Project description:Recent advances in generating 3 dimensional (3D) organoid systems from stem cells offer new possibilities for disease modeling. In this study, we generate isogenic 3D midbrain organoids with or without a Parkinson’s disease-associated LRRK2 G2019S mutation. LRRK2-G2019S midbrain organoids derived from LRRK2 targeted human iPSCs in vitro have LRRK2-associated sporadic Parkinson's disease phenotypes. Midbrain-like 3D organoids expressing LRRK2-G2019S showed dynamic changes in globle gene expression.
Project description:In this study, midbrain-like organoids were yielded from hPSCs to prepare cells used for PD therapy. Neural stem/precursor cells (NSCs) isolated from midbrain organoids (Og-NSCs) expanded stably and differentiated into mDA neurons, and an unprecedentedly high proportion express midbrain-specific factors.
Project description:In this study, midbrain-like organoids were yielded from hPSCs to prepare cells suitable for PD therapy. Neural stem/precursor cells (NSCs) isolated from midbrain organoids (Og-NSCs) expanded stably and differentiated into mDA neurons, and an unprecedentedly high proportion express midbrain-specific factors.
Project description:DJ1 KO was generated in BJsips iPSC and differentiated into midbrain organoids with the respective iPSC controls. The midbrain organoids were collected at day 40, 100 and 200 after differentiation.
Project description:Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the selective loss of midbrain dopamine (DA)-producing neurons and the formation of α-synuclein (α-syn)-containing inclusions named Lewy bodies (LBs). Here, we report that the loss of glucocerebrosidase (GCase), coupled with α-syn overexpression, result in substantial accumulation of detergent-resistant α-syn aggregates and Lewy body-like inclusions (LBLIs) in human midbrain-like organoids (hMLOs). These LBLIs exhibit a highly similar structure to PD-associated LBs, by displaying a spherically symmetric morphology with an eosinophilic core, and containing α-syn and ubiquitin. Importantly, hMLOs generated from PD patient-derived inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) harboring SNCA triplication also exhibit subsequent degeneration of DA neurons and LBLI formation upon chronic GCase inhibitor treatment. Taken together, our hMLOs harbouring two major PD risk factors (GCase deficiency and overproduced α-syn) successfully recapitulate major pathophysiological signatures of the disease, and highlight the broad utility of brain organoid technology in modeling human neurodegenerative diseases.
Project description:The mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) etiology are only partially understood despite intensive research conducted in the field. Recent evidence suggests that early neurodevelopmental defects might play a role in cellular susceptibility to neurodegeneration. To study the early developmental contribution of GBA mutations in PD we used patient-derived iPSCs carrying a heterozygous N370S mutation in the GBA gene. Patient-specific midbrain organoids displayed GBA-PD relevant phenotypes such as reduction of GCase activity, autophagy impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction. Genome-scale metabolic (GEM) modeling predicted changes in lipid metabolism which were validated with lipidomics analysis, showing significant differences in the lipidome of GBA-PD. In addition, patient-specific midbrain organoids exhibited an increase in the neural progenitor population showing signs of cellular senescence. This was accompanied by a decrease in the number and complexity of dopaminergic neurons. These results provide insights into how GBA mutations may lead to neurodevelopmental defects thereby predisposing to PD pathology.
Project description:The mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) etiology are only partially understood despite intensive research conducted in the field. Recent evidence suggests that early neurodevelopmental defects might play a role in cellular susceptibility to neurodegeneration. To study the early developmental contribution of GBA mutations in PD we used patient-derived iPSCs carrying a heterozygous N370S mutation in the GBA gene. Patient-specific midbrain organoids displayed GBA-PD relevant phenotypes such as reduction of GCase activity, autophagy impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction. Genome-scale metabolic (GEM) modeling predicted changes in lipid metabolism which were validated with lipidomics analysis, showing significant differences in the lipidome of GBA-PD. In addition, patient-specific midbrain organoids exhibited an increase in the neural progenitor population showing signs of cellular senescence. This was accompanied by a decrease in the number and complexity of dopaminergic neurons. These results provide insights into how GBA mutations may lead to neurodevelopmental defects thereby predisposing to PD pathology.
Project description:Recent advances in three dimensional (3D) culture systems have led to the generation of brain organoids that share resemblance to different parts of the human brains; however, a 3D organoid model of the midbrain that contains functional midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons has not been reported. In this study, we develop a method to differentiate human PSCs into a large multicellular organoid-like structure that contains distinct layers of neuronal cells with a transcriptomic profile that resembles human prenatal midbrain. Importantly, we detected electrically active and functionally mature mDA neurons, and dopamine production in our 3D midbrain-like organoids (MLOs). In contrast to human mDA neurons generated using non-3D methods or in the MLOs generated from mouse embryonic stem cells, our human MLOs uniquely produced neuromelanin-like granules that were structurally similar to those isolated from human substantia nigra tissues. Thus our MLOs bearing features of the human midbrain may provide a novel tractable in vitro system to study the human midbrain and its related diseases.
Project description:The human brain is a complex, three-dimensional structure. To better recapitulate the brain complexity, recent efforts focused on the development of human specific midbrain organoids. Midbrain organoids consist of differentiated and functional neurons, which contain active synapses, as well as astroglia and oligodendrocytes. However, the absence of microglia, with their ability to phagocyte apoptotic cells and debris represents a major disadvantage for the midbrain organoid system. Additionally, neuro-inflammation-related disease modeling is not possible in the absence of microglia. So far, no studies about the effects of iPSC-derived microglia in brain organoid neural cells have been published. Here we describe an approach to derive microglia from human iPSCs and integrate them into midbrain organoids. Using single nuclear RNA sequencing in collaboration with the RIKEN institute we provide a detailed characterization of the microglia in brain organoids as well as of the influence their presence has on the other cells of the organoids.
Project description:Brain organoids have been considered as an advanced platform for in vitro disease modeling and drug screening, but numerous roadblocks exist, such as lack of large-scale production technology and lengthy protocols with multiple manipulation steps, impeding the industrial translation of brain organoid technology. Here we describe the high-speed and large-scale production of midbrain organoids using a high-throughput screening-compatible platform within 30 days. Micro midbrain organoids (µMOs) exhibit a highly uniform morphology and gene expression pattern with minimal variability. Notably, µMOs show dramatically accelerated maturation, resulting in the generation of functional µMOs within only 30 days of differentiation. Furthermore, individual µMOs display highly consistent responsiveness to neurotoxin, suggesting their usefulness as an in vitro high-throughput drug toxicity screening platform. Collectively, our data indicates that µMO technology could represent an advanced and robust platform for in vitro disease modeling and drug screening for human neuronal diseases.