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BackgroundHuman-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have attracted significant interest for use in disease modeling,drug discovery and potential therapeutic applications. However,conventional hiPSC-CM cryopreservation protocols largely use dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the cryoprotectant (CPA),which is linked with a loss of post-thaw recovery and function for various cell types and is not ideal for therapeutic protocols. Additionally,the effect of freezing parameters such as cooling rate and nucleation temperature on post-thaw recovery of hiPSC-CMs has not been explored.MethodshiPSC-CMs were generated by Wnt pathway inhibition,followed by sodium l-lactate purification. Subsequently,biophysical characterization of the cells was performed. A differential evolution (DE) algorithm was utilized to determine the optimal composition of a mixture of a sugar,sugar alcohol and amino acid to replace DMSO as the CPA. The hiPSC-CMs were subjected to controlled-rate freezing at different cooling rates and nucleation temperatures. The optimum freezing parameters were identified by post-thaw recoveries and the partitioning ratio obtained from low temperature Raman spectroscopy studies. The post-thaw osmotic behavior of hiPSC-CMs was studied by measuring diameter of cells resuspended in the isotonic culture medium over time. Immunocytochemistry and calcium transient studies were performed to evaluate post-thaw function.ResultshiPSC-CMs were found to be slightly larger than hiPSCs and exhibited a large osmotically inactive volume. The best-performing DMSO-free solutions enabled post-thaw recoveries over 90%,which was significantly greater than DMSO (69.4?±?6.4%). A rapid cooling rate of 5 °C/min and a low nucleation temperature of -8 °C was found to be optimal for hiPSC-CMs. hiPSC-CMs displayed anomalous osmotic behavior post-thaw,dropping sharply in volume after resuspension. Post-thaw function was preserved when hiPSC-CMs were frozen with the best-performing DMSO-free CPA or DMSO and the cells displayed similar cardiac markers pre-freeze and post-thaw.ConclusionsIt was shown that a CPA cocktail of naturally-occurring osmolytes could effectively replace DMSO for preserving hiPSC-CMs while preserving morphology and function. Understanding the anomalous osmotic behavior and managing the excessive dehydration of hiPSC-CMs could be crucial to improve post-thaw outcomes. Effective DMSO-free cryopreservation would accelerate the development of drug discovery and therapeutic applications of hiPSC-CMs.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04384-5. View Publication

With the advent of increasingly sophisticated organoids,there is growing demand for technology to replicate the interactions between multiple tissues or organs. This is challenging to achieve,however,due to the varying culture conditions of the different cell types that make up each tissue. Current methods often require complicated microfluidic setups,but fragile tissue samples tend not to fare well with rough handling. Furthermore,the more complicated the human system to be replicated,the more difficult the model becomes to operate. Here,we present the development of a multi-tissue chip platform that takes advantage of the modularity and convenient handling ability of a CUBE device. We first developed a blood-brain barrier-in-a-CUBE by layering astrocytes,pericytes,and brain microvascular endothelial cells in the CUBE,and confirmed the expression and function of important tight junction and transporter proteins in the blood-brain barrier model. Then,we demonstrated the application of integrating Tissue-in-a-CUBE with a chip in simulating the in vitro testing of the permeability of a drug through the blood-brain barrier to the brain and its effect on treating the glioblastoma brain cancer model. We anticipate that this platform can be adapted for use with organoids to build complex human systems in vitro by the combination of multiple simple CUBE units. Development of platform to integrate multiple Tissue-in-a-CUBEs in a chip for tissue-tissue interaction,demonstrated by simulating the testing of the permeability and effect of a cancer drug in a BBB-Brain cancer model. View Publication

Background/Objectives: High-altitude environments have a significant detrimental impact on the cognitive functions of the brain. Qi Jing Wan (QJW),a traditional herbal formula composed of Angelica sinensis,Astragalus membranaceus,and Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati,has demonstrated potential efficacy in treating cognitive disorders. However,its effects on cognitive dysfunction in plateau hypoxic environments remain unclear. Methods: In this study,acute and chronic plateau cognitive impairment mouse models were constructed to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of QJW and its significant active ingredient,diosgenin (Dio). Behavioral experiments were conducted to assess learning and memory in mice. Morphological changes in hippocampal neurons and synapses were assessed,and microglial activation and inflammatory factor levels were measured to evaluate brain damage. Potential active ingredients capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier were identified through chemical composition analysis and network database screening,followed by validation in animal and brain organoid experiments. Transcriptomics analysis,immunofluorescence staining,and molecular docking techniques were employed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Results: QJW significantly enhanced learning and memory abilities in plateau model mice,reduced structural damage to hippocampal neurons,restored NeuN expression,inhibited inflammatory factor levels and microglial activation,and improved hippocampal synaptic damage. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that Dio alleviated hypoxic brain damage and protected cognitive function by regulating the expression of PDE4C. Conclusions: These findings indicate that QJW and its significant active ingredient Dio effectively mitigate hypoxic brain injury and prevent cognitive impairment in high-altitude environments. View Publication

ABSTRACTRecent evidence suggests that atorvastatin exacerbates paclitaxel neurotoxicity via P?glycoprotein inhibition. We used a translational approach to investigate if atorvastatin or simvastatin exacerbates (i) paclitaxel neurotoxicity in human sensory neurons and (ii) paclitaxel?induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) in cancer patients. Paclitaxel neurotoxicity was assessed by quantifying neuronal networks of human induced pluripotent stem cell?derived sensory neurons (iPSC?SNs) with and without atorvastatin or simvastatin exposure. We estimated the odds ratio (OR) of early paclitaxel discontinuation due to PIPN in a nationwide cohort of paclitaxel?treated women (2014–2018),comparing atorvastatin users to simvastatin users and nonusers of statins. Only the highest concentration of atorvastatin (100?nM) significantly exacerbated paclitaxel neurotoxicity in iPSC?SNs (p? View Publication

The transmembrane death receptor Fas transduces apoptotic signals upon binding its ligand,FasL. Although Fas is highly expressed in cancer cells,insufficient cell surface Fas expression desensitizes cancer cells to Fas-induced apoptosis. Here,we show that the increase in Fas microaggregate formation on the plasma membrane in response to the inhibition of endocytosis sensitizes cancer cells to Fas-induced apoptosis. We used a clinically accessible Rho-kinase inhibitor,fasudil,that reduces endocytosis dynamics by increasing plasma membrane tension. In combination with exogenous soluble FasL (sFasL),fasudil promoted cancer cell apoptosis,but this collaborative effect was substantially weaker in nonmalignant cells. The combination of sFasL and fasudil prevented glioblastoma cell growth in embryonic stem cell-derived brain organoids and induced tumor regression in a xenograft mouse model. Our results demonstrate that sFasL has strong potential for apoptosis-directed cancer therapy when Fas microaggregate formation is augmented by mechano-inhibition of endocytosis. View Publication

Cerebral organoids offer significant potential for neuroscience research as complex in vitro models that mimic human brain development. However,challenges related to their quality and reproducibility hinder their reliability. Discrepancies in morphology,size,cellular composition,and cytoarchitectural organization limit their applications,particularly in disease modeling,drug screening,and neurotoxicity testing. Critically,current methods for organoid characterization often lack standardization,restricting their broader applicability. To address the need for standardized quality assessment of cerebral organoids,we developed a Quality Control (QC) methodology for 60-day cortical organoids,evaluating five key criteria using a scoring system: morphology,size and growth profile,cellular composition,cytoarchitectural organization,and cytotoxicity. We implemented a hierarchical approach,beginning with non-invasive assessments to exclude low-quality organoids,while reserving in-depth analyses for those that passed the initial evaluation. To validate this framework,we exposed 60-day cortical organoids to graded doses of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2),inducing a range of quality outcomes. The QC system demonstrated its robustness by accurately discriminating organoid qualities. Our proposed QC framework is designed to be user-friendly,flexible,and broadly applicable,making it suitable for routine assessment of cerebral organoid quality. Additionally,its scalability enables industrial applications,offering a valuable tool for advancing both fundamental and pre-clinical research.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-14425-x. View Publication

Nuclear exclusion of the RNA- and DNA-binding protein TDP-43 can induce neurodegeneration in different diseases. Diverse processes have been implicated to influence TDP-43 mislocalization,including disrupted nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT); however,the physiological pathways that normally ensure TDP-43 nuclear localization are unclear. The six-transmembrane enzyme glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase 2 (GDE2 or GDPD5) cleaves the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor that tethers some proteins to the membrane. Here we show that GDE2 maintains TDP-43 nuclear localization by regulating the dynamics of canonical Wnt signaling. Ablation of GDE2 causes aberrantly sustained Wnt activation in adult neurons,which is sufficient to cause NCT deficits,nuclear pore abnormalities,and TDP-43 nuclear exclusion. Disruption of GDE2 coincides with TDP-43 abnormalities in postmortem tissue from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further,GDE2 deficits are evident in human neural cell models of ALS,which display erroneous Wnt activation that,when inhibited,increases mRNA levels of genes regulated by TDP-43. Our study identifies GDE2 as a critical physiological regulator of Wnt signaling in adult neurons and highlights Wnt pathway activation as an unappreciated mechanism contributing to nucleocytoplasmic transport and TDP-43 abnormalities in disease. Synopsis Nuclear exclusion of TDP-43 is observed in various pathologies,but the physiological mechanisms that ensure its nuclear localization are not well-known. This work shows that inhibition of persistent Wnt activation in neurons by GDE2 prevents TDP-43 nuclear exclusion. GDE2 inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in adult postmitotic neurons.Sustained activation of canonical Wnt signaling in neurons disrupts the nuclear pore complex,impairs nucleocytoplasmic transport,and results in TDP-43 nuclear exclusion.iPS neurons from patients with C9orf72 ALS show decreased GDE2 expression and increased activation of canonical Wnt signaling.Inhibition of Wnt activation mitigates TDP-43 dysfunction in C9orf72 iPS neurons. GDE2 maintains TDP-43 nuclear localization by inhibiting Wnt activation in neurons. View Publication

AbstractBackground and purposeIn this study,we applied an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)?based model of inherited erythromelalgia (IEM) to screen a library of 281 small molecules,aiming to identify candidate pain?modulating compounds.Experimental approachHuman iPSC?derived sensory neuron?like cells,which exhibit action potentials in response to noxious stimulation,were evaluated using whole?cell patch?clamp and microelectrode array (MEA) techniques.Key resultsSensory neuron?like cells derived from individuals with IEM showed spontaneous electrical activity characteristic of genetic pain disorders. The drug screen identified four compounds (AZ106,AZ129,AZ037 and AZ237) that significantly decreased spontaneous firing with minimal toxicity. The calculated IC50 values indicate the potential efficacy of these compounds. Electrophysiological analysis confirmed the compounds’ ability to reduce action potential generation in IEM patient?specific iPSC?derived sensory neuron?like cells.Conclusions and implicationsOur screening approach demonstrates the reproducibility and effectiveness of human neuronal disease modelling offering a promising avenue for discovering new analgesics. These findings address a critical gap in current therapeutic strategies for both general and neuropathic pain,warranting further investigation. This study highlights the innovative use of patient?derived iPSC sensory neuronal models in pain research and emphasises the potential for personalised medicine in developing targeted analgesics.Key points Utilisation of human iPSCs for efficient differentiation into sensory neuron?like cells offers a novel strategy for studying pain mechanisms.IEM sensory neuron?like cells exhibit key biomarkers and generate action potentials in response to noxious stimulation.IEM sensory neuron?like cells display spontaneous electrical activity,providing a relevant nociceptive model.Screening of 281 compounds identified four candidates that significantly reduced spontaneous firing with low cytotoxicity.Electrophysiological profiling of selected compounds revealed promising insights into their mechanisms of action,specifically modulating the NaV 1.7 channel for targeted analgesia. In this study,Thornton and colleagues utilised an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)?based model of inherited erythromelalgia (IEM) to screen a library of 295 small molecules in search of potential pain?modulating compounds. Their screening identified four compounds that significantly reduced spontaneous firing in iPSC?derived nociceptor?like cells,with minimal associated toxicity . View Publication

SummaryThyroid carcinoma represents the first malignancy among the endocrine organs. Investigating the cellular hierarchy and the mechanisms underlying the initiation of thyroid carcinoma is crucial in thyroid cancer research. Here,we present a protocol for deriving thyroid cell lineage from human embryonic stem cells. We also describe steps for engineering thyroid progenitor cells utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology,which can be used to perform in vivo studies,thus facilitating the development of representative thyroid tumorigenesis models.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol,please refer to Veschi et al.1 Graphical abstract Highlights•Differentiation protocol for thyroid cell lineages from human embryonic stem cells•CRISPR-Cas9-mediated cellular engineering for common thyroid cancer genetic alteration•Orthotopic injection of thyroid progenitors to recapitulate thyroid cancer progression Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Thyroid carcinoma represents the first malignancy among the endocrine organs. Investigating the cellular hierarchy and the mechanisms underlying the initiation of thyroid carcinoma is crucial in thyroid cancer research. Here,we present a protocol for deriving thyroid cell lineage from human embryonic stem cells. We also describe steps for engineering thyroid progenitor cells utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology,which can be used to perform in vivo studies,thus facilitating the development of representative thyroid tumorigenesis models. View Publication

Visual Abstract Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived motor neurons (MNs) offers an unprecedented approach to modeling movement disorders such as dystonia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However,achieving survival poses a significant challenge when culturing induced MNs,especially when aiming to reach late maturation stages. Utilizing hiPSC-derived motor neurons and primary mouse astrocytes,we assembled two types of coculture systems: direct coculturing of neurons with astrocytes and indirect coculture using culture inserts that physically separate neurons and astrocytes. Both systems significantly enhance neuron survival. Compared with these two systems,no significant differences in neurodevelopment,maturation,and survival within 3 weeks,allowing to prepare neurons at maturation stages. Using the indirect coculture system,we obtained highly pure MNs at the late mature stage from hiPSCs. Transcriptomic studies of hiPSC-derived MNs showed a typical neurodevelopmental switch in gene expression from the early immature stage to late maturation stages. Mature genes associated with neurodevelopment and synaptogenesis are highly enriched in MNs at late stages,demonstrating that these neurons achieve maturation. This study introduces a novel tool for the preparation of highly pure hiPSC-derived neurons,enabling the determination of neurological disease pathogenesis in neurons at late disease onset stages through biochemical approaches,which typically necessitate highly pure neurons. This advancement is particularly significant in modeling age-related neurodegeneration. View Publication