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Hörner SJ, Couturier N, Hafner M, Rudolf R. Schwann cells in neuromuscular in vitro models. Biol Chem 2024; 405:25-30. [PMID: 37357580 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0172] [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: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuromuscular cell culture models are used to investigate synapse formation and function, as well as mechanisms of de-and regeneration in neuromuscular diseases. Recent developments including 3D culture technique and hiPSC technology have propelled their ability to complement insights from in vivo models. However, most cultures have not considered Schwann cells, the glial part of NMJs. In the following, a brief overview of different types of neuromuscular cocultures is provided alongside examples for studies that included Schwann cells. From these, findings concerning the effects of Schwann cells on those cultures are summarized and future lines of research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Janice Hörner
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nathalie Couturier
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Mathias Hafner
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Technology, Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Rudolf
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences, Heidelberg University, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Mass Spectrometry and Optical Spectroscopy, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, D-68163 Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Chen D, Philippidou P, Brenha BDF, Schaffer AE, Miranda HC. Scalable, optically-responsive human neuromuscular junction model reveals convergent mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction in familial ALS. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.11.575304. [PMID: 38260655 PMCID: PMC10802619 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.11.575304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are specialized synapses that mediate communication between motor neurons and skeletal muscles and are essential for movement. The degeneration of this system can lead to symptoms observed in neuromuscular and motor neuron diseases. Studying these synapses and their degeneration has proven challenging. Prior NMJ studies heavily relied upon the use of mouse, chick, or isolated primary human cells, which have demonstrated limited fidelity for disease modeling. To enable the study of NMJ dysfunction and model genetic diseases, we, and others, have developed methods to generate human NMJs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. However, published studies have highlighted technical limitations associated with these complex in vitro NMJ models. In this study, we developed a robust PSC-derived motor neuron and skeletal muscle co-culture method, and demonstrated its sensitivity in modeling motor neuron disease. Our method spontaneously and reproducibly forms human NMJs. We developed multiwell-multielectrode array (MEA) parameters to quantify the activity of PSC-derived skeletal muscles, as well as measured the electrophysiological activity of functional human PSC-derived NMJs. We further leveraged our method to morphologically and functionally assess NMJs from the familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) PSCs, C9orf72 hexanucleotide (G4C2)n repeat expansion (HRE), SOD1 A5V , and TDP43 G298S to define the reproducibility and sensitivity of our system. We observed a significant decrease in the numbers and activity of PSC-derived NMJs developed from the different ALS lines compared to their respective controls. Furthermore, we evaluated a therapeutic candidate undergoing clinical trials and observed a variant-dependent rescue of functionality of NMJs. Our newly developed method provides a platform for the systematic investigation of genetic causes of NMJ neurodegeneration and highlights the need for therapeutic avenues to consider patient genotype.
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Lin YL, Nhieu J, Lerdall T, Milbauer L, Wei CW, Lee DJ, Oh SH, Thayer S, Wei LN. A novel 3D bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system for studying functional motor units. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:168. [PMID: 37700376 PMCID: PMC10496371 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A motor unit (MU) is formed by a single alpha motor neuron (MN) and the muscle fibers it innervates. The MU is essential for all voluntary movements. Functional deficits in the MU result in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). The pathological mechanisms underlying most NMDs remain poorly understood, in part due to the lack of in vitro models that can comprehensively recapitulate multistage intercellular interactions and physiological function of the MU. RESULTS We have designed a novel three-dimensional (3D) bilayer hydrogel tri-culture system where architecturally organized MUs can form in vitro. A sequential co-culture procedure using the three cell types of a MU, MN, myoblast, and Schwann cell was designed to construct a co-differentiating tri-culture on a bilayer hydrogel matrix. We utilized a µ-molded hydrogel with an additional Matrigel layer to form the bilayer hydrogel device. The µ-molded hydrogel layer provides the topological cues for myoblast differentiation. The Matrigel layer, with embedded Schwann cells, not only separates the MNs from myoblasts but also provides a proper micro-environment for MU development. The completed model shows key MU features including an organized MU structure, myelinated nerves, aligned myotubes innervated on clustered neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), MN-driven myotube contractions, and increases in cytosolic Ca2+ upon stimulation. CONCLUSIONS This organized and functional in vitro MU model provides an opportunity to study pathological events involved in NMDs and peripheral neuropathies, and can serve as a platform for physiological and pharmacological studies such as modeling and drug screening. Technically, the rational of this 3D bilayer hydrogel co-culture system exploits multiple distinct properties of hydrogels, facilitating effective and efficient co-culturing of diverse cell types for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lung Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Sciences and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jennifer Nhieu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Lerdall
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Liming Milbauer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Chin-Wen Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Dong Jun Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang-Hyun Oh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stanley Thayer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Li-Na Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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