技术资料

The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is a multifunctional outer mitochondrial membrane protein associated with various aspects of mitochondrial physiology and multiple roles in health and disease. Here,we aimed to analyse the role of TSPO in the regulation of mitochondrial and cellular functions in a human neuronal cell model. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 technology and generated TSPO knockout (KO) and control (CTRL) variants of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). In a multimodal phenotyping approach,we investigated cellular and mitochondrial functions in neural progenitor cells (NPCs),astrocytes,and neurons differentiated from hiPSC CTRL and TSPO KO cell lines. Our analysis revealed reduced mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis,altered Ca2+ levels in the cytosol and mitochondrial matrix,a depolarised MMP,and increased levels of reactive oxygen species,as well as a reduced cell size. Notably,TSPO deficiency was accompanied by reduced expression of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC). We also observed a reduced TSPO and VDAC expression in cells derived from patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). Considering the modulatory function of TSPO and the similar functional phenotype of cells derived from patients with depression,we discuss a role of TSPO in the etiology or pathology of MDD. In summary,our findings indicate a general impairment of mitochondrial function in TSPO knockout (KO) cells. This deepens our insight into the intricate role of TSPO in a range of physiological and pathological processes. View Publication

BackgroundSpecific microglia responses are thought to contribute to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson’s disease (PD). However,the phenotypic acquisition of microglial cells and their role during the underlying neuroinflammatory processes remain largely elusive. Here,according to the multiple-hit hypothesis,which stipulates that PD etiology is determined by a combination of genetics and various environmental risk factors,we investigate microglial transcriptional programs and morphological adaptations under PARK7/DJ-1 deficiency,a genetic cause of PD,during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.MethodsUsing a combination of single-cell RNA-sequencing,bulk RNA-sequencing,multicolor flow cytometry and immunofluorescence analyses,we comprehensively compared microglial cell phenotypic characteristics in PARK7/DJ-1 knock-out (KO) with wildtype littermate mice following 6- or 24-h intraperitoneal injection with LPS. For translational perspectives,we conducted corresponding analyses in human PARK7/DJ-1 mutant induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs).ResultsBy excluding the contribution of other immune brain resident and peripheral cells,we show that microglia acutely isolated from PARK7/DJ-1 KO mice display a distinct phenotype,specially related to type II interferon and DNA damage response signaling,when compared with wildtype microglia,in response to LPS. We also detected discrete signatures in human PARK7/DJ-1 mutant iPSC-derived microglia and BMDMs from PARK7/DJ-1 KO mice. These specific transcriptional signatures were reflected at the morphological level,with microglia in LPS-treated PARK7/DJ-1 KO mice showing a less amoeboid cell shape compared to wildtype mice,both at 6 and 24 h after acute inflammation,as also observed in BMDMs.ConclusionsTaken together,our results show that,under inflammatory conditions,PARK7/DJ-1 deficiency skews microglia towards a distinct phenotype characterized by downregulation of genes involved in type II interferon signaling and a less prominent amoeboid morphology compared to wildtype microglia. These findings suggest that the underlying oxidative stress associated with the lack of PARK7/DJ-1 affects microglia neuroinflammatory responses,which may play a causative role in PD onset and progression.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-024-03164-x. View Publication

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder worldwide. Acamprosate and naltrexone are anti-craving drugs used in AUD pharmacotherapy. However,molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-craving effect remain unclear. This study utilized a patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based model system and anti-craving drugs that are used to treat AUD as “molecular probes” to identify possible mechanisms associated with alcohol craving. We examined the pathophysiology of craving and anti-craving drugs by performing functional genomics studies using iPSC-derived astrocytes and next-generation sequencing. Specifically,RNA sequencing performed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from AUD patients with extreme values for alcohol craving intensity prior to treatment showed that inflammation-related pathways were highly associated with alcohol cravings. We then performed a genome-wide assessment of chromatin accessibility and gene expression profiles of induced iPSC-derived astrocytes in response to ethanol or anti-craving drugs. Those experiments identified drug-dependent epigenomic signatures,with IRF3 as the most significantly enriched motif in chromatin accessible regions. Furthermore,the activation of IRF3 was associated with ethanol-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which could be attenuated by anti-craving drugs,suggesting that ER stress attenuation might be a target for anti-craving agents. In conclusion,we found that craving intensity was associated with alcohol consumption and treatment outcomes. Our functional genomic studies suggest possible relationships among craving,ER stress,IRF3 and the actions of anti-craving drugs. View Publication

Enzymatic dissociation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into single cells during routine passage leads to massive cell death. Although the Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor,Y-27632 can enhance hPSC survival and proliferation at high seeding density,dissociated single cells undergo apoptosis at clonal density. This presents a major hurdle when deriving genetically modified hPSC lines since transfection and genome editing efficiencies are not satisfactory. As a result,colonies tend to contain heterogeneous mixtures of both modified and unmodified cells,making it difficult to isolate the desired clone buried within the colony. In this study,we report improved clonal expansion of hPSCs using a retinoic acid analogue,TTNPB. When combined with Y-27632,TTNPB synergistically increased hPSC cloning efficiency by more than 2 orders of magnitude (0.2% to 20%),whereas TTNPB itself increased more than double cell number expansion compared to Y-27632. Furthermore,TTNPB-treated cells showed two times higher aggregate formation and cell proliferation compared to Y-27632 in suspension culture. TTNPB-treated cells displayed a normal karyotype,pluripotency and were able to stochastically differentiate into all three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. TTNBP acts,in part,by promoting cellular adhesion and self-renewal through the upregulation of Claudin 2 and HoxA1. By promoting clonal expansion,TTNPB provides a new approach for isolating and expanding pure hPSCs for future cell therapy applications. A retinoic acid analogue,TTNPB,improves clonal expansion in adherent and suspension culture of hPSCs by promoting cellular adhesion and self-renewal through the upregulation of Claudin 2 and HoxA1. 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

Presynaptic scaffold proteins,including liprin-?,RIM,and ELKS,are pivotal to the assembly of the active zone and regulating the coupling of calcium signals and neurotransmitter release,yet the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here,we determined the crystal structure of the liprin-?2/RIM1 complex,revealing a multifaceted intermolecular interaction that drives the liprin-?/RIM assembly. Neurodevelopmental disease-associated mutations block the formation of the complex. Disrupting this interaction in cultured human neurons impairs synaptic transmission and reduces the readily releasable pool of synaptic vesicles. Super-resolution imaging analysis supports a role for liprin-? in recruiting RIM1 to the active zone,presumably by promoting the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of RIM1. Strikingly,the liprin-?/RIM interaction modulates the competitive distribution of ELKS1 and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) in RIM1 condensates. Disrupting the liprin-?/RIM interaction significantly decreased VGCC accumulation in the condensed phase and rendered release more sensitive to the slow calcium buffer EGTA,suggesting an increased physical distance between VGCC and vesicular calcium sensors. Together,our findings provide a plausible mechanism of the liprin-?/RIM complex in regulating the coupling of calcium channels and primed synaptic vesicles via LLPS for efficient synaptic transmission and uncover the pathological implication of liprin-? mutations in neurodevelopmental disorders. Scaffolding proteins regulate the assembly of the active zone in presynaptic terminals,but the mechanisms of assembly remain poorly understood. This study solves the crystal structure of the liprin-?2/RIM1 complex and shows that this interaction is essential for synaptic transmission and the coupling of calcium channels with primed synaptic vesicles in an LLPS-dependent manner. View Publication

Mutation in CUL4B gene is one of the most common causes for X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). CUL4B is the scaffold protein in CUL4B-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL4B) complex. While the roles of CUL4B in cancer progression and some developmental processes like adipogenesis,osteogenesis,and spermatogenesis have been studied,the mechanisms underlying the neurological disorders in patients with CUL4B mutations are poorly understood. Here,using 2D neuronal culture and cerebral organoids generated from the patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and their isogenic controls,we demonstrate that CUL4B is required to prevent premature cell cycle exit and precocious neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells. Moreover,loss-of-function mutations of CUL4B lead to increased synapse formation and enhanced neuronal excitability. Mechanistically,CRL4B complex represses transcription of PPP2R2B and PPP2R2C genes,which encode two isoforms of the regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) complex,through catalyzing monoubiquitination of H2AK119 in their promoter regions. CUL4B mutations result in upregulated PP2A activity,which causes inhibition of AKT and ERK,leading to premature cell cycle exit. Activation of AKT and ERK or inhibition of PP2A activity in CUL4B mutant organoids rescues the neurogenesis defect. Our work unveils an essential role of CUL4B in human cortical development. View Publication

BackgroundAmyloid-beta (A?) plaques and their associated glial responses are hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD),yet their interactions within the human brain remain poorly defined.MethodsWe applied spatial transcriptomics (ST) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to 78 postmortem brain sections from 21 individuals in the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). We paired ST with histological data and stratified spots into major categories of plaque-glia niches based on A?,GFAP,and IBA1 intensity. Leveraging published ROSMAP single-nucleus RNA-seq data,we examined differences in gene expression,cellular composition,and intercellular communication across these niches. Neuronal and glial changes were validated by IHC and quantitative analyses. We further characterized glial responses using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) with known mouse glial signatures and human AD-associated microglial states. Finally,we used iPSC-derived multicellular cultures and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify cell types that,upon short-term A? exposure,recapitulate the glial responses observed in the human spatial data.ResultsLow-A? regions,enriched for diffuse plaques,exhibited transcriptomic profiles consistent with greater neuronal loss than high-A? regions. High-glia regions showed increased expression of inflammatory and neurodegenerative pathways. Spatial glial responses aligned with established gene modules,including plaque-induced genes (PIGs),oligodendrocyte (OLIG) responses,disease-associated microglia (DAM),disease-associated astrocytes (DAA),and human AD-associated microglial states,indicating that diverse glial phenotypes emerge around plaques and shape the local immune environment. IHC confirmed elevated neuronal apoptosis near low-A? plaques and greater CD68 abundance and synaptic loss near glia-high plaques. In vitro,iPSC-derived microglia—but not astrocytes—exposed to A? displayed transcriptomic changes that closely mirrored the glial states identified in our ST dataset.ConclusionsOur study provides a comprehensive spatial transcriptomic dataset from human AD brain tissue and bridges spatial gene expression with traditional neuropathology. By integrating ST,snRNA-seq,and human multicellular models,we map cellular states and molecular events within plaque-glia niches. This work offers a spatially resolved framework for dissecting plaque-glia interactions and reveals new insights into the cellular and molecular heterogeneity underlying neurodegenerative pathology.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44477-025-00002-z. View Publication

The significant advances in the differentiation of human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells into pancreatic endocrine cells,including functional ?-cells,have been based on a detailed understanding of the underlying developmental mechanisms. However,the final differentiation steps,leading from endocrine progenitors to mono-hormonal and mature pancreatic endocrine cells,remain to be fully understood and this is reflected in the remaining shortcomings of the hPS cell-derived islet cells (SC-islet cells),which include a lack of ?-cell maturation and variability among different cell lines. Additional signals and modifications of the final differentiation steps will have to be assessed in a combinatorial manner to address the remaining issues and appropriate reporter lines would be useful in this undertaking. Here we report the generation and functional validation of hPS cell reporter lines that can monitor the generation of INS+ and GCG+ cells and their resolution into mono-hormonal cells (INSeGFP,INSeGFP/GCGmCHERRY) as well as ?-cell maturation (INSeGFP/MAFAmCHERRY) and function (INSGCaMP6). The reporter hPS cell lines maintained strong and widespread expression of pluripotency markers and differentiated efficiently into definitive endoderm and pancreatic progenitor (PP) cells. PP cells from all lines differentiated efficiently into islet cell clusters that robustly expressed the corresponding reporters and contained glucose-responsive,insulin-producing cells. To demonstrate the applicability of these hPS cell reporter lines in a high-content live imaging approach for the identification of optimal differentiation conditions,we adapted our differentiation procedure to generate SC-islet clusters in microwells. This allowed the live confocal imaging of multiple SC-islets for a single condition and,using this approach,we found that the use of the N21 supplement in the last stage of the differentiation increased the number of monohormonal ?-cells without affecting the number of ?-cells in the SC-islets. The hPS cell reporter lines and the high-content live imaging approach described here will enable the efficient assessment of multiple conditions for the optimal differentiation and maturation of SC-islets. View Publication

SummaryGene-switch techniques hold promising applications in contemporary genetics research,particularly in disease treatment and genetic engineering. Here,we developed a compact drug-induced splicing system that maintains low background using a human ubiquitin C (hUBC) promoter and optimized drug (LMI070) binding sequences based on the Xon switch system. To ensure precise subcellular localization of the protein of interest (POI),we inserted a 2A self-cleaving peptide between the extra N-terminal peptide and POI. This streamlined and optimized switch system,named miniXon2G,effectively regulated POIs in different subcellular localizations both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore,miniXon2G could be integrated into endogenous gene loci,resulting in precise,reversible regulation of target genes by both endogenous regulators and drugs. Overall,these findings highlight the performance of miniXon2G in controlling protein expression with great potential for general applicability to diverse biological scenarios requiring precise and delicate regulation. Graphical abstract Highlights•miniXon2G is a compact and versatile version of the Xon gene-switch system•A P2A peptide eliminates residual peptides from functional proteins•We demonstrate applications on multiple proteins of interest•miniXon2G is a precise and reversible switch system with minimal background expression MotivationThe Xon drug-inducible splice-switch system is a simple and highly adaptable tool for regulated protein expression. We sought to further engineer this system to expand its applications in contemporary genetics research. In particular,we focused on reducing the size of the switch elements,maintaining minimal background expression,introducing a feature to remove extraneous peptide fragments,and demonstrating genomic integration and validation on a range of targets. Chi et al. develop a compact and versatile miniXon2G drug-inducible splice-switch system based on the Xon system. It features a reduced size,minimal background,and the removal of extraneous peptide fragments,enabling application to various biological scenarios that require precise expression control. 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

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by mutations in melty-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). MeCP2 is a non-cell type-specific DNA binding protein,and its mutation influences not only neural cells but also non-neural cells in the brain,including vasculature associated with endothelial cells. Vascular integrity is crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis,and its alteration may be linked to the pathology of neurodegenerative disease,but a non-neurogenic effect,especially the relationship between vascular alternation and Rett syndrome pathogenesis,has not been shown. Here,we recapitulate a microvascular network using Rett syndrome patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that carry MeCP2[R306C] mutation to investigate early developmental vascular impact. To expedite endothelial cell differentiation,doxycycline (DOX)-inducible ETV2 expression vectors were inserted into the AAVS1 locus of Rett syndrome patient-derived iPS cells and its isogenic control by CRISPR/Cas9. With these endothelial cells,we established a disease microvascular network (Rett-dMVNs) and observed higher permeability in the Rett-dMVNs compared to isogenic controls,indicating altered barrier function by MeCP2 mutation. Furthermore,we unveiled that hyperpermeability is involved in the upregulation of miR126–3p in Rett syndrome patient-derived endothelial cells by microRNA profiling and RNAseq,and rescue of miR126–3p level can recover their phenotype. We discover miR126–3p-mediated vascular impairment in Rett syndrome patients and suggest the potential application of these findings for translational medicine. View Publication