scholarly journals Generating microglia from human pluripotent stem cells: novel in vitro models for the study of neurodegeneration

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Speicher ◽  
Heinz Wiendl ◽  
Sven G. Meuth ◽  
Matthias Pawlowski

AbstractMicroglia play an essential role for central nervous system (CNS) development and homeostasis and have been implicated in the onset, progression, and clearance of numerous diseases affecting the CNS. Previous in vitro research on human microglia was restricted to post-mortem brain tissue-derived microglia, with limited availability and lack of scalability. Recently, the first protocols for the generation of microglia from human pluripotent stem cells have become available, thus enabling the implementation of powerful platforms for disease modeling, drug testing, and studies on cell transplantation. Here we give a detailed and comprehensive overview of the protocols available for generating microglia from human pluripotent stem cells, highlighting the advantages, drawbacks, and operability and placing them into the context of current knowledge of human embryonic development. We review novel insights into microglia biology and the role of microglia in neurological diseases as drawn from the new methods and provide an outlook for future lines of research involving human pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Debora Salerno ◽  
Alessandro Rosa

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, represent powerful tools for disease modeling and for therapeutic applications. PSCs are particularly useful for the study of development and diseases of the nervous system. However, generating in vitro models that recapitulate the architecture and the full variety of subtypes of cells that make the complexity of our brain remains a challenge. In order to fully exploit the potential of PSCs, advanced methods that facilitate the identification of molecular signatures in neural differentiation and neurological diseases are highly demanded. Here, we review the literature on the development and application of digital color-coded molecular barcoding as a potential tool for standardizing PSC research and applications in neuroscience. We will also describe relevant examples of the use of this technique for the characterization of the heterogeneous composition of the brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2746
Author(s):  
Nasa Xu ◽  
Jianbo Wu ◽  
Jose L. Ortiz-Vitali ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
Radbod Darabi

Advancements in reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have provided a strong framework for in vitro disease modeling, gene correction and stem cell-based regenerative medicine. In cases of skeletal muscle disorders, iPSCs can be used for the generation of skeletal muscle progenitors to study disease mechanisms, or implementation for the treatment of muscle disorders. We have recently developed an improved directed differentiation method for the derivation of skeletal myogenic progenitors from hiPSCs. This method allows for a short-term (2 weeks) and efficient skeletal myogenic induction (45–65% of the cells) in human pluripotent stem cells (ESCs/iPSCs) using small molecules to induce mesoderm and subsequently myotomal progenitors, without the need for any gene integration or modification. After initial differentiation, skeletal myogenic progenitors can be purified from unwanted cells using surface markers (CD10+CD24−). These myogenic progenitors have been extensively characterized using in vitro gene expression/differentiation profiling as well as in vivo engraftment studies in dystrophic (mdx) and muscle injury (VML) rodent models and have been proven to be able to engraft and form mature myofibers as well as seeding muscle stem cells. The current protocol describes a detailed, step-by-step guide for this method and outlines important experimental details and troubleshooting points for its application in any human pluripotent stem cells.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L Carpenedo ◽  
Sarah Y Kwon ◽  
R Matthew Tanner ◽  
Julien Yockell-Lelièvre ◽  
Chandarong Choey ◽  
...  

SummaryHuman pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are an essential cell source in tissue engineering, studies of development, and disease modeling. Efficient, broadly amenable protocols for rapid lineage induction of hPSCs are of great interest in the stem cell biology field. We describe a simple, robust method for differentiation of hPSCs into mesendoderm in defined conditions utilizing single-cell seeding (SCS) and BMP4 and Activin A (BA) treatment. Gene sets and gene ontology terms related to mesoderm and endoderm differentiation were enriched after 48 hours of BA treatment. BA treatment was readily incorporated into existing protocols for chondrogenic and endothelial progenitor cell differentiation. After prolonged differentiation in vitro or in vivo, BA pre-treatment resulted in higher mesoderm and endoderm levels at the expense of ectoderm formation. These data demonstrate that SCS with BA treatment is a powerful method for induction of mesendoderm that can be integrated into protocols for mesoderm and endoderm differentiation.


Genetika ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 813-823
Author(s):  
Sanja Rascanin ◽  
Mirjana Jovanovic ◽  
Dejan Stevanovic ◽  
Nemanja Rancic

The discovery of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) opened the possibilities for reprogramming adult somatic cells back to a pluripotent state in vitro by inducing a forced expression of specific transcription factors. Thus, iPSCs might have potential application in regenerative medicine, transplantation, avoidance of tissue rejection, disease modeling, and drug testing. Because of apparent ethical issues connected with donation and derivation of biomaterials, iPSCs are considered as a research alternative to ethically highly disputed Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe the development of a questionnaire for evaluating information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs (i.e., the QIPSC). We performed a prospective qualitative study based on the development, validation and reliability testing of the QIPSC. The study included 122 respondents and the final version of the QIPSC with 34 items. The reliability analysis for part of information and knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was then performed with the questions included in this two-component model and obtained a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.783 and 0.870, respectively. It has been shown that the range of correct answers to questions in part of knowledge of respondents according to iPSCs was from 17.2-63.1%. The results of our study show that the QIPSC was a unique, reliable, and valid questionnaire for assessing the level of information, knowledge, and attitudes on donation, storage, and application of iPSCs.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata M. Martin ◽  
Kazuya Ikeda ◽  
Nobuko Uchida ◽  
Kyle Cromer ◽  
Toshi Nishimura ◽  
...  

AbstractCombination of genome editing and human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers a platform for in vitro disease modeling, drug discovery and personalized stem cell therapeutics. However, incorporation of large modifications using CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in hPSCs typically requires the use of selection markers due to low editing efficiencies. Here we report a novel editing technology in hPSCs using Cas9 protein complexed with chemically modified single guide RNA (sgRNA) and recombinant AAV6 (rAAV6) vectors for donor delivery without marker selection. With these components, we demonstrate targeted integration of a 2.2 kb DNA expression cassette in hPSCs at frequencies up to 94% and 67% at the HBB and MYD88 loci, respectively. We used this protocol to correct the homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) mutation in an iPSC line derived from a SCD patient with a frequency of 63%. This Cas9/AAV6 system allows for both the integration of large gene cassettes and the creation of single nucleotide changes in hPSCs at high frequencies, eliminating the need for multiple editing steps and marker selection, thus increasing the potential of editing human pluripotent cells for both research and translational applications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fareeha Faizan Ghori ◽  
Mohsin Wahid

Objective: This study aimed at the in vitro generation of DMD-cardiomyocytes from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a Pakistani patient for future work on DMD in vitro disease modeling and drug testing for efficacy and toxicity. Methods: This in vitro experimental study was carried out from December 2018 to January 2019 at Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Lab (SCRML) at Dow Research Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences (DRIBBS), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Urine derived DMD-iPSCs were used which had been generated previously from a Pakistani DMD patient who had been selected through non-random purposive sampling. These were differentiated towards cardiomyocytes using Cardiomyocytes Differentiation media having specified growth factors and then the molecular characterization of the differentiated cells was done using immunofluorescence. Results: Pakistani patient’s DMD-Cardiomyocytes were generated and their identity was confirmed by positive immunofluorescence for the expression of cardiac markers NKX2-5 and TNNT-2. Conclusion: This study aimed for in vitro generation of DMD cardiomyocytes for future application in disease modeling, new drug testing for efficacy and toxicity, as well as for drug-testing for tailored personalized therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time DMD-Cardiomyocytes were generated from Pakistani DMD patients using their own induced pluripotent stem cells. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3104 How to cite this:Ghori FF, Wahid M. Induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients in vitro. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3104 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8227
Author(s):  
Mattia Pasqua ◽  
Roberto Di Gesù ◽  
Cinzia Maria Chinnici ◽  
Pier Giulio Conaldi ◽  
Maria Giovanna Francipane

The possibility to reproduce key tissue functions in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is offering an incredible opportunity to gain better insight into biological mechanisms underlying development and disease, and a tool for the rapid screening of drug candidates. This review attempts to summarize recent strategies for specification of iPSCs towards hepatobiliary lineages —hepatocytes and cholangiocytes— and their use as platforms for disease modeling and drug testing. The application of different tissue-engineering methods to promote accurate and reliable readouts is discussed. Space is given to open questions, including to what extent these novel systems can be informative. Potential pathways for improvement are finally suggested.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (16) ◽  
pp. 5867
Author(s):  
Hui Huang ◽  
Taylor N. Bader ◽  
Sha Jin

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally. Currently, the donor pancreas is the only source of human islets, placing extreme constraints on supply. Hence, it is imperative to develop renewable islets for diabetes research and treatment. To date, extensive efforts have been made to derive insulin-secreting cells from human pluripotent stem cells with substantial success. However, the in vitro generation of functional islet organoids remains a challenge due in part to our poor understanding of the signaling molecules indispensable for controlling differentiation pathways towards the self-assembly of functional islets from stem cells. Since this process relies on a variety of signaling molecules to guide the differentiation pathways, as well as the culture microenvironments that mimic in vivo physiological conditions, this review highlights extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, signaling molecules, and microenvironments facilitating the generation of biologically functional pancreatic endocrine cells from human pluripotent stem cells. Signaling pathways involved in stepwise differentiation that guide the progression of stem cells into the endocrine lineage are also discussed. The development of protocols enabling the generation of islet organoids with hormone release capacities equivalent to native adult islets for clinical applications, disease modeling, and diabetes research are anticipated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaifang Wang ◽  
Maryam Farzaneh

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is one of the main diseases causing female infertility that occurs in about 1% of women between 30-40 years of age. There are few effective methods for the treatment of women with POI. In the past few years, stem cell-based therapy as one of the most highly investigated new therapies has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of POI. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can self-renew indefinitely and differentiate into any type of cell. Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) as a type of pluripotent stem cells are the most powerful candidate for the treatment of POI. Human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) are derived from adult somatic cells by the treatment with exogenous defined factors to create an embryonic-like pluripotent state. Both hiPSCs and hESCs can proliferate and give rise to ectodermal, mesodermal, endodermal, and germ cell lineages. After ovarian stimulation, the number of available oocytes is limited and the yield of total oocytes with high quality is low. Therefore, a robust and reproducible in-vitro culture system that supports the differentiation of human oocytes from PSCs is necessary. Very few studies have focused on the derivation of oocyte-like cells from hiPSCs and the details of hPSCs differentiation into oocytes have not been fully investigated. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the differentiation potential of hPSCs into human oocyte-like cells.


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