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Human pluripotent stem cells are a powerful tool for modeling brain development and disease. The human cortex is composed of two major neuronal populations: projection neurons and local interneurons. Cortical interneurons comprise a diverse class of cell types expressing the neurotransmitter GABA. Dysfunction of cortical interneurons has been implicated in neuropsychiatric diseases,including schizophrenia,autism,and epilepsy. Here,we demonstrate the highly efficient derivation of human cortical interneurons in an NKX2.1::GFP human embryonic stem cell reporter line. Manipulating the timing of SHH activation yields three distinct GFP+ populations with specific transcriptional profiles,neurotransmitter phenotypes,and migratory behaviors. Further differentiation in a murine cortical environment yields parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing neurons that exhibit synaptic inputs and electrophysiological properties of cortical interneurons. Our study defines the signals sufficient for modeling human ventral forebrain development in vitro and lays the foundation for studying cortical interneuron involvement in human disease pathology. View Publication

The pluripotent property of hESCs makes them attractive for treatment of degenerative diseases such as diabetes. We have developed a stage-wise directed differentiation protocol to produce alginate-encapsulated islet-like cells derived from hESCs,which can be directly implanted for diabetes therapy. The advantage of alginate encapsulation lies in its capability to immunoisolate,along with the added possibility of scalable culture. We have evaluated the possibility of encapsulating hESCs at different stages of differentiation. Encapsulation of predifferentiated cells resulted in insufficient cellular yield and differentiation. On the other hand,encapsulation of undifferentiated hESCs followed by differentiation induction upon encapsulation,resulted in the highest viability and differentiation. More striking was that alginate encapsulation resulted in a much stronger differentiation compared to parallel 2D cultures,resulting in 20-fold increase in c-peptide protein synthesis. To elucidate the mechanism contributing to encapsulation-mediated enhancement in hESC maturation,investigation of the signaling pathways revealed interesting insight. While the phospho-protein levels of all the tested signaling molecules were lower under encapsulation,the ratio of pSMAD/pAKT was significantly higher,indicating a more efficient signal transduction under encapsulation. These results clearly demonstrate that alginate encapsulation of hESCs and differentiation to islet-cells types provides a potentially translatable treatment option for type1 diabetes. View Publication

Human genome engineering has been transformed by the introduction of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) system found in most bacteria and archaea. Type II CRISPR/Cas systems have been engineered to induce RNA-guided genome editing in human cells,where small RNAs function together with Cas9 nucleases for sequence-specific cleavage of target sequences. Here we describe the protocol for Cas9-mediated human genome engineering,including construct building and transfection methods necessary for delivering Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA) into human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and HEK293 cells. Following genome editing,we also describe methods to assess genome editing efficiency using next-generation sequencing and isolate monoclonal hiPSCs with the desired modifications for downstream applications. View Publication

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (also known as A9 DA neurons) are the specific cell type that is lost in Parkinson's disease (PD). There is great interest in deriving A9 DA neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative cell replacement therapy for PD. During neural development,A9 DA neurons originate from the floor plate (FP) precursors located at the ventral midline of the central nervous system. Here,we optimized the culture conditions for the stepwise differentiation of hPSCs to A9 DA neurons,which mimics embryonic DA neuron development. In our protocol,we first describe the efficient generation of FP precursor cells from hPSCs using a small molecule method,and then convert the FP cells to A9 DA neurons,which could be maintained in vitro for several months. This efficient,repeatable and controllable protocol works well in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from normal persons and PD patients,in which one could derive A9 DA neurons to perform in vitro disease modeling and drug screening and in vivo cell transplantation therapy for PD. View Publication

Introduction Appropriate neural patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is critical to generate specific neural cells/tissues and even mini-brains that are physiologically relevant to model neurological diseases. However,the capacity of signaling factors that regulate 3-D neural tissue patterning in vitro and differential responses of the resulting neural populations to various biomolecules have not yet been fully understood. Methods By tuning neural patterning of hiPSCs with small molecules targeting sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling,this study generated different 3-D neuronal cultures that were mainly comprised of either cortical glutamatergic neurons or motor neurons. Results Abundant glutamatergic neurons were observed following the treatment with an antagonist of SHH signaling,cyclopamine,while Islet-1 and HB9-expressing motor neurons were enriched by an SHH agonist,purmorphamine. In neurons derived with different neural patterning factors,whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed similar voltage-gated Na+/K+ currents,depolarization-evoked action potentials and spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents. Moreover,these different neuronal populations exhibited differential responses to three classes of biomolecules,including (1) matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors that affect extracellular matrix remodeling; (2) N-methyl-D-aspartate that induces general neurotoxicity; and (3) amyloid ?? (1???42) oligomers that cause neuronal subtype-specific neurotoxicity. Conclusions This study should advance our understanding of hiPSC self-organization and neural tissue development and provide a transformative approach to establish 3-D models for neurological disease modeling and drug discovery. Statement of Significance Appropriate neural patterning of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is critical to generate specific neural cells,tissues and even mini-brains that are physiologically relevant to model neurological diseases. However,the capability of sonic hedgehog-related small molecules to tune different neuronal subtypes in 3-D differentiation from hiPSCs and the differential cellular responses of region-specific neuronal subtypes to various biomolecules have not been fully investigated. By tuning neural patterning of hiPSCs with small molecules targeting sonic hedgehog signaling,this study provides knowledge on the differential susceptibility of region-specific neuronal subtypes derived from hiPSCs to different biomolecules in extracellular matrix remodeling and neurotoxicity. The findings are significant for understanding 3-D neural patterning of hiPSCs for the applications in brain organoid formation,neurological disease modeling,and drug discovery. View Publication

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate into all somatic lineages including stratified squamous epithelia. Thus,efficient methods are required to direct hESC differentiation to obtain a pure subpopulation for tissue engineering. The study aimed to assess the effects of retinoic acid (RA),bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4),and ascorbic acid (AA) on the differentiation of hESCs into keratinocyte progenitors in vitro. The first media contained AA and BMP4; the second contained RA,AA,and BMP4; the third was commercial-defined keratinocyte serum-free medium,which was used to differentiate H9 hESCs (direct approach) or embryoid bodies (EBs) (indirect approach) into keratinocyte progenitors. Real-time RT-PCR,immunofluorescence,and flow-cytometry were used to characterize the differentiated cells. Cells induced by AA + BMP4 + RA showed the typical epithelial morphology,while cells induced by AA + BMP4 showed multiple appearances. CK14 and p63 messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions in the AA + BMP4 + RA-treated cells were higher than those of the AA + BMP4-treated cells (CK14: 22.4-fold; p63: 84.7-fold). Epithelial marker CK18 mRNA expressions at 14 d of differentiation and keratinocyte marker CK14 and transcription factor p63 mRNA expressions at 35 d of differentiation were higher in cells differentiated from hESCs compared with those differentiated from EBs (CK18 10.51 ± 3.26 vs. 6.67 ± 1.28; CK14 9.27 ± 3.61 vs. 5.32 ± 1.86; p63 0.73 ± 0.06 vs. 0.44 ± 0.12,all P textless 0.05) After hESC induction by AA+BMP4+RA,CK14 mRNA expression was upregulated after day 21,peaking by 35 d of differentiation. Combined RA,BMP4,and AA could effectively induce differentiation of hESCs into keratinocyte progenitors in vitro. These keratinocytes could be used for oral mucosa and skin tissue engineering. View Publication

Due to their broad differentiation potential,pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) offer a promising approach for generating relevant cellular models for various applications. While human PSC-based cellular models are already advanced,similar systems for non-human primates (NHPs) are still lacking. However,as NHPs are the most appropriate animals for evaluating the safety of many novel pharmaceuticals,the availability of in vitro systems would be extremely useful to bridge the gap between cellular and animal models. Here,we present a NHP in vitro endothelial cell system using induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) from Cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Based on an adapted protocol for human IPSCs,we directly differentiated macaque IPSCs into endothelial cells under chemically defined conditions. The resulting endothelial cells can be enriched using immuno-magnetic cell sorting and display endothelial marker expression and function. RNA sequencing revealed that the differentiation process closely resembled vasculogenesis. Moreover,we showed that endothelial cells derived from macaque and human IPSCs are highly similar with respect to gene expression patterns and key endothelial functions,such as inflammatory responses. These data demonstrate the power of IPSC differentiation technology to generate defined cell types for use as translational in vitro models to compare cell type-specific responses across species. View Publication

The ability to generate spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) from stem cells is a necessary prerequisite for development of cell-replacement therapies for sensorineural hearing loss. We present a protocol that directs human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) toward a purified population of otic neuronal progenitors (ONPs) and SGN-like cells. Between 82% and 95% of these cells express SGN molecular markers,they preferentially extend neurites to the cochlear nucleus rather than nonauditory nuclei,and they generate action potentials. The protocol follows an in vitro stepwise recapitulation of developmental events inherent to normal differentiation of hESCs into SGNs,resulting in efficient sequential generation of nonneuronal ectoderm,preplacodal ectoderm,early prosensory ONPs,late ONPs,and cells with cellular and molecular characteristics of human SGNs. We thus describe the sequential signaling pathways that generate the early and later lineage species in the human SGN lineage,thereby better describing key developmental processes. The results indicate that our protocol generates cells that closely replicate the phenotypic characteristics of human SGNs,advancing the process of guiding hESCs to states serving inner-ear cell-replacement therapies and possible next-generation hybrid auditory prostheses. textcopyright Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:923-936. View Publication

Mitomycin C (MMC) is the prototype bioreductive DNA alkylating agent. To exploit its unique properties and maximize patient responses,different therapeutic approaches have been investigated. Recently,the focus has concentrated on monitoring the levels of the proteins metabolizing the drug and relating these to activity in a regimen referred to as enzyme-directed bioreductive drug development. To be successful,it is important to understand the enzymology of metabolic activation not only in cell lines but also in solid tumour models. A general mechanism of action for MMC has now emerged that is activated regardless of the source of reducing equivalents,comprising three competing pathways that give rise to unique reactive intermediates and different DNA adducts. Partitioning into the pathways is dictated by chemical considerations such as pH and drug concentration. DT-diaphorase stands out in this mechanism,since it is much less effective at metabolizing MMC at neutral pH. At least five different enzymes can catalyse MMC bioreduction in vitro,and as many activities may be present in solid tumours,including a series of novel mitochondrial reductases such as a cytochrome P450 reductase. Competition between reductases for MMC appears to be based solely on protein levels rather than enzyme kinetics. Consequentially,DT-diaphorase can occupy a central role in MMC metabolic activation since it is often highly overexpressed in cancer cells. Although a good correlation has been observed in cell lines between DT-diaphorase expression and aerobic cytotoxicity,this does not hold consistently in vivo for any single bioreductive enzyme,suggesting revision of the enzyme-directed hypothesis as originally formulated. View Publication

Bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells incorporate into neovasculature and have been successfully used as vehicles for gene delivery to brain tumors. To determine whether systemically administered Sca1+ bone marrow cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can be detected by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging in a mouse brain tumor model,mouse Sca1+ cells were labeled in vitro with ferumoxides-poly-L-lysine complexes. Labeled or control cells were administered intravenously to glioma-bearing severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed during tumor growth. Mice that received labeled cells demonstrated hypointense regions within the tumor that evolved over time and developed a continuous dark hypointense ring at a consistent time point. This effect was not cleared by administration of a gadolinium contrast agent. Histology showed iron-labeled cells around the tumor rim in labeled mice,which expressed CD31 and von Willebrand factor,indicating the transplanted cells detected in the tumor have differentiated into endothelial-like cells. These results demonstrate that MRI can detect the incorporation of magnetically labeled bone marrow-derived precursor cells into tumor vasculature as part of ongoing angiogenesis and neovascularization. This technique can be used to directly identify neovasculature in vivo and to facilitate gene therapy by noninvasively monitoring these cells as gene delivery vectors. View Publication

TEL-TRKC is a fusion gene generated by chromosomal translocation and encodes an activated tyrosine kinase. Uniquely,it is found in both solid tumors and leukemia. However,a single exon difference (in TEL) in TEL-TRKC fusions is associated with the two sets of cancer phenotypes. We expressed the two TEL-TRKC variants in vivo by using the 3' regulatory element of SCL that is selectively active in a subset of mesodermal cell lineages,including endothelial and hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors. The leukemia form of TEL-TRKC (-exon 5 of TEL) enhanced hematopoietic stem cell renewal and initiated leukemia. In contrast,the TEL-TRKC solid tumor variant (+ TEL exon 5) elicited an embryonic lethal phenotype with impairment of both angiogenesis and hematopoiesis indicative of an effect at the level of the hemangioblasts. The ability of TEL-TRKC to repress expression of Flk1,a critical regulator of early endothelial and hematopoietic cells,depended on TEL exon 5. These data indicate that related oncogenic fusion proteins similarly expressed in a hierarchy of early stem cells can have selective,cell type-specific developmental impacts. View Publication

We have established a system for directed differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). As a first step,we induced hemopoietic differentiation by coculture of hES cells with OP9 stromal cells,and then,expanded myeloid cells with GM-CSF using a feeder-free culture system. Myeloid cells had a CD4+CD11b+CD11c+CD16+CD123(low)HLA-DR- phenotype,expressed myeloperoxidase,and included a population of M-CSFR+ monocyte-lineage committed cells. Further culture of myeloid cells in serum-free medium with GM-CSF and IL-4 generated cells that had typical dendritic morphology; expressed high levels of MHC class I and II molecules,CD1a,CD11c,CD80,CD86,DC-SIGN,and CD40; and were capable of Ag processing,triggering naive T cells in MLR,and presenting Ags to specific T cell clones through the MHC class I pathway. Incubation of DCs with A23187 calcium ionophore for 48 h induced an expression of mature DC markers CD83 and fascin. The combination of GM-CSF with IL-4 provided the best conditions for DC differentiation. DCs obtained with GM-CSF and TNF-alpha coexpressed a high level of CD14,and had low stimulatory capacity in MLR. These data clearly demonstrate that hES cells can be used as a novel and unique source of hemopoietic and DC precursors as well as DCs at different stages of maturation to address essential questions of DC development and biology. In addition,because ES cells can be expanded without limit,they can be seen as a potential scalable source of cells for DC vaccines or DC-mediated induction of immune tolerance. View Publication