Project description:Human embryonic stem cells with a GFP reporter knock-in into the NKX2.1 locus were differentiated and purified by FACS sorting for global gene expression analysis. Directed differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has seen significant progress in recent years. Most differentiated populations, however, exhibit immature properties of an early embryonic stage, raising concerns about their ability to model and treat disease. Here, we report the directed differentiation of hPSCs into medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-like progenitors and their maturation into forebrain type interneurons. We find that early stage progenitors progress via a radial glial-like stem cell enriched in the human fetal brain. Both in vitro and post-transplantation into the rodent cortex, the MGE-like cells develop into GABAergic interneuron subtypes with mature physiological properties along a prolonged intrinsic timeline of up to seven months, mimicking endogenous human neural development. MGE-derived cortical interneuron deficiencies are implicated in a broad range of neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders, highlighting the importance of these results for modeling human neural development and disease. Human embryonic stem cells with a GFP reporter knock-in into the NKX2.1 locus were differentiated for 20, 35, and 55 days in vitro and GFP+ cells were purified by FACS sorting. Total RNA was prepared from each timepoint and compared to undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells. hESC = one sample and three technical replicates. D20 = three independent samples. D35 = one sample and two technical replicates. D55 = one sample and one technical replicate.
Project description:Human embryonic stem cells with a GFP reporter knock-in into the NKX2.1 locus were differentiated and purified by FACS sorting for global gene expression analysis. Directed differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has seen significant progress in recent years. Most differentiated populations, however, exhibit immature properties of an early embryonic stage, raising concerns about their ability to model and treat disease. Here, we report the directed differentiation of hPSCs into medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-like progenitors and their maturation into forebrain type interneurons. We find that early stage progenitors progress via a radial glial-like stem cell enriched in the human fetal brain. Both in vitro and post-transplantation into the rodent cortex, the MGE-like cells develop into GABAergic interneuron subtypes with mature physiological properties along a prolonged intrinsic timeline of up to seven months, mimicking endogenous human neural development. MGE-derived cortical interneuron deficiencies are implicated in a broad range of neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders, highlighting the importance of these results for modeling human neural development and disease.
Project description:RFX3 and RFX4 were defined as transcription factors (TFs) with enriched TF binding sites in cis-regulatory elements that are activated during the conversion of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into ventral telencephalic MGE-like patterned neuronal precursors. Therefore, we conducted CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of RFX3 or RFX4 and profiled changes in gene expression in MGE-like ventral telencephalic progenitors by RNA-seq. This analysis revealed that RFX3 and RFX4 play important roles in cortical interneuron development, specifically during the transition from mitotically cycling neuronal precursors into post mitotic neurons.
Project description:We utilized single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify candidate genetic targets of Mafb and c-Maf in the MGE-lineage using Nkx2.1-Cre generated neonatal wildtype (WT) and conditional Mafb/c-Maf double deletion mutant (cDKO) animals. We identified genes that likely contribute to Maf cDKO's phenotypes, which include preferential parvalbumin interneuron loss, overproduction of hippocampal interneurons and neurite outgrowth defects.
Project description:Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons originate in the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) and control network activity in the neocortex. Dysfunction of these cells is believed to lead to runaway excitation underlying seizure-based neurological disorders such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. Despite their importance in heath and disease, our knowledge about the development of this diverse neuronal population remains incomplete. Here we conducted single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of human fetal MGE from 10 to 15 weeks post conception. These MGE tissues are composed of largely cycling progenitors and immature post-mitotic interneurons with characteristic regional marker expression. Analysis of integrated human and mouse MGE data revealed species conserved transcriptomic profiles and regulatory program. Moreover, we identified novel candidate transcription regulators for human interneuron differentiation. These findings provide a framework for in vitro modelling of interneuron development and strategy for potentially enhance interneurons production from human pluripotent stem cells.
Project description:The Dlx homeodomain transcription factors are implicated in regulating the function of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons; therefore understanding their functions will provide insights into disorders such as epilepsy, mental retardation and autism. Identifying genes that are downstream of Dlx1/2 function and are relevant for the differentiation and survival of GABAergic interneurons. During embryonic development, cortical GABAergic interneurons are generated in the proliferative zone of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), from where they migrate to reach their final positions in the cortex. The differentiation of these interneuron precursors is dependent on Dlx genes, as shown by Dlx1/Dlx2 double mutants, which have a block in GABAergic cell differentiation and in cell migration. When interneuron progenitors are isolated from the mutant MGE and growth in culture, they are able to proceed along their differentiation program. However, mutant cells growth in vitro show defects in cell morphogenesis and increased cell apoptosis. We hypothesize that Dlx transcription factors regulate important aspects of GABAergic neuron differentiation such as the formation and growth of axon and dendrites, and the formation of inhibitory synapses. We generated E15.5 mouse embryos that are Dlx1/2 -/- or Dlx1/2 +/?. Genotype was confirmed by PCR. A total of 8 litters were used. For each experiment, we pooled tissue from at least 6 different embryos of the same genotype. We dissected the ventricular and subventricular zones of the MGE (rostral part). This area contains ~1 million of progenitor cells per embryo. We isolated total RNA using the Stratagene RNA Miniprep kit (these samples are called MGE+/ and MGE-/- in our proposal). In addition, we used the same area (ventricular and subventricular zones of the rostral MGE) to perform primary neuronal cultures. Cells were maintained 3 days in vitro. After that, we isolated total RNA using the Stratagene RNA Miniprep kit (samples called primary cells+/ and primary cells-/- in our proposal). We would like to perform gene expression comparison between: 1) MGE+/ and MGE-/-, and 2) primary cells+/ and primary cells-/-.
Project description:This study aimed to understand the role of the transcriptional regulator Prdm16 in the development of cortical interneurons in the mouse. Prdm16 was knocked out in cells derived from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) by using an Nkx2.1-Cre driver line in combination with a line carrying floxed Prdm16 alleles and with a Cre-dependent tdTomato reporter line (Ai14). The sequencing data compares the gene expression profiles of dissected MGEs at embryonic day 14 (E14), a stage when cortical interneurons are being generated from MGE progenitors.
Project description:In the mammalian cortex, about 60% of GABAergic interneurons, mainly including parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) and somatostatin (SST+) interneurons are generated from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) in the subpallium and tangentially migrate to the cortex. Here we analyze the role of the Sp9 transcription factor in regulating the development of MGE-derived cortical interneurons. We show that SP9 is widely expressed in the MGE subventricular zone (SVZ) and in MGE-derived migrating interneurons. By analyzing Sp9 null and conditional mutant mice, we demonstrate that Sp9 promotes MGE progenitor proliferation in the SVZ and is required for the normal patterning of tangential migration and the laminar distribution of MGE-derived cortical GABAergic interneurons. Loss of Sp9 function results in a ~50% reduction of MGE-derived cortical interneurons, an ectopic aggregation of MGE-derived neurons in the embryonic ventral telencephalon, and an increased ratio of SST+/PV+ cortical interneurons. Finally, we provide evidence that Sp9 regulates MGE derived cortical interneuron development through promoting expression of the Lhx6 and Lhx8 transcription factors.
Project description:Organoid techniques provide unique platforms to model brain development and neurological disorders. While organoids recapitulating corticogenesis were established, a system modeling human medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) development, a critical ventral brain domain producing cortical interneurons and related lineages, remains to be developed. Here, we describe a system to generate MGE or cortex-specific organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. These organoids recapitulate the developments of MGE and cortex domains respectively. Population and single-cell transcriptomic profiling revealed transcriptional dynamics and lineage productions during MGE and cortical organoids development. Chromatin accessibility landscapes were found to be involved in this process. Furthermore, MGE and cortical organoids generated physiologically functional neurons and neuronal networks. Finally, we applied fusion organoids as a model to investigate human interneuron migration. Together, our study provides a new platform for generating domain-specific brain organoids, for modeling human interneuron migration, and offers deeper insight into molecular dynamics during human brain development.
Project description:Organoid techniques provide unique platforms to model brain development and neurological disorders. While organoids recapitulating corticogenesis were established, a system modeling human medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) development, a critical ventral brain domain producing cortical interneurons and related lineages, remains to be developed. Here, we describe a system to generate MGE or cortex-specific organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. These organoids recapitulate the developments of MGE and cortex domains respectively. Population and single-cell transcriptomic profiling revealed transcriptional dynamics and lineage productions during MGE and cortical organoids development. Chromatin accessibility landscapes were found to be involved in this process. Furthermore, MGE and cortical organoids generated physiologically functional neurons and neuronal networks. Finally, we applied fusion organoids as a model to investigate human interneuron migration. Together, our study provides a new platform for generating domain-specific brain organoids, for modeling human interneuron migration, and offers deeper insight into molecular dynamics during human brain development.