scholarly journals Human stem cell–derived astrocytes replicate human prions in a PRNP genotype–dependent manner

2017 ◽  
Vol 214 (12) ◽  
pp. 3481-3495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Krejciova ◽  
James Alibhai ◽  
Chen Zhao ◽  
Robert Krencik ◽  
Nina M. Rzechorzek ◽  
...  

Prions are infectious agents that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). The absence of a human cell culture model that replicates human prions has hampered prion disease research for decades. In this paper, we show that astrocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) support the replication of prions from brain samples of CJD patients. For experimental exposure of astrocytes to variant CJD (vCJD), the kinetics of prion replication occur in a prion protein codon 129 genotype–dependent manner, reflecting the genotype-dependent susceptibility to clinical vCJD found in patients. Furthermore, iPSC-derived astrocytes can replicate prions associated with the major sporadic CJD strains found in human patients. Lastly, we demonstrate the subpassage of prions from infected to naive astrocyte cultures, indicating the generation of prion infectivity in vitro. Our study addresses a long-standing gap in the repertoire of human prion disease research, providing a new in vitro system for accelerated mechanistic studies and drug discovery.

Author(s):  
Elliot W. Swartz ◽  
Greg Shintani ◽  
Jijun Wan ◽  
Joseph S. Maffei ◽  
Sarah H. Wang ◽  
...  

SummaryThe failure of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a key component of degenerative neuromuscular disease, yet how NMJs degenerate in disease is unclear. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer the ability to model disease via differentiation toward affected cell types, however, the re-creation of an in vitro neuromuscular system has proven challenging. Here we present a scalable, all-hiPSC-derived co-culture system composed of independently derived spinal motor neurons (MNs) and skeletal myotubes (sKM). In a model of C9orf72-associated disease, co-cultures form functional NMJs that can be manipulated through optical stimulation, eliciting muscle contraction and measurable calcium flux in innervated sKM. Furthermore, co-cultures grown on multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) permit the pharmacological interrogation of neuromuscular physiology. Utilization of this co-culture model as a tunable, patient-derived system may offer significant insights into NMJ formation, maturation, repair, or pathogenic mechanisms that underlie NMJ dysfunction in disease.


Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 787
Author(s):  
Enrique García-Pérez ◽  
Dojin Ryu ◽  
Hwa-Young Kim ◽  
Hae Dun Kim ◽  
Hyun Jung Lee

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that is potentially carcinogenic to humans. Although its mechanism remains unclear, oxidative stress has been recognized as a plausible cause for the potent renal carcinogenicity observed in experimental animals. The effect of OTA on oxidative stress parameters in two cell lines of LLC-PK1 and HK-2 derived from the kidneys of pig and human, respectively, were investigated and compared. We found that the cytotoxicity of OTA on LLC-PK1 and HK-2 cells was dose- and time-dependent in both cell lines. Furthermore, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by OTA in both cell lines were observed in a time-dependent manner. Glutathione (GSH) was depleted by OTA at >48 h in HK-2 but not in LLC-PK1 cells. While the mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) in LLC-PK1 were down-regulated by 0.67- and 0.66-fold, respectively, those of catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSR), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD) in HK-2 were up-regulated by 2.20-, 2.24-, and 2.75-fold, respectively, after 72 h exposure to OTA. Based on these results, we conclude that HK-2 cells are more sensitive to OTA-mediated toxicity than LLC-PK1, and OTA can cause a significant oxidative stress in HK-2 as indicated by changes in the parameter evaluated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (17) ◽  
pp. 8380-8389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralitsa R. Madsen ◽  
Rachel G. Knox ◽  
Wayne Pearce ◽  
Saioa Lopez ◽  
Betania Mahler-Araujo ◽  
...  

ThePIK3CAgene, which encodes the p110α catalytic subunit of PI3 kinase (PI3K), is mutationally activated in cancer and in overgrowth disorders known asPIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS). To determine the consequences of geneticPIK3CAactivation in a developmental context of relevance to both PROS and cancer, we engineered isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with heterozygous or homozygous knockin ofPIK3CAH1047R. While heterozygous iPSCs remained largely similar to wild-type cells, homozygosity forPIK3CAH1047Rcaused widespread, cancer-like transcriptional remodeling, partial loss of epithelial morphology, up-regulation of stemness markers, and impaired differentiation to all three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Genetic analysis ofPIK3CA-associated cancers revealed that 64% had multiple oncogenicPIK3CAcopies (39%) or additional PI3K signaling pathway-activating “hits” (25%). This contrasts with the prevailing view thatPIK3CAmutations occur heterozygously in cancer. Our findings suggest that a PI3K activity threshold determines pathological consequences of oncogenicPIK3CAactivation and provide insight into the specific role of this pathway in human pluripotent stem cells.


1980 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Mroczkowski ◽  
H P Dym ◽  
E J Siegel ◽  
S M Heywood

Primary chick myoblast cultures demonstrate the ability to take up exogenously supplied polyadenylated RNA and express the encoded information in a specific manner. This expression is shown to exhibit tissue specificity. Analysis of creatine kinase activity monitored at various times of incubation in the presence of either polyadenylated or nonpolyadenylated RNA indicates that only the poly(A)+ mRNA is capable of being actively translated. Radioactively labled poly(A)+ mRNA is taken up by the cell cultures in a time-dependent manner and subsequently shown to be associated with polysomes. This association with polysomes does not occur in the presence of puromycin and is unaffected by actinomycin D. Thus, nonspecific interaction with polysomes and induction of new RNA synthesis are ruled out and the association of the exogenously supplied poly(A)+ mRNA with polysomes is indicative of its translation in the recipient cells. When heterologous mRNA (globin) is supplied to the myoblasts, it is also taken up and properly translated. In addition, exogenously supplied myosin heavy chain mRNA is found associated with polysomes consisting of 4-10 ribosomes in myoblast cell cultures while in myotubes it is associated with very large polysomes, thus reflecting the different translational efficiencies that this message exhibits at two very different stages of myogenesis. The results indicate that muscle cell cultures can serve as an in vitro system to study translational controls and their roles in development.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1415-1415
Author(s):  
Hanspeter Rottensteiner ◽  
Katalin Varadi ◽  
Susanne Vejda ◽  
Hartmut J. Ehrlich ◽  
Friedrich Scheiflinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1415 A recombinant human CHO-expressed von Willebrand factor (rVWF) consisting of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) multimers resembles the VWF stored in Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Once secreted into plasma, UHMW multimers are rapidly cleaved by ADAMTS13 and are usually missing in plasma-derived VWF (pdVWF). Here we analyzed in vitro whether the kinetics of cleavage of rVWF by ADAMTS13 is similar to that of pdVWF. The kinetics of ADAMTS13-mediated proteolysis of rVWF were explored under denaturing conditions (1.5 M urea) or under shear stress so as to expose the ADAMTS13 cleavage site of VWF. Multiple assays showed that rVWF was efficiently cleaved by ADAMTS13. UHMW multimers disappeared within seconds at physiological concentrations of ADAMTS13. Using lower concentrations of ADAMTS13 (10-30 mU/ml, equivalent to 1–3% of normal human plasma), UHMW were cleaved within 30 minutes. The typical satellite bands appeared very early in an ADAMTS13 dose-dependent manner. Virtually the same results were obtained when human plasma was used as a source for ADAMTS13. Although pdVWF differs from rVWF in its multimeric structure, the decrease in activity was similar for rVWF and pdVWF. Finally, the extent of ADAMTS13 cleavage was similar for rVWF and pdVWF when exposed to shear stress using a cone-plate viscometer. Our data clearly indicate that rVWF is a good substrate for ADAMTS13. Ongoing phase 1 studies demonstrated that rVWF is indeed processed by the protease when administered in humans with severe VWD. Disclosures: Rottensteiner: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Varadi:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Vejda:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Ehrlich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Scheiflinger:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schwarz:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Turecek:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1414-1414
Author(s):  
Eva-Maria Muchitsch ◽  
Barbara Dietrich ◽  
Hanspeter Rottensteiner ◽  
Herbert Gritsch ◽  
Hartmut J. Ehrlich ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 1414 Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is cleaved by the plasma metalloprotease ADAMTS13 that regulates the hemostatic activity of VWF by limiting its multimeric size in the human system. We showed previously by in vitro and ex vivo studies that human recombinant VWF (rVWF) is virtually resistant to the proteolytic activity of murine and rat ADAMTS13, whereas ADAMTS13 from rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys is able to cleave human rVWF. Here we tested the pharmacological behavior of human rVWF in rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. The animals were infused once with different doses of human rVWF. VWF antigen rose sharply in a dose-dependent manner (∼25 IU/ml VWF:Ag for the highest dose, 15 min after injection) and then declined gradually (∼7 IU/ml VWF:Ag for the highest dose, 18 hours after injection). By contrast, the ADAMTS13 activity did not show relevant changes throughout the entire test period in the rabbit or in the monkey samples, indicating that an excess of intravenously administered rVWF as the substrate does not exhaust its enzyme ADAMTS13. Most importantly, neither rabbits nor cynomolgus monkeys showed any exaggerated pharmacological or toxic effects upon rVWF administration. Even the administration of 14 daily doses of rVWF to cynomolgus monkeys did not lead to any toxicological effect. Our data indicate that rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys, two species with a sufficient rVWF cleavage capacity by endogenous ADAMTS13, are appropriate animal models for a meaningful preclinical evaluation of the rVWF product, which allows the therapeutic safety margins for human patients to be determined. Disclosures: Muchitsch: Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Dietrich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Rottensteiner:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Gritsch:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Ehrlich:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Turecek:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment. Schwarz:Baxter Innovations GmbH: Employment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (47) ◽  
pp. E7564-E7571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen R. Sunico ◽  
Abdullah Sultan ◽  
Tomohiro Nakamura ◽  
Nima Dolatabadi ◽  
James Parker ◽  
...  

Recent studies have pointed to protein S-nitrosylation as a critical regulator of cellular redox homeostasis. For example, S-nitrosylation of peroxiredoxin-2 (Prx2), a peroxidase widely expressed in mammalian neurons, inhibits both enzymatic activity and protective function against oxidative stress. Here, using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we identify a role and reaction mechanism of the reductase sulfiredoxin (Srxn1) as an enzyme that denitrosylates (thus removing -SNO) from Prx2 in an ATP-dependent manner. Accordingly, by decreasing S-nitrosylated Prx2 (SNO-Prx2), overexpression of Srxn1 protects dopaminergic neural cells and human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons from NO-induced hypersensitivity to oxidative stress. The pathophysiological relevance of this observation is suggested by our finding that SNO-Prx2 is dramatically increased in murine and human Parkinson’s disease (PD) brains. Our findings therefore suggest that Srxn1 may represent a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders such as PD that involve nitrosative/oxidative stress.


1992 ◽  
Vol 282 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Staňková ◽  
M Rola-Pleszczynski

We have examined the effect of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a potent lipid proinflammatory mediator, on the expression of the proto-oncogenes c-jun and c-fos. In addition, we looked at the modulation of nuclear factors binding specifically to the AP-1 element after LTB4 stimulation. LTB4 increased the expression of the c-fos gene in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The c-jun mRNA, which is constitutively expressed in human peripheral-blood monocytes at relatively high levels, was also slightly augmented by LTB4, although to a much lower extent than c-fos. The kinetics of expression of the two genes were also slightly different, with c-fos mRNA reaching a peak at 15 min after stimulation and c-jun at 30 min. Both messages rapidly declined thereafter. Stability of the c-fos and c-jun mRNA was not affected by LTB4, as assessed after actinomycin D treatment. Nuclear transcription studies in vitro showed that LTB4 increased the transcription of the c-fos gene 7-fold and the c-jun gene 1.4-fold. Resting monocytes contained nuclear factors binding to the AP-1 element, but stimulation of monocytes with LTB4 induced greater AP-1-binding activity of nuclear proteins. These results indicate that LTB4 may regulate the production of different cytokines by modulating the yield and/or the function of transcription factors such as AP-1-binding proto-oncogene products.


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