1
|
Yu P, Liu B, Dong C, Chang Y. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-Based Regenerative Therapies in Treating Human Aging-Related Functional Decline and Diseases. Cells 2025; 14:619. [PMID: 40277944 PMCID: PMC12025799 DOI: 10.3390/cells14080619] [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: 03/11/2025] [Revised: 04/15/2025] [Accepted: 04/17/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025] Open
Abstract
A significant increase in life expectancy worldwide has resulted in a growing aging population, accompanied by a rise in aging-related diseases that pose substantial societal, economic, and medical challenges. This trend has prompted extensive efforts within many scientific and medical communities to develop and enhance therapies aimed at delaying aging processes, mitigating aging-related functional decline, and addressing aging-associated diseases to extend health span. Research in aging biology has focused on unraveling various biochemical and genetic pathways contributing to aging-related changes, including genomic instability, telomere shortening, and cellular senescence. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), derived through reprogramming human somatic cells, has revolutionized disease modeling and understanding in humans by addressing the limitations of conventional animal models and primary human cells. iPSCs offer significant advantages over other pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, as they can be obtained without the need for embryo destruction and are not restricted by the availability of healthy donors or patients. These attributes position iPSC technology as a promising avenue for modeling and deciphering mechanisms that underlie aging and associated diseases, as well as for studying drug effects. Moreover, iPSCs exhibit remarkable versatility in differentiating into diverse cell types, making them a promising tool for personalized regenerative therapies aimed at replacing aged or damaged cells with healthy, functional equivalents. This review explores the breadth of research in iPSC-based regenerative therapies and their potential applications in addressing a spectrum of aging-related conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peijie Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.Y.); (B.L.)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.Y.); (B.L.)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Cheng Dong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.Y.); (B.L.)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Yun Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong 999077, China; (P.Y.); (B.L.)
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zeng CW. Stem Cell-Based Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury: The Promise of iPSCs. BIOLOGY 2025; 14:314. [PMID: 40136570 PMCID: PMC11940451 DOI: 10.3390/biology14030314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2025] [Revised: 03/09/2025] [Accepted: 03/19/2025] [Indexed: 03/27/2025]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering condition that leads to severe neurological deficits and significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Despite advancements in medical care, current treatment options remain largely palliative, with limited ability to promote meaningful functional recovery. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a promising avenue for regenerative medicine, offering patient-specific, cell-based therapeutic potential for SCI repair. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in iPSC-based approaches for SCI, detailing the strategies used to generate neural cell types, including neural progenitor cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia, and their roles in promoting neuroprotection and regeneration. Additionally, we examine key preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting functional recovery assessments and discussing both standardized and debated evaluation metrics. Furthermore, we address critical challenges related to safety, tumorigenicity, immune response, survival, integration, and overcoming the inhibitory microenvironment of the injured spinal cord. We also explore emerging approaches in biomaterial scaffolds, gene editing, and rehabilitation strategies that may enhance the clinical applicability of iPSC-based therapies. By addressing these challenges and refining translational strategies, iPSC-based interventions hold significant potential to revolutionize SCI treatment and improve outcomes for affected individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Zeng
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang L, Liu SC, Liu YY, Zhu FQ, Xiong MJ, Hu DX, Zhang WJ. Therapeutic role of neural stem cells in neurological diseases. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1329712. [PMID: 38515621 PMCID: PMC10955145 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1329712] [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: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The failure of endogenous repair is the main feature of neurological diseases that cannot recover the damaged tissue and the resulting dysfunction. Currently, the range of treatment options for neurological diseases is limited, and the approved drugs are used to treat neurological diseases, but the therapeutic effect is still not ideal. In recent years, different studies have revealed that neural stem cells (NSCs) have made exciting achievements in the treatment of neurological diseases. NSCs have the potential of self-renewal and differentiation, which shows great foreground as the replacement therapy of endogenous cells in neurological diseases, which broadens a new way of cell therapy. The biological functions of NSCs in the repair of nerve injury include neuroprotection, promoting axonal regeneration and remyelination, secretion of neurotrophic factors, immune regulation, and improve the inflammatory microenvironment of nerve injury. All these reveal that NSCs play an important role in improving the progression of neurological diseases. Therefore, it is of great significance to better understand the functional role of NSCs in the treatment of neurological diseases. In view of this, we comprehensively discussed the application and value of NSCs in neurological diseases as well as the existing problems and challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Physical Examination, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Si-Cheng Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yi-Yi Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fu-Qi Zhu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Mei-Juan Xiong
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Dong-Xia Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zintel TM, Pizzollo J, Claypool CG, Babbitt CC. Astrocytes Drive Divergent Metabolic Gene Expression in Humans and Chimpanzees. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evad239. [PMID: 38159045 PMCID: PMC10829071 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad239] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The human brain utilizes ∼20% of all of the body's metabolic resources, while chimpanzee brains use <10%. Although previous work shows significant differences in metabolic gene expression between the brains of primates, we have yet to fully resolve the contribution of distinct brain cell types. To investigate cell type-specific interspecies differences in brain gene expression, we conducted RNA-seq on neural progenitor cells, neurons, and astrocytes generated from induced pluripotent stem cells from humans and chimpanzees. Interspecies differential expression analyses revealed that twice as many genes exhibit differential expression in astrocytes (12.2% of all genes expressed) than neurons (5.8%). Pathway enrichment analyses determined that astrocytes, rather than neurons, diverged in expression of glucose and lactate transmembrane transport, as well as pyruvate processing and oxidative phosphorylation. These findings suggest that astrocytes may have contributed significantly to the evolution of greater brain glucose metabolism with proximity to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trisha M Zintel
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jason Pizzollo
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Christopher G Claypool
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Courtney C Babbitt
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ma J, Wang W, Zhang W, Xu D, Ding J, Wang F, Peng X, Wang D, Li Y. The recent advances in cell delivery approaches, biochemical and engineering procedures of cell therapy applied to coronary heart disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115870. [PMID: 37952359 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy is an important topic in the field of regeneration medicine that is gaining attention within the scientific community. However, its potential for treatment in coronary heart disease (CHD) has yet to be established. Several various strategies, types of cells, routes of distribution, and supporting procedures have been tried and refined to trigger heart rejuvenation in CHD. However, only a few of them result in a real considerable promise for clinical usage. In this review, we give an update on techniques and clinical studies of cell treatment as used to cure CHD that are now ongoing or have been completed in the previous five years. We also highlight the emerging efficacy of stem cell treatment for CHD. We specifically examine and comment on current breakthroughs in cell treatment applied to CHD, including the most effective types of cells, transport modalities, engineering, and biochemical approaches used in this context. We believe the current review will be helpful for the researcher to distill this information and design future studies to overcome the challenges faced by this revolutionary approach for CHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 13000, China
| | - Wenhai Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Dexin Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Jian Ding
- Department of Electrodiagnosis, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Department of Cardiology, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Dahai Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jilin Province FAW General Hospital, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Banerjee R, Raj A, Potdar C, Pal PK, Yadav R, Kamble N, Holla V, Datta I. Astrocytes Differentiated from LRRK2-I1371V Parkinson's-Disease-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Exhibit Similar Yield but Cell-Intrinsic Dysfunction in Glutamate Uptake and Metabolism, ATP Generation, and Nrf2-Mediated Glutathione Machinery. Cells 2023; 12:1592. [PMID: 37371062 PMCID: PMC10297190 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the presence of multiple enzymatic domains, LRRK2 has been associated with a diverse set of cellular functions and signaling pathways. It also has several pathological mutant-variants, and their incidences show ethnicity biases and drug-response differences with expression in dopaminergic-neurons and astrocytes. Here, we aimed to assess the cell-intrinsic effect of the LRRK2-I1371V mutant variant, prevalent in East Asian populations, on astrocyte yield and biology, involving Nrf2-mediated glutathione machinery, glutamate uptake and metabolism, and ATP generation in astrocytes derived from LRRK2-I1371V PD patient iPSCs and independently confirmed in LRRK2-I1371V-overexpressed U87 cells. Astrocyte yield (GFAP-immunopositive) was comparable between LRRK2-I1371V and healthy control (HC) populations; however, the astrocytic capability to mitigate oxidative stress in terms of glutathione content was significantly reduced in the mutant astrocytes, along with a reduction in the gene expression of the enzymes involved in glutathione machinery and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. Simultaneously, a significant decrease in glutamate uptake was observed in LRRK2-I1371V astrocytes, with lower gene expression of glutamate transporters SLC1A2 and SLC1A3. The reduction in the protein expression of SLC1A2 was also directly confirmed. Enzymes catalyzing the generation of γ glutamyl cysteine (precursor of glutathione) from glutamate and the metabolism of glutamate to enter the Krebs cycle (α-ketoglutaric acid) were impaired, with significantly lower ATP generation in LRRK2-I1371V astrocytes. De novo glutamine synthesis via the conversion of glutamate to glutamine was also affected, indicating glutamate metabolism disorder. Our data demonstrate for the first time that the mutation in the LRRK2-I1371V allele causes significant astrocytic dysfunction with respect to Nrf2-mediated antioxidant machinery, AT -generation, and glutamate metabolism, even with comparable astrocyte yields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roon Banerjee
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Aishwarya Raj
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Chandrakanta Potdar
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Pal
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Ravi Yadav
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Nitish Kamble
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Vikram Holla
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| | - Indrani Datta
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu M, Sun X, Chen B, Dai R, Xi Z, Xu H. Insights into Manganese Superoxide Dismutase and Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415893. [PMID: 36555531 PMCID: PMC9786916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Redox equilibria and the modulation of redox signalling play crucial roles in physiological processes. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupts the body's antioxidant defence, compromising redox homeostasis and increasing oxidative stress, leading to the development of several diseases. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a principal antioxidant enzyme that protects cells from oxidative damage by converting superoxide anion radicals to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in mitochondria. Systematic studies have demonstrated that MnSOD plays an indispensable role in multiple diseases. This review focuses on preclinical evidence that describes the mechanisms of MnSOD in diseases accompanied with an imbalanced redox status, including fibrotic diseases, inflammation, diabetes, vascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The potential therapeutic effects of MnSOD activators and MnSOD mimetics are also discussed. Targeting this specific superoxide anion radical scavenger may be a clinically beneficial strategy, and understanding the therapeutic role of MnSOD may provide a positive insight into preventing and treating related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xueyang Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Boya Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Rongchen Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhichao Xi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (Z.X.); (H.X.)
| | - Hongxi Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (Z.X.); (H.X.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Donnelly KM, Coleman CM, Fuller ML, Reed VL, Smerina D, Tomlinson DS, Pearce MMP. Hunting for the cause: Evidence for prion-like mechanisms in Huntington’s disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:946822. [PMID: 36090278 PMCID: PMC9448931 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.946822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis that pathogenic protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases spread from cell-to-cell in the brain in a manner akin to infectious prions has gained substantial momentum due to an explosion of research in the past 10–15 years. Here, we review current evidence supporting the existence of prion-like mechanisms in Huntington’s disease (HD), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a CAG repeat tract in exon 1 of the huntingtin (HTT) gene. We summarize information gained from human studies and in vivo and in vitro models of HD that strongly support prion-like features of the mutant HTT (mHTT) protein, including potential involvement of molecular features of mHTT seeds, synaptic structures and connectivity, endocytic and exocytic mechanisms, tunneling nanotubes, and nonneuronal cells in mHTT propagation in the brain. We discuss mechanisms by which mHTT aggregate spreading and neurotoxicity could be causally linked and the potential benefits of targeting prion-like mechanisms in the search for new disease-modifying therapies for HD and other fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirby M. Donnelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cevannah M. Coleman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Madison L. Fuller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Victoria L. Reed
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dayna Smerina
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - David S. Tomlinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Margaret M. Panning Pearce
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Margaret M. Panning Pearce,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Smethurst P, Franklin H, Clarke BE, Sidle K, Patani R. The role of astrocytes in prion-like mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Brain 2022; 145:17-26. [PMID: 35265969 PMCID: PMC8967097 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases are not merely neuronal in nature but comprise multicellular involvement, with astrocytes emerging as key players. The pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases involve the deposition of misfolded protein aggregates in neurons that have characteristic prion-like behaviours such as template-directed seeding, intercellular propagation, distinct conformational strains and protein-mediated toxicity. The role of astrocytes in dealing with these pathological prion-like protein aggregates and whether their responses either protect from or conspire with the disease process is currently unclear. Here we review the existing literature implicating astrocytes in multiple neurodegenerative proteinopathies with a focus on prion-like behaviour in this context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Smethurst
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hannah Franklin
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Benjamin E Clarke
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Katie Sidle
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: Katie Sidle E-mail:
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Correspondence to: Rickie Patani The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Insights into Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030344. [PMID: 35327542 PMCID: PMC8945600 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative disorders have complex and still unresolved pathology characterized by progressive neuronal damage and death. Astrocytes, the most-abundant non-neuronal cell population in the central nervous system, play a vital role in these processes. They are involved in various functions in the brain, such as the regulation of synapse formation, neuroinflammation, and lactate and glutamate levels. The development of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reformed the research in neurodegenerative disorders allowing for the generation of disease-relevant neuronal and non-neuronal cell types that can help in disease modeling, drug screening, and, possibly, cell transplantation strategies. In the last 14 years, the differentiation of human iPSCs into astrocytes allowed for the opportunity to explore the contribution of astrocytes to neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the development protocols and applications of human iPSC-derived astrocytes in the most common neurodegenerative conditions.
Collapse
|
11
|
Raj A, Kaushal A, Datta I. Impact of monomeric and aggregated wild-type and A30P/A53T double-mutant α-synuclein on antioxidant mechanism and glutamate metabolic profile of cultured astrocytes. J Neurosci Res 2021; 100:681-706. [PMID: 34904280 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Serving as a source of glutathione and up-taking and metabolizing glutamate are the primary supportive role of astrocytes for the adjacent neurons. Despite the clear physical association between astrocytes and α-synuclein, the effect of extracellular α-synuclein on these astrocytic functions has not yet been elucidated. Hence, we aim to assess the effect of various forms of α-synuclein on antioxidant mechanism and glutamate metabolism. Wild-type and A53T/A30P double-mutant α-synuclein, both in monomeric and aggregated forms, were added extracellularly to media of midbrain rat astrocyte culture, with their survival, oxidative, and nitrative stress, glutathione and glutamate content, expression of enzymes associated with oxidative stress and glutamate metabolism, glutamate and glutathione transporters being assessed along with the association/engulfment of these peptides by astrocytes. A30P/A53T peptide associated more with astrocytes, and low-extracellular K+ concentration showed prominent reduction in the engulfment of the monomeric forms, suggesting that the association of the aggregated forms was greater with the membrane. The peptide-associated astrocytes showed lower survival and increased oxidative stress generation, owing to the decrease in nuclear localization of Nrf2 and increase in iNOS, and further aggravated by the decrease in glutathione content and related enzymes like glutathione synthetase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Glutamate uptake increased in aggregate-treated cells due to the increase in GLAST1 expression, de novo synthesis of glutamate by pyruvate carboxylase, and/or glutamine synthase, bolstered by the differential glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme activity. We thus show for the first time that extracellular α-synuclein exposure leads to astrocytic dysfunction with respect to the antioxidant mechanism and glutamate metabolic profile. The impact was higher in the case of the aggregated and mutated peptide, with the highest dysfunction for the mutant aggregated α-synuclein treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Raj
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru, India
| | - Alka Kaushal
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru, India
| | - Indrani Datta
- Department of Biophysics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Institute of National Importance, Bengaluru, India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kim C, Yousefian-Jazi A, Choi SH, Chang I, Lee J, Ryu H. Non-Cell Autonomous and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12499. [PMID: 34830381 PMCID: PMC8617801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeat located in the exon 1 of Huntingtin (HTT) gene in human chromosome 4. The HTT protein is ubiquitously expressed in the brain. Specifically, mutant HTT (mHTT) protein-mediated toxicity leads to a dramatic degeneration of the striatum among many regions of the brain. HD symptoms exhibit a major involuntary movement followed by cognitive and psychiatric dysfunctions. In this review, we address the conventional role of wild type HTT (wtHTT) and how mHTT protein disrupts the function of medium spiny neurons (MSNs). We also discuss how mHTT modulates epigenetic modifications and transcriptional pathways in MSNs. In addition, we define how non-cell autonomous pathways lead to damage and death of MSNs under HD pathological conditions. Lastly, we overview therapeutic approaches for HD. Together, understanding of precise neuropathological mechanisms of HD may improve therapeutic approaches to treat the onset and progression of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaebin Kim
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Ali Yousefian-Jazi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Seung-Hye Choi
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| | - Inyoung Chang
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Junghee Lee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA
| | - Hoon Ryu
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea; (C.K.); (A.Y.-J.); (S.-H.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Reis de Assis D, Szabo A, Requena Osete J, Puppo F, O’Connell KS, A. Akkouh I, Hughes T, Frei E, A. Andreassen O, Djurovic S. Using iPSC Models to Understand the Role of Estrogen in Neuron-Glia Interactions in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Cells 2021; 10:209. [PMID: 33494281 PMCID: PMC7909800 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BIP) are severe mental disorders with a considerable disease burden worldwide due to early age of onset, chronicity, and lack of efficient treatments or prevention strategies. Whilst our current knowledge is that SCZ and BIP are highly heritable and share common pathophysiological mechanisms associated with cellular signaling, neurotransmission, energy metabolism, and neuroinflammation, the development of novel therapies has been hampered by the unavailability of appropriate models to identify novel targetable pathomechanisms. Recent data suggest that neuron-glia interactions are disturbed in SCZ and BIP, and are modulated by estrogen (E2). However, most of the knowledge we have so far on the neuromodulatory effects of E2 came from studies on animal models and human cell lines, and may not accurately reflect many processes occurring exclusively in the human brain. Thus, here we highlight the advantages of using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to revisit studies of mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of E2 in human brain cells. A better understanding of these mechanisms opens the opportunity to identify putative targets of novel therapeutic agents for SCZ and BIP. In this review, we first summarize the literature on the molecular mechanisms involved in SCZ and BIP pathology and the beneficial effects of E2 on neuron-glia interactions. Then, we briefly present the most recent developments in the iPSC field, emphasizing the potential of using patient-derived iPSCs as more relevant models to study the effects of E2 on neuron-glia interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denis Reis de Assis
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Attila Szabo
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jordi Requena Osete
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Puppo
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kevin S. O’Connell
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
| | - Ibrahim A. Akkouh
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Timothy Hughes
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Evgeniia Frei
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Srdjan Djurovic
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo & Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0450 Oslo, Norway; (A.S.); (J.R.O.); (F.P.); (K.S.O.); (I.A.A.); (T.H.); (E.F.); (O.A.A.)
- NORMENT, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Johnson MA, Deng Q, Taylor G, McEachin ZT, Chan AWS, Root J, Bassell GJ, Kukar T. Divergent FUS phosphorylation in primate and mouse cells following double-strand DNA damage. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 146:105085. [PMID: 32950644 PMCID: PMC8064403 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a RNA/DNA protein involved in multiple nuclear and cytoplasmic functions including transcription, splicing, mRNA trafficking, and stress granule formation. To accomplish these many functions, FUS must shuttle between cellular compartments in a highly regulated manner. When shuttling is disrupted, FUS abnormally accumulates into cytoplasmic inclusions that can be toxic. Disrupted shuttling of FUS into the nucleus is a hallmark of ~10% of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) cases, the neuropathology that underlies frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Multiple pathways are known to disrupt nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling of FUS. In earlier work, we discovered that double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) trigger DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) to phosphorylate FUS (p-FUS) at N-terminal residues leading to the cytoplasmic accumulation of FUS. Therefore, DNA damage may contribute to the development of FTLD pathology with FUS inclusions. In the present study, we examined how DSBs effect FUS phosphorylation in various primate and mouse cellular models. All cell lines derived from human and non-human primates exhibit N-terminal FUS phosphorylation following calicheamicin γ1 (CLM) induced DSBs. In contrast, we were unable to detect FUS phosphorylation in mouse-derived primary neurons or immortalized cell lines regardless of CLM treatment, duration, or concentration. Despite DNA damage induced by CLM treatment, we find that mouse cells do not phosphorylate FUS, likely due to reduced levels and activity of DNA-PK compared to human cells. Taken together, our work reveals that mouse-derived cellular models regulate FUS in an anomalous manner compared to primate cells. This raises the possibility that mouse models may not fully recapitulate the pathogenic cascades that lead to FTLD with FUS pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Qiudong Deng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Georgia Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Zachary T McEachin
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Laboratory of Translational Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Jessica Root
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Laboratory of Translational Cell Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Thomas Kukar
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Csobonyeiova M, Polak S, Danisovic L. Recent Overview of the Use of iPSCs Huntington's Disease Modeling and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:2239. [PMID: 32213859 PMCID: PMC7139425 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, autosomal dominant, degenerative disease characterized by involuntary movements, cognitive decline, and behavioral impairment ending in death. HD is caused by an expansion in the number of CAG repeats in the huntingtin gene on chromosome 4. To date, no effective therapy for preventing the onset or progression of the disease has been found, and many symptoms do not respond to pharmacologic treatment. However, recent results of pre-clinical trials suggest a beneficial effect of stem-cell-based therapy. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent an unlimited cell source and are the most suitable among the various types of autologous stem cells due to their patient specificity and ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the cultivation of iPSC-derived neural cells offers the possibility of studying the etiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases, such as HD. Moreover, differentiated neural cells can organize into three-dimensional (3D) organoids, mimicking the complex architecture of the brain. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of recent HD models, the methods for differentiating HD-iPSCs into the desired neural cell types, and the progress in gene editing techniques leading toward stem-cell-based therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Csobonyeiova
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Stefan Polak
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Lubos Danisovic
- Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, 811 01 Bratislava, Slovakia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Shukla L, Yuan Y, Shayan R, Greening DW, Karnezis T. Fat Therapeutics: The Clinical Capacity of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Exosomes for Human Disease and Tissue Regeneration. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:158. [PMID: 32194404 PMCID: PMC7062679 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fat grafting is a well-established surgical technique used in plastic surgery to restore deficient tissue, and more recently, for its putative regenerative properties. Despite more frequent use of fat grafting, however, a scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying either survival or remedial benefits of grafted fat remain lacking. Clinical use of fat grafts for breast reconstruction in tissues damaged by radiotherapy first provided clues regarding the clinical potential of stem cells to drive tissue regeneration. Healthy fat introduced into irradiated tissues appeared to reverse radiation injury (fibrosis, scarring, contracture and pain) clinically; a phenomenon since validated in several animal studies. In the quest to explain and enhance these therapeutic effects, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were suggested as playing a key role and techniques to enrich ADSCs in fat, in turn, followed. Stem cells - the body's rapid response 'road repair crew' - are on standby to combat tissue insults. ADSCs may exert influences either by releasing paracrine-signalling factors alone or as cell-free extracellular vesicles (EVs, exosomes). Alternatively, ADSCs may augment vital immune/inflammatory processes; or themselves differentiate into mature adipose cells to provide the 'building-blocks' for engineered tissue. Regardless, adipose tissue constitutes an ideal source for mesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic application, due to ease of harvest and processing; and a relative abundance of adipose tissue in most patients. Here, we review the clinical applications of fat grafting, ADSC-enhanced fat graft, fat stem cell therapy; and the latest evolution of EVs and nanoparticles in healing, cancer and neurodegenerative and multiorgan disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lipi Shukla
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.,Department of Plastic Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Yinan Yuan
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Ramin Shayan
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.,Department of Plastic Surgery, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.,Plastic, Hand and Faciomaxillary Surgery Unit, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, VIC, Australia.,Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Tara Karnezis
- O'Brien Institute Department, St Vincent's Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Goodnight AV, Kremsky I, Khampang S, Jung YH, Billingsley JM, Bosinger SE, Corces VG, Chan AWS. Chromatin accessibility and transcription dynamics during in vitro astrocyte differentiation of Huntington's Disease Monkey pluripotent stem cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2019; 12:67. [PMID: 31722751 PMCID: PMC6852955 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-019-0313-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion, resulting in a mutant huntingtin protein. While it is now clear that astrocytes are affected by HD and significantly contribute to neuronal dysfunction and pathogenesis, the alterations in the transcriptional and epigenetic profiles in HD astrocytes have yet to be characterized. Here, we examine global transcription and chromatin accessibility dynamics during in vitro astrocyte differentiation in a transgenic non-human primate model of HD. RESULTS We found global changes in accessibility and transcription across different stages of HD pluripotent stem cell differentiation, with distinct trends first observed in neural progenitor cells (NPCs), once cells have committed to a neural lineage. Transcription of p53 signaling and cell cycle pathway genes was highly impacted during differentiation, with depletion in HD NPCs and upregulation in HD astrocytes. E2F target genes also displayed this inverse expression pattern, and strong associations between E2F target gene expression and accessibility at nearby putative enhancers were observed. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that chromatin accessibility and transcription are altered throughout in vitro HD astrocyte differentiation and provide evidence that E2F dysregulation contributes to aberrant cell-cycle re-entry and apoptosis throughout the progression from NPCs to astrocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Goodnight
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 1462 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Isaac Kremsky
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sujittra Khampang
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Yoon Hee Jung
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - James M Billingsley
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steven E Bosinger
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Victor G Corces
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 1462 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 1462 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Palpagama TH, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. The Role of Microglia and Astrocytes in Huntington's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:258. [PMID: 31708741 PMCID: PMC6824292 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. HD patients present with movement disorders, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline. This review summarizes the contribution of microglia and astrocytes to HD pathophysiology. Neuroinflammation in the HD brain is characterized by a reactive morphology in these glial cells. Microglia and astrocytes are critical in regulating neuronal activity and maintaining an optimal milieu for neuronal function. Previous studies provide evidence that activated microglia and reactive astrocytes contribute to HD pathology through transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory genes to perpetuate a chronic inflammatory state. Reactive astrocytes also display functional changes in glutamate and ion homeostasis and energy metabolism. Astrocytic and microglial changes may further contribute to the neuronal death observed with the progression of HD. Importantly, the degree to which these neuroinflammatory changes are detrimental to neurons and contribute to the progression of HD pathology is not well understood. Furthermore, recent observations provide compelling evidence that activated microglia and astrocytes exert a variety of beneficial functions that are essential for limiting tissue damage and preserving neuronal function in the HD brain. Therefore, a better understanding of the neuroinflammatory environment in the brain in HD may lead to the development of targeted and innovative therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thulani H Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry J Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L M Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li D, Liu X, Liu T, Liu H, Tong L, Jia S, Wang YF. Neurochemical regulation of the expression and function of glial fibrillary acidic protein in astrocytes. Glia 2019; 68:878-897. [PMID: 31626364 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a type III intermediate filament, is a marker of mature astrocytes. The expression of GFAP gene is regulated by many transcription factors (TFs), mainly Janus kinase-2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 cascade and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell signaling. GFAP expression is also modulated by protein kinase and other signaling molecules that are elicited by neuronal activity and hormones. Abnormal expression of GFAP proteins occurs in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, brain edema-eliciting diseases, traumatic brain injury, psychiatric disorders and others. GFAP, mainly in α-isoform, is the major component of cytoskeleton and the scaffold of astrocytes, which is essential for the maintenance of astrocytic structure and shape. GFAP also has highly morphological plasticity because of its quick changes in assembling and polymerizing states in response to environmental challenges. This plasticity and its corresponding cellular morphological changes endow astrocytes the functions of physical barrier between adjacent neurons and stabilizer of extracellular environment. Moreover, GFAP colocalizes and even molecularly associates with many functional molecules. This feature allows GFAP to function as a platform for direct interactions between different molecules. Last, GFAP involves transportation and localization of other functional proteins and thus serves as a protein transport guide in astrocytes. This guiding role of GFAP involves an elastic retraction and extension cytoskeletal network that couples with GFAP reassembling, transporting, and membrane protein recycling machinery. This paper reviews our current understanding of the expression and functions of GFAP as well as their regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Li
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tianming Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haitao Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Tong
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuwei Jia
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu-Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Creus-Muncunill J, Ehrlich ME. Cell-Autonomous and Non-cell-Autonomous Pathogenic Mechanisms in Huntington's Disease: Insights from In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:957-978. [PMID: 31529216 PMCID: PMC6985401 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by an expansion in the trinucleotide CAG repeat in exon-1 in the huntingtin gene, located on chromosome 4. When the number of trinucleotide CAG exceeds 40 repeats, disease invariably is manifested, characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. The huntingtin (Htt) protein and its mutant form (mutant huntingtin, mHtt) are ubiquitously expressed but although multiple brain regions are affected, the most vulnerable brain region is the striatum. Striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) preferentially degenerate, followed by the cortical pyramidal neurons located in layers V and VI. Proposed HD pathogenic mechanisms include, but are not restricted to, excitotoxicity, neurotrophic support deficits, collapse of the protein degradation mechanisms, mitochondrial dysfunction, transcriptional alterations, and disorders of myelin. Studies performed in cell type-specific and regionally selective HD mouse models implicate both MSN cell-autonomous properties and cell-cell interactions, particularly corticostriatal but also with non-neuronal cell types. Here, we review the intrinsic properties of MSNs that contribute to their selective vulnerability and in addition, we discuss how astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, together with aberrant corticostriatal connectivity, contribute to HD pathophysiology. In addition, mHtt causes cell-autonomous dysfunction in cell types other than MSNs. These findings have implications in terms of therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing neuronal dysfunction and degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Creus-Muncunill
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Michelle E Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1468 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|