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Schmidt MD, Ishahak M, Augsornworawat P, Millman JR. Comparative and integrative single cell analysis reveals new insights into the transcriptional immaturity of stem cell-derived β cells. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:105. [PMID: 38267908 PMCID: PMC10807170 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes cell replacement therapy has the potential to be transformed by human pluripotent stem cell-derived β cells (SC-β cells). However, the precise identity of SC-β cells in relationship to primary fetal and adult β-cells remains unclear. Here, we used single-cell sequencing datasets to characterize the transcriptional identity of islets from in vitro differentiation, fetal islets, and adult islets. Our analysis revealed that SC-β cells share a core β-cell transcriptional identity with human adult and fetal β-cells, however SC-β cells possess a unique transcriptional profile characterized by the persistent expression and activation of progenitor and neural-biased gene networks. These networks are present in SC-β cells, irrespective of the derivation protocol used. Notably, fetal β-cells also exhibit this neural signature at the transcriptional level. Our findings offer insights into the transcriptional identity of SC-β cells and underscore the need for further investigation of the role of neural transcriptional networks in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason D Schmidt
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Matthew Ishahak
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
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2
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Augsornworawat P, Hogrebe NJ, Ishahak M, Schmidt MD, Marquez E, Maestas MM, Veronese-Paniagua DA, Gale SE, Miller JR, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Author Correction: Single-nucleus multi-omics of human stem cell-derived islets identifies deficiencies in lineage specification. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1546. [PMID: 37558893 PMCID: PMC10567556 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matthew Ishahak
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mason D Schmidt
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Erica Marquez
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marlie M Maestas
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel A Veronese-Paniagua
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah E Gale
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julia R Miller
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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3
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Augsornworawat P, Hogrebe NJ, Ishahak M, Schmidt MD, Marquez E, Maestas MM, Veronese-Paniagua DA, Gale SE, Miller JR, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Single-nucleus multi-omics of human stem cell-derived islets identifies deficiencies in lineage specification. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:904-916. [PMID: 37188763 PMCID: PMC10264244 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01150-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-producing β cells created from human pluripotent stem cells have potential as a therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes, but human pluripotent stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets) still differ from their in vivo counterparts. To better understand the state of cell types within SC-islets and identify lineage specification deficiencies, we used single-nucleus multi-omic sequencing to analyse chromatin accessibility and transcriptional profiles of SC-islets and primary human islets. Here we provide an analysis that enabled the derivation of gene lists and activity for identifying each SC-islet cell type compared with primary islets. Within SC-islets, we found that the difference between β cells and awry enterochromaffin-like cells is a gradient of cell states rather than a stark difference in identity. Furthermore, transplantation of SC-islets in vivo improved cellular identities overtime, while long-term in vitro culture did not. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of chromatin and transcriptional landscapes during islet cell specification and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Matthew Ishahak
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Mason D Schmidt
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Erica Marquez
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marlie M Maestas
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel A Veronese-Paniagua
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah E Gale
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julia R Miller
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, MSC 8127-057-08, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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4
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Kitamura RA, Maxwell KG, Ye W, Kries K, Brown CM, Augsornworawat P, Hirsch Y, Johansson MM, Weiden T, Ekstein J, Cohen J, Klee J, Leslie K, Simeonov A, Henderson MJ, Millman JR, Urano F. Multidimensional analysis and therapeutic development using patient iPSC-derived disease models of Wolfram syndrome. JCI Insight 2022; 7:156549. [PMID: 36134655 PMCID: PMC9675478 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.156549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wolfram syndrome is a rare genetic disorder largely caused by pathogenic variants in the WFS1 gene and manifested by diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, and progressive neurodegeneration. Recent genetic and clinical findings have revealed Wolfram syndrome as a spectrum disorder. Therefore, a genotype-phenotype correlation analysis is needed for diagnosis and therapeutic development. Here, we focus on the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant, which is highly prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Clinical investigation indicated that patients carrying the homozygous WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant showed mild forms of Wolfram syndrome phenotypes. Expression of WFS1 p.R558C was more stable compared with the other known recessive pathogenic variants associated with Wolfram syndrome. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived (iPSC-derived) islets (SC-islets) homozygous for WFS1 c.1672C>T variant recapitulated genotype-related Wolfram syndrome phenotypes. Enhancing residual WFS1 function through a combination treatment of chemical chaperones mitigated detrimental effects caused by the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant and increased insulin secretion in SC-islets. Thus, the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant causes a mild form of Wolfram syndrome phenotypes, which can be remitted with a combination treatment of chemical chaperones. We demonstrate that our patient iPSC-derived disease model provides a valuable platform for further genotype-phenotype analysis and therapeutic development for Wolfram syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Asada Kitamura
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kristina G Maxwell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Wenjuan Ye
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly Kries
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Cris M Brown
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yoel Hirsch
- Dor Yeshorim, Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Martin M Johansson
- Dor Yeshorim, Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Tzvi Weiden
- Dor Yeshorim, Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Joseph Ekstein
- Dor Yeshorim, Committee for Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Joshua Cohen
- Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justin Klee
- Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kent Leslie
- Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark J Henderson
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Fumihiko Urano
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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5
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Hogrebe NJ, Maxwell KG, Augsornworawat P, Millman JR. Generation of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells from multiple human stem cell lines. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:4109-4143. [PMID: 34349281 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00560-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We detail a six-stage planar differentiation methodology for generating human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic β cells (SC-β cells) that secrete high amounts of insulin in response to glucose stimulation. This protocol first induces definitive endoderm by treatment with Activin A and CHIR99021, then generates PDX1+/NKX6-1+ pancreatic progenitors through the timed application of keratinocyte growth factor, SANT1, TPPB, LDN193189 and retinoic acid. Endocrine induction and subsequent SC-β-cell specification is achieved with a cocktail consisting of the cytoskeletal depolymerizing compound latrunculin A combined with XXI, T3, ALK5 inhibitor II, SANT1 and retinoic acid. The resulting SC-β cells and other endocrine cell types can then be aggregated into islet-like clusters for analysis and transplantation. This differentiation methodology takes ~34 d to generate functional SC-β cells, plus an additional 1-2 weeks for initial stem cell expansion and final cell assessment. This protocol builds upon a large body of previous work for generating β-like cells. In this iteration, we have eliminated the need for 3D culture during endocrine induction, allowing for the generation of highly functional SC-β cells to be done entirely on tissue culture polystyrene. This change simplifies the differentiation methodology, requiring only basic stem cell culture experience as well as familiarity with assessment techniques common in biology laboratories. In addition to expanding protocol accessibility and simplifying SC-β-cell generation, we demonstrate that this planar methodology is amenable for differentiating SC-β cells from a wide variety of cell lines from various sources, broadening its applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristina G Maxwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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6
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Maxwell KG, Augsornworawat P, Velazco-Cruz L, Kim MH, Asada R, Hogrebe NJ, Morikawa S, Urano F, Millman JR. Gene-edited human stem cell-derived β cells from a patient with monogenic diabetes reverse preexisting diabetes in mice. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/540/eaax9106. [PMID: 32321868 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax9106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients with diabetes promises to provide autologous cells for diabetes cell replacement therapy. However, current approaches produce patient iPSC-derived β (SC-β) cells with poor function in vitro and in vivo. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to correct a diabetes-causing pathogenic variant in Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1) in iPSCs derived from a patient with Wolfram syndrome (WS). After differentiation to β cells with our recent six-stage differentiation strategy, corrected WS SC-β cells performed robust dynamic insulin secretion in vitro in response to glucose and reversed preexisting streptozocin-induced diabetes after transplantation into mice. Single-cell transcriptomics showed that corrected SC-β cells displayed increased insulin and decreased expression of genes associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress. CRISPR-Cas9 correction of a diabetes-inducing gene variant thus allows for robust differentiation of autologous SC-β cells that can reverse severe diabetes in an animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina G Maxwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michelle H Kim
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Rie Asada
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shuntaro Morikawa
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Fumihiko Urano
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. .,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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7
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Augsornworawat P, Maxwell KG, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Single-cell transcriptome profiling reveals β cell maturation in stem cell-derived islets after transplantation. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108850. [PMID: 33691098 PMCID: PMC8020860 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Abstract
The islets of Langerhans are complex tissues composed of several cell types that secrete hormones. Loss or dysfunction of the insulin-producing β cells leads to dysregulation of blood glucose levels, resulting in diabetes. A major goal in cellular engineering has been to generate β cells from stem cells for use in cell-based therapies. However, the presence of other cell types within these islets can mask important details about β cells when using population-level assays. Single-cell RNA sequencing have enabled transcriptional assessment of individual cells within mixed populations. These technologies allow for accurate assessment of specific cell types and subtypes of β cells. Studies investigating different stages of β cell maturity have led to several insights into understanding islet development and diabetes pathology. Here, we highlight the key findings from the use of single-cell RNA sequencing on stem cell-derived and primary human islet cells found in different maturation and diabetic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8127, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Jeffrey R. Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8127, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
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9
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Augsornworawat P, Maxwell KG, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Single-Cell Transcriptome Profiling Reveals β Cell Maturation in Stem Cell-Derived Islets after Transplantation. Cell Rep 2020; 32:108067. [PMID: 32846125 PMCID: PMC7491368 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells differentiated to insulin-secreting β cells (SC-β cells) in islet organoids could provide an unlimited cell source for diabetes cell replacement therapy. However, current SC-β cells generated in vitro are transcriptionally and functionally immature compared to native adult β cells. Here, we use single-cell transcriptomic profiling to catalog changes that occur in transplanted SC-β cells. We find that transplanted SC-β cells exhibit drastic transcriptional changes and mature to more closely resemble adult β cells. Insulin and IAPP protein secretions increase upon transplantation, along with expression of maturation genes lacking with differentiation in vitro, including INS, MAFA, CHGB, and G6PC2. Other differentiated cell types, such as SC-α and SC-enterochromaffin (SC-EC) cells, also exhibit large transcriptional changes. This study provides a comprehensive resource for understanding human islet cell maturation and provides important insights into maturation of SC-β cells and other SC-islet cell types to enable future differentiation strategy improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Kristina G Maxwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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10
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Hogrebe NJ, Augsornworawat P, Maxwell KG, Velazco-Cruz L, Millman JR. Targeting the cytoskeleton to direct pancreatic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:460-470. [PMID: 32094658 PMCID: PMC7274216 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0430-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Generation of pancreatic β cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) holds promise as a cell replacement therapy for diabetes. In this study, we establish a link between the state of the actin cytoskeleton and the expression of pancreatic transcription factors that drive pancreatic lineage specification. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that different degrees of actin polymerization biased cells toward various endodermal lineages and that conditions favoring a polymerized cytoskeleton strongly inhibited neurogenin 3-induced endocrine differentiation. Using latrunculin A to depolymerize the cytoskeleton during endocrine induction, we developed a two-dimensional differentiation protocol for generating human pluripotent stem-cell-derived β (SC-β) cells with improved in vitro and in vivo function. SC-β cells differentiated from four hPSC lines exhibited first- and second-phase dynamic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Transplantation of islet-sized aggregates of these cells rapidly reversed severe preexisting diabetes in mice at a rate close to that of human islets and maintained normoglycemia for at least 9 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel J Hogrebe
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristina G Maxwell
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leonardo Velazco-Cruz
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Augsornworawat P, Velazco-Cruz L, Song J, Millman JR. A hydrogel platform for in vitro three dimensional assembly of human stem cell-derived islet cells and endothelial cells. Acta Biomater 2019; 97:272-280. [PMID: 31446050 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation of stem cells into functional replacement cells and tissues is a major goal of the regenerative medicine field. However, one limitation has been organization of differentiated cells into multi-cellular, three-dimensional assemblies. The islets of Langerhans contain many endocrine and non-endocrine cell types, such as insulin-producing β cells and endothelial cells. Despite the potential importance of endothelial cells to islet function, facilitating interactions between endothelial cells and islet endocrine cell types already differentiated from human embryonic stem cells has been difficult in vitro. We have developed a strategy of assembling human embryonic stem cell-derived islet cells with endothelial cells into three-dimensional aggregates on a hydrogel. The resulting islet organoids express β cell and other endocrine markers and are functional, capable of undergoing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. This assembly was not observed on traditional tissue culture plastic and in aggregates generated in suspension culture, highlighting how physical culture conditions greatly influence the interactions among these cell types. These results provide a platform for evaluating the effects of the islet tissue microenvironment on human embryonic stem cell-derived β cells and other islet endocrine cells to develop tissue engineered islets. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Differentiation of insulin-producing cells and tissues from human pluripotent stem cells is being investigated for diabetes cell replacement therapies. Despite successes generating β cells, the cell type responsible for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion within the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas, successful assembly with other non-endocrine cell types, particularly endothelial cells, has been technically challenging. The present study provides a platform for the assembly of endothelial cells with SC-β and other endocrine cells, producing islet organoids that are functional and express β cell markers, that can be used to study the islet microenvironment and islet tissue engineering.
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Abstract
The immune system is governed by an immensely complex network of cells and both intracellular and extracellular molecular factors. It must respond to an ever-growing number of biochemical and biophysical inputs by eliciting appropriate and specific responses in order to maintain homeostasis. But as with any complex system, a plethora of false positives and false negatives can occur to generate dysregulated responses. Dysregulated immune responses are essential components of diverse inflammation-driven pathologies, including cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Nanoscale biomaterials (i.e., nanobiomaterials) have emerged as highly customizable platforms that can be engineered to interact with and direct immune responses, holding potential for the design of novel and targeted approaches to redirect or inhibit inflammation. Here, we present recent developments of nanobiomaterials that were rationally designed to target and modulate inflammatory cells and biochemical pathways for the treatment of immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan A Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - Nicholas B Karabin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208
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Yi S, Allen SD, Liu YG, Ouyang BZ, Li X, Augsornworawat P, Thorp EB, Scott EA. Tailoring Nanostructure Morphology for Enhanced Targeting of Dendritic Cells in Atherosclerosis. ACS Nano 2016; 10:11290-11303. [PMID: 27935698 PMCID: PMC5418862 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b06451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart disease, results from chronic vascular inflammation that is driven by diverse immune cell populations. Nanomaterials may function as powerful platforms for diagnostic imaging and controlled delivery of therapeutics to inflammatory cells in atherosclerosis, but efficacy is limited by nonspecific uptake by cells of the mononuclear phagocytes system (MPS). MPS cells located in the liver, spleen, blood, lymph nodes, and kidney remove from circulation the vast majority of intravenously administered nanomaterials regardless of surface functionalization or conjugation of targeting ligands. Here, we report that nanostructure morphology alone can be engineered for selective uptake by dendritic cells (DCs), which are critical mediators of atherosclerotic inflammation. Employing near-infrared fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry as a multimodal approach, we compared organ and cellular level biodistributions of micelles, vesicles (i.e., polymersomes), and filomicelles, all assembled from poly(ethylene glycol)-bl-poly(propylene sulfide) (PEG-bl-PPS) block copolymers with identical surface chemistries. While micelles and filomicelles were respectively found to associate with liver macrophages and blood-resident phagocytes, polymersomes were exceptionally efficient at targeting splenic DCs (up to 85% of plasmacytoid DCs) and demonstrated significantly lower uptake by other cells of the MPS. In a mouse model of atherosclerosis, polymersomes demonstrated superior specificity for DCs (p < 0.005) in atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, significant differences in polymersome cellular biodistributions were observed in atherosclerotic compared to naïve mice, including impaired targeting of phagocytes in lymph nodes. These results present avenues for immunotherapies in cardiovascular disease and demonstrate that nanostructure morphology can be tailored to enhance targeting specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Yi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Sean David Allen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Yu-Gang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Brian Zhou Ouyang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Xiaomo Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Punn Augsornworawat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Edward Benjamin Thorp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
| | - Evan Alexander Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, ‡Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, §Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, and ∥Master of Biotechnology Program, Northwestern University , Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Pathology and #Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States
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