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Barreda-Manso MA, Soto A, Muñoz-Galdeano T, Reigada D, Nieto-Díaz M, Maza RM. MiR-138-5p Upregulation during Neuronal Maturation Parallels with an Increase in Neuronal Survival. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16509. [PMID: 38003699 PMCID: PMC10671628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216509] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal maturation is a process that plays a key role in the development and regeneration of the central nervous system. Although embryonic brain development and neurodegeneration have received considerable attention, the events that govern postnatal neuronal maturation are less understood. Among the mechanisms influencing such neuronal maturation processes, apoptosis plays a key role. Several regulators have been described to modulate apoptosis, including post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs. This study aimed to analyze endogenous expression changes of miR-138-5p, as well as its main validated pro-apoptotic target caspase3, during the maturation of neuronal cultures and their response under apoptotic challenge. Our results point out that the observed opposite expression of miR-138-5p and its target caspase3 might modulate apoptosis favoring neuronal survival at distinct maturation stages. The unchanged expression of miR-138-5p in mature neurons contrasts with the significant downregulation in immature neurons upon apoptotic stimulation. Similarly, immunoblot and individual cellular assays confirmed that during maturation, not only the expression but processing of CASP-3 and caspase activity is reduced after apoptotic stimulation which results in a reduction of neuronal death. Further studies would be needed to determine a more detailed role of miR-138-5p in apoptosis during neuronal maturation and the synergistic action of several microRNAs acting cooperatively on caspase3 or other apoptotic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Asunción Barreda-Manso
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
- Research Unit, Functional Exploration and Neuromodulation of the Central Nervous System (FENNSI) Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | - Altea Soto
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
| | - Teresa Muñoz-Galdeano
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
| | - David Reigada
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
| | - Manuel Nieto-Díaz
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
| | - Rodrigo M. Maza
- Research Unit, Molecular Neuroprotection Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.S.); (T.M.-G.); (D.R.); (M.N.-D.)
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Gupta P, Rathi P, Gupta R, Baldi H, Coquerel Q, Debnath A, Derami HG, Raman B, Singamaneni S. Neuronal maturation-dependent nano-neuro interaction and modulation. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2023; 8:1537-1555. [PMID: 37672212 PMCID: PMC10615777 DOI: 10.1039/d3nh00258f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology-enabled neuromodulation is a promising minimally-invasive tool in neuroscience and engineering for both fundamental studies and clinical applications. However, the nano-neuro interaction at different stages of maturation of a neural network and its implications for the nano-neuromodulation remain unclear. Here, we report heterogeneous to homogeneous transformation of neuromodulation in a progressively maturing neural network. Utilizing plasmonic-fluors as ultrabright fluorescent nanolabels, we reveal that negative surface charge of nanoparticles renders selective nano-neuro interaction with a strong correlation between the maturation stage of the individual neurons in the neural network and the density of the nanoparticles bound on the neurons. In stark contrast to homogeneous neuromodulation in a mature neural network reported so far, the maturation-dependent density of the nanoparticles bound to neurons in a developing neural network resulted in a heterogeneous optical neuromodulation (i.e., simultaneous excitation and inhibition of neural network activity). This study advances our understanding of nano-neuro interactions and nano-neuromodulation with potential applications in minimally-invasive technologies for treating neuronal disorders in parts of the mammalian brain where neurogenesis persists throughout aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Gupta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Priya Rathi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Rohit Gupta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Harsh Baldi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Quentin Coquerel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Avishek Debnath
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Hamed Gholami Derami
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Baranidharan Raman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Srikanth Singamaneni
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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3
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Diverse maturity-dependent and complementary anti-apoptotic brakes safeguard human iPSC-derived neurons from cell death. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:887. [PMID: 36270985 PMCID: PMC9587001 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05340-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In humans, most neurons are born during embryonic development and have to persist throughout the entire lifespan of an individual. Thus, human neurons have to develop elaborate survival strategies to protect against accidental cell death. We set out to decipher the developmental adaptations resulting in neuronal resilience. We demonstrate that, during the time course of maturation, human neurons install a complex and complementary anti-apoptotic signaling network. This includes i.) a downregulation of central proteins of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway including several caspases, ii.) a shift in the ratio of pro- and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, and iii.) an elaborate regulatory network resulting in upregulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) XIAP. Together, these adaptations strongly increase the threshold for apoptosis initiation when confronted with a wide range of cellular stressors. Our results highlight how human neurons are endowed with complex and redundant preemptive strategies to protect against stress and cell death.
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4
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Kambhampati S, Murphy S, Uosaki H, Kwon C. Cross-Organ Transcriptomic Comparison Reveals Universal Factors During Maturation. J Comput Biol 2022; 29:1031-1044. [PMID: 35802489 PMCID: PMC9499449 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2021.0349] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Various cell types can be derived from stem cells. However, these cells are immature and do not match their adult counterparts in functional capabilities, limiting their use in disease modeling and cell therapies. Thus, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of maturation in vivo. However, it is unknown if there are genes and pathways conserved across organs during maturation. To address this, we performed a time-series analysis of the transcriptome of the mouse heart, brain, liver, and kidney and analyzed their trajectories over time. In addition, gene regulatory networks were reconstructed to determine overlapping expression patterns. Based on these, we identified commonly upregulated and downregulated pathways across all four organs. Key upstream regulators were also predicted based on the temporal expression of downstream genes. These findings suggest the presence of universal regulators during organ maturation, which may help us develop a general strategy to mature stem cell-derived cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kambhampati
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hideki Uosaki
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Chulan Kwon
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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5
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Sachana M, Willett C, Pistollato F, Bal-Price A. The potential of mechanistic information organised within the AOP framework to increase regulatory uptake of the developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in vitro battery of assays. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 103:159-170. [PMID: 34147625 PMCID: PMC8279093 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Current in vivo DNT testing for regulatory purposes is not effective. In vitro assays anchored to key neurodevelopmental processes are available. Development of Adverse Outcome Pathways is required to increase mechanistic understanding of DNT effects. DNT Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment for various regulatory purposes should be developed. The OECD Guidance Document on use of in vitro DNT battery of assays is currently under development.
A major challenge in regulatory developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessment is lack of toxicological information for many compounds. Therefore, the Test Guidelines programme of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) took the initiative to coordinate an international collaboration between diverse stakeholders to consider integration of alternative approaches towards improving the current chemical DNT testing. During the past few years, a series of workshops was organized during which a consensus was reached that incorporation of a DNT testing battery that relies on in vitro assays anchored to key neurodevelopmental processes should be developed. These key developmental processes include neural progenitor cell proliferation, neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation, neural cell migration, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis and neuronal network formation, as well key events identified in the existing Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs). AOPs deliver mechanistic information on the causal links between molecular initiating event, intermediate key events and an adverse outcome of regulatory concern, providing the biological context to facilitate development of Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for various regulatory purposes. Developing IATA case studies, using mechanistic information derived from AOPs, is expected to increase scientific confidence for the use of in vitro methods within an IATA, thereby facilitating regulatory uptake. This manuscript summarizes the current state of international efforts to enhance DNT testing by using an in vitro battery of assays focusing on the role of AOPs in informing the development of IATA for different regulatory purposes, aiming to deliver an OECD guidance document on use of in vitro DNT battery of assays that include in vitro data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalini Sachana
- Environment Health and Safety Division, Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 75775, Paris Cedex 16, France
| | - Catherine Willett
- Humane Society International, 1255 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | | | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
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Jerber J, Seaton DD, Cuomo ASE, Kumasaka N, Haldane J, Steer J, Patel M, Pearce D, Andersson M, Bonder MJ, Mountjoy E, Ghoussaini M, Lancaster MA, Marioni JC, Merkle FT, Gaffney DJ, Stegle O. Population-scale single-cell RNA-seq profiling across dopaminergic neuron differentiation. Nat Genet 2021; 53:304-312. [PMID: 33664506 PMCID: PMC7610897 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00801-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Studying the function of common genetic variants in primary human tissues and during development is challenging. To address this, we use an efficient multiplexing strategy to differentiate 215 human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines toward a midbrain neural fate, including dopaminergic neurons, and use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile over 1 million cells across three differentiation time points. The proportion of neurons produced by each cell line is highly reproducible and is predictable by robust molecular markers expressed in pluripotent cells. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) were characterized at different stages of neuronal development and in response to rotenone-induced oxidative stress. Of these, 1,284 eQTL colocalize with known neurological trait risk loci, and 46% are not found in the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) catalog. Our study illustrates how coupling scRNA-seq with long-term iPSC differentiation enables mechanistic studies of human trait-associated genetic variants in otherwise inaccessible cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Jerber
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel D Seaton
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anna S E Cuomo
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Natsuhiko Kumasaka
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Haldane
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Juliette Steer
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Minal Patel
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel Pearce
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Malin Andersson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marc Jan Bonder
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ed Mountjoy
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maya Ghoussaini
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - John C Marioni
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Florian T Merkle
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Daniel J Gaffney
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Oliver Stegle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Division of Computational Genomics and Systems Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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7
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Trapecar M, Wogram E, Svoboda D, Communal C, Omer A, Lungjangwa T, Sphabmixay P, Velazquez J, Schneider K, Wright CW, Mildrum S, Hendricks A, Levine S, Muffat J, Lee MJ, Lauffenburger DA, Trumper D, Jaenisch R, Griffith LG. Human physiomimetic model integrating microphysiological systems of the gut, liver, and brain for studies of neurodegenerative diseases. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/5/eabd1707. [PMID: 33514545 PMCID: PMC7846169 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abd1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Slow progress in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) motivates an urgent need for highly controlled in vitro systems to investigate organ-organ- and organ-immune-specific interactions relevant for disease pathophysiology. Of particular interest is the gut/microbiome-liver-brain axis for parsing out how genetic and environmental factors contribute to NDs. We have developed a mesofluidic platform technology to study gut-liver-cerebral interactions in the context of Parkinson's disease (PD). It connects microphysiological systems (MPSs) of the primary human gut and liver with a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cerebral MPS in a systemically circulated common culture medium containing CD4+ regulatory T and T helper 17 cells. We demonstrate this approach using a patient-derived cerebral MPS carrying the PD-causing A53T mutation, gaining two important findings: (i) that systemic interaction enhances features of in vivo-like behavior of cerebral MPSs, and (ii) that microbiome-associated short-chain fatty acids increase expression of pathology-associated pathways in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Trapecar
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emile Wogram
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Devon Svoboda
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Communal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Attya Omer
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Pierre Sphabmixay
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jason Velazquez
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kirsten Schneider
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Charles W Wright
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samuel Mildrum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT BioMicro Center, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Austin Hendricks
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT BioMicro Center, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stuart Levine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT BioMicro Center, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Julien Muffat
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meelim Jasmine Lee
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David Trumper
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Linda G Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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8
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Tran TN, Bader GD. Tempora: Cell trajectory inference using time-series single-cell RNA sequencing data. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008205. [PMID: 32903255 PMCID: PMC7505465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can map cell types, states and transitions during dynamic biological processes such as tissue development and regeneration. Many trajectory inference methods have been developed to order cells by their progression through a dynamic process. However, when time series data is available, most of these methods do not consider the available time information when ordering cells and are instead designed to work only on a single scRNA-seq data snapshot. We present Tempora, a novel cell trajectory inference method that orders cells using time information from time-series scRNA-seq data. In performance comparison tests, Tempora inferred known developmental lineages from three diverse tissue development time series data sets, beating state of the art methods in accuracy and speed. Tempora works at the level of cell clusters (types) and uses biological pathway information to help identify cell type relationships. This approach increases gene expression signal from single cells, processing speed, and interpretability of the inferred trajectory. Our results demonstrate the utility of a combination of time and pathway information to supervise trajectory inference for scRNA-seq based analysis. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables an unparalleled ability to map the heterogeneity of dynamic multicellular processes, such as tissue development, tumor growth, wound response and repair, and inflammation. Multiple methods have been developed to order cells along a pseudotime axis that represents a trajectory through such processes using the concept that cells that are closely related in a lineage will have similar transcriptomes. However, time series experiments provide another useful information source to order cells, from earlier to later time point. By introducing a novel use of biological pathway prior information, our Tempora algorithm improves the accuracy and speed of cell trajectory inference from time-series scRNA-seq data as measured by reconstructing known developmental trajectories from three diverse data sets. By analyzing scRNA-seq data at the cluster (cell type) level instead of at the single-cell level and by using known pathway information, Tempora amplifies gene expression signals from one cell using similar cells in a cluster and similar genes within a pathway. This approach also reduces computational time and resources needed to analyze large data sets because it works with a relatively small number of clusters instead of a potentially large number of cells. Finally, it eases interpretation, via operating on a relatively small number of clusters which usually represent known cell types, as well as by identifying time-dependent pathways. Tempora is useful for finding novel insights in dynamic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinh N. Tran
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary D. Bader
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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9
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Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Neural Substructure Development during Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Treatment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144867. [PMID: 32660142 PMCID: PMC7402296 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are highly important in biology due to their unique innate ability to self-renew and differentiate into other specialised cells. In a neurological context, treating major injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke is a strong basis for research in this area. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a strong candidate because of their accessibility, compatibility if autologous, high yield and multipotency with a potential to generate neural cells. With the use of small-molecule chemicals, the neural induction of stem cells may occur within minutes or hours. Isobutylmethyl xanthine (IBMX) has been widely used in cocktails to induce neural differentiation. However, the key molecular mechanisms it instigates in the process are largely unknown. In this study we showed that IBMX-treated mesenchymal stem cells induced differentiation within 24 h with the unique expression of several key proteins such as Adapter protein crk, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, DNA topoisomerase 2-beta and Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5), vital in linking signalling pathways. Furthermore, the increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in treated cells promotes phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and GTPase–Hras interactions. Bioinformatic and pathway analyses revealed upregulation in expression and an increase in the number of proteins with biological ontologies related to neural development and substructure formation. These findings enhance the understanding of the utility of IBMX in MSC neural differentiation and its involvement in neurite substructure development.
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10
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Traxler L, Edenhofer F, Mertens J. Next-generation disease modeling with direct conversion: a new path to old neurons. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:3316-3337. [PMID: 31715002 PMCID: PMC6907729 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Within just over a decade, human reprogramming-based disease modeling has developed from a rather outlandish idea into an essential part of disease research. While iPSCs are a valuable tool for modeling developmental and monogenetic disorders, their rejuvenated identity poses limitations for modeling age-associated diseases. Direct cell-type conversion of fibroblasts into induced neurons (iNs) circumvents rejuvenation and preserves hallmarks of cellular aging. iNs are thus advantageous for modeling diseases that possess strong age-related and epigenetic contributions and can complement iPSC-based strategies for disease modeling. In this review, we provide an overview of the state of the art of direct iN conversion and describe the key epigenetic, transcriptomic, and metabolic changes that occur in converting fibroblasts. Furthermore, we summarize new insights into this fascinating process, particularly focusing on the rapidly changing criteria used to define and characterize in vitro-born human neurons. Finally, we discuss the unique features that distinguish iNs from other reprogramming-based neuronal cell models and how iNs are relevant to disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Traxler
- Department of GenomicsStem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineInstitute of Molecular Biology & CMBILeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Laboratory of GeneticsThe Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Department of GenomicsStem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineInstitute of Molecular Biology & CMBILeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of GenomicsStem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineInstitute of Molecular Biology & CMBILeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Laboratory of GeneticsThe Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaCAUSA
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11
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Wong E, Mölter J, Anggono V, Degnan SM, Degnan BM. Co-expression of synaptic genes in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica uncovers ancient neural submodules. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15781. [PMID: 31673079 PMCID: PMC6823388 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51282-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The synapse is a complex cellular module crucial to the functioning of neurons. It evolved largely through the exaptation of pre-existing smaller submodules, each of which are comprised of ancient sets of proteins that are conserved in modern animals and other eukaryotes. Although these ancient submodules themselves have non-neural roles, it has been hypothesized that they may mediate environmental sensing behaviors in aneural animals, such as sponges. Here we identify orthologues in the sponge Amphimedon queenslandica of genes encoding synaptic submodules in neural animals, and analyse their cell-type specific and developmental expression to determine their potential to be co-regulated. We find that genes comprising certain synaptic submodules, including those involved in vesicle trafficking, calcium-regulation and scaffolding of postsynaptic receptor clusters, are co-expressed in adult choanocytes and during metamorphosis. Although these submodules may contribute to sensory roles in this cell type and this life cycle stage, total synaptic gene co-expression profiles do not support the existence of a functional synapse in A. queenslandica. The lack of evidence for the co-regulation of genes necessary for pre- and post-synaptic functioning in A. queenslandica suggests that sponges, and perhaps the last common ancestor of sponges and other extant animals, had the ability to promulgate sensory inputs without complete synapse-like functionalities. The differential co-expression of multiple synaptic submodule genes in sponge choanocytes, which have sensory and feeding roles, however, is consistent with the metazoan ancestor minimally being able to undergo exo- and endocytosis in a controlled and localized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Jan Mölter
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Victor Anggono
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Sandie M Degnan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Bernard M Degnan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
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