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The inner ear organs responsible for hearing (cochlea) and balance (vestibular system) are susceptible to oxidative stress due to the high metabolic demands of their sensorineural cells. Oxidative stress-induced damage to these cells can cause hearing loss or vestibular dysfunction,yet the precise mechanisms remain unclear due to the limitations of animal models and challenges of obtaining living human inner ear tissue. Therefore,we developed an in vitro oxidative stress model of the pre-natal human inner ear using otic progenitor cells (OPCs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). OPCs,hiPSCs,and HeLa cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide or ototoxic drugs (gentamicin and cisplatin) that induce oxidative stress to evaluate subsequent cell viability,cell death,reactive oxygen species (ROS) production,mitochondrial activity,and apoptosis (caspase 3/7 activity). Dose-dependent reductions in OPC cell viability were observed post-exposure,demonstrating their vulnerability to oxidative stress. Notably,gentamicin exposure induced ROS production and cell death in OPCs,but not hiPSCs or HeLa cells. This OPC-based human model effectively simulates oxidative stress conditions in the human inner ear and may be useful for modeling the impact of ototoxicity during early pregnancy or evaluating therapies to prevent cytotoxicity. View Publication

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is marked by an acute,transient,and reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction triggered by stress,with endothelial dysfunction being one of its pathophysiological mechanisms. However,the precise molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes during TTC remains unclear. This study reveals that exosomal miRNAs derived from endothelial cells exposed to catecholamine contribute to ion channel dysfunction in the setting of TTC. Methods: Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) were treated with epinephrine (Epi) or exosomes (Exo) from Epi-treated human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) or Exo derived from HCMECs transfected with miR-126-3p. The immunofluorescence staining,flow cytometry,qPCR,single-cell contraction,intracellular calcium transients,patch-clamp,dual luciferase reporter assay and western blot were performed for the study. Results: Modeling TTC with high doses of epinephrine (Epi) treatment in hiPSC-CMs shows suppression of depolarization velocity (Vmax),prolongation of action potential duration (APD),and induction of arrhythmic events. Exo derived from HCMECs treated with Epi (Epi-exo) mimicked or enhanced the effects of Epi. Epi exposure led to elevated levels of miR-126-3p in both HCMECs and their exosomes. Exo enriched with miR-126-3p demonstrated similar effects as Epi-exo,establishing the crucial role of miR-126-3p in the mechanism of Epi-exo. Dual luciferase reporter assay coupled with gene mutation techniques identified that miR-126-3p was found to target the regulator of G-protein signaling 3 (RGS3) gene. Western blot and qPCR analyses confirmed that miR-126-3p-mimic reduced RGS3 expression in both HCMECs and hiPSC-CMs,indicating miR-126-3p inhibits RGS3 signaling. Additionally,miR-126-3p levels were significantly higher in the serum of TTC patients compared to healthy controls and patients who had recovered from TTC. Conclusions: Our study is the first to reveal that exosomal miR-126-3p,originating from endothelial cells,contributes to ion channel dysfunction by regulating RGS3 signaling in cardiomyocytes. These findings provide new perspectives on the pathogenesis of TTC and suggest potential therapeutic targets for treatment. View Publication

Background: Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs),including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs),can undergo erythroid differentiation,offering a potentially invaluable resource for generating large quantities of erythroid cells. However,the majority of erythrocytes derived from hPSCs fail to enucleate compared with those derived from cord blood progenitors,with an unknown molecular basis for this difference. The expression of vimentin (VIM) is retained in erythroid cells differentiated from hPSCs but is absent in mature erythrocytes. Further exploration is required to ascertain whether VIM plays a critical role in enucleation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: In this study,we established a hESC line with reversible vimentin degradation (dTAG-VIM-H9) using the proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) platform. Various time-course studies,including erythropoiesis from CD34+ human umbilical cord blood and three-dimensional (3D) organoid culture from hESCs,morphological analysis,quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR),western blotting,flow cytometry,karyotyping,cytospin,Benzidine-Giemsa staining,immunofluorescence assay,and high-speed cell imaging analysis,were conducted to examine and compare the characteristics of hESCs and those with vimentin degradation,as well as their differentiated erythroid cells. Results: Vimentin expression diminished during normal erythropoiesis in CD34+ cord blood cells,whereas it persisted in erythroid cells differentiated from hESC. Depletion of vimentin using the degradation tag (dTAG) system promotes erythroid enucleation in dTAG-VIM-H9 cells. Nuclear polarization of erythroblasts is elevated by elimination of vimentin. Conclusions: VIM disappear during the normal maturation of erythroid cells,whereas they are retained in erythroid cells differentiated from hPSCs. We found that retention of vimentin during erythropoiesis impairs erythroid enucleation from hPSCs. Using the PROTAC platform,we validated that vimentin degradation by dTAG accelerates the enucleation rate in dTAG-VIM-H9 cells by enhancing nuclear polarization. View Publication

Cell signaling plays a critical role in neurodevelopment,regulating cellular behavior and fate. While multimodal single-cell sequencing technologies are rapidly advancing,scalable and flexible profiling of cell signaling states alongside other molecular modalities remains challenging. Here we present Phospho-seq,an integrated approach that aims to quantify cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins,including those with post-translational modifications,and to connect their activity with cis-regulatory elements and transcriptional targets. We utilize a simplified benchtop antibody conjugation method to create large custom neuro-focused antibody panels for simultaneous protein and scATAC-seq profiling on whole cells,alongside both experimental and computational strategies to incorporate transcriptomic measurements. We apply our workflow to cell lines,induced pluripotent stem cells,and months-old retinal and brain organoids to demonstrate its broad applicability. We show that Phospho-seq can provide insights into cellular states and trajectories,shed light on gene regulatory relationships,and help explore the causes and effects of diverse cell signaling in neurodevelopment. Here,the authors demonstrate Phospho-seq,a single-cell multiomics method capable of quantifying chromatin accessibility alongside intracellular proteins,including post-translationally modified proteins. Then,they apply Phospho-seq to organoid models of neurodevelopment. View Publication

Cardiac differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells is readily achievable,yet derivation of mature cardiomyocytes has been a recognized limitation. Here,a mesoderm priming approach was engineered to boost the maturation of cardiomyocyte progeny derived from pluripotent stem cells under standard cardiac differentiation conditions. Functional and structural hallmarks of maturity were assessed through multiparametric evaluation of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells following transfection of the mesoderm transcription factor Brachyury prior to initiation of lineage differentiation. Transfection with Brachyury resulted in earlier induction of a cardiopoietic state as hallmarked by early upregulation of the cardiac-specific transcription factors NKX2.5,GATA4,TBX20. Enhanced sarcomere maturity following Brachyury conditioning was documented by an increase in the proportion of cells expressing the ventricular isoform of myosin light chain and an increase in sarcomere length. Mesoderm primed cells displayed increased reliance on mitochondrial respiration as determined by increased mitochondrial size and a greater basal oxygen consumption rate. Further,Brachyury priming drove maturation of calcium handling enabling transfected cells to maintain calcium transient morphology at higher external field stimulation rates and augmented both calcium release and sequestration kinetics. In addition,transfected cells displayed a more mature action potential morphology with increased depolarization and repolarization kinetics. Derived cells transfected with Brachyury demonstrated increased toxicity response to doxorubicin as determined by a compromise in calcium transient morphology. Thus,Brachyury pre-treatment here achieved a streamlined strategy to promote maturity of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes establishing a generalizable platform ready for deployment. View Publication

BackgroundSmall extracellular vesicles (EVs),exemplified by exosomes,mediate intercellular communication by transporting proteins,mRNAs,and miRNAs. Post-translational modifications are involved in controlling small EV secretion process. However,whether palmitoylation regulates small EV secretion,remains largely unexplored.MethodsVacuole Membrane Protein 1 (VMP1) was testified to be S-palmitoylated by Palmitoylation assays. VMP1 mutant plasmids were constructed to screen out the exact palmitoylation sites. Small EVs were isolated,identified and compared between wild-type VMP1 or mutant VMP1 transfected cells. Electron microscope and immunofluorescence were used to detect multivesicular body (MVB) number and morphology change when VMP1 was mutated. Immunoprecipitation and Mass spectrum were adopted to identify the protein that interacted with palmitoylated VMP1,while knock down experiment was used to explore the function of targeted protein ALIX. Taking human Sertoli cells (SCs) and human spermatogonial stem cell like cells (SSCLCs) as a model of intercellular communication,SSCLC maintenance was detected by flow cytometry and qPCR at 12 days of differentiation. In vivo,mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection with palmitoylation inhibitor,2-bromopalmitate (2BP) for 3 months.ResultsVMP1 was identified to be palmitoylated at cysteine 263,278 by ZDHHC3. Specifically,palmitoylation of VMP1 regulated its subcellular location and enhanced the amount of small EV secretion. Mutation of VMP1 palmitoylation sites interfered with the morphology and biogenesis of MVBs through suppressing intraluminal vesicle formation. Furthermore,inhibition of VMP1 palmitoylation impeded small EV secretion by affecting the interaction of VMP1 with ALIX,an accessory protein of the ESCRT machinery. Taking SCs and SSCLCs as a model of intercellular communication,we discovered VMP1 palmitoylation in SCs was vital to the growth status of SSCLCs in a co-culture system. Inhibition of VMP1 palmitoylation caused low self-maintenance,increased apoptosis,and decreased proliferation rate of SSCLCs. In vivo,intraperitoneal injection of 2BP inhibited VMP1 palmitoylation and exosomal marker expression in mouse testes,which were closely associated with the level of spermatogenic cell apoptosis and proliferation.ConclusionsOur study revealed a novel mechanism for small EV secretion regulated by VMP1 palmitoylation in Sertoli cells,and demonstrated its pivotal role in intercellular communication and SSC niche.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-024-01529-6. View Publication

In this study,we explore the therapeutic feasibility of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) synthase (A4GALT)-specific siRNA-loaded polyhistidine (pHis)-incorporated lipid nanoparticles (HLNPs) for Fabry disease (FD). HLNPs were developed to deliver siRNAs targeting A4GALT using a microfluidic device,with pHis aiding in endosome escape. The therapy was tested on GLA-knockout human-induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived endothelial cells (GLA-KO-hiPSC-ECs) and podocytes (GLA-KO-hiPSC-PCs). GLA-KO-hiPSCs-ECs or -PCs,upon differentiation,were treated with A4GALT-siRNA-HLNP. Successful intracellular uptake of A4GALT-siRNA-HLNP was confirmed through fluorescence and electron microscopy in both cell types. A4GALT-siRNA-HLNP treatment confirmed both cell types’ stability at 5 ?g/mL. Increased Gb3 deposition and zebra body formation were detected in both cell types,but A4GALT-siRNA-HLNP treatment attenuated these FD phenotypes,demonstrating reduced expression of A4GALT through western blot analysis. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the expression of transcripts associated with FD was restored by A4GALT-siRNA-HLNP treatment in GLA-KO-hiPSCs-ECs,whereas in GLA-KO-hiPSCs-PCs,this effect was relatively less pronounced. Suppression of A4GALT via siRNA/HLNP treatment significantly rescued FD phenotypes especially in EC,presenting a novel therapeutic approach for FD. Graphical abstract This study highlights the therapeutic potential of A4GALT-siRNA delivered via HLNPs for Fabry disease (FD). In GLA-KO-hiPSC-derived endothelial cells and podocytes,treatment reduced Gb3 accumulation,restored transcriptomic changes,and mitigated FD phenotypes,with stronger effects in endothelial cells,supporting its promise as a novel FD therapy. View Publication

Cardiac ventricular pressure overload affects patients with congenital heart defects and can cause cardiac insufficiency. Grafts of stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes are proposed as a complementary treatment to surgical repair of the cardiac defect,aiming to support ventricular function. Here,we report successful engraftment of human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiac lineage cells into the heart of immunosuppressed rhesus macaques with a novel surgical model of right ventricular pressure overload. The human troponin+ grafts were detected in low-dose (2 × 106 cells/kg) and high-dose (10 × 106 cells/kg) treatment groups up to 12 weeks post-injection. Transplanted cells integrated and progressively matched the organization of the surrounding host myocardium. Ventricular tachycardia occurred in five out of 16 animals receiving cells,with episodes of incessant tachycardia observed in two animals; ventricular tachycardia events resolved within 19 days. Our results demonstrate that grafted cardiomyocytes mature and integrate into the myocardium of nonhuman primates modeling right ventricular pressure overload. View Publication

ABSTRACTThe gut microbiota and the immune system are closely connected,influencing early?life brain development. Brain?derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),crucial for neuronal development,has been demonstrated to be produced by certain immune cells. However,the modulation of BDNF during bacterial antigen and metabolite challenge remains elusive. We investigate the effects of bacterial?derived antigens and metabolites on BDNF secretion in human PBMCs. Although BDNF levels were altered during stimulation,a specific cellular origin of BDNF within PBMCs was indeterminate. Positive magnetic separation of monocytes eliminated both the stimulant?induced BDNF secretion and reduced monocyte?platelet aggregates. Conversely,elevated platelet counts significantly increased BDNF levels,indicating that platelets,when interacting with monocytes and exposed to bacterial antigens,are likely the dominant source of BDNF in PBMC cultures. As previously described,platelets are a crucial source of circulating peripheral blood BDNF. Our findings emphasize the importance of the interplay between immune?blood cell complexes during microbial stimulation in regulating BDNF levels. This highlights the necessity of investigating such interactions to better understand the early?life gut?brain axis. Bacterial antigens primarily induce BDNF release from platelets interacting with monocytes in PBMCs. This interplay underscores how immune?blood cell complexes shape BDNF levels which may impact early human development. View Publication

BackgroundStem cell-derived secreted factors could protect neurons in neurodegenerative disease or after injury. The exact neuroprotective components in the secretome remain challenging to discover. Here we developed a cell-to-cell interaction model to identify a retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-protective factor derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).MethodsPrimary RGCs were co-cultured with iPSCs or treated with iPSC-conditioned media in vitro. Cell viability were assayed using live-cell staining,and culture supernatant were analyzed via multiplexed antibody-based assays and ELISA. In vivo tests were carried out under mouse optic nerve crush model and RGC transplantation study in rats. Paired t-tests were used for data analysis between two groups.ResultsRGC viability was significantly enhanced when iPSCs were first stimulated with RGC-derived supernatant before iPSC-conditioned medium was collected and added into RGC culture. A significant increase of stem cell growth factor-beta (SCGF-?) concentration was detected in the latter conditioned medium. SCGF-? enhanced RGC survival in vitro and in vivo,and RGC-derived interleukin-12(p70) (IL-12[p70]) promotes secretion of iPSC-derived SCGF-?. Downstream of this IL-12(p70)-to-SCGF-? axis,ngn2 was significantly upregulated,and was found both necessary and sufficient for RGC survival.ConclusionThis study addresses a longstanding question of how neurons and stem cells interact to promote neuroprotection,and define a novel molecular interaction pathway whereby RGC’s secretion of IL-12(p70) enhances iPSCs’ secretion of SCGF-?,and SCGF-? protects RGCs via upregulating ngn2,suggesting that neurons may call on stem cells for their own protection.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04198-5. View Publication

miRNA,short non-coding RNA,are rapidly emerging as important regulators in cell homeostasis,as well as potential players in cellular degeneration. The latter has led to interest in them as both biomarkers and as potential therapeutics. Retinal ganglion cells (RGC),whose axons connect the eye to the brain,are central nervous system cells of great interest,yet their study is largely restricted to animals due to the difficulty in obtaining healthy human RGC. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-based reporter embryonic stem cell line,human RGC were generated and their miRNA profile characterized using NanoString miRNA assays. We identified a variety of retinal specific miRNA upregulated in ESC-derived RGC,with half of the most abundant miRNA also detectable in purified rat RGC. Several miRNA were however identified to be unique to RGC from human. The findings show which miRNA are abundant in RGC and the limited congruence with animal derived RGC. These data could be used to understand miRNA’s role in RGC function,as well as potential biomarkers or therapies in retinal diseases involving RGC degeneration. View Publication

In this study,Chen et al. describe two independent mechanisms that control ?-catenin levels in neuroglial cells and drive their proliferation. The work provides mechanistic insight into the impact of MEK activation resulting from the biallelic loss of NF1 or BRAF rearrangement in pediatric gliomas. The two major genomic alterations in pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) are NF1 loss and KIAA1549:BRAF rearrangement. Although these molecular changes result in increased MEK activity and tumor growth,it is not clear exactly how MEK controls human neuroglial cell proliferation. Leveraging human-induced pluripotent stem cells harboring these PA-associated alterations,we used a combination of genetic and pharmacological approaches to demonstrate that MEK-regulated cell growth is mediated by ?-catenin through independent mechanisms involving IRX2 control of CTNNB1 transcription and NPTX1 stabilization of ?-catenin protein levels. These results provide new mechanistic insights into MEK regulation of human brain cell function. View Publication