of astrocytes upon neural networks, including the production of extracellular matrix components and reactive signaling cues. Additionally, we discuss the application of organoid models to investigate the astrocyte-dependent aspects of neuropathological diseases and to test astrocyte-inspired technologies. We examine the shortcomings of organoid-based experimental platforms and plausible improvements made possible by cutting-edge neuroengineering technologies. These advancements are expected to enable the development of improved diagnostic strategies and high-throughput translational applications regarding neuroregeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R. Krencik
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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32
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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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33
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Krainc D, Martin WJ, Casey B, Jensen FE, Tishkoff S, Potter WZ, Hyman SE. Shifting the trajectory of therapeutic development for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadg4775. [PMID: 38190501 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg4775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Clinical trials for central nervous system disorders often enroll patients with unrecognized heterogeneous diseases, leading to costly trials that have high failure rates. Here, we discuss the potential of emerging technologies and datasets to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify biomarkers to improve patient stratification and monitoring of disease progression in clinical trials for neuropsychiatric disorders. Greater efforts must be centered on rigorously standardizing data collection and sharing of methods, datasets, and analytical tools across sectors. To address health care disparities in clinical trials, diversity of genetic ancestries and environmental exposures of research participants and associated biological samples must be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Krainc
- Davee Department of Neurology, Simpson Querrey Center for Neurogenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Bradford Casey
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sarah Tishkoff
- Departments of Genetics and Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Steven E Hyman
- 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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34
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Que Z, Olivero-Acosta MI, Chen I, Zhang J, Wettschurack K, Wu J, Xiao T, Otterbacher CM, Wang M, Harlow H, Cui N, Chen X, Deming B, Halurkar M, Zhao Y, Rochet JC, Xu R, Brewster AL, Wu LJ, Yuan C, Skarnes WC, Yang Y. Human iPSC-derived microglia sense and dampen hyperexcitability of cortical neurons carrying the epilepsy-associated SCN2A-L1342P mutation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.26.563426. [PMID: 37961213 PMCID: PMC10634902 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.563426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal hyperexcitability is a hallmark of seizures. It has been recently shown in rodent models of seizures that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, can respond to and modulate neuronal excitability. However, how human microglia interacts with human neurons to regulate hyperexcitability mediated by epilepsy-causing genetic mutation found in human patients remains unknown. The SCN2A genetic locus is responsible for encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.2, recognized as one of the leading contributors to monogenic epilepsies. Previously, we demonstrated that the recurring Nav1.2-L1342P mutation identified in patients with epilepsy leads to hyperexcitability in a hiPSC-derived cortical neuron model from a male donor. While microglia play an important role in the brain, these cells originate from a different lineage (yolk sac) and thus are not naturally present in hiPSCs-derived neuronal culture. To study how microglia respond to diseased neurons and influence neuronal excitability, we established a co-culture model comprising hiPSC-derived neurons and microglia. We found that microglia display altered morphology with increased branch length and enhanced calcium signal when co-cultured with neurons carrying the Nav1.2-L1342P mutation. Moreover, the presence of microglia significantly lowers the action potential firing of neurons carrying the mutation. Interestingly, we further demonstrated that the current density of sodium channels in neurons carrying the epilepsy-associated mutation was reduced in the presence of microglia. Taken together, our work reveals a critical role of human iPSCs-derived microglia in sensing and dampening hyperexcitability mediated by an epilepsy-causing mutation present in human neurons, highlighting the importance of neuron-microglia interactions in human pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhefu Que
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Maria I. Olivero-Acosta
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Ian Chen
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Jingliang Zhang
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Kyle Wettschurack
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Jiaxiang Wu
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Tiange Xiao
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - C. Max Otterbacher
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Muhan Wang
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Hope Harlow
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Ningren Cui
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Brody Deming
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Manasi Halurkar
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Yuanrui Zhao
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Jean-Christophe Rochet
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Ranjie Xu
- Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Amy L. Brewster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas TX 75205
| | - Long-jun Wu
- Department of Neurology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN 55905
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | | | - Yang Yang
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
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35
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Snyder A, Ryan VH, Hawrot J, Lawton S, Ramos DM, Qi YA, Johnson K, Reed X, Johnson NL, Kollasch AW, Duffy M, VandeVrede L, Cochran JN, Miller BL, Toro C, Bielekova B, Yokoyama JS, Marks DS, Kwan JY, Cookson MR, Ward ME. An ANXA11 P93S variant dysregulates TDP-43 and causes corticobasal syndrome. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3462973. [PMID: 37886540 PMCID: PMC10602153 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3462973/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
As genetic testing has become more accessible and affordable, variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are increasingly identified, and determining whether these variants play causal roles in disease is a major challenge. The known disease-associated Annexin A11 (ANXA11) mutations result in ANXA11 aggregation, alterations in lysosomal-RNA granule co-trafficking, and TDP-43 mis-localization and present as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or frontotemporal dementia. We identified a novel VUS in ANXA11 (P93S) in a kindred with corticobasal syndrome and unique radiographic features that segregated with disease. We then queried neurodegenerative disorder clinic databases to identify the phenotypic spread of ANXA11 mutations. Multi-modal computational analysis of this variant was performed and the effect of this VUS on ANXA11 function and TDP-43 biology was characterized in iPSC-derived neurons. Single-cell sequencing and proteomic analysis of iPSC-derived neurons and microglia were used to determine the multiomic signature of this VUS. Mutations in ANXA11 were found in association with clinically diagnosed corticobasal syndrome, thereby establishing corticobasal syndrome as part of ANXA11 clinical spectrum. In iPSC-derived neurons expressing mutant ANXA11, we found decreased colocalization of lysosomes and decreased neuritic RNA as well as decreased nuclear TDP-43 and increased formation of cryptic exons compared to controls. Multiomic assessment of the P93S variant in iPSC-derived neurons and microglia indicates that the pathogenic omic signature in neurons is modest compared to microglia. Additionally, omic studies reveal that immune dysregulation and interferon signaling pathways in microglia are central to disease. Collectively, these findings identify a new pathogenic variant in ANXA11, expand the range of clinical syndromes caused by ANXA11 mutations, and implicate both neuronal and microglia dysfunction in ANXA11 pathophysiology. This work illustrates the potential for iPSC-derived cellular models to revolutionize the variant annotation process and provides a generalizable approach to determining causality of novel variants across genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Snyder
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Veronica H Ryan
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health
| | - James Hawrot
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Sydney Lawton
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Daniel M Ramos
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health
| | - Y Andy Qi
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health
| | - Kory Johnson
- Intramural Bioinformatics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Xylena Reed
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, National Institutes of Health
| | | | | | - Megan Duffy
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging
| | - Lawren VandeVrede
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Bruce L Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Camilo Toro
- Undiagnosed Diseases Program, National Human Genome Research Institute
| | - Bibiana Bielekova
- Neuroimmunological Diseases Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
| | - Jennifer S Yokoyama
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Debora S Marks
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Justin Y Kwan
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Mark R Cookson
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging
| | - Michael E Ward
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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36
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Stöberl N, Maguire E, Salis E, Shaw B, Hall-Roberts H. Human iPSC-derived glia models for the study of neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:231. [PMID: 37817184 PMCID: PMC10566197 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02919-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a complex biological process that plays a significant role in various brain disorders. Microglia and astrocytes are the key cell types involved in inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. Neuroinflammation results in increased levels of secreted inflammatory factors, such as cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species. To model neuroinflammation in vitro, various human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based models have been utilized, including monocultures, transfer of conditioned media between cell types, co-culturing multiple cell types, neural organoids, and xenotransplantation of cells into the mouse brain. To induce neuroinflammatory responses in vitro, several stimuli have been established that can induce responses in either microglia, astrocytes, or both. Here, we describe and critically evaluate the different types of iPSC models that can be used to study neuroinflammation and highlight how neuroinflammation has been induced and measured in these cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stöberl
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Emily Maguire
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Elisa Salis
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Bethany Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Hazel Hall-Roberts
- UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
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37
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Adrian M, Weber M, Tsai MC, Glock C, Kahn OI, Phu L, Cheung TK, Meilandt WJ, Rose CM, Hoogenraad CC. Polarized microtubule remodeling transforms the morphology of reactive microglia and drives cytokine release. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6322. [PMID: 37813836 PMCID: PMC10562429 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglial reactivity is a pathological hallmark in many neurodegenerative diseases. During stimulation, microglia undergo complex morphological changes, including loss of their characteristic ramified morphology, which is routinely used to detect and quantify inflammation in the brain. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the relation between microglial morphology and their pathophysiological function are unknown. Here, proteomic profiling of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-reactive microglia identifies microtubule remodeling pathways as an early factor that drives the morphological change and subsequently controls cytokine responses. We find that LPS-reactive microglia reorganize their microtubules to form a stable and centrosomally-anchored array to facilitate efficient cytokine trafficking and release. We identify cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk-1) as a critical upstream regulator of microtubule remodeling and morphological change in-vitro and in-situ. Cdk-1 inhibition also rescues tau and amyloid fibril-induced morphology changes. These results demonstrate a critical role for microtubule dynamics and reorganization in microglial reactivity and modulating cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Adrian
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Martin Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Ming-Chi Tsai
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Caspar Glock
- Department of OMNI Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Olga I Kahn
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Lilian Phu
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Tommy K Cheung
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - William J Meilandt
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Christopher M Rose
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Casper C Hoogenraad
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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Rexach JE, Cheng Y, Chen L, Polioudakis D, Lin LC, Mitri V, Elkins A, Yin A, Calini D, Kawaguchi R, Ou J, Huang J, Williams C, Robinson J, Gaus SE, Spina S, Lee EB, Grinberg LT, Vinters H, Trojanowski JQ, Seeley WW, Malhotra D, Geschwind DH. Disease-specific selective vulnerability and neuroimmune pathways in dementia revealed by single cell genomics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.29.560245. [PMID: 37808727 PMCID: PMC10557766 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.29.560245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of successful therapeutics for dementias requires an understanding of their shared and distinct molecular features in the human brain. We performed single-nuclear RNAseq and ATACseq in Alzheimer disease (AD), Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), analyzing 40 participants, yielding over 1.4M cells from three brain regions ranging in vulnerability and pathological burden. We identify 35 shared disease-associated cell types and 14 that are disease-specific, replicating those previously identified in AD. Disease - specific cell states represent molecular features of disease-specific glial-immune mechanisms and neuronal vulnerability in each disorder, layer 4/5 intra-telencephalic neurons in AD, layer 2/3 intra-telencephalic neurons in FTD, and layer 5/6 near-projection neurons in PSP. We infer intrinsic disease-associated gene regulatory networks, which we empirically validate by chromatin footprinting. We find that causal genetic risk acts in specific neuronal and glial cells that differ across disorders, primarily non-neuronal cells in AD and specific neuronal subtypes in FTD and PSP. These data illustrate the heterogeneous spectrum of glial and neuronal composition and gene expression alterations in different dementias and identify new therapeutic targets by revealing shared and disease-specific cell states.
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He C, Li Z, Yang M, Yu W, Luo R, Zhou J, He J, Chen Q, Song Z, Cheng S. Non-Coding RNA in Microglia Activation and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:4165-4211. [PMID: 37753266 PMCID: PMC10519213 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s422114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by complex pathophysiological features. Amyloid plaques resulting from extracellular amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles formed by intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation serve as primary neuropathological criteria for AD diagnosis. The activation of microglia has been closely associated with these pathological manifestations. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA), a versatile molecule involved in various cellular functions such as genetic information storage and transport, as well as catalysis of biochemical reactions, plays a crucial role in microglial activation. This review aims to investigate the regulatory role of ncRNAs in protein expression by directly targeting genes, proteins, and interactions. Furthermore, it explores the ability of ncRNAs to modulate inflammatory pathways, influence the expression of inflammatory factors, and regulate microglia activation, all of which contribute to neuroinflammation and AD. However, there are still significant controversies surrounding microglial activation and polarization. The categorization into M1 and M2 phenotypes may oversimplify the intricate and multifaceted regulatory processes in microglial response to neuroinflammation. Limited research has been conducted on the role of ncRNAs in regulating microglial activation and inducing distinct polarization states in the context of neuroinflammation. Moreover, the regulatory mechanisms through which ncRNAs govern microglial function continue to be refined. The current understanding of ncRNA regulatory pathways involved in microglial activation remains incomplete and may be influenced by spatial, temporal, and tissue-specific factors. Therefore, further in-depth investigations are warranted. In conclusion, there are ongoing debates and uncertainties regarding the activation and polarization of microglial cells, particularly concerning the categorization into M1 and M2 phenotypes. The study of ncRNA regulation in microglial activation and polarization, as well as its mechanisms, is still in its early stages and requires further investigation. However, this review offers new insights and opportunities for therapeutic approaches in AD. The development of ncRNA-based drugs may hold promise as a new direction in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiang He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ze Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Miao Yang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rongsiqing Luo
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinyong Zhou
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiawei He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenyan Song
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
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Balmas E, Sozza F, Bottini S, Ratto ML, Savorè G, Becca S, Snijders KE, Bertero A. Manipulating and studying gene function in human pluripotent stem cell models. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:2250-2287. [PMID: 37519013 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14709] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are uniquely suited to study human development and disease and promise to revolutionize regenerative medicine. These applications rely on robust methods to manipulate gene function in hPSC models. This comprehensive review aims to both empower scientists approaching the field and update experienced stem cell biologists. We begin by highlighting challenges with manipulating gene expression in hPSCs and their differentiated derivatives, and relevant solutions (transfection, transduction, transposition, and genomic safe harbor editing). We then outline how to perform robust constitutive or inducible loss-, gain-, and change-of-function experiments in hPSCs models, both using historical methods (RNA interference, transgenesis, and homologous recombination) and modern programmable nucleases (particularly CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives, i.e., CRISPR interference, activation, base editing, and prime editing). We further describe extension of these approaches for arrayed or pooled functional studies, including emerging single-cell genomic methods, and the related design and analytical bioinformatic tools. Finally, we suggest some directions for future advancements in all of these areas. Mastering the combination of these transformative technologies will empower unprecedented advances in human biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Balmas
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Sozza
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Sveva Bottini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Ratto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Giulia Savorè
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Silvia Becca
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Kirsten Esmee Snijders
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bertero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center "Guido Tarone", University of Turin, Torino, Italy
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41
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Nadel CM, Wucherer K, Oehler A, Thwin AC, Basu K, Callahan MD, Southworth DR, Mordes DA, Craik CS, Gestwicki JE. Phosphorylation of a Cleaved Tau Proteoform at a Single Residue Inhibits Binding to the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, CHIP. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.16.553575. [PMID: 37645969 PMCID: PMC10462110 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.16.553575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT/tau) accumulates in a family of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In disease, tau is aberrantly modified by post-translational modifications (PTMs), including hyper-phosphorylation. However, it is often unclear which of these PTMs contribute to tau's accumulation or what mechanisms might be involved. To explore these questions, we focused on a cleaved proteoform of tau (tauC3), which selectively accumulates in AD and was recently shown to be degraded by its direct binding to the E3 ubiquitin ligase, CHIP. Here, we find that phosphorylation of tauC3 at a single residue, pS416, is sufficient to block its interaction with CHIP. A co-crystal structure of CHIP bound to the C-terminus of tauC3 revealed the mechanism of this clash and allowed design of a mutation (CHIPD134A) that partially restores binding and turnover of pS416 tauC3. We find that pS416 is produced by the known AD-associated kinase, MARK2/Par-1b, providing a potential link to disease. In further support of this idea, an antibody against pS416 co-localizes with tauC3 in degenerative neurons within the hippocampus of AD patients. Together, these studies suggest a discrete molecular mechanism for how phosphorylation at a specific site contributes to accumulation of an important tau proteoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory M Nadel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Kristin Wucherer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Abby Oehler
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Aye C Thwin
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Koli Basu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Matthew D Callahan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Daniel R Southworth
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Daniel A Mordes
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
| | - Jason E Gestwicki
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158
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Wickstead ES. Using Stems to Bear Fruit: Deciphering the Role of Alzheimer's Disease Risk Loci in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2240. [PMID: 37626736 PMCID: PMC10452566 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082240] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder globally. In people aged 65 and older, it is estimated that 1 in 9 currently live with the disease. With aging being the greatest risk factor for disease onset, the physiological, social and economic burden continues to rise. Thus, AD remains a public health priority. Since 2007, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 80 genomic loci with variants associated with increased AD risk. Although some variants are beginning to be characterized, the effects of many risk loci remain to be elucidated. One advancement which may help provide a patient-focused approach to tackle this issue is the application of gene editing technology and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The relatively non-invasive acquisition of cells from patients with known AD risk loci may provide important insights into the pathological role of these risk variants. Of the risk genes identified, many have been associated with the immune system, including ABCA7, CLU, MEF2C, PICALM and TREM2-genes known to be highly expressed in microglia. This review will detail the potential of using hiPSC-derived microglia to help clarify the role of immune-associated genetic risk variants in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward S Wickstead
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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43
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Shevade K, Peddada S, Mader K, Przybyla L. Functional genomics in stem cell models: considerations and applications. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1236553. [PMID: 37554308 PMCID: PMC10404852 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1236553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Protocols to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells have advanced in terms of cell type specificity and tissue-level complexity over the past 2 decades, which has facilitated human disease modeling in the most relevant cell types. The ability to generate induced PSCs (iPSCs) from patients further enables the study of disease mutations in an appropriate cellular context to reveal the mechanisms that underlie disease etiology and progression. As iPSC-derived disease models have improved in robustness and scale, they have also been adopted more widely for use in drug screens to discover new therapies and therapeutic targets. Advancement in genome editing technologies, in particular the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, has further allowed for rapid development of iPSCs containing disease-causing mutations. CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have now evolved beyond creating single gene edits, aided by the fusion of inhibitory (CRISPRi) or activation (CRISPRa) domains to a catalytically dead Cas9 protein, enabling inhibition or activation of endogenous gene loci. These tools have been used in CRISPR knockout, CRISPRi, or CRISPRa screens to identify genetic modifiers that synergize or antagonize with disease mutations in a systematic and unbiased manner, resulting in identification of disease mechanisms and discovery of new therapeutic targets to accelerate drug discovery research. However, many technical challenges remain when applying large-scale functional genomics approaches to differentiated PSC populations. Here we review current technologies in the field of iPSC disease modeling and CRISPR-based functional genomics screens and practical considerations for implementation across a range of modalities, applications, and disease areas, as well as explore CRISPR screens that have been performed in iPSC models to-date and the insights and therapies these screens have produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaivalya Shevade
- Laboratory for Genomics Research, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Sailaja Peddada
- Laboratory for Genomics Research, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Karl Mader
- Laboratory for Genomics Research, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Laralynne Przybyla
- Laboratory for Genomics Research, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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44
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Bendixen L, Jensen TI, Bak RO. CRISPR-Cas-mediated transcriptional modulation: The therapeutic promises of CRISPRa and CRISPRi. Mol Ther 2023; 31:1920-1937. [PMID: 36964659 PMCID: PMC10362391 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR-Cas system is commonly known for its ability to cleave DNA in a programmable manner, which has democratized gene editing and facilitated recent breakthroughs in gene therapy. However, newer iterations of the technology using nuclease-disabled Cas enzymes have spurred a variety of different types of genetic engineering platforms such as transcriptional modulation using the CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) systems. This review introduces the creation of these programmable transcriptional modulators, various methods of delivery utilized for these systems, and recent technological developments. CRISPRa and CRISPRi have also been implemented in genetic screens for interrogating gene function and discovering genes involved in various biological pathways. We describe recent compelling examples of how these tools have become powerful means to unravel genetic networks and uncovering important information about devastating diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of preclinical studies in which transcriptional modulation has been used therapeutically, and we discuss potential future directions of these novel modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bendixen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Trine I Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Rasmus O Bak
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Ramani B, Rose IVL, Pan A, Tian R, Ma K, Palop JJ, Kampmann M. Scalable, cell type-selective, AAV-based in vivo CRISPR screening in the mouse brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.13.544831. [PMID: 37398301 PMCID: PMC10312723 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.13.544831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR-based genetic screening directly in mammalian tissues in vivo is challenging due to the need for scalable, cell-type selective delivery and recovery of guide RNA libraries. We developed an in vivo adeno-associated virus-based and Cre recombinase-dependent workflow for cell type-selective CRISPR interference screening in mouse tissues. We demonstrate the power of this approach by identifying neuron-essential genes in the mouse brain using a library targeting over 2000 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biswarathan Ramani
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Indigo V L Rose
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Pan
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruilin Tian
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Keran Ma
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jorge J Palop
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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46
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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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47
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Nott A, Holtman IR. Genetic insights into immune mechanisms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1168539. [PMID: 37359515 PMCID: PMC10285485 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1168539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the macrophages of the brain, are vital for brain homeostasis and have been implicated in a broad range of brain disorders. Neuroinflammation has gained traction as a possible therapeutic target for neurodegeneration, however, the precise function of microglia in specific neurodegenerative disorders is an ongoing area of research. Genetic studies offer valuable insights into understanding causality, rather than merely observing a correlation. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic loci that are linked to susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders. (Post)-GWAS studies have determined that microglia likely play an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The process of understanding how individual GWAS risk loci affect microglia function and mediate susceptibility is complex. A rapidly growing number of publications with genomic datasets and computational tools have formulated new hypotheses that guide the biological interpretation of AD and PD genetic risk. In this review, we discuss the key concepts and challenges in the post-GWAS interpretation of AD and PD GWAS risk alleles. Post-GWAS challenges include the identification of target cell (sub)type(s), causal variants, and target genes. Crucially, the prediction of GWAS-identified disease-risk cell types, variants and genes require validation and functional testing to understand the biological consequences within the pathology of the disorders. Many AD and PD risk genes are highly pleiotropic and perform multiple important functions that might not be equally relevant for the mechanisms by which GWAS risk alleles exert their effect(s). Ultimately, many GWAS risk alleles exert their effect by changing microglia function, thereby altering the pathophysiology of these disorders, and hence, we believe that modelling this context is crucial for a deepened understanding of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexi Nott
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Inge R. Holtman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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48
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Funes S, Gadd DH, Mosqueda M, Zhong J, Jung J, Shankaracharya, Unger M, Cameron D, Dawes P, Keagle PJ, McDonough JA, Boopathy S, Sena-Esteves M, Lutz C, Skarnes WC, Lim ET, Schafer DP, Massi F, Landers JE, Bosco DA. Expression of ALS-PFN1 impairs vesicular degradation in iPSC-derived microglia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.01.541136. [PMID: 37398081 PMCID: PMC10312575 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.01.541136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Microglia play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis, but the mechanisms underlying microglia dysfunction and toxicity remain to be fully elucidated. To investigate the effect of neurodegenerative disease-linked genes on the intrinsic properties of microglia, we studied microglia-like cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), termed iMGs, harboring mutations in profilin-1 (PFN1) that are causative for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS-PFN1 iMGs exhibited lipid dysmetabolism and deficits in phagocytosis, a critical microglia function. Our cumulative data implicate an effect of ALS-linked PFN1 on the autophagy pathway, including enhanced binding of mutant PFN1 to the autophagy signaling molecule PI3P, as an underlying cause of defective phagocytosis in ALS-PFN1 iMGs. Indeed, phagocytic processing was restored in ALS-PFN1 iMGs with Rapamycin, an inducer of autophagic flux. These outcomes demonstrate the utility of iMGs for neurodegenerative disease research and highlight microglia vesicular degradation pathways as potential therapeutic targets for these disorders.
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Castranio EL, Hasel P, Haure-Mirande JV, Ramirez Jimenez AV, Hamilton BW, Kim RD, Glabe CG, Wang M, Zhang B, Gandy S, Liddelow SA, Ehrlich ME. Microglial INPP5D limits plaque formation and glial reactivity in the PSAPP mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2239-2252. [PMID: 36448627 PMCID: PMC10481344 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D) gene encodes a dual-specificity phosphatase that can dephosphorylate both phospholipids and phosphoproteins. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in INPP5D impact risk for developing late onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). METHODS To assess the consequences of inducible Inpp5d knockdown in microglia of APPKM670/671NL /PSEN1Δexon9 (PSAPP) mice, we injected 3-month-old Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ and PSAPP/Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ mice with either tamoxifen (TAM) or corn oil (CO) to induce recombination. RESULTS At age 6 months, we found that the percent area of 6E10+ deposits and plaque-associated microglia in Inpp5d knockdown mice were increased compared to controls. Spatial transcriptomics identified a plaque-specific expression profile that was extensively altered by Inpp5d knockdown. DISCUSSION These results demonstrate that conditional Inpp5d downregulation in the PSAPP mouse increases plaque burden and recruitment of microglia to plaques. Spatial transcriptomics highlighted an extended gene expression signature associated with plaques and identified CST7 (cystatin F) as a novel marker of plaques. HIGHLIGHTS Inpp5d knockdown increases plaque burden and plaque-associated microglia number. Spatial transcriptomics identifies an expanded plaque-specific gene expression profile. Plaque-induced gene expression is altered by Inpp5d knockdown in microglia. Our plaque-associated gene signature overlaps with human Alzheimer's disease gene networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie L. Castranio
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Hasel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - B. Wade Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel D. Kim
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles G. Glabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry,
University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sam Gandy
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York,
USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York,
USA
| | - Shane A. Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of
Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Vilca SJ, Margetts AV, Pollock TA, Tuesta LM. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of microglia in substance use disorders. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103838. [PMID: 36893849 PMCID: PMC10247513 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103838] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are widely known for their role in immune surveillance and for their ability to refine neurocircuitry during development, but a growing body of evidence suggests that microglia may also play a complementary role to neurons in regulating the behavioral aspects of substance use disorders. While many of these efforts have focused on changes in microglial gene expression associated with drug-taking, epigenetic regulation of these changes has yet to be fully understood. This review provides recent evidence supporting the role of microglia in various aspects of substance use disorder, with particular focus on changes to the microglial transcriptome and the potential epigenetic mechanisms driving these changes. Further, this review discusses the latest technical advances in low-input chromatin profiling and highlights the current challenges for studying these novel molecular mechanisms in microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samara J Vilca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Alexander V Margetts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Tate A Pollock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
| | - Luis M Tuesta
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America.
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