This invention relates to a novel approach for the generation of human induced neural border stem cells (iNBSCs) by the direct conversion of somatic cells (peripheral blood, skin biopsies) and to novel uses of such cells, including the differentiation of these stem cells into cell types of the CNS and the neural crest lineages, and the uses of such cells.
Various types of neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) can be derived by directed differentiation from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) as well as fetal and adult brain tissue (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). However, NSPCs exhibit large variability with respect to self-renewal and differentiation capacity, which depends on (a) their cellular origin (i.e. embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), primary tissues), (b) species (mouse, human) and (c) culture condition. Furthermore, the generation of ESC- and iPSC-derived NSPCs suffers from technical hurdles such as lengthy and inefficient differentiation protocols leading to populations comprised of heterogeneous cell types and the risk of co-maintaining tumour-prone pluripotent remnants. The, variability of NSPC generated by directed differentiation and cell types derived therof is particularly problematic when future clinical applications are envisaged.
Similar drawbacks must be considered in the direct conversion towards neural fates especially when taking recourse to protocols, which make use of the Yamanaka-factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, MYC). These are well known to give rise to more than one cell type during reprogramming (8, 9, 10), thereby resulting in significant heterogeneity. Recently, we demonstrated that overexpression of Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc together with curtailed activity of Oct4 induces a radial glia-type stem cell population from mouse fibroblasts (11). Using a similar approach, we subsequently showed that it is possible to unlock even earlier developmental stages (12). Nevertheless, this combination of factors failed to convert human cells (M. Thier, unpublished observations) and required neural cells as starting material.
To date, a serious drawback of many direct reprogramming approaches is the generation of cells with limited self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential and the derivation of mixed progenitor cultures without defined physiological counterparts. These limitations hamper the use of directly reprogrammed cells for research requiring patient-derived defined, expandable neural progenitor cell lines that are a prerequisite for many clinical applications.
A substantial number of approaches for re-differentiating mature cells have already been performed in the prior art.
Bajpai et al., Stem Cells 35 (2017), 1402-1415, describe a culture protocol, which allows keratinocytes (KC) to differentiate towards neural crest (NC) progeny. Though the overall molecular characterization of the KCs is rather perfunctory, the authors see expression of some markers also expressed during the embryonic neural plate border formation that are: MYC, SOX9, SNAI2, MSX2, IRX2, DLX3, TFAP2A, and KLF4. Still expression levels of these markers are shown only in comparison to dermal fibroblasts, lack a primary control and are therefore difficult to interpret without further context. Moreover KCs do not show essential features of the neural plate border that is expression of neural epithelial markers (such as SOX1, SOX2, PAX6, NESTIN) and the functional potential to differentiate towards central nervous system cells and neural crest. Thus, KCs are an adult, somatic cell population, which are characterized by expression of Keratin 14 and other surface ectoderm markers. Furthermore, KCs show no expression of PAX3. Functionally, KCs can differentiate into neural crest progeny but do not show potential to differentiate into progeny of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Kim et al., Cell Stem Cell 15 (2014) 497-506, show the generation of multipotent induced neural crest by direct reprogramming of human postnatal fibroblasts with a single transcription factor. The Induced Neural Crest cells (iNCs) show expression of SOX10, MPZ, TFAP2A and BRN3A (see page 503). iNCs show no CNS-progeny such as oligodendrocytes (see page 504). Furthermore, iNCs are HNK1 positive.
Bung et al., J. Mol. Biol. 428 (2015) 1476-1483, show the partial dedifferentiation of murine radial glia-type neural stem cells by Brn2 and c-Myc, which yields early neuroepithelial progenitors. In this publication, induced neuroepithelial cells (iNEPs) are derived from mouse radial glia-stem cells. iNEPs are a heterogeneous cell population, not defined at the clonal level and lack in-depth molecular analysis. Moreover, derivation of human iNEPs from human dermal fibroblasts did not succeed (see Example xx below).
Ishii et al., Stem Cells and Development 21 (2012) 3069-3080, describe the generation of a stable cranial neural crest cell line from mouse. The mouse “O9-1” cranial crest cell line did not show expression of ID2, ZIC1 and ZIC2, but shows expression of AP2a. O9-1 cells show no neuronal differentiation and are described to have mesenchymal cranial neural crest.
Edri et al., Nature Communications 6 (2015) 6500, show the analysis of human neural stem cell ontogeny by consecutive isolation of Notch active neural progenitors. No sustained culture of cells with neural border features was shown. At the neuroepithelial state HES5 GFP+ cells are OTX2 positive.
Thus, despite certain progress that has been made in the generation of neural stem and progenitor cells, there are still many limitations and there is still no robust and safe way for generating such cells.
The solution to this problem, i.e. the reprogramming of human adult somatic cells into early, defined, expandable and self-renewing neural progenitors with broad but definable differentiation potential, is neither provided nor suggested by the prior art.
It was thus an object of the invention to provide a novel method for the generation of defined and self-renewing neural progenitors with broad but definable differentiation potential that can be used to further characterize such cells, their generation and differentiation, the development of disease models for studying neurological disorders and diseases and for developing novel treatments based on such models and/or such cells differentiated in vitro.
Surprisingly it was found that by overexpressing stage-specific transcription factors, in combination with providing adequate signalling cues by the growth medium, the direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells to early embryonic neural progenitors with stem cell features could be achieved.
Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the direct reprogramming of mature human cells, comprising the step of culturing said mature human cells in the presence of a mixture of transcription factors, wherein said mixture comprises the factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3, and wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine. In another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the direct differentiation of pluripotent human stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), comprising the step of culturing said pluripotent human stem cells in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for generation of induced neural border stem cells, comprising the step of culturing mature human cells in the presence of a mixture of transcription factors, wherein said mixture comprises the factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3, and wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine. In another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of neural border stem cells, comprising the step of culturing pluripotent human stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a polycistronic vector encoding BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising at least two, more particularly all three components selected from: a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of expanding the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line, particularly wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of proliferation-supporting cytokines, particularly Notch-signaling activating substances, particularly a substance selected from DLL1, DLL3 and DLL4, Jagged-1, and Jagged-2, more particularly from DLL4 and JAGGED-1.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for differentiating (induced) neural border stem cells, particularly cells of the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, or cells obtained by the in vitro method of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing said (induced) neural border stem cells in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to isolated central nervous system primed neural progenitor cell line of the central nervous system lineage, particularly (i) wherein said cell line is of the same development status as primary neural progenitor cells obtainable from embryos of gestation week 8 to 12, and/or (ii) wherein said cell line is characterized by progenitor markers LONRF2, ZNF217, NESTIN, SOX1 and SOX2, particularly LONRF2 and ZNF217, and by being negative for MSX1, PAX3 and TFAP2, and/or (iii) wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for generating CNS progenitor cells, comprising the steps of culturing (induced) neural border stem cells, optionally after first differentiating (induced) neural border stem cells in a method of the present invention, in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an ALK 4,5,7 inhibitor, particularly SB431542; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; bFGF; and LIF.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of differentiating a central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said central nervous system progenitor cell line in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype, particularly wherein said cell population is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell population has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for generating neural crest progenitor cells, comprising the steps of (induced) neural border stem cells for three days in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and BMP4; followed by culturing in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, FGF8, IGF1 and DAPT.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of differentiating a neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said neural crest progenitor cell line in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell population has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of dopaminergic neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with FGF8 and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv) for 2 days, and (vi) changing the medium to maturation medium; and (vii) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of motor neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 2 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, and all-trans retinoic acid; (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv) for 7 days, and (vi) changing the medium to maturation medium; and (vii) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of glutamatergic and gabaergic neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to maturation medium comprising BDNF and GDNF; and (v) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of astrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising BDNF, GDNF and 1% FCS, and (v) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of oligodendrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, Forskolin, PDGF, and EGF, (v) culturing the cells for 2 weeks in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, Forskolin, PDGF, Dorsomorphin, (vii) culturing the cells for 1 week in the medium according to (vi), (viii) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, and Forskolin, and (ix) culturing the cells for 3 weeks in the medium according to (viii).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of neural crest-derived neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, and BMP4; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 days, (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an FGF inhibitor, particularly SU5402, a Notch inhibitor, particularly DAPT, and NGF, (v) culturing the cells for 10 days in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising BDNF, GDNF and NGF, and (vii) culturing the cells for 3 weeks in the maturation medium according to (vi).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, and BMP4; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 days, (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; FGF8, IGF, and a Notch inhibitor, particularly DAPT, (v) culturing the cells for 7 days in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising bFGF and IGF, (vii) culturing the cells for 2 weeks in the maturation medium according to (vi), (viii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal stem cell medium, and (ix) culturing in said mesenchymal stem cell medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) seeding iNBSCs on plates coated with a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (ii) culturing the cells in 4 μM Chir99028, 10 ng/ml BMP4 and 10 μM DAPT for 7 days; (iii) culturing the cells in basal medium containing 10 ng/ml bFGF and 10 ng/ml IGF-1 for at least 5 passages; (iv) stabilizing the cells by switching the cultures to mesenchymal stem cell medium and culturing for at least 2 passages.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into adipocytes, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 5 days, (iv) changing the medium to a adipogenesis differentiation medium, and (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into chondrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 5 days, (iv) changing the medium to a chondrocyte differentiation medium, and (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into smooth muscle cells, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; and (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 to 5 weeks.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of a neural tube-like 3D culture, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) embedding of a single cell suspension of the cells cultured according to step (i) in a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and adding a medium comprising SB and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing said single cell suspension according to (ii) for 9 days; (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, SB, a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, and bFGF and (v) culturing for 4 days.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of a neural crest-like 3D culture, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) embedding of a single cell suspension of the cells cultured according to step (i) in a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and adding a medium comprising a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, BMP4, and FGF2, and (iii) culturing for 12 days.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells representing a mutant phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) causing or allowing the modification of a gene sequence, the transcription or translation of a gene sequence, and/or of a protein encoded by a gene sequence of cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, or cells generated by the method of the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for drug screening, comprising the step of exposing cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention to a drug substance.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a cell from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention for use in the treatment of a patient suffering from a neural disorder.
Extended Data
a, Time dependent rate of neural colony induction of three independent experiments. ADF were transduced with BKSZ, followed by induction of the reprogramming process by DOX- and CAPT-treatment one day after. Subsequently, Dox was removed after 8-20 days respectively and the efficiency of colony induction was determined at day 20. b, Representative BF pictures of reprogramming without molecules or transgenes. To determine role of transgenes and molecules, ADFs were transduced either with BKSZ transgene (left) or were treated with CAPT without transduction (right). In both condition no formation of neural colonies could be observed; scale bar 250 μm. c, No significant increase of OCT4 expression during neural reprogramming. ADFs were transduced with BKSZ and reprogramming was initiated by application of DOX and CAPT. RNA was derived from three independent experiments at time points indicated; untransduced ADFs served as negative control. No significant increase of OCT4 could be detected (t-test, P>0.05, Mean with SEM). d, Overview of neural reprogramming from different somatic cell types. Table shows number of colonies picked from >3 independent reprogramming experiments of FPFs, ADFs and PBMCs. After isolation of single colonies cells were grown without DOX in CAP on feeder cells. If cells showed epithelial morphology and could be kept in culture for more than 5 passages they are referred to as expandable lines. Some lines were further analyzed in respect to marker expression, differentiation capacity and expansion potential and are referred to as characterized lines. All lines used in this study could be kept in culture for >40 passages (>6 month). e, Conversion efficiency of different somatic cell types. PBMCs, ADFs and FPFs were transduced with BKSZ and reprogramming was initiated by DOX and CAPT treatment. Number of colonies was determined at day 19 post transduction. Efficiency was calculated as number of colonies relative to cell number after transduction. Efficiency was calculated based on three independent reprogramming experiments of PBMCs, ADFs and MSCs, respectively. f, mRNA expression of neural progenitor and border markers in iNBSCs derived from different cell types. mRNA expression of neural progenitor and border markers was determined from stable lines of ADF-derived (n=3), PBMC-derived (n=4) and iPSC-derived (n=3) (i)NBSC lines. ADFs and hESCs serve as controls. No significant differences of marker expression between different sources could be detected (t-test, P>0.05, Mean with SEM). g, Validation of transgene removal on mRNA level. qRT-PCR with a transgene-specific primer were performed on cDNA of three independent iNBSC clones before and after Cre-mediated recombination. Untransduced and BKSZ transduced ADFs were used as reference. h, Validation of transgene removal from gDNA. qRT-PCR with a transgene-specific primer was performed on gDNA of three independent iNBSC clones before and after Cre-mediated recombination. Untransduced cells were used as reference. i, Representative confocal images of an PBMC-derived neural progenitor line staining positive for neural border and neural stem cell markers even after prolonged culture (P43, >7 month of continuous culture); arrow head marks triple-positive cells; scale bar 50 μm. j, Microarray-based transcriptional profiling of ADF-, Blood- and iPSC-derived (i)NBSCs, PSCs and PBMCs. Principal component analysis shows three clearly distinct clusters, representing (i)NBSCs (ADF-, Blood-, iPSC-derived) and its somatic cell (PBMCs) and PSC (hESCs/iPSCs) ancestors, respectively. k, Representative confocal images of an iPSC-derived neural progenitor line staining positive for neural border and neural stem cell markers; arrow head marks triple-positive cells; scale bar 50 μm. l, Gene expression heatmap of characteristic genes for iNBSCs, PSCs, ADFs and mesoderm. ADFs, PSCs and ADF-, PBMC-, and iPSC-derived (i)NBSCs cluster according to cell type specific gene expression. m, Gene set enrichment analysis of hypermethylated promoter sites of iNBSCs compared to ADFs. Terms are ranked by normalized enrichment score (NES).
Extended Data
a, mRNA expression of TFAP2a after CNS- or NC-priming of iNBSCs. Cells were FACS-sorted for CD133+/P75neg (CNS-primed) and P75+/CD133neg (NC-primed) and analyzed by qRT-PCR (n=6, t-test, *P<0.05, Mean with SEM). b, Representative cytometry data of iNBSCs stained with neural crest surface marker panel. Right panel shows SSEA-1neg/CD133neg cell population. c, mRNA expression of CNS- and NC-specific markers in SSEA-1neg/CD133neg/P75+/HNK1+ sorted iNBSC-derived neural crest and iNBSCs. mRNA expression of three independent iNBSC lines and neural crest derivatives was analyzed by qRT-PCRs. Expression is normalized to hESCs (t-test, **P<0.01, Mean with SEM). d, GO analysis of DEGs from iNBSC-derived neural crest and iNBSCs. Top 100 upregulated genes from iNBSC-derived neural crest and iNBSCs were analyzed by Enrichr analysis tool. Graph shows top results for analysis based on WikiPathways 2016 library. e, Representative cytometry data of iNBSCs and iNBSC-derived MSCs stained for MSC surface marker panel. NC-primed iNBSCs were differentiated into MSC-like cells and grown in MSC culture medium for >2 passages prior to analysis. f, Top 20 DEGs between CD13+/CD44+/CD90+/CD105+/CD146 sorted MSC-like cells (red) and iNBSCs (grey). g, Gene ontology terms enriched in MSC-like cells based on the 150 top upregulated genes in MSC-like cells compared to iNBSC lines. h, Expression of neural border markers in iNBSCs and cNPCs. Analysis of mRNA expression in iNBSCs and iNBSC-derived cNPCs by qRT-PCR (t-test, ***P<0.001, Mean with SEM). i, Representative flow cytometry blots of an iNBSC and iNBSC-derived NPC line for P75 and CD133. j, Quantification of CD133+/P75−, CD133+/P75+, and CD133-/P75+ population by flow cytometry. Data were derived from independent iNBSC (n=5) and cNPC lines (n=3) (t-test, **P<0.01, ****P<0.0001, Mean with SEM). k, Expression of CXCR4 in cNPCs and iNBSCs. Expression levels of CXCR4 were determined by flow cytometry in iNBSCs and iNBSC-derived cNPC. l, Expression of the surface markers CD133 and P75 after culture in iNBSC condition. Representative flow cytometry data of iNBSCs and NPCs cultured under iNBSC maintenance condition with CAP medium and culture on feeder cells. m, Expression of CXCR4 in independent iNBSC (n=5) and NPC (n=3) lines cultured under iNBSC maintenance condition with CAP medium and growth on feeder cells. Expression levels of CXCR4 were determined by flow cytometry. n, Expression of the surface markers CD133 and P75 after culture of NPCs in NC-priming conditions. Representative flow cytometry data of cNPCs cultured in CAB medium for 5 days. o, Analysis of P75+/CD133− and P75-/CD133+ population in iNBSCs and NPCs after culture in NC-priming condition. Three independent iNBSC and cNPC lines were cultured in CAB for 5 days and analyzed by flow cytometry (t-test, *P<0.05, Mean with SEM). p, Regional identity of iNBSCs and NPCs. mRNA expression of region specific markers was determined in iNBSCs (n=4) and NPC (n=8) lines. Expression was normalized to hESCs. q, Representative cytometry data of iNBSCs stained with a radial glia surface marker panel. Right panel shows SSEA-1+ cell population. r, mRNA expression of radial glia-associated markers in independent iNBSC-derived RG-like SCs (n=3) and iNBSCs (n=3); (Mean with SEM).
Extended Data
a, Confocal images of iNBSCs differentiated into dopaminergic neurons. iNBSCs were differentiated in presence of Chir99028, Purmorphamine and FGF8 for 8 days, followed by culture in Purmorphamine for additional 2 days and matured for another 6 weeks. Arrowheads indicate FOXA2, TH, EN1 triple positive neurons. Scale bar 50 μm. b, Differentiation of RG-like SCs into oligodendrocytes. iNBSC-derived RG-like stem cells were differentiated towards oligodendrocytes and matured for 6 month. Scale bar 50 μm. c, CNS and crest marker expression in CNS and neural crest primed 3D cultures. Single cell suspension of iNBSCs were embedded in MG and cultured in CNS- or NC-priming conditions for 12 days. mRNA expression of independent CNS (n=3) and NC (n=3) differentiations was determined by qRT-PCR (t-test, **P<0.01, ****P<0.0001, Mean with SEM). d, 3D culture of neural crest primed NPCs. Single cell suspension of iNBSC-derived NPCs were embedded in MG and cultured in neural crest priming (CABF) conditions for 12 days. Scale bar 250 μm. e, 3D reconstruction of an oligodendrocyte from confocal images. GFP transduced iNBSCs were differentiated for 8 days in Chir99028, Purmorphamine and FGF8 supplemented medium, followed by transplantation into the striatum of 8 weeks old NOD.Prkdcscid.I12rgnull mice. Mice were analyzed 8 weeks post transplantation. f, Confocal images of iNBSCs differentiated towards sensory neuron fate. Cells were analyzed after 4 weeks of differentiation; scale bar 50 μm.
Extended Data
a, Preparation of E8.5 stage embryos for isolation of pNBSCs. Representative microscopy pictures of an E8.5 stage embryo prior to dissection of neural tissue. Dashed lines indicate region to be isolated and digested for single cell suspension and subsequent culture. b, Table showing results for isolation of pNBSCs from E7.5 to E9.5 stage embryos. c, Representative immunofluorescence pictures for neural border and stem cell markers on pNBSCs. pNBSCs were derived from E8.5 tomato mice and cultured for 20 passages in CAP on feeder cells; scale bar 50 μm. d, mRNA expression of Zfp521 in pNBSCs and controls. qRT-PCRs was performed on three independent pNBSCs lines and normalized to whole E13.5 stage fetal brains; mouse ESCs served as negative control. e, Expression of neural progenitor and neural border marker after long-term culture of pNBSCs. Representative immunofluorescence pictures of pNBSCs cultured for >4 month; scale bar 50 μm. f, Clonogenicity of pNBSCs. pNBSCs were FACS sorted as single cells and cultured in CAP on inactivated MEFs (pNBSCs) or bFGF/EGF supplemented media on fibronectin (primary RG) for 7 days before analysis. Results are shown for two independent pNBSC clones and E13.5 stage derived RG-like SCs (n=3; t-test, **P<0.01, Mean with SEM). g, Culture of pNBSCs on inactivated MEFs (feeder) or Matrigel in presence or absence of Notch-ligands 500 ng/ml DII4 and 500 ng/ml Jagged-1. h, Regional identity of pNBSCs. mRNA expression of region specific markers was determined in three independent pNBSCs lines. Expression was normalized to whole E13.5 stage fetal brains. i, Flow cytometry data of a pNBSC line under maintenance and neural crest priming condition. pNBSCs were either cultured in CAP or CA+BMP4 for 5 days before levels of Ssea1 and P75 were determined by flow cytometry. j, Immunofluorescence stainings for serotonin on neuronal differentiation. pNBSCs were differentiated in presence of Purmorphamine for 3 days and matured for additional 2 weeks before stainings were performed; scale bar 50 μm. k, BF pictures of pNBSCs embedded as single cell suspension in MG after CNS- and NC-priming. pNBSCs were cultured in CSP for 6 days (upper panel) or CABF for 10 days (lower panel). Pictures were taken at day 2.5, 4, 6 and 10, respectively. Scale bar 50 μm. l, Gene Ontology (GO) processes enriched in pNBSCs, pNBSC-derived RG-like SCs and pNBSCs-derived NC. GOs are based on top 200 upregulated genes of respective groups.
Extended Data
a, Targeting of exon 22/27 of SCN9a via CRISPR Cas9. Scheme shows SCN9a locus, the targeting strategy via specific guide RNA and sequencing result for the locus in SCN9−/− clones used in the study. Dashes indicate absent bases; red sequence indicates stop codon. b, Western blot analysis of undifferentiated iNBSCs and sensory neurons derived from WT and SCN9−/− iNBSCs. Complete membranes of blots for Nav1.7 and ACTIN, described in
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention and the examples included therein.
Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the direct reprogramming of mature human cells, comprising the step of culturing said mature human cells in the presence of a mixture of transcription factors, wherein said mixture comprises the factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3, and wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a particular embodiment, the step of culturing is performed on inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as feeder layer.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the direct differentiation of pluripotent human stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), comprising the step of culturing said pluripotent human stem cells in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a particular embodiment, the step of culturing is performed on inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as feeder layer.
In the context of the present invention, the term “mature human cell” refers to a fully (or terminally) differentiated human cell, i. e a human cell that does no longer have a multilineage differentiation potential. In certain embodiments, the mature human cell is or can be isolated from human tissue or human blood. In certain embodiments the mature human cell is selected from somatic cells, such as, but not exclusively, skin- or hair follicle-derived keratinocytes, hepatocytes, mucosa cells, peripheral blood cells and endothelial cells.
In a particular embodiment, said somatic cells are selected from adult fibroblast cells (AFCs); pancreas-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs); and peripheral blood cells, particularly peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the direct differentiation of pluripotent non-human stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), comprising the step of culturing said pluripotent non-human stem cells in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a particular aspect, the pluripotent non-human stem cells are pluripotent murine stem cells (murine PSCs).
In the context of the present invention, the term “hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells”, abbreviated HSPCs, collectively refers to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors thereof, which are the first stages of differentiation of HSCs (for a review of the characteristics of, and assays for identifying, HSPCS, see Wognum and Szilvassy, Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells, Document #29068, Version 6.0.0, April 2015, published by STEMCELL Technologies Inc.).
In the context of the present invention, the term “comprises” or “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. The term is intended to be open-ended, to specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps or components, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The term “comprising” thus includes the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.
To reprogram mature human cells, such as human adult somatic cells, into an early embryonic self-renewing neural stem cell type, we transduced human adult cells, such as human dermal fibroblasts (ADFs) with a variety of combinations of different transcription factors (BRN2, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, TLX, and ZIC3), different small molecules and different cytokines that we hypothesized to potentially allow access to early neural stages. Finally, we identified the combination of four factors BRN2, KLF4, SOX2 and ZIC3 (BSKZ) and the molecules Chir99021 (GSK-3 inhibitor), Alk5 Inhibitor II, and Purmorphamine (hedgehog/smoothened agonist), and optionally Tranylcypromine (inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase (MAO) and CYP2 enzymes: A6, C19, and D6) (CAPT) to enable neural reprogramming.
In a particular embodiment, said culturing is performed in the additional presence of an inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase, particularly Tranylcypromine.
In the context of the present invention, the term “Tranylcypromine” refers to an inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase (MAO) and of CYP2 enzymes: A6, C19, and D6 (CAPT).
In a particular embodiment, said inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase, particularly Tranylcypromine, is only present during an induction phase, particularly in the first 12 to 21 days of said culturing, particularly in the first 12 to 21 day for ADFs, in the first 12 to 16 days for pHSCs, and 17 to 21 days for PBMCs.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of induced neural border stem cells, comprising the step of culturing mature human cells in the presence of a mixture of transcription factors, wherein said mixture comprises the factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3, and wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of neural border stem cells, comprising the step of culturing pluripotent human stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a particular embodiment, said culturing is performed in the additional presence of an inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase, particularly Tranylcypromine.
In a particular embodiment, said inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase, particularly Tranylcypromine, is only present during an induction phase particularly in the first 12 to 21 days of said culturing, particularly in the first 12 to 21 days for ADFs, in the first 12 to 16 days for pHSCs, and 17 to 21 days for PBMCs.
In particular embodiments, said step of culturing is performed on supportive feeder cells, particularly on murine fibroblast cells.
In particular embodiments, a culture comprising said mature human cells is transduced with said factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3.
In a particular embodiment, said factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3 are comprised in a vector.
In a particular embodiment, said vector is a polycistronic vector.
In particular embodiments, said vector is a doxycycline-inducible vector, particularly wherein said vector is vector pHAGE2-TetOminiCV-BRN22AKIf4-IRES-Sox2E2AZic3-W according to SEQ ID NO: 1
In a particular embodiment, said culturing is performed in the presence of doxycycline for at least 12 days after transduction, particularly for 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 days.
In particular embodiments, said method further comprises the step of clonally expanding single colonies.
In a particular embodiment, said colonies are expanded until a day selected from day 19 to day 24 after transduction.
In particular embodiments, said vector further comprises loxP sites flanking the nucleic acid sequence encoding said factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3, particularly wherein said vector is vector pHAGE2-TetOminiCV-BRN22AKIf4-IRES-Sox2E2AZic3-W-loxp according to SEQ ID NO: 2.
In a particular embodiment, the nucleic acid sequence encoding said factors BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3 comprised in said vector is excised by Cre recombinase.
In a particular embodiment, said in vitro method of the present invention comprises the step of transducing the cells with a plasmid encoding said Cre recombinase.
In a particular embodiment, said Cre recombinase is the Cherry-Cre recombinase (20).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a polycistronic vector encoding BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3.
In a particular embodiment, said vector is a polycistronic vector.
In particular embodiments, said vector is a doxycycline-inducible vector, particularly wherein said vector is vector pHAGE2-TetOminiCV-BRN22AKIf4-IRES-Sox2E2AZic3-W according to SEQ ID NO: 1.
In particular embodiments, said vector further comprises a loxP site, particularly wherein said vector is vector pHAGE2-TetOminiCV-BRN22AKIf4-IRES-Sox2E2AZic3-W-loxp according to SEQ ID NO: 2.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising at least two, more particularly all three components selected from: a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine.
In a particular embodiment, said kit of the present invention is further comprising an inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase, particularly Tranylcypromine.
In particular embodiments, said kit further comprises one or more components selected from: a vector as used in a method of the present invention; supportive feeder cells, particularly murine fibroblast cells; and a plasmid encoding a Cre recombinase, particularly the Cherry-Cre recombinase.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line. In the context of the present invention, terms such as “(induced) neural border stem cell line” or “(induced) neural border stem cells” refer either to an induced neural border stem cell line/induced neural border stem cells obtained by reprogramming mature human cells, or to neural border stem cell line/neural border stem cells obtained by differentiating pluripotent stem cells, such as ESCs or iPSCs.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized by being positive both (i) for early neural markers, particularly PAX6, BRN2 and SOX1; and (ii) for stem cell markers, particularly NESTIN and SOX2.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized by being additionally positive for the early neural marker ASCL1.
In the context of the present invention, the term “early neural marker” refers to genes or a combination of genes that are expressed in neuroepithelial cells during embryonic neural development, beginning with the formation of the neural plate until the end of neurulation. Specifically, the combined expression of PAX6, SOX1 and CD133/2, and the concurrent absence of GFAP and GLAST are regarded as defining a set of “early neural markers”.
In the context of the present invention, the term “stem cell marker” refers to genes or a combination of genes that have prior been linked to self-renewal and/or multipotency of neural stem- and progenitor cells.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is further characterized by expressing MSX1, ZIC1 and PAX3.
In particular embodiments, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized by being additionally positive for HES5, SOX3 and HOXA2.
In particular embodiments, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized by being additionally positive for ID2, IRX3, ZIC3, PROMININ1 and CXCR4.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized (i) by being positive both for early neural markers PAX6, BRN2 and SOX1; (ii) by being positive both for stem cell markers NESTIN and SOX2, (iii) by expressing MSX1, ZIC1 and PAX3, (iv) by being additionally positive for HES5, SOX3 and HOXA2, and (v) by being additionally positive for ID2, IRX3, ZIC3, PROMININ1 and CXCR4.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is characterized (vi) by being positive for the early neural marker ASCL1.
In the context of the present invention, the terms “being positive for” and “by expressing” are used synonymously and mean that mRNA and/or protein expression of the specified gene is detected at significantly (p<0.05) higher levels than in the technical background and/or negative control.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is further characterized by not expressing K14, SOX10, FOXD3, MPZ, and/or OTX2.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention is further characterized by the additional absence of TFAP2A and/or HNK1, particularly by the absence of both TFAP2A and HNK1
In the context of the present invention, the term “by not expressing” means that mRNA of the specified gene cannot be detected and/or is not significantly (p<0.05) higher expressed than the technical background and/or negative control signal.
In particular embodiments, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line has been generated by the in vitro method of the present invention.
In a particular embodiment of the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, the results of a single nucleotide polymorphisms analysis of the cell line cluster with the results of a single nucleotide polymorphisms analysis of said mature human cells.
In particular embodiments, said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line has been generated by the in vitro method of the present invention, wherein the results of a principle component analysis of a comparative global gene expression analysis of the cell line (i) does not cluster, in the case of an isolated induced neural border stem cell line, with the results of a principle component analysis of a comparative global gene expression analysis of said mature human cells, and (ii) does not cluster with the results of a principle component analysis of a comparative global gene expression analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cells.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of expanding the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line, particularly wherein said culturing is performed in the presence of proliferation-supporting cytokines, particularly Notch-signaling activating substances, particularly a substance selected from DLL1, DLL3 and DLL4, Jagged-1, and Jagged-2, more particularly from DLL4 and JAGGED-1.
The formation of the nervous system initiates with the neural plate stage shortly after gastrulation. Signalling pathways such as WNTs, BMPs and SHH orchestrate the diversification of neural committed cells, which underlie the development of the various brain regions, spinal cord as well as the neural crest (13, 14, 15).
In a particular embodiment, said culturing is performed in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, particularly wherein said culturing is performed at 5% O2.
In particular embodiments, said culturing is performed on a layer of supportive feeder cells, particularly on murine fibroblast cells.
In particular embodiments, said culturing is performed for up to 40 passages.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for differentiating (induced) neural border stem cells, particularly cells of the isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, or cells obtained by the in vitro method of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing said (induced) neural border stem cells in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a particular embodiment, said (induced) neural border stem cells are differentiated to cells of a central nervous system lineage.
In a particular embodiment, said (induced) neural border stem cells are cultured in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an ALK 4,5,7 inhibitor, particularly SB431542; and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, and wherein bFGF is added.
In particular embodiments, said method is characterized by an increase in CD133+/P75neg cells.
In particular embodiments, said method is characterized by an enrichment of mRNA for CNS-related genes, particularly PAX6, and by a downregulation of neural border-related genes, particularly TFAP2a and SOX10.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the isolation of a central nervous system primed neural progenitor cell line from an (induced) neural stem cell line by differentiation by the method of the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to isolated central nervous system primed neural progenitor cell line of the central nervous system lineage, particularly (i) wherein said cell line is of the same development status as primary neural progenitor cells obtainable from embryos of gestation week 8 to 12, and/or (ii) wherein said cell line is characterized by progenitor markers SPRY4, ETV4, LONRF2, ZNF217, NESTIN, SOX1 and SOX2, particularly SPRY4, ETV4 LONRF2, and ZNF217, and by being negative for MSX1, PAX3 and TFAP2, and/or (iii) wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
The isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, which is generated by the method of the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated central nervous system primed neural progenitor cell line is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated central nervous system primed neural progenitor cell line is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for generating CNS progenitor cells, comprising the steps of culturing (induced) neural border stem cells, optionally after first differentiating (induced) neural border stem cells in a method of the present invention, in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an ALK 4,5,7 inhibitor, particularly SB431542; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; bFGF; and LIF.
In a particular embodiment of the in vitro method of the present invention, the culture is maintained on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention is generated by the method of the present invention.
In particular embodiments, the isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention is characterized by (ia) downregulation of FGFR3, HES5, ASCL1, CLDN5 und ZIC3, and (ib) maintained expression of PAX6, SOX1, SOX2, CD133/2 and NESTIN; in both cases when compared to (induced) neural border stem cells; and/or (ii) wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of differentiating a central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said central nervous system progenitor cell line in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a particular embodiment, said cells are obtained by performing the method of the present invention for seven weeks, followed by culturing in an expansion medium supplemented with bFGF, EGF and LIF.
In particular embodiments of the in vitro method of the present invention, the resulting cell population is positive for SSEA1, CD133 and Glutamate Aspartate Transporter (GLAST; SLC1A3).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype, particularly wherein said cell population is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell population has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated cell population is obtained by a method comprising the steps of (i) seeding NBSCs or cNPCs on plates coated with a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and culturing in basal medium supplemented with 1 μM Purmorphamine and 10 ng/ml FGF8 for one week, (ii) culturing in basal medium with 1 μM Purmorphamine for one additional day; (iii) growing the cultures in basal medium containing 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for 7 more weeks; and (iv) culturing the cells in radial glia medium, comprised of basal medium, 20 ng/ml bFGF, 20 ng/ml EGF and 10 ng/ml LIF.
In particular embodiments, said isolated cell population is characterized by cells (ia) being triple-positive for SSEA1, CD133 and GLAST, (ib) strongly expressing the glial markers VIMENTIN, GFAP and GLAST; and (ic) being positive for the stem cell markers PAX6, NESTIN, SOX1 and BLBP; and/or (ii) wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell population has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a particular embodiment, said (induced) neural border stem cells are differentiated to cells of a neural crest lineage.
In a particular embodiment, said (induced) neural border stem cells are cultured in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and BMP4.
In particular embodiments, said method is characterized by an increase in P75+/CD133neg cells.
In particular embodiments, said method is characterized by an enrichment of mRNA for neural crest associated genes, particularly SOX10 and TFAP2a.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage, particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem stell line of the neural crest lineage is generated by the in vitro method of the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for generating neural crest progenitor cells, comprising the steps of (induced) neural border stem cells for three days in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; and BMP4; followed by culturing in the presence of a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, FGF8, IGF1 and DAPT.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated neural crest progenitor cell, particularly wherein said cell is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated neural crest progenitor cell is generated by the in vitro method of the present invention.
In particular embodiments, the isolated neural crest progenitor cell of the present invention which is characterized by (ia) the induction of migratory crest markers P75 and HNK1; (ib) a decrease in CD133 and SSEA1 levels; (ic) presence of SOX10, and (id) absence of PAX6; in each case when compared to (induced) neural border stem cells; and/or (ii) wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell line has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, the neural crest progenitor cell of the present invention is further characterized by KANK4, BGN, TFAP2A and SOX10 being among the strongest upregulated genes, with neural progenitor markers, in particular HES5 and PAX6, being downregulated, in each case when compared to (induced) neural border stem cells.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated neural crest progenitor cell is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated neural crest progenitor cell is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method of differentiating a neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, comprising the step of culturing cells from said neural crest progenitor cell line in the presence of differentiation factors.
In a particular embodiment, said cells are obtained by performing the method comprising the steps of (i) seeding 1×105/6 Well iNBSCs on plates coated with a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and growing in basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 5 μM Alk5 Inhibitor II and 10 ng/ml BMP4 for three days; (ii) growing the cells in a basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 10 ng/ml FGF8, 10 ng/ml IGF1 and 1 μM DAPT for five days; (iii) purifying the NCSC-like cells by cell sorting for SSEA-1negCD133negP75+HNK1+; in particular wherein all cultures are grown at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 20% O2.
In particular embodiments, the resulting cell population is positive for HNK1, P75, and/or first markers shown in
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype (see the markers listed in [00166], particularly wherein said cell line is characterized by epigenetically corresponding to mature human cells, particularly wherein said cell population has been obtained from said mature human cells in a direct reprogramming method according to the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated cell population is obtained by a method of the present invention.
In particular embodiments, said isolated cell population is characterized by (i) the induction of migratory crest markers P75 and HNK1; (ii) a decrease in CD133 and SSEA1 levels; (iii) the presence of SOX10, and (iv) the absence of PAX6; in each case when compared to (induced) neural border stem cells.
In a particular embodiment, said isolated cell population is further characterized by KANK4, BGN, TFAP2A and SOX10 being among the strongest upregulated genes, with neural progenitor markers, in particular HES5 and PAX6 being downregulated, in each case when compared to (induced) neural border stem cells.
In a particular embodiment, the isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype is characterized by the expression of COL3A1 (collagen type III, alpha 1), a gene that is usually active in fibroblast, but not in in neural cells. Expression of COL3A1 is still observed in cells obtained by reprogramming of fibroblast cells in accordance with the methods of the present invention.
In another particular embodiment, where the cells are obtained by reprogramming of PBMCs, the isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype is characterized by the expression of a PBMC-specific gene not expressed in neural cells.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of dopaminergic neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with FGF8 and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv) for 2 days, and (vi) changing the medium to maturation medium; and (vii) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of motor neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 2 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, and all-trans retinoic acid; (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv) for 7 days, and (vi) changing the medium to maturation medium; and (vii) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of glutamatergic and gabaergic neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to maturation medium comprising BDNF and GDNF; and (v) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of serotonergic neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in basal medium comprising 3 μM Chir99021, an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly 3 μM SB431542, and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly 1 μM Purmorphamine, on plates covered by a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) for one week, (ii) followed by culture in 3 μM Chir99028, an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly 3 μM SB431542, and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly 1 μM Purmorphamine, and 10 ng/ml FGF4 for another week, (iii) followed by switching to and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly 1 μM Purmorphamine, for two days, and (iv) subsequently growing the cells in neuronal maturation medium comprising basal medium, 500 μM dbcAMP (Sigma), 1 ng/ml TGFβ3, 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for at least 5 more weeks.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of astrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising BDNF, GDNF and 1% FCS, and (v) culturing the cells for 5 weeks in said maturation medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of oligodendrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 7 days on a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, Forskolin, PDGF, and EGF, (v) culturing the cells for 2 weeks in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, Forskolin, PDGF, Dorsomorphin, (vii) culturing the cells for 1 week in the medium according to (vi), (viii) changing the medium to a medium comprising T3, IGF, and Forskolin, and (ix) culturing the cells for 3 weeks in the medium according to (viii).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of neural crest-derived neurons, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, and BMP4; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 days, (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an FGF inhibitor, particularly SU5402, a Notch inhibitor, particularly DAPT, and NGF, (v) culturing the cells for 10 days in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising BDNF, GDNF and NGF, and (vii) culturing the cells for 3 weeks in the maturation medium according to (vi).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) changing to a medium that is supplemented with a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, and BMP4; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 days, (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; FGF8, IGF, and a Notch inhibitor, particularly DAPT, (v) culturing the cells for 7 days in the medium according to (iv), (vi) changing the medium to a maturation medium comprising bFGF and IGF, (vii) culturing the cells for 2 weeks in the maturation medium according to (vi), (viii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal stem cell medium, and (ix) culturing in said mesenchymal stem cell medium.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) seeding iNBSCs on plates coated with a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel), (ii) culturing the cells in 4 μM Chir99028, 10 ng/ml BMP4 and 10 μM DAPT for 7 days; (iii) culturing the cells in basal medium containing 10 ng/ml bFGF and 10 ng/ml IGF-1 for at least 5 passages; (iv) stabilizing the cells by switching the cultures to mesenchymal stem cell medium and culturing for at least 2 passages.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into adipocytes, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 5 days, (iv) changing the medium to a adipogenesis differentiation medium, and (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into chondrocytes, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 5 days, (iv) changing the medium to a chondrocyte differentiation medium, and (v) culturing the cells in the medium according to (iv).
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the differentiation of cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype into smooth muscle cells, comprising the steps of (i) generating said cells having a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by the in vitro method of the present invention, (ii) changing the medium to a mesenchymal induction medium comprising 10% FCS; and (iii) culturing the cells in the medium according to (ii) for 3 to 5 weeks.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of a neural tube-like 3D culture, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) embedding of a single cell suspension of the cells cultured according to step (i) in a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and adding a medium comprising SB and a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine; (iii) culturing said single cell suspension according to (ii) for 9 days; (iv) changing the medium to a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, SB, a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, and bFGF and (v) culturing for 4 days.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of a neural crest-like 3D culture, comprising the steps of (i) culturing (induced) neural border stem cells in a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021; an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II; a hedgehog/smoothened agonist, particularly Purmorphamine, on murine fibroblasts, (ii) embedding of a single cell suspension of the cells cultured according to step (i) in a gelatinous protein mixture secreted by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma cells (Matrigel) and adding a medium comprising a medium comprising a GSK-3 inhibitor, particularly Chir99021, an Alk5 inhibitor, particularly Alk5 inhibitor II, BMP4, and FGF2, and (iii) culturing for 12 days.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for the generation of cells representing a mutant phenotype, comprising the steps of (i) causing or allowing the modification of a gene sequence, the transcription or translation of a gene sequence, and/or of a protein encoded by a gene sequence of cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, or cells generated by the method of the present invention.
In a particular embodiment, said step (i) is performed by using gene editing, particularly by using a CRISPR Cas9-mediated knockout.
In a particular embodiment, said step (i) is performed by using gene silencing, particularly by using a DNAzyme, antisense DNA, siRNA, or shRNA.
In a particular embodiment, said step (i) is performed by using protein inhibitors, particularly by using antibodies directed against a protein.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to an in vitro method for drug screening, comprising the step of exposing cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention to a drug substance.
In a particular embodiment, the in vitro method further comprises the determination of one of more factors that are potentially affected by interaction with said drug substances.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising cells from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention.
In a next aspect, the present invention relates to a cell from an isolated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the central nervous system lineage of the present invention, an isolated central nervous system progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a radial glia type stem cell phenotype of the present invention, an isolated differentiated (induced) neural border stem cell line of the neural crest lineage of the present invention, an isolated neural crest progenitor cell line of the present invention, an isolated cell population having a neural border stem cell phenotype of the present invention, cells generated by the method of the present invention, or cells representing a mutant phenotype that are obtained according to the method of the present invention for use in the treatment of a patient suffering from a neural disorder.
Thus, in summary the present invention relates to the following items:
Generation of functional human neuronal cell types from pluripotent iPSCs by directed differentiation is inefficient. Moreover, neural conversion of somatic cells by direct reprogramming typically results in cell types with limited proliferation and/or differentiation potential. Here we report that ectopic expression of four neural transcription factors (BRN2, SOX2, KLF4 and ZIC3) allows reprogramming human adult fibroblasts or peripheral blood cells into a so far unidentified self-renewing Neural Border Stem Cell population (iNBSC). Human iNBSCs share molecular and functional features with a corresponding mouse NBSC population we could isolate from neural folds of E8.5 embryos. Upon differentiation, iNBSCs pass through successive developmental stages and can give rise to either (1)CNS-primed progenitors, radial glia-type stem cells, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, motoneurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes or (2) neural crest lineage including peripheral neurons. We demonstrate direct reprogramming of human adult cells into expandable naturally occurring and multipotent embryonic iNBSCs that define a novel embryonic neural stem cell population in human and mouse. Furthermore, we provide evidence that CRISPR/Cas9 edited iNBSCs, carrying a mutant SCN9a gene, can be expanded and differentiated into sensory neurons. These show impaired functional properties mimicking a human pain syndrome. Hence iNBSCs open novel possibilities for patient-specific and mechanism-based research, which can be associated to high throughput drug screens or cell based regenerative medicine.
The goal of this study was to overcome these limitations of the prior art and to explore the possibility of reprogramming human adult somatic cells into early, defined and self-renewing neural progenitors with broad but specific differentiation potential.
The formation of the nervous system initiates with the neural plate stage shortly after gastrulation. Signalling pathways such as WNTs, BMPs, and SHH orchestrate the diversification of neural committed cells, which underlie the development of the various brain regions, spinal cord as well as the neural crest (13, 14, 15). We hypothesized that overexpression of stage-specific transcription factors, in combination with adequate signalling cues provided by the growth medium, might allow for the direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells to early embryonic neural progenitors with stem cell features including self-renewal and multipotency.
To reprogram human adult somatic cells into an early embryonic self-renewing neural stem cell type, we transduced human adult dermal fibroblasts (ADFs) with various combinations of transcription factors (BRN2, SOX2, KLF4, MYC, TLX, ZIC3) and small molecules that we hypothesized to allow access to early neural stages. To this end, we identified the combination of four factors BRN2, KLF4, SOX2 and ZIC3 (BKSZ) and the four small molecules Chir99021 (GSK-3 inhibitor), Alk5 Inhibitor II, Purmorphamine (hedgehog/smoothened agonist), and Tranylcypromine (inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase (MAO) and CYP2 enzymes: A6, C19, and D6) (CAPT) to enable neural reprogramming.
In short, ADFs were transduced with a polycistronic, doxycycline (DOX)-inducible vector containing BKSZ, and subsequently cultured in the presence of CAPT. We also derived a modified version containing a loxP site (
Detailed time-course experiments of the reprogramming process revealed that the minimum time period of BKSZ-activity, in constant presence of CAPT, was 12 days, while the efficiency of reprogramming further increased with prolonged DOX application (Extended Data
Next, we investigated whether other adult cell types could be used as a source for neural reprogramming. Indeed, we were able to successfully convert human fetal pancreas fibroblasts (FPFs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and established more than 30 stable neural progenitor lines (Extended Data
A prerequisite of stable reprogramming is the silencing of the ectopically expressed transgenes to guarantee normal differentiation as shown for iPSCs (17). Importantly, uncontrolled transgene reactivation bears the risk of tumor induction in vivo (18, 19). After DOX withdrawal, stable neural lines with sustained >1000 fold down-regulation of the polycistronic transgene cassette could be established (Extended Data
Converted clonal neural cell lines derived from ADFs, FPFs and PBMCs could be cultured on a layer of supportive feeders and in medium containing Chir99021, Alk5 Inhibitor II and Purmorphamine (CAP) for more than 40 passages (>7 months), without loss of proliferative potential and maintenance of high expression of early neural markers such as PAX6 and SOX1 (
To gain further insight into the molecular identity of iNBSCs, we performed comparative global gene expression analysis of iNBSCs, iPSCs and the cell type of origin (i. e. ADFs, PBMCs). Principle component analysis revealed that each cell type clustered distinctly in separate expression clusters (
Comparison of the expression profiles of iNBSCs with that of ADFs revealed 10917 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (p<0.05) reflecting the robust change of cellular identity. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the top 200 up-regulated genes in iNBSCs unveiled an enrichment for stem cell related processes such as neuronal stem cell population maintenance and positive regulation of neural precursor cell proliferation, as well as processes related to central nervous system (CNS)- and neural crest (NC)-identity such as brain development and head development respectively (
In contrast to the transcriptome, the methylation pattern of cells is rather stably associated with the identity and fate of the cell and is independent on certain cellular states (i.e. actively dividing or quiescent). Comparison of the DNA methylation profiles of ADF-converted and iPSC-derived (i)NBSCs with ADFs and hESCs revealed three distinct clusters (
iNBSCs Give Rise to Central Nervous System and Neural Crest Progenitors
During early post-gastrulation neural development, signalling molecules such as Wnts, BMPs, FGFs and SHH finely orchestrate the development and patterning of the neural plate thereby guiding diversification into central nervous system and neural crest. Hence we examined whether iNBSCs represent a developmental stage prior to the separation into the CNS and NC lineage. To this end, iNBSCs clones were cultured either in the presence of (1) Chir99021, SB431542 (ALK 4,5,7 Inhibitor) and Purmorphamine (CSP) followed by addition of bFGF to induce CNS differentiation or (2) medium containing Chir99021, Alk-5 Inhibitor and BMP4 (CAB) to promote differentiation towards a NC fate (
To monitor the induction of CNS versus NC fate, we analyzed the expression of CD133 and P75, respectively by flow cytometry. Indeed, when seeding iNBSCs at low density in the presence of CAB, there was a significant increase in P75+/CD133neg cells compared to CNS-primed cultures, indicative of NC differentiation (
We next investigated whether lineage-committed CNS or NC progenitors can be derived downstream of iNBSCs. Towards this aim, we first cultured iNBSCs for three days in NC-priming conditions, followed by culture in NC stem cell (NCSC) medium containing Chir99021, FGF8, IGF1 and DAPT. Robust induction of migratory crest markers P75 and HNK1 was observed that was paralleled by a decrease in CD133 and SSEA1 expression levels (
NC-primed cells could also be differentiated to phenotypically defined CD105+/CD44+/CD13+/CD90+/CD146+ mesenchymal stem cells (Extended Data
To examine the iNBSCs to CNS differentiation axis and test whether a restricted CNS progenitor could be isolated, we cultured iNBSCs in CSP, and subsequently added bFGF and LIF (CSPFL) while maintaining them on Matrigel™ (MG) (
To investigate the regional identity of iNBSCs and iNBSC-derived cNPCs, the expression of region specific transcription factors was analyzed. While iNBSCs expressed the anterior hindbrain markers GBX2, IRX3, HOXA2 and HOXB2, cNPCs preferentially expressed GBX2, EN1, FGF8 and PAX2 (Extended Data
To explore whether more mature developmental stages could be derived from iNBSCs, we differentiated CNS-primed iNBSCs for 7 weeks in absence of small molecules before changing to bFGF, EGF and LIF supplemented expansion medium. In doing so, we could obtain a sub-population of SSEA1+, CD133+ and glutamate-aspartate-transporter (GLAST; SLC1A3) positive cells, i.e. a phenotype associated with radial glia-like stem cell (RG-like SC) identity (7, 22) (
To study the developmental stage of RG-like stem cells compared to their parental iNBSCs, we made use of a recently described machine learning framework (CoNTExT), which was developed to match in vitro derived neural cultures with the spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas of the human brain (23). This analysis revealed a clear maturation from iNBSCs to RG-like SCs. While iNBSCs mapped to embryonic and early fetal stages, our RG-like SCs mapped more towards later developmental stages (early/late fetal and childhood) (
Differentiation of iNBSC into Mature CNS and NC Cells
To examine the differentiation potential of iNBSCs towards mature cell types, they were subjected to specific differentiation cues. To derive neurons with CNS identity, cells were first cultured in presence of Purmorphamine for 7 days, supplemented with either FGF8 (dopaminergic neurons), all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) (motor neurons) or without additional cues (GABAergic/glutamatergic differentiation). Subsequently cultures were switched to maturation medium and analyzed five weeks later (
iNBSCs displayed a high neurogenic potential and differentiated rapidly upon removal of CAP medium. Immunofluorescence staining and qPCR analysis revealed the presence of glutamatergic (vGLUT2), dopaminergic (FOXA2, TH, EN1), motor neurons (CHAT, ISLET1) and GABAergic neurons (GABA, GAD67) (
To corroborate the neuronal phenotype of in vitro differentiated iNBSC-derived neurons, we performed whole cell patch-clamp recordings of 10 weeks old neural cultures. This revealed repetitive trains of action potentials in response to depolarizing voltage steps (12 cells in 3 cultures;
Three-dimensional and organoid cultures have been recently appreciated as a valuable system to spatially model neural development and recapitulate the underlying differentiation processes in vitro (25, 26, (27, 28). Hence we embedded iNBSCs as single cell suspension in matrigel and expanded them in CNS- or NC-priming culture conditions, respectively (
Next, 3D cultures of cNPCs (CSP plus bFGF) were prepared. Interestingly, this approach resulted in the growth of spheres with frequent formation of a neural tube-like structure, including the formation of a central lumen. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated SOX1 and luminal PROMININ expression, resembling a neural tube-like structure (
To assess the in vivo differentiation potential of iNBSCs, we pre-differentiated GFP-labelled iNBSCs for 8 days, and transplanted them into the striatum of 6 weeks old NOD.Prkdcscid.I12rgnull (NSG) mice. Six weeks post transplantation, mice were sacrificed and the engrafted cells were detected by immunofluorescence. GFP-positive cells included NeuN-positive neurons, GFAP-positive astrocytes and MBP-positive oligodendrocytes demonstrating the differentiation potential of iNBSCs to all three major neural linages and survival of the progeny in vivo (
To investigate the potential of iNBSCs towards differentiated NC cell types, they were first cultured in NC induction medium and then switched to neural (29) or mesenchymal maturation media. After four weeks differentiation was initiated, BRN3a/PERIPHERIN/NAV1.7 triple positive neurons, characteristic for peripheral sensory neurons, could be detected (
Derivation of Primary Neural Border Stem Cells from Mouse Embryos
The existence of iNBSC and the ability to stabilize them from pluripotent cells in vitro, raise the question whether “primary Neural Border Stem Cells” (pNBSC) also emerge during normal embryogenesis. To this end we isolated E7.5 to E10.5 mouse embryos. After mechanic removal of optic and non-neural tissue and enzymatic digestion, the resulting single cell suspension was seeded onto a layer of supportive mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cultured in the presence of CAP (
To investigate the regional identity of pNBSCs, the expression of region specific transcription factors was analyzed. This analysis revealed that they expressed the anterior hindbrain markers GBX2, IRX3, HOXA2 and HOXB2 (Extended Data
We next addressed the differentiation capability of pNBSCs. When pNBSCs were induced to differentiate in the presence of purmorphamine, Plzf/l Zo1 double-positive rosettes formed within two days, suggesting CNS progenitor activity (
When pNBSCs were allowed to further differentiate, subsequent to CNS priming by purmorphamine, robust neuronal differentiation (Tuj1) prevailed, but glial progeny, such as oligodendrocytes (O4) and astrocytes (Gfap), was also detected. Within the neural cultures we identified GABA-, TH- and serotonin-positive neurons (
To obtain more information regarding gene expression in pNBSCs and their progeny, we performed comparative global gene expression analysis. To this end pNBSCs were differentiated and subsequently FACS-sorted for RG-like SCs (Ssea1+, Glast+) or NC (P75+, Glast−, Ssea1−). Principal component analysis revealed that pNBSCs and their RG-like and NC progeny clustered separately (
In summary, these results suggest that mouse embryo derived pNBSCs are highly similar to directly reprogrammed human iNBSCs. This is reflected by the requirement of the same signalling cues for maintenance, early marker expression, stable long-term proliferation and the potential to recapitulate early neural development by giving rise to naïve as well as mature progeny of the CNS and NC lineage. Notably, pNBSCs represent a so far unidentified neural progenitor cell population active during early mouse brain organogenesis and also representing a unique stable pre-rosette population with sustained expansion potential.
Comparison of iNBSCs and Mouse pNBSCs
Human iNBSCs and mouse pNBSCs share many characteristics, including long-term self-renewal capacity, expression of specific markers, and developmental potential. To further extend the comparison to the molecular expression landscape, we analysed the global gene expression profile of mouse pNBSCs and human iNBSCs.
To this end, differential gene expression of iNBSCs versus ADFs and pNBSCs versus MEFs was evaluated for similarity applying the agreement of differential expression procedure (AGDEX), developed to enable cross-species comparisons (30). This analysis revealed a positive correlation of 0.457 for differential gene expression of iNBSCs and pNBSCs (
Taken together, pNBSCs and iNBSCs show high similarities in their global expression signature and share an embryonic neural progenitor network, further supporting the notion that pNBSCs reflect a physiological, embryonic counterpart to NBSCs.
Modelling of SCN9A Mediated Pain Sensitivity Syndrome by Gene Editing of iNBSCs
The self-renewal and extensive differentiation potential of iNBSCs make them a powerful tool to model genetically based human neuronal syndromes. To directly demonstrate this, we used CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing to mutate the voltage-gated sodium-channel Nav1.7, a nociceptor encoded by the SCN9a gene. This channel is expressed in the peripheral nervous system and while gain of function mutations in SCN9a lead to primary erythromelalgia and paroxysmal pain disorder, loss of function mutations result in congenital insensitivity to pain. To model the loss-of-function situation in human iNBSCs derived sensory neurons, we targeted SCN9a with specific guide RNAs that resulted in mutations in exon 22/27 leading to a truncated version of the gene (
Here we demonstrate the direct conversion of human skin fibroblasts and blood cells into clonal, multipotent iNBSCs, a thus far unidentified neural progenitor with sustained self-renewal and CNS- and NC-lineage differentiation capacity. We provide evidence that human iNBSCs mimic a mouse neural progenitor cell type derived from E8.5 embryonic neural folds. Both human and mouse cell types share a similar expression profile as well as differentiation and proliferation potential. Therefore NBSCs represent a novel bona fide embryonic, multipotent and self-renewing progenitor, that can be derived either by direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells or by isolation from primary embryonic brain tissue (
We and others have previously described direct conversion from mouse embryonic fibroblasts into neural progenitor cells (32, 33, 11). In contrast, although attempts to reprogram human somatic cells towards neural progenitors have been reported, it has typically led to heterogeneous and developmentally undefined cell types (34, 35, 36). Possible reasons for this phenomenon include (1) the lack of clonal cell line analysis resulting in functional and cellular heterogeneity, (2) the use of pluripotency-factors for conversion with associated persistent expression of the pluripotency makers or (3) absence of in-depth linage analysis. Finally, in these studies the equivalence of the converted cells to naturally existing embryonic brain cell types remains to be shown.
To overcome these issues, we derived iNBSCs by over-expression of a specific set of transcription factors (BKSZ) with chemically defined, serum-free culture medium and a collection of small molecules. They are transgene-independent, show sustained self-renewal, high clonogenicity and a neural border-like expression signature. In contrast to previous reports, we demonstrate the stabilization and characterization of a broad variety of CNS- and NC-lineage progenitors downstream of iNBSCs such as cNPCs, RG-like SCs, NCSCs and MSC-like cells. Moreover, iNBSCs can differentiate into mature progeny of the CNS and NC and also recapitulate early neural development when embedded into a 3D matrix. Thus iNBSCs represent a neural progenitor with well-defined molecular and functional features.
Beside direct conversion there have been various attempts to differentiate and stabilize neural progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells. Notably, NBSCs can also be generated by directed differentiation starting from pluripotent stem cells. The combination of SHH and Notch ligands Jagged-1 and DII4 has been reported to stabilize rosette-type NSC (R-NSCs), i.e. early progenitors capable of giving rise to CNS and NC progeny (37). However, the R-NSC state is transient and long-term culture results in a heterogeneous population. More recently, the use of small molecules has opened new possibilities to stabilize expandable NPCs. The combination of Chir99028, SB431542 and LIF has been reported to stabilize an early mid-hindbrain precursor that retains high neurogenic potential and shows sustained proliferation in culture (4). These precursors, similar to iNBSC-derived cNPCs characterized here, show multi-CNS lineage contribution, but their potential to give rise to cell of the NC lineage is very low. Reinhardt and colleagues described neural progenitors with CNS- and NC-differentiation competence that can be maintained in presence of Chir99028 and Purmorphamine on Matrigel-coated plates (6). These progenitors show some overlapping functional properties to iNBSCs but display a distinct molecular signature and culture requirements (data not shown).
Considering these and other reports, (i)NBSCs present a thus far unidentified self-renewing neural progenitor with broadest differentiation capacity. However, in the pertinent literature, the term ‘neural progenitor’ has been used ambiguously to describe a variety of populations that differ in developmental stage, region of origin and expansion capacity (37, 3, 4, 6). Therefore a molecular and functional comparison to the corresponding in vivo cell type represents an essential step for the proper characterization, especially in case of ectopically reprogrammed cells.
The direct comparison of (i)NBSCs to naturally occurring embryonic neural progenitors in our study clarifies the nature of the reprogrammed cells and directly links reprogramming to development. pNBSCs can be stabilized from embryonic neural tissue, hence ruling out the possibility that the NBSC identity reflects an artificial state accessible only through directed differentiation of pluripotent cells or transcription factor mediated reprogramming. Notably, pNBSCs represent one of the most plastic neural progenitors in mouse neural development described so far and at the same time show sustained proliferation potential. pNBSCs originate from a tight time window of development (E8.5), which raises the possibility that it represents a progenitor only transiently present within the embryonic brain. In the future, it will be interesting to use single cell technologies to further uncover the series of different transient progenitor stages that occur during embryonic brain development.
The close similarity between mouse primary NBSCs and human iNBSCs regarding developmental potential, global gene expression and core regulatory networks indicate that this developmental state is conserved across species. Future studies of NBSCs in other species, particularly in primates, will shed light on conserved and species-specific aspects of these early neural progenitors and will help to gain further insight to human neural development.
(i)NBSCs are highly clonogenic, proliferative and multipotent and can be derived from any individual, healthy or diseased. These characteristics make them an ideal cell population for gene editing approaches. As exemplified here, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss-of-function-mutations in SCN9a render sensory neurons insensitivity to α,β-methylene-ATP, a P2RX3 agonist involved in inflammatory pain. The pathophysiological response in vitro mimics the functional deficit of SCN9a in patients with congenital insensitivity to pain, who do not experience any modality of pain except for neuropathic pain (38). Hence, iNBSCs, in conjunction with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, serve as an ideal tool to model and/or repair genetic defects underlying neural diseases.
Collectively, we show that (i)NBSCs and progenitors derived thereof, can be generated from various somatic cells, thus offering alternative approaches in obtaining defined and scalable neural progenitors. This strategy not only avoids the generation of pluripotent and cancer prone iPSCs, but also shortcuts inefficient differentiation steps from iPSCs into neural progenitors. Moreover, iNBSCs when used in conjunction with genome editing, constitute a useful tool to study both neural development and, as exemplified in this study, mature cell types with a disease related phenotype. Hence, (i)NBSCs might proof valuable to model and/or repair genetic defects underlying neural diseases such as for example Parkinson's disease, ataxia or neuropathic diseases and will eventually open new options for regenerative medicine.
For the production of lentiviral particles plasmids encoding for pHAGE2-TetO-BKSZ-flox or m2RTTA (39, Addgene plasmid #20342) were transfected together with helper plasmids psPAX2 (Addgene plasmid #12260) and pMD2.G (Addgene plasmid #12259) into 293FT cell lines (Life technologies) as described elsewhere (40).
Lentiviral supernatants containing BKSZ-flox and m2RTTA were mixed in a ratio of 2:1, supplemented with 5 μg/ml polybrene (Sigma) and used freshly for transduction of 8×105/6 Well primary ADF and pancreas fibroblasts. For reprogramming of PBMCs the lentiviral supernatant was concentrated via ultracentrifugation and PBMCs were transduced in QBSF-60 Stem Cell Medium (Quality Biological) containing 50 μg/ml Ascorbic Acid (Sigma), 50 ng/ml SCF (R&D Systems), 10 ng/ml IL-3 (R&D Systems), 2 U/ml EPO (R&D Systems), 40 ng/ml IGF-1 (Peprotech), 1 μM Dexamethasone (Sigma) and 5 μg/ml polybrene (for details see 41). The other day 2×105 transduced PBMCs were transferred onto one well of a 6 Well plate, coated with inactivated MEFs and reprogramming was initiated one day thereafter.
For reprogramming transduced cells were cultured in DMEM/F-12 Glutamax (Life Technologies) containing 64 μg/ml L-Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (LAAP, Sigma), ITS-X (1:100, Life Technologies), NEAA (1:100, Life Technologies), 2% FCS, 8% Serum Replacement (Life Technologies) supplemented with 4 μM Chir99021 (Sigma), 5 μM Alk5 Inhibitor II (Enzolifesciences), 0.5 μM Purmorphamine (Sigma), 5 μM Tranylcypromine (Sigma) and 1 μg/ml Doxycycline (Sigma) and incubated at 37° C. in 5% O2 and 5% CO2. During reprogramming medium was changed every other day. When first colonies became visible or latest after 19 days, medium was changed to NBSC maintenance medium. NBSC maintenance medium is composed of DMEM/F-12 Glutamax (for iNBSCs) or Adv. DMEM/F12 Glutamax (for pNBSCs) and Neurobasal Medium (1:1) containing 64 μg/ml LAAP, N2 Supplement (1:100, Life Technologies), B27 without RA (1:50, Life Technologies), 18 μg/ml Albumax I (Life Technologies) and Glutamax (1:200, Life Technologies), referred to as ‘basal medium’, and 4 μM Chir99028, 5 μM Alk5 Inhibitor II and 0.5 μM Purmorphamine.
Once visible, distinct colonies were manually picked and cultured in NBSC maintenance medium on a layer of inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (feeder) at 37° C. in 5% O2 and 5% CO2. Established iNBSC lines were tested for mycoplasma, Squirrel monkey retrovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus contamination prior to analysis. iNBSC lines were routinely split after 4-5 days by treatment with Accutase (Life Technologies) and transferred onto fresh feeders.
For the excision of the transgene cassette 5×105 iNBSCs were seeded onto fresh feeders and transfected with a plasmid encoding for a Cherry-Cre as previously described (42). 48 hours later cells were harvested and sorted for Cherry fluorescence. 5000 cherry positive cells were seeded onto a 10 cm dish coated with feeders and incubated until colonies became apparent. Single colonies were picked and checked for transgene removal by transgene-specific PCRs on genomic DNA.
PBMCs were derived from healthy male donors (Age 24-30) and isolated using the Ficoll gradient procedure. PBMCs were used either directly or frozen in 90% Serum Replacement/10% DMSO as previously described (for details see 41).
Adult dermal fibroblasts were derived from skin biopsies of healthy male donors (Age 24-30) as described in Meyer et al. 2015 (43). ADFs were expanded until passage 4 and frozen in 90% Serum/10% DMSO prior to use.
All cultures were grown at 37° C. in 5% CO2 and 20% O2.
Cells were derived under informed consent from all donors and handled in accordance with Ethics Committee II of Heidelberg University approval no. 2009-350N-MA.
Human Primary Pancreatic Fibroblast were obtained from Vitro Biopharma and cultured in MSC-Gro™ medium (Vitro Biopharma) supplemented with 10% FCS. Cells were expanded for 4 passages prior to use. Cells were grown at 37° C. in 5% CO2 and 20% O2.
Human iPSCs were routinely grown on feeder cells in DMEM/I F12, 64 μg/mL LAAP, 1× NEAA, 15% Serum Replacement and 20 ng/ml bFGF. Prior to the differentiation into NBSCs, human IPSCs were cultured for one passage on Matrigel™-coated plates in basal medium supplemented with 20 ng/ml bFGF and 1 ng/ml TGFβ1.
When cells reached confluency, iPSCs were harvested by treatment with 1 mg/ml Collagenase II (Life Technologies) and cell clumps were transferred into uncoated petri dishes containing NBSC maintenance medium. At this point the culture was switched from 20% O2 to 5% O2 and subsequently grown under this condition. After five days spheres were plated onto feeder cells and grown in NBSC maintenance medium. The other day, attached spheres were split by treatment with Accutase and 3×104 cells were seeded on feeder containing 10 cm dishes. Single colonies were manually picked and clonal lines established.
Differentiation towards cNPCs was initiated by seeding NBSCs on Matrigel™-coated plates (1:36, growth factor reduced, BD Biosciences) and switch from NBSC maintenance medium to basal medium with 4 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542 (Sigma), 0.5 μm Purmorphamine. After 5 days 10 ng/ml bFGF (Peprotech) and 10 ng/ml LIF was added to the medium (Peprotech) (CSPFL).
After one passage in CSPFL, 5000 cells/6 well were seeded on Matrigel-coated plates and single colonies were manually picked. cNPC subclones could be maintained on MG-coated plates in CSPFL for >30 passages (>3 months) and were routinely split after 3 days by treatment with Accutase. All cultures were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 5% O2.
NBSCs were seeded on Matrigel™-coated plates and cultured in basal medium supplemented with 1 μM Purmorphamine and 10 ng/ml FGF8 for one week, followed by culture in basal medium with 1 μM Purmorphamine for one additional day. Thereafter cultures were grown in basal medium containing 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for 7 more weeks. Subsequently, cells were cultured in radial glia medium, comprised of basal medium, 20 ng/ml bFGF, 20 ng/ml EGF and 10 ng/ml LIF. When proliferative, RG-like cells became apparent, cultures were treated with Accutase and expanded on Matrigel-coated plates in radial glia medium. Finally, cultures were enriched for RG-like cells by cell sorting for CD133/2, SSEA1 and GLAST. All cultures were grown at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 20% O2.
To initiate crest differentiation 1×105/6 Well iNBSCs were seeded on Matrigel-coated plates and grown in basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 5 μM Alk5 Inhibitor II and 10 ng/ml BMP4 (CAB) (Peprotech) for three days. Thereafter, medium was switched to basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 10 ng/ml FGF8 (Peprotech), 10 ng/ml IGF1 (Peprotech) and 1 μM DAPT (Sigma). Five days later NCSC-like cells were purified by cell sorting for SSEA-1negCD133negP75+HNK1. All cultures were grown at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 20% O2.
To derive mesenchymal crest cells, iNBSCs were first seeded on Matrigel-coated plates and cultured in 4 μM Chir99028, 10 ng/ml BMP4 and 10 μM DAPT for 7 days. Thereafter, cells were cultured in basal medium containing 10 ng/ml bFGF and 10 ng/ml IGF-1 for >5 passages. Subsequently, MSC-like cells were stabilized by switching cultures to mesenchymal stem cell medium (Gibco). MSC-like cells were cultured for >2 passages prior to analysis.
In order to derive mature mesenchymal crest cells NC-primed cultures were treated for 5 days in mesenchymal induction medium comprising DMEM/I F12, 64 μg/ml LAAP and 10% FCS. Thereafter, cells were cultured in StemPro® Adipogenesis Differentiation Kit (Life Technologies), StemPro® Chondrocyte Differentiation Kit (Life Technologies) or kept in mesenchymal induction medium to generate adipocytes, chondrocytes or smooth muscle, respectively.
To induce sensory neurons, iNBSCs were grown on MG-coated plates in basal medium in presence of 3 μM Chir99021, 10 μM DAPT (Sigma) and 10 μM SU5402 (Sigma) for 10 days. Subsequently cultures were grown in maturation medium comprising basal medium, 10 ng/ml BDNF, 10 ng/ml GDNF, 10 ng/ml NT-3 (Peprotech) and 25 ng/ml NGF (Peprotech) for at least another three weeks (44).
To induce neuronal differentiation iNBSCs were seeded on MG-coated plates and iNBSCs maintenance medium was switched to neural induction medium containing 1 μM Purmorphamine (undirected differentiation), 1 μM Purmorphamine and 10 ng/ml FGF8 (dopaminergic differentiation) or 1 μM Purmorphamine and 1 μM all-trans retinoic acid (Sigma) (motoneural differentiation) for one week. Serotonergic differentiation was initiated by culture of iNBSCs in basal medium, 3 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542 and 1 μM Purmorphamine for one week, followed by culture in 3 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542, 1 μM Purmorphamine and 10 ng/ml FGF4 for another week and finally switching to 1 μM Purmorphamine for two days.
Subsequent to neural induction, cultures were grown in neuronal maturation medium comprising basal medium, 500 μM dbcAMP (Sigma), 1 ng/ml TGFβ3, 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for at least 5 more weeks. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes could be found within neuronal cultures, starting after 5 weeks of differentiation.
In order to differentiated iNBSCs and cNPCs as three-dimensional cultures, a single cell suspension of 2×104 was resuspended in 10 μl of basal medium and mixed with 150 μl of matrigel on ice. Next, 30 μl drops of the mix were distributed on cover slips and incubated at 37° C. for 10 minutes. After gelling the differentiation medium was applied onto the embedded cells.
For CNS-primed differentiation, embedded iNBSCs cultures were first treated with basal medium supplemented with 3 μM SB431542 and 1 μM Purmorphamine for nine days. Thereafter cultures were switched to basal medium supplemented with 3 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542, 1 μM Purmorphamine and 20 ng/ml bFGF and cultured for 4-6 days. Embedded cNPCs did not have to undergo CNS-priming and were directly cultured in basal medium supplemented with 3 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542, 1 μM Purmorphamine and 20 ng/ml bFGF.
For neural crest-primed differentiation, embedded iNBSC cultures were cultured in basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 5 μM Alk5-Inh., 10 ng/ml BMP4 and 20 ng/ml bFGF for at least 12 days.
Cultures were either fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and analyzed by confocal microscopy or total RNA was extracted using the ARCTURUS PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit.
Six- to 12-week-old mice were used throughout the study. Embryos at different gestation stages were derived from Tomato-mice (Gt(ROSA)26Sortm4(ACTB-tdTomato,−EGFP)Luo). Transplantation was performed into female NOD.Prkdcscid.I12rgnull(NSG) mice. All mice were maintained at the DKFZ under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions in individually ventilated cages (IVCs). No statistical methods were used to estimate sample size and mouse experiments were neither randomized nor blinded.
Animal procedures were performed according to protocols approved by the German authorities, Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe (Nr.Z110/02, DKFZ 299 and G184-13).
Prior to transplantation iNBSCs were allowed to initiate differentiation by cultivation in basal medium supplemented with 1 μM Purmorphamine and 10 ng/mL FGF8 on MG coated plates for 8 days. On the day of transplantation primed cultures were dissociated to a single cell suspension and resuspended in medium at a concentration of 5×104 cells per μl. 6 weeks old female NSG mice were anesthetized with isoflurane, mounted in a stereotactic apparatus and kept under isoflurane anaesthesia during surgery. 3 μl of neural cell suspension was bilaterally transfused into the striatum using a glass micropipette. The following coordinates were used for transplantation: from bregma and the brain surface, anterior/posterior: 0 mm; medial/lateral±2.5; dorsal/ventral −2.5 mm.
The scalp incision was sutured, and post-surgery analgesics were given to aid recovery (0.03 mg/kg KG Metamizol).
Electrophysiological experiments were performed 8-12 weeks after the treatments.
Derivation of pNBSCs
Male and female tomato mice were paired and checked for vaginal plug the following morning. Positive plug test was considered 0.5 days postcoitum. Embryos were collected at day 8.5 postcoitum and optic and non-neural tissue was removed mechanically. Neural tissue was digested with Accutase and the resulting single cell suspension was seeded onto a layer of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cultured in NBSC maintenance medium in 5% CO2, 5% O2 at 37° C. Two to three days after seeding, single colonies were mechanically picked and clonal pNBSC lines established. pNBSC lines were routinely split every three days on fresh feeder cells by treatment with Accutase and could be maintained in culture for >40 passages (>4 months).
Differentiation of pNBSCs
In order to differentiate pNBSCs towards the CNS, pNBSCs were seeded on matrigel-coated plates and cultured in basal medium supplemented with 1 μM Purmorphamine for 3 days. Rossette-like structures could be observed 2-4 days after differentiation was initiated. RG-like SCs were stabilized by switching culture medium of rosette-like cells to basal medium, supplemented with 20 ng/ml bFGF and 20 ng/ml EGF. Cells were expanded for >3 passages before RG-like SCs were further enriched by FACS sorting for Ssea1 Glast+. Mature progeny such as neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were derived by culturing pNBSCs in basal medium supplemented with 1 μM Purmorphamine for 3 days and subsequent switch to basal medium containing 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for >3 weeks.
To derive NCSC-like cells, 1×104 pNBSCs were seeded onto a matrigel-coated 6 well plate and cultured in basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028 and 10 ng/ml BMP4 for 3 days. Thereafter, cells were cultured in basal medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml bFGF and 10 ng/ml EGF for 4 days and enriched for NCSC-like cells by FASC sorting for P75+Glast−Ssea1−. Oil red positive adipocytes were obtained by culture of pNBSCs in 4 μM Chir99028 and 10 ng/ml BMP4 for 3 days, followed by addition of 10 ng/ml bFGF to the medium for 2 days and switch to basal medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml bFGF and 10 ng/ml EGF for another 3 weeks. Chondrocytes and smooth muscle cells were derived by culture of pNBSCs in 4 μM Chir99028 and 10 ng/ml BMP4 for 3 days, addition of 10 ng/ml bFGF to the medium for 2 days and subsequent switch to basal medium supplemented with 10% FCS. Peripheral neurons were differentiated from pNBSCs by culture in Chir99028 and 10 ng/ml BMP4 for 3 days, followed by switching to basal medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml BDNF and 10 ng/ml GDNF for two weeks.
Derivation of Primary RG from Mouse Embryos
Male and female tomato mice were paired and checked for vaginal plug the following morning. Positive plug test was considered 0.5 days postcoitum. Embryos were collected at day 13.5 postcoitum and medial and lateral ganglionic eminences were mechanically isolated. Neural tissue from individual embryos was digested by treatment with Accutase. The resulting single cell suspension was transferred to petri-dishes and cultured in basal medium supplemented with 20 ng/ml bFGF and 20 ng/ml EGF for 5 days. The resulting spheres were plated onto fibronectin-coated cell culture dishes and expanded for at least 3 passages before FACS sorting for Glast+Ssea1+ cells was performed and used for downstream analysis.
3D Differentiation of pNBSCs
A single cell suspension of 2×104 pNBSCs was resuspended in 10 μl of basal medium and mixed with 150 μl of matrigel on ice. Next, 30 μl drops of the mix was distributed on cover slips and incubated at 37° C. for 10 minutes. After gelling the differentiation medium was applied onto the embedded cells.
For CNS-primed differentiation, embedded pNBSCs cultures were treated with basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 3 μM SB431542 and 1 μM Purmorphamine for six days until neural tube-like structures had formed.
For neural crest-primed differentiation, embedded pNBSC cultures were cultured in basal medium supplemented with 4 μM Chir99028, 5 μM Alk5-Inh., 10 ng/ml BMP4 and 20 ng/ml bFGF for at least 10 days.
Electrophysiology
Electrophysiological recordings were performed from 6 to 12 weeks old female mice. We recorded from acute coronal slices (300 μm) containing striatum.
Mice were deeply anaesthetized with inhaled isoflurane, followed by transcardially perfusion with ˜30 ml ice-cold sucrose solution containing (in mM) 212 sucrose, 26 NaHCO3, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 3 KCl, 7 MgCl2, 10 glucose and 0.2 CaCl2, oxygenated with carbogen gas (95% O2/5% CO2, pH 7.4). Sections were cut in ice-cold oxygenated sucrose solution, followed by incubation in oxygenated extracellular solution containing (in mM) 12.5 NaCl, 2.5 NaHCO3, 0.125 NaH2PO4, 0.25 KCl, 2 CaCl2, 1 MgCl2 and 25 glucose. Cells in striatum were visualized with DIC optics and epifluorescence was used to detect GFP fluorescence.
Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed at 30 to 32° C. bath temperature. Individual slices or coverslips were placed in a submerged recording chamber mounted on an upright microscope (Olympus BW-X51) and continuously perfused with oxygenated extracellular solution. Recording pipettes were pulled from borosilicate glass capillaries and had tip resistances of 5-8 MΩ. Liquid junction potentials were not corrected. Series resistance was maximally compensated and continuously monitored during the recordings. Cells were discarded if no “Giga seal” was initially obtained or series resistance changed more than 20% or was higher than 40 MΩ.
The following intracellular solutions were used: low Cl− potassium-based solution containing (in mM) 130 K-gluconate, 10 Nagluconate, 10 Hepes, 10 phosphocreatine, 4 NaCl, 4 Mg-ATP and 0.3 GTP, pH adjusted to 7.2 with KOH for firing patterns. High Cl− solution containing (in mM) 127.5 KCl, 11 EGTA, 10 Hepes, 1 CaCl2, 2 MgCl2 and 2 Mg-ATP (pH 7.3) for spontaneous activity in cell culture. Cs− based solution containing (in mM) 120 Cs+-gluconate, 10 CsCl, 10 Hepes, 0.2 EGTA, 8 NaCl, 10 phosphocreatine, 2 Mg-ATP and 0.3 GTP, pH 7.3 adjusted with CsOH for spontaneous activity in transplanted neurons.
For subsequent morphological and immunocytochemical characterization of patched cells, biocytin (circa 10 mg/ml; Sigma) was added to the respective intracellular solution.
Cells were initially kept in cell-attached mode. After achieving a “Giga seal”, whole-cell configuration was established and firing patterns were analyzed in current-clamp mode at resting membrane potential by applying 1 s current pulses, starting from −30 pA in 5 pA steps until maximal firing frequency was reached for cell culture and from −200 pA in 20 pA steps for acute slices. Individual traces upon −30 pA/−200 pA current injection, at action potential threshold (for intermediate excitatory cell types) were selected for illustration of firing pattern.
Spontaneous activity of the neurons was recorded at a holding potential of −70 mV.
All recordings were made using HEKA PatchMaster EPC 10 amplifier and signals were filtered at 3 kHz, sampled at 10 or 20 kHz. Data analysis was done offline using HEKA software FitMaster and Clampfit (Molecular Devices, USA).
Acute slices with biocytin-filled cells in the MEC were fixed overnight in 4% paraformaldehyde, followed by extensive washing with PBS.
For morphological reconstructions, biocytin-filled MEC cells were identified via 3,3′-diaminbenzidine (DAB) staining. Sections quenched in 1% H2O2 for 5 min. After renewed washing, sections were permeabilized in PBS with 1% Triton X-100 for 1 hr. Subsequently, sections were incubated with avidin-biotin-horseradish-peroxidase complex in PBS for 2 hrs at room temperature. Following washing in PBS, sections were developed in DAB and mounted in Mowiol. Labeled cells were reconstructed using the Neurolucida (MBF bioscience, Willston, Vt., USA) tracing program.
Cell cultures were incubated in a solution containing the cell-permeable fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fluo-3 AM (2 μM; F1242, Thermo Scientific™) and Cell Tracker Red CMTPX (1 μM; C34552, Thermo Scientific™) to delineate cell membranes. Dye loading was carried out in an incubator at 37° C., 5% CO2 for 30 min.
Imaging of fluorescently labeled cells was performed on a TCS SP5 microscope (Leica) equipped with a 20×(1 numerical aperture) water-immersion objective. Images (512×512 pixels) were acquired at 1000 Hz speed every 0.8-1.6 seconds with 0.5 μm per pixel resolution in the xy dimension, and 3-4 μm steps in the z dimension. Argon and HeNe-543 lasers were used to excite Fluo-3 AM and Cell Tracker Red CMTPX dyes, respectively. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) containing (in mM): 120 NaCl, 3.5 KCl, 2.5 CaCl2, 1.3 MgSO4, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 25 NaHCO3, 25 glucose (pH 7.2) was applied by a pump perfusion system with a constant flux (1.5 ml/min) that continuously renewed the buffer in the recording chamber. After recording baseline fluorescence for 2 minutes, α,β-methylene ATP was applied (30 μM in ACSF; COMPANY) for 2 minutes. Recordings continued for up to 10 minutes in total. We added a non-nucleotide P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptor antagonist (1 μM; A-317491, COMPANY) together with the dye loading and were also present in ACSF during the whole recording. Leica Application Suite AF software and FIJI software (45) was used to record and measure fluorescent activity, respectively, in 3-5 independent experiments per group.
We obtained relative fluorescence changes (Fi/F0), where F0 is the fluorescence image formed by averaging the first 50 frames of the sequence, and F(i) represents each (i) frame of the recording. Curves were normalized by subtracting a linear regression line fitted through the first and last 50 values and maximum peak intensity was aligned at respective time points were applicable (WT measurements).
We then studied global calcium activity by averaging fluorescence intensity in the whole image before and in response to stimulation with α,β-methylene ATP in WT−(n=3) and SCN9−/− (n=4) neuronal cultures.
Statistical analyses were performed using Prism 6. Differences between groups were examined using Student's t test. Values of p<0.05 were considered statistically significant for the rest of the analyses.
Cells were harvested by treatment with Accutase and washed twice with unsupplemented DMEM/F12. Thereafter cells were resuspended in medium and stained with for 30 minutes at 4° C. using the following antibodies: anti-SSEA1 (MC480)-V450 (Becton Dickinson), anti-CD133/2 (293C3)-FITC (Miltenyi Biotec), anti-CD271 (ME20.4-1.H4)-PE (Miltenyi Biotec), anti-CD271 (ME20.4-1.H4)-APC (Miltenyi Biotec), anti-GLAST (ACSA-1)-APC (Miltenyi Biotec), anti-HNK1 (TB01)-PeCy7 (eBioscience), ms anti-HNK1 (clone VC1.1, Sigma), Donkey Anti-Mouse Alexa Fluor 488 (Abcam, ab150105), anti-CXCR4 (12G5)-PeCy5 (BioLegend), anti-Cxcr4(L276F12)-BV421 (BioLegend), anti-PSA-NCAM (clone: 2-2B)-PE (Miltenyi Biotec), anti-CD44(G44-26)-PE (BD Pharmingen), anti-CD105 (43A3)-FITC (BioLegend), anti-CD90 (5E10)-BV421 (BioLegend), anti-CD146-Alexa647 (Biolegend), anti-CD13 (WM15)-APCCy7 (BioLegend). FACS analysis was performed on LSRII or LSR Fortessa flow cytometers (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.). Data were analyzed using the FlowJo software (Tree Star, Ashland, Oreg.). Cell sorting experiments were carried out on a BD FACSAria™ III sorter (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.). The following sort parameters were used: 100 μm nozzle; ca. 2000 events/second.
Cells were fixed in PBS with 4% paraformaldehyde (Electron Microscopy Sciences, 19208) for 15 minutes. Fixed cells were then washed three times with PBS and blocked for one hour in PBS containing 0.1% Triton X-100 and 1% BSA. Primary antibodies were applied in 0.1% Triton X-100 and 1% BSA at 4° C. over night. For list of primary antibodies and dilutions used in this study see extended Data Table 1. Subsequent to three times washing with PBS, cells were incubated with secondary antibodies for two hours at room temperature.
Following DAPI (Sigma, D9542) staining, cells were mounted (DAKO, S3035) and analyzed on a LSM 710 ConfoCor 3 confocal microscope (Zeiss).
For IHC analysis, transplanted mouse brains were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde over night and consecutively dehydrated using 20% sucrose in PBS. Thereafter, brains were embedded in 3% agarose and 100 μm coronal sections were prepared using a Leica VT1000S sliding microtome. Brain slices were blocked in 3% goat serum, 0.25% Triton-X in TBS for one hour at 4° C. Primary antibodies (Extended Data Table 1) were applied in 3% goat serum, 0.25% Triton-X in TBS for 72 hours at 4° C. After washing slices in TBS for three times, secondary antibodies were incubated in 3% goat serum, 0.25% Triton-X in TBS for two hours at room temperature. Following DAPI staining, brain slices were mounted and analyzed on a LSM 710 ConfoCor 3 confocal microscope (Zeiss).
Oil Red o Staining
Adipocyte differentiations were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes at room temperature. After washing twice with ddH2O, cells were incubated with 60% isopropanol for 5 minutes and completely dried afterwards. Fresh Oil Red staining solution, consisting of 3.5 mg/ml Red O (Sigma) in 60% isopropanol, was applied on cells for 10 minutes at room temperature. After washing cells 4 times with ddH2O microscope images (Nikon Eclipse Ti-E) were acquired.
Alcian Blue Staining
Chondrocyte differentiations were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 15 minutes and rinsed three times with PBS. Alcian blue solution, consisting of 10 mg/ml Alcian Blue GX (Sigma) in 3% acetic acid, was applied for 1 hour and rinsed twice with 0.1 M HCl. After washing cells twice with PBS microscope images (Nikon Eclipse Ti-E) were acquired.
WT and SCN9a −/− iNBSCs were differentiated into sensory neurons for at least three weeks before whole cell lysates were prepared using RIPA buffer (Cell Signaling Technology), 1 mM PMSF (Sigma), 1 mM EDTA and Halt Protease-Phosphates Inhibitor Cocktail (Pierce). After denaturing lysates in 5% SDS at 95° C., protein samples were resolved on 4-12% TGX gels (Criterion, Bio-Rad) with TGS (Tris-Glycine-SDS) running buffer (Bio-Rad) and blotted on PVDF membranes (Trans-Blot TURBO, Bio-Rad). Membranes were blocked with TBS containing 0.3% (vol/vol) Tween-20 and 5% (wt/vol) BSA powder for 1 hour. Primary antibodies (Extended Data Table 1) were incubated over night at 4° C. on a shaker. After thorough washing, Secondary HRP-coupled antibodies were incubated in TBS containing 0.3% Tween-20 for 1 hour at RT. Membranes were washed and immunocomplexes were visualized using the ECL kit (Amersham International).
Guide RNAs were ordered as DNA oligos (Sigma) and cloned into the pSpCas9(BB)-2A-Puro vector (PX459) (A gift from Feng Zhang, via Addgene) as described elsewhere (46). 0.5-2×106 iNBSCs were nucleofected with 0.5-2ng of plasmid DNA using Nucleofector™ Kits for Mouse Neural Stem Cells (Lonza) with program A-033 and seeded on fresh feeder cells. Transfected cultures were harvested after 48 hours, sorted for GFP fluorescence and plated onto feeders. Individual colonies were manually isolated 5-7 days later. Genomic DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA mini kit (QIAGEN) and guide RNA target sites were amplified and analyzed by Sanger sequencing (GATC). Biallelic sequences were deconvoluted using CRISP-ID (47)
Gene Expression Analysis by Quantitative PCR with Reverse Transcription
Total RNA was isolated using the ARCTURUS PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit (Life Technologies, Invitrogene) including on-column DNA digestion (Qiagen, 79254). Reverse transcription was performed using the high capacity cDNA synthesis kit (Applied Bioystems). Real-time quantitative PCRs were run in ABI Power SYBR Green Mastermix (Applied Bioystems, 4309155) on a ViiA7 machine. Results were analyzed using the ViiA7-software V1.2.4. Expression was normalized to the housekeeping gene GAPDH. All PCR reactions were carried out as technical triplicates. Samples showing low RNA quality and/or detection of the house keeping gene for amplification cycles >25 were excluded from the study. For primers used in this study see Extended Data Table 2.
Total RNA was isolated using the ARCTURUS PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit including on-column DNA digestion. RNA expression profiling using the humanHT-12 v4 Expression BeadChip (Illumina) or Mouse 430 V2.0 GeneChips (Affymetrix) was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions at the DKFZ Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility (Heidelberg, Germany).
Raw data were obtained from DKFZ Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility and merged with publically available expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Datasets used in this study:
The whole dataset was quantile normalized (self-written function) and log 2-transformed.
Principal component analyses were computed using the PCA function from sklearn.decomposition and visualized (seaborn).
Gene expression heatmaps were visualized as clustered heatmap (seaborn, clustermap). In order to generate PCA-based expression heatmaps, the 200 probes showing highest contribution were extracted applying the formula
Differentially expressed genes between two samples were identified using ttest_ind from the scipy.stats package, p-values were corrected using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery control (stats, R-package).
Gene ontology analysis and geneset enrichment analysis were performed using STRING Version 10.0 (48), EnrichR (49) and the Broad Institute GSEA software 50). Geneset enrichment analyses were run on ‘Hallmark gene sets’ and gene set from the ‘Wikipathway2017’ library.
In order to map neural populations with the spatiotemporal atlas of the human brain, iNBSCs-derived RG-like SCs and iNBSCs were submitted to the online tool of the machine-learning framework CoNTExT (51). Data were uploaded as suggested by the authors, using an identifier file and the respective subset of identifiers from the expression data.
To compare human and mouse data, iNBSCs/ADFs and pNBSCs/Mefs were analyzed using the AGDEX package (52) using homology information from BioMart (R). Log 2 expression fold changes were correlated and genes that were differentially expressed in both comparisons (p<0.05) to an absolute fold change of >1 were analyzed for gene ontology enrichment.
Genomic DNA was extracted using the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's instructions. DNA methylation profiling using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions at the DKFZ Genomics and Proteomics Core Facility (Heidelberg, Germany). From the GEO repository, reference data from the following datasets was acquired:
Reference data for hESCs and human ADFs were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database:
All methylation data was processed using the minfi package (53) from the bioconductor suite. Probes with a detection p-value<0.01 or coinciding with known SNPs and all probes on X- and Y-chromosomes were excluded. The dataset was normalized using the preprocesslllumina function and visualized using classical multidimensional scaling.
For differential methylation analysis, promoter methylation was analyzed using the RnBeads (54) package (Bioconductor). Promoters were ranked based on their combined rank statistic (RnBeads) and ordered from most significantly hyper- to most significantly hypomethylated and used as input for GSEA with a gene set file reduced to genes covered by the 450 k array. GSEA was run with the “classical” enrichment statistic (50).
In all experiments at least three biological replicates were used. Quantitative results were analyzed by two-sided unpaired Student's t-test using GraphPad Prism 6.
Estimation of variation within each group was determined by s.e.m. unless otherwise indicated. Levels of significance were determined as follows: * p<0.05; ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001; **** p<0.0001.
Gene expression and DNA methylation data that support the findings of this study has been deposited at Gene Expression Omnibus database and is available at ArrayExpress.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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17177514.1 | Jun 2017 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/066646 | 6/21/2018 | WO | 00 |