Pluripotent stem cell derived dopaminergic subpopulations model the selective neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s disease
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ABSTRACT: Summary In Parkinson’s disease (PD), substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic (DA) neurons degenerate, while related ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons remain relatively unaffected. Here, we present a methodology that directs the differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells toward either SN- or VTA-like DA lineage and models their distinct vulnerabilities. We show that the level of WNT activity is critical for the induction of the SN- and VTA-lineage transcription factors Sox6 and Otx2, respectively. Both WNT signaling modulation and forced expression of these transcription factors can drive DA neurons toward the SN- or VTA-like fate. Importantly, the SN-like lineage enriched DA cultures recapitulate the selective sensitivity to mitochondrial toxins as observed in PD, while VTA-like neuron-enriched cultures are more resistant. Furthermore, a proteomics approach led to the identification of compounds that alter SN neuronal survival, demonstrating the utility of our strategy for disease modeling and drug discovery. Highlights • Derivation of distinct dopaminergic subpopulations from pluripotent stem cells• Wnt signaling inhibitors promote SN dopaminergic neuron specification• Modeling selective vulnerability of SN dopaminergic neurons in vitro• Proteomics reveals pathways that promote SN dopaminergic neuron survival In this article, Panman and colleagues show that by modulating Wnt signaling levels, distinct subpopulations of dopaminergic neurons can be derived from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. Cultures enriched for substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons recapitulate the selective sensitivity to mitochondrial toxins as observed in Parkinson’s disease patients. The developed strategy facilitates disease modeling and drug discovery.
SUBMITTER: Oosterveen T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8581055 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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