Dataset Information

Aberrant neurodevelopment in human iPS cell-derived models of Alexander disease

ABSTRACT: Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare, severe neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). While the exact disease mechanism remains unknown, existing studies suggest that the mutant GFAP influences many cellular processes, including cytoskeleton stability, mechanosensing, cell energetics, and proteasome function. While most studies have primarily focused on GFAP-expressing astrocytes, this protein is also expressed by radial glia and neural progenitor cells, prompting questions about the impact of GFAP mutations on central nervous system (CNS) development. In this study, we present an intriguing observation of an impaired differentiation of astrocytes and neurons in co-cultures of astrocytes and neurons, as well as in brain organoids, both generated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with a GFAP (R239C) mutation. Leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified distinct cell populations and transcriptomic changes between the GFAP mutant cells and an isogenic corrected control. These findings are supported with immunocytochemistry and proteomics. In co-cultures, the AxD mutation resulted in an increased abundance of immature cells, while in organoids, we observed an altered cell differentiation and reduced abundance of astrocytes. Additionally, gene expression analysis associated the AxD mutation with increased stress susceptibility, cytoskeletal abnormalities, and altered extracellular matrix and cell-cell communication patterns. Overall, our results suggest the possibility of a faulty differentiation in human iPS cell-derived models of AxD, opening new avenues for AxD research.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Exploris 480

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Brain

DISEASE(S): Alexander Disease

SUBMITTER: Charlotte van Gelder

LAB HEAD: Harmjan R Vos

PROVIDER: PXD048606 | Pride | 2024-09-09

REPOSITORIES: Pride

ACCESS DATA

Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
	20230421_X1_CVG_0516_AxD_1_SAX_F1.raw	Raw
	20230421_X1_CVG_0516_AxD_1_SAX_F2.raw	Raw
	20230421_X1_CVG_0516_AxD_1_SAX_F3.raw	Raw
	20230421_X1_CVG_0516_AxD_1_SAX_F4.raw	Raw
	20230421_X1_CVG_0516_AxD_1_SAX_F5.raw	Raw

Items per page:

1 - 5 of 66

Similar Datasets

Project description:GFAP and vimentin deficiency alters gene expression in astrocytes and microglia in wild-type mice and changes the transcriptional response of reactive glia in mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. Reactive astrocytes with an increased expression of intermediate filament (IF) proteins Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Vimentin (VIM) surround amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The functional consequences of this upregulation are unclear. To identify molecular pathways coupled to IF regulation in reactive astrocytes, and to study the interaction with microglia, we examined WT and APPswe/PS1dE9 (AD) mice lacking either GFAP, or both VIM and GFAP, and determined the transcriptome of cortical astrocytes and microglia from 15- to 18-month-old mice. Genes involved in lysosomal degradation (including several cathepsins) and in inflammatory response (including Cxcl5, Tlr6, Tnf, Il1b) exhibited a higher AD-induced increase when GFAP, or VIM and GFAP, were absent. The expression of Aqp4 and Gja1 displayed the same pattern. The downregulation of neuronal support genes in astrocytes from AD mice was absent in GFAP/VIM null mice. In contrast, the absence of IFs did not affect the transcriptional alterations induced by AD in microglia, nor was the cortical plaque load altered. Visualizing astrocyte morphology in GFAP-eGFP mice showed no clear structural differences in GFAP/VIM null mice, but did show diminished interaction of astrocyte processes with plaques. Microglial proliferation increased similarly in all AD groups. In conclusion, absence of GFAP, or both GFAP and VIM, alters AD-induced changes in gene expression profile of astrocytes, showing a compensation of the decrease of neuronal support genes and a trend for a slightly higher inflammatory expression profile. However, this has no consequences for the development of plaque load, microglial proliferation, or microglial activation. 2 cell types from 6 conditions: cortical microglia and cortical astrocytes from 15-18 month old APPswe/PS1dE9 mice compared to wildtype littermates. Biological replicates: microglia from APPswe/PS1dE9, N=7, microglia from WT, N=7, astrocytes from APPswe/PS1dE9, N=4, microglia from WT, N=4

Dataset Information

Aberrant neurodevelopment in human iPS cell-derived models of Alexander disease

Dataset's files

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets