The evolution of mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitor therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: from concept to clinic.

This review delves into the generation and therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors (MSC-NPs) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination, neuroinflammation, and progressive neurological dysfunction. Most current treatment paradigms primarily aimed at regulating the immune response show little success against the neurodegenerative aspect of MS. This calls for new therapies that would play a role in neurodegeneration and functional recovery of the central nervous system (CNS). While utilizing MSC was found to be a promising approach in MS therapy, the initiation of MSC-NPs therapy is an innovation that introduces a new perspective, a dual-action plan, that targets both the immune and neurodegenerative mechanisms of MS. The first preclinical studies using animal models of the disease showed that MSC-NPs could migrate to damaged sites, support remyelination, and possess immunomodulatory properties, thus, providing a solid basis for their human application. Based on pilot feasibility studies and phase I clinical trials, this review covers the transition from preclinical to clinical phases, where intrathecally administered autologous MSC-NPs has shown great hope in treating patients with progressive MS by providing safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy. This review, after addressing the role of MSCs in MS and its animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), highlights the significance of the MSC-NP therapy by organizing its advancement processes from experimental models to clinical translation in MS treatment. It points out the continuing obstacles, which require more studies to improve therapeutic protocols, uncovers the mechanisms of action, and establishes long-term efficacy and safety in larger controlled trials.

Sox2-mediated transdifferentiation of hAT-MSCs into induced neural progenitor-like cells for remyelination therapies.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are converted to neural cells using growth factors and chemicals. Although these neural cells are effective at modulating disease symptoms, they are less effective at replacing lost neural cells. Direct transdifferentiation seems to be a promising method for generating the required cells for regenerative medicine applications. Sox2 is a key transcription factor in neural progenitor (NP) fate determination and has been frequently used for transdifferentiating different cell types to NPs. Here, we demonstrated that the overexpression of a single transcription factor, Sox2, in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAT-MSCs) led to the generation of induced NPs-like cells that were clonogenic, proliferative and passageable, and showed the potential to differentiate into three neural lineages. NPs are known as progenitors with the potential to differentiate into oligodendrocytes. In vivo, following transplantation into demyelinated adult mouse brains, they survived, differentiated and integrated into the adult brain while participating in the remyelination process and behavioral improvement. This report introduces a beneficial, low-cost and effective approach for generating NPs from an accessible adult source for autologous applications in treating neurodegenerative diseases, including remyelination therapies for multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases.

Differentiation of Spiral Ganglion Neurons from Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells: A Further Step towards Autologous Auditory Nerve Recovery.

The degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), which convey auditory signals from hair cells to the brain, can be a primary cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or can occur secondary to hair cell loss. Emerging therapies for SNHL include the replacement of damaged SGNs using stem cell-derived otic neuronal progenitors (ONPs). However, the availability of renewable, accessible, and patient-matched sources of human stem cells is a prerequisite for successful replacement of the auditory nerve. In this study, we derived ONP and SGN-like cells by a reliable and reproducible stepwise guidance differentiation procedure of self-renewing human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). This in vitro differentiation protocol relies on the modulation of BMP and TGFß pathways using a free-floating 3D neurosphere method, followed by differentiation on a Geltrex-coated surface using two culture paradigms to modulate the major factors and pathways involved in early otic neurogenesis. Gene and protein expression analyses revealed efficient induction of a comprehensive panel of known ONP and SGN-like cell markers during the time course of hDPSCs differentiation. Atomic force microscopy revealed that hDPSC-derived SGN-like cells exhibit similar nanomechanical properties as their in vivo SGN counterparts. Furthermore, spiral ganglion neurons from newborn rats come in close contact with hDPSC-derived ONPs 5 days after co-culturing. Our data demonstrate the capability of hDPSCs to generate SGN-like neurons with specific lineage marker expression, bipolar morphology, and the nanomechanical characteristics of SGNs, suggesting that the neurons could be used for next-generation cochlear implants and/or inner ear cell-based strategies for SNHL.

Brain development and bioenergetic changes.

Bioenergetics describe the biochemical processes responsible for energy supply in organisms. When these changes become dysregulated in brain development, multiple neurodevelopmental diseases can occur, implicating bioenergetics as key regulators of neural development. Historically, the discovery of disease processes affecting individual stages of brain development has revealed critical roles that bioenergetics play in generating the nervous system. Bioenergetic-dependent neurodevelopmental disorders include neural tube closure defects, microcephaly, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, mTORopathies, and oncogenic processes. Developmental timing and cell-type specificity of these changes determine the long-term effects of bioenergetic disease mechanisms on brain form and function. Here, we discuss key metabolic regulators of neural progenitor specification, neuronal differentiation (neurogenesis), and gliogenesis. In general, transitions between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation are regulated in early brain development and in oncogenesis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial maturity play key roles later in differentiation. We also discuss how bioenergetics interface with the developmental regulation of other key neural elements, including the cerebrospinal fluid brain environment. While questions remain about the interplay between bioenergetics and brain development, this review integrates the current state of known key intersections between these processes in health and disease.

An equine iPSC-based phenotypic screening platform identifies pro- and anti-viral molecules against West Nile virus.

Outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) occur periodically, affecting both human and equine populations. There are no vaccines for humans, and those commercialised for horses do not have sufficient coverage. Specific antiviral treatments do not exist. Many drug discovery studies have been conducted, but since rodent or primate cell lines are normally used, results cannot always be transposed to horses. There is thus a need to develop relevant equine cellular models. Here, we used induced pluripotent stem cells to develop a new in vitro model of WNV-infected equine brain cells suitable for microplate assay, and assessed the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of forty-one chemical compounds. We found that one nucleoside analog, 2'C-methylcytidine, blocked WNV infection in equine brain cells, whereas other compounds were either toxic or ineffective, despite some displaying anti-viral activity in human cell lines. We also revealed an unexpected proviral effect of statins in WNV-infected equine brain cells. Our results thus identify a potential lead for future drug development and underscore the importance of using a tissue- and species-relevant cellular model for assessing the activity of antiviral compounds.

Hippocampal neurodegeneration induces transient endogenous regeneration and long-term exhaustion of the neurogenic niche.

The hippocampal dentate gyrus, responds to diverse pathological stimuli through neurogenesis. This phenomenon, observed following brain injury or neurodegeneration, is postulated to contribute to neuronal repair and functional recovery, thereby presenting an avenue for endogenous neuronal restoration. This study investigated the extent of regenerative response in hippocampal neurogenesis by leveraging the well-established kainic acid-induced status epilepticus model in vivo. In our study, we observed the activation and proliferation of neuronal progenitors or neural stem cell (NSC) and their subsequent migration to the injury sites following the seizure. At the injury sites, new neurons (Tuj1+BrdU+ and NeuN+BrdU+) have been generated indicating regenerative and reparative roles of the progenitor cells. We further detected whether this transient neurogenic burst, which might be a response towards an attempt to repair the brain, is associated with persistent long-term exhaustion of the dentate progenitor cells and impairment of adult neurogenesis marked by downregulation of Ki67, HoPX, and Sox2 with BrdU+ cell in the later part of life. Our studies suggest that the adult brain has the constitutive endogenous regenerative potential for brain repair to restore the damaged neurons, meanwhile, in the long term, it accelerates the depletion of the finite NSC pool in the hippocampal neurogenic niche by changing its proliferative and neurogenic capacity. A thorough understanding of the impact of modulating adult neurogenesis will eventually be required to design novel therapeutics to stimulate or assist brain repair while simultaneously preventing the adverse effects of early robust neurogenesis on the proliferative potential of endogenous neuronal progenitors.

The transcription factor NF-YA is crucial for neural progenitor maintenance during brain development.

In contrast to stage-specific transcription factors, the role of ubiquitous transcription factors in neuronal development remains a matter of scrutiny. Here, we demonstrated that a ubiquitous factor NF-Y is essential for neural progenitor maintenance during brain morphogenesis. Deletion of the NF-YA subunit in neural progenitors by using nestin-cre transgene in mice resulted in significant abnormalities in brain morphology, including a thinner cerebral cortex and loss of striatum during embryogenesis. Detailed analyses revealed a progressive decline in multiple neural progenitors in the cerebral cortex and ganglionic eminences, accompanied by induced apoptotic cell death and reduced cell proliferation. In neural progenitors, the NF-YA short isoform lacking exon 3 is dominant and co-expressed with cell cycle genes. ChIP-seq analysis from the cortex during early corticogenesis revealed preferential binding of NF-Y to the cell cycle genes, some of which were confirmed to be downregulated following NF-YA deletion. Notably, the NF-YA short isoform disappears and is replaced by its long isoform during neuronal differentiation. Forced expression of the NF-YA long isoform in neural progenitors resulted in a significant decline in neuronal count, possibly due to the suppression of cell proliferation. Collectively, we elucidated a critical role of the NF-YA short isoform in maintaining neural progenitors, possibly by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, we identified an isoform switch in NF-YA within the neuronal lineage in vivo, which may explain the stage-specific role of NF-Y during neuronal development.

Biallelic loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 cause a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome with facial dysmorphism and multisystem congenital abnormalities.

PURPOSE: We established the genetic etiology of a syndromic neurodevelopmental condition characterized by variable cognitive impairment, recognizable facial dysmorphism, and a constellation of extra-neurological manifestations. METHODS: We performed phenotypic characterization of 6 participants from 4 unrelated families presenting with a neurodevelopmental syndrome and used exome sequencing to investigate the underlying genetic cause. To probe relevance to the neurodevelopmental phenotype and craniofacial dysmorphism, we established two- and three-dimensional human stem cell-derived neural models and generated a stable cachd1 zebrafish mutant on a transgenic cartilage reporter line. RESULTS: Affected individuals showed mild cognitive impairment, dysmorphism featuring oculo-auriculo abnormalities, and developmental defects involving genitourinary and digestive tracts. Exome sequencing revealed biallelic putative loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 segregating with disease in all pedigrees. RNA sequencing in CACHD1-depleted neural progenitors revealed abnormal expression of genes with key roles in Wnt signaling, neurodevelopment, and organ morphogenesis. CACHD1 depletion in neural progenitors resulted in reduced percentages of post-mitotic neurons and enlargement of 3D neurospheres. Homozygous cachd1 mutant larvae showed mandibular patterning defects mimicking human facial dysmorphism. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the role of loss-of-function variants in CACHD1 as the cause of a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome with facial dysmorphism and multisystem abnormalities.

Hindbrain rhombomere centers harbor a heterogenous population of dividing progenitors which rely on Notch signaling.

Tissue growth and morphogenesis are interrelated processes, whose tight coordination is essential for the production of different cell fates and the timely precise allocation of stem cell capacities. The zebrafish embryonic brainstem, the hindbrain, exemplifies such coupling between spatiotemporal cell diversity acquisition and tissue growth as the neurogenic commitment is differentially distributed over time. Here, we combined cell lineage and in vivo imaging approaches to reveal the emergence of specific cell population properties within the rhombomeres. We studied the molecular identity of hindbrain rhombomere centers and showed that they harbor different progenitor capacities that change over time. By clonal analysis, we revealed that cells within the center of rhombomeres decrease the proliferative capacity to remain mainly in the G1 phase. Proliferating progenitors give rise to neurons by asymmetric and symmetric neurogenic divisions while maintaining the pool of progenitors. The proliferative capacity of these cells differs from their neighbors, and they are delayed in the onset of Notch activity. Through functional studies, we demonstrated that they rely on Notch3 signaling to be maintained as non-committed progenitors. In this study, we show that cells in rhombomere centers, despite the neurogenic asynchrony, might share steps of a similar program with the rhombomere counterparts, to ensure proper tissue growth.

Human Neural Progenitors Expressing GDNF Enhance Retinal Protection in a Rodent Model of Retinal Degeneration.

Stem cell therapy for retinal degenerative diseases has been extensively tested in preclinical and clinical studies. However, preclinical studies performed in animal models at the early stage of disease do not optimally translate to patients that present to the clinic at a later stage of disease. As the retina degenerates, inflammation and oxidative stress increase and trophic factor support declines. Testing stem cell therapies in animal models at a clinically relevant stage is critical for translation to the clinic. Human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) and hNPC engineered to stably express GDNF (hNPCGDNF) were subretinally injected into the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats, a well-established model for retinal degeneration, at early and later stages of the disease. hNPCGDNF treatment at the early stage of retinal degeneration provided enhanced visual function compared to hNPC alone. Treatment with both cell types resulted in preserved retinal morphology compared to controls. hNPCGDNF treatment led to significantly broader photoreceptor protection than hNPC treatment at both early and later times of intervention. The phagocytic role of hNPC appears to support RPE cell functions and the secreted GDNF offers neuroprotection and enables the extended survival of photoreceptor cells in transplanted animal eyes. Donor cells in the RCS rat retina survived with only limited proliferation, and hNPCGDNF produced GDNF in vivo. Cell treatment led to significant changes in various pathways related to cell survival, antioxidative stress, phagocytosis, and autophagy. A combined stem cell and trophic factor therapy holds great promise for treating retinal degenerative diseases including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Dihydrofolate reductase activity controls neurogenic transitions in the developing neocortex.

One-carbon/folate (1C) metabolism supplies methyl groups required for DNA and histone methylation, and is involved in the maintenance of self-renewal in stem cells. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in 1C metabolism, is highly expressed in human and mouse neural progenitors at the early stages of neocortical development. Here, we have investigated the role of DHFR in the developing neocortex and report that reducing its activity in human neural organoids and mouse embryonic neocortex accelerates indirect neurogenesis, thereby affecting neuronal composition of the neocortex. Furthermore, we show that decreasing DHFR activity in neural progenitors leads to a reduction in one-carbon/folate metabolites and correlates with modifications of H3K4me3 levels. Our findings reveal an unanticipated role for DHFR in controlling specific steps of neocortex development and indicate that variations in 1C metabolic cues impact cell fate transitions.

A quantitative characterization of early neuron generation in the developing zebrafish telencephalon.

The adult brain is made up of anatomically and functionally distinct regions with specific neuronal compositions. At the root of this neuronal diversity are neural stem and progenitor cells (NPCs) that produce many neurons throughout embryonic development. During development, NPCs switch from initial expanding divisions to neurogenic divisions, which marks the onset of neurogenesis. Here, we aimed to understand when NPCs switch division modes to generate the first neurons in the anterior-most part of the zebrafish brain, the telencephalon. To this end, we used the deep learning-based segmentation method Cellpose and clonal analysis of individual NPCs to assess the production of neurons by NPCs in the first 24 h of zebrafish telencephalon development. Our results provide a quantitative atlas detailing the production of telencephalic neurons and NPC division modes between 14 and 24 h postfertilization. We find that within this timeframe, the switch to neurogenesis is gradual, with considerable heterogeneity in individual NPC neurogenic potential and division rates. This quantitative characterization of initial neurogenesis in the zebrafish telencephalon establishes a basis for future studies aimed at illuminating the molecular mechanisms and regulators of early neurogenesis.

Quantification of neuron production and neural progenitor division modes in zebrafish embryonic telencephalon up to 24 h postfertilization using deep learning-based segmentation and clonal analysis methods.

LIF signaling regulates outer radial glial to interneuron fate during human cortical development.

Radial glial (RG) development is essential for cerebral cortex growth and organization. In humans, the outer radial glia (oRG) subtype is expanded and gives rise to diverse neurons and glia. However, the mechanisms regulating oRG differentiation are unclear. oRG cells express leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) receptors during neurogenesis, and consistent with a role in stem cell self-renewal, LIF perturbation impacts oRG proliferation in cortical tissue and organoids. Surprisingly, LIF treatment also increases the production of inhibitory interneurons (INs) in cortical cultures. Comparative transcriptomic analysis identifies that the enhanced IN population resembles INs produced in the caudal ganglionic eminence. To evaluate whether INs could arise from oRGs, we isolated primary oRG cells and cultured them with LIF. We observed the production of INs from oRG cells and an increase in IN abundance following LIF treatment. Our observations suggest that LIF signaling regulates the capacity of oRG cells to generate INs.

Fate Specification of GFAP-Negative Primitive Neural Stem Cells and Their Progeny at Clonal Resolution.

The mature brain contains an incredible number and diversity of cells that are produced and maintained by heterogeneous pools of neural stem cells (NSCs). Two distinct types of NSCs exist in the developing and adult mouse brain: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)-negative primitive (p)NSCs and downstream GFAP-positive definitive (d)NSCs. To better understand the embryonic functions of NSCs, we performed clonal lineage tracing within neurospheres grown from either pNSCs or dNSCs to enrich for their most immediate downstream neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These clonal progenitor lineage tracing data allowed us to construct a hierarchy of progenitor subtypes downstream of pNSCs and dNSCs that were then validated using single-cell transcriptomics. Further, we identify Nexn as required for neuronal specification from neuron/astrocyte progenitor cells downstream of rare pNSCs. Combined, these data provide single-cell resolution of NPC lineages downstream of rare pNSCs that likely would be missed from population-level analyses in vivo.

Survival and process outgrowth of human iPSC-derived cells expressing Purkinje cell markers in a mouse model for spinocerebellar degenerative disease.

Purkinje cells are the sole output neurons of the cerebellar cortex and play central roles in the integration of cerebellum-related motor coordination and memory. The loss or dysfunction of Purkinje cells due to cerebellar atrophy leads to severe ataxia. Here we used in vivo transplantation to examine the function of human iPS cell-derived cerebellar progenitors in adult transgenic mice in which Purkinje-specific cell death occurs due to cytotoxicity of polyglutamines. Transplantation using cerebellar organoids (42-48 days in culture), which are rich in neural progenitors, showed a viability of >50% 4 weeks after transplantation. STEM121+ grafted cells extended their processes toward the deep cerebellar nuclei, superior cerebellar peduncle, and vestibulocerebellar nuclei. The transplanted cells were mostly located in the white matter, and they were not found in the Purkinje cell layer. MAP2-positive fibers seen in the molecular layer of cerebellar cortex received VGluT2 inputs from climbing fibers. Transplanted neural progenitors overgrew in the host cerebellum but were suppressed by pretreatment with the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT. Hyperproliferation was also suppressed by transplantation with more differentiated organoids (86 days in culture) or KIRREL2-positive cells purified by FACS sorting. Transplanted cells expressed Purkinje cell markers, GABA, CALB1 and L7, though they did not show fan-shaped morphology. We attempted to improve neuronal integration of stem cell-derived cerebellar progenitors by transplantation into the adult mouse, but this was not successfully achieved. Our findings in the present study contribute to regenerative medical application for cerebellar degeneration and provide new insights into cerebellar development in future.

HNRNPU's multi-tasking is essential for proper cortical development.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) is a nuclear protein that plays a crucial role in various biological functions, such as RNA splicing and chromatin organization. HNRNPU/scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) activities are essential for regulating gene expression, DNA replication, genome integrity, and mitotic fidelity. These functions are critical to ensure the robustness of developmental processes, particularly those involved in shaping the human brain. As a result, HNRNPU is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders (HNRNPU-related neurodevelopmental disorder, HNRNPU-NDD) characterized by developmental delay and intellectual disability. Our research demonstrates that the loss of HNRNPU function results in the death of both neural progenitor cells and post-mitotic neurons, with a higher sensitivity observed in the former. We reported that HNRNPU truncation leads to the dysregulation of gene expression and alternative splicing of genes that converge on several signaling pathways, some of which are likely to be involved in the pathology of HNRNPU-related NDD.

Genetic Primary Microcephalies: When Centrosome Dysfunction Dictates Brain and Body Size.

Primary microcephalies (PMs) are defects in brain growth that are detectable at or before birth and are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders. Most are caused by biallelic or, more rarely, dominant mutations in one of the likely hundreds of genes encoding PM proteins, i.e., ubiquitous centrosome or microtubule-associated proteins required for the division of neural progenitor cells in the embryonic brain. Here, we provide an overview of the different types of PMs, i.e., isolated PMs with or without malformations of cortical development and PMs associated with short stature (microcephalic dwarfism) or sensorineural disorders. We present an overview of the genetic, developmental, neurological, and cognitive aspects characterizing the most representative PMs. The analysis of phenotypic similarities and differences among patients has led scientists to elucidate the roles of these PM proteins in humans. Phenotypic similarities indicate possible redundant functions of a few of these proteins, such as ASPM and WDR62, which play roles only in determining brain size and structure. However, the protein pericentrin (PCNT) is equally required for determining brain and body size. Other PM proteins perform both functions, albeit to different degrees. Finally, by comparing phenotypes, we considered the interrelationships among these proteins.

Regulation of store-operated Ca2+ entry by IP3 receptors independent of their ability to release Ca2.

Loss of endoplasmic reticular (ER) Ca2+ activates store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) by causing the ER localized Ca2+ sensor STIM to unfurl domains that activate Orai channels in the plasma membrane at membrane contact sites (MCS). Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism by which the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), an ER-localized IP3-gated Ca2+ channel, regulates neuronal SOCE. In human neurons, SOCE evoked by pharmacological depletion of ER-Ca2+ is attenuated by loss of IP3Rs, and restored by expression of IP3Rs even when they cannot release Ca2+, but only if the IP3Rs can bind IP3. Imaging studies demonstrate that IP3Rs enhance association of STIM1 with Orai1 in neuronal cells with empty stores; this requires an IP3-binding site, but not a pore. Convergent regulation by IP3Rs, may tune neuronal SOCE to respond selectively to receptors that generate IP3.

Survival of Neural Progenitors Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Following Subretinal Transplantation in Rodents.

Purpose: To examine the survival of neural progenitors (NPs) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) following subretinal (SR) transplantation in rodents. Methods: hESCs engineered to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) were differentiated in vitro toward an NP fate using a 4-week protocol. State of differentiation was characterized by quantitative-PCR. NPs in suspension (75,000/µl) were transplanted to the SR-space of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats (n = 66), nude-RCS rats (n = 18), and NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice (n = 53). Success of engraftment was determined at 4 weeks post-transplant by in vivo visualization of GFP-expression using a properly filtered rodent fundus camera. Transplanted eyes were examined in vivo at set time points using the fundus camera, and in select cases, by optical coherence tomography imaging, and after enucleation, by retinal histology and immunohistochemistry. Results: In RCS rats, cell rejection was observed in 29% of eyes at 6 weeks, rising to 92% at 8 weeks. In the more immunodeficient nude-RCS rats, the rejection rate was still high reaching 62% of eyes at 6 weeks post-transplant. Following transplantation in highly immunodeficient NSG mice, survival of the hESC-derived NPs was much improved, with 100% survival at 9 weeks and 72% at 20 weeks. A small number of eyes that were followed past 20 weeks showed survival also at 22 weeks. Conclusions: Immune status of recipient animals influences transplant survival. Highly immunodeficient NSG mice provide a better model for studying long-term survival, differentiation, and possible integration of hESC-derived NPs. Clinical Trial Registration numbers: NCT02286089, NCT05626114.

Cultured Mesenchymal Cells from Nasal Turbinate as a Cellular Model of the Neurodevelopmental Component of Schizophrenia Etiology.

Study of the neurodevelopmental molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia requires the development of adequate biological models such as patient-derived cells and their derivatives. We previously used cell lines with neural progenitor properties (CNON) derived from superior or middle turbinates of patients with schizophrenia and control groups to study gene expression specific to schizophrenia. In this study, we compared single cell-RNA seq data from two CNON cell lines, one derived from an individual with schizophrenia (SCZ) and the other from a control group, with two biopsy samples from the middle turbinate (MT), also from an individual with SCZ and a control. In addition, we compared our data with previously published data from olfactory neuroepithelium (1). Our data demonstrated that CNON originated from a single cell type which is present both in middle turbinate and olfactory neuroepithelium. CNON express multiple markers of mesenchymal cells. In order to define relatedness of CNON to the developing human brain, we also compared CNON datasets with scRNA-seq data of embryonic brain (2) and found that the expression profile of CNON very closely matched one of the cell types in the embryonic brain. Finally, we evaluated differences between SCZ and control samples to assess usability and potential benefits of using single cell RNA-seq of CNON to study etiology of schizophrenia.