Regionally specified human pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes exhibit different molecular signatures and functional properties.

Astrocytes display diverse morphologies in different regions of the central nervous system. Whether astrocyte diversity is attributable to developmental processes and bears functional consequences, especially in humans, is unknown. RNA-seq of human pluripotent stem cell-derived regional astrocytes revealed distinct transcript profiles, suggesting differential functional properties. This was confirmed by differential calcium signaling as well as effects on neurite growth and blood-brain barrier formation. Distinct transcriptional profiles and functional properties of human astrocytes generated from regionally specified neural progenitors under the same conditions strongly implicate the developmental impact on astrocyte diversity. These findings provide a rationale for renewed examination of regional astrocytes and their role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Antibody screening using a human iPSC-based blood-brain barrier model identifies antibodies that accumulate in the CNS.

Drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a significant obstacle for the development of neurological disease therapies. The low penetration of blood-borne therapeutics into the brain can oftentimes be attributed to the restrictive nature of the brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that comprise the BBB. One strategy beginning to be successfully leveraged is the use of endogenous receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) systems as a means to shuttle a targeted therapeutic into the brain. Limitations of known RMT targets and their cognate targeting reagents include brain specificity, brain uptake levels, and off-target effects, driving the search for new and potentially improved brain targeting reagent-RMT pairs. To this end, we deployed human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived BMEC-like cells as a model BBB substrate on which to mine for new RMT-targeting antibody pairs. A nonimmune, human single-chain variable fragment (scFv) phage display library was screened for binding, internalization, and transcytosis across iPSC-derived BMECs. Lead candidates exhibited binding and internalization into BMECs as well as binding to both human and mouse BBB in brain tissue sections. Antibodies targeted the murine BBB after intravenous administration with one particular clone, 46.1-scFv, exhibiting a 26-fold increase in brain accumulation (8.1 nM). Moreover, clone 46.1-scFv was found to associate with postvascular, parenchymal cells, indicating its successful receptor-mediated transport across the BBB. Such a new BBB targeting ligand could enhance the transport of therapeutic molecules into the brain.

An isogenic blood-brain barrier model comprising brain endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is critical in maintaining a physical and metabolic barrier between the blood and the brain. The BBB consists of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that line the brain vasculature and combine with astrocytes, neurons and pericytes to form the neurovascular unit. We hypothesized that astrocytes and neurons generated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could induce BBB phenotypes in iPSC-derived BMECs, creating a robust multicellular human BBB model. To this end, iPSCs were used to form neural progenitor-like EZ-spheres, which were in turn differentiated to neurons and astrocytes, enabling facile neural cell generation. The iPSC-derived astrocytes and neurons induced barrier tightening in primary rat BMECs indicating their BBB inductive capacity. When co-cultured with human iPSC-derived BMECs, the iPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes significantly elevated trans-endothelial electrical resistance, reduced passive permeability, and improved tight junction continuity in the BMEC cell population, while p-glycoprotein efflux transporter activity was unchanged. A physiologically relevant neural cell mixture of one neuron: three astrocytes yielded optimal BMEC induction properties. Finally, an isogenic multicellular BBB model was successfully demonstrated employing BMECs, astrocytes, and neurons from the same donor iPSC source. It is anticipated that such an isogenic facsimile of the human BBB could have applications in furthering understanding the cellular interplay of the neurovascular unit in both healthy and diseased humans. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 843.

Differentiation and characterization of human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical component of the central nervous system (CNS) that regulates the flux of material between the blood and the brain. Because of its barrier properties, the BBB creates a bottleneck to CNS drug delivery. Human in vitro BBB models offer a potential tool to screen pharmaceutical libraries for CNS penetration as well as for BBB modulators in development and disease, yet primary and immortalized models respectively lack scalability and robust phenotypes. Recently, in vitro BBB models derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have helped overcome these challenges by providing a scalable and renewable source of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). We have demonstrated that hPSC-derived BMECs exhibit robust structural and functional characteristics reminiscent of the in vivo BBB. Here, we provide a detailed description of the methods required to differentiate and functionally characterize hPSC-derived BMECs to facilitate their widespread use in downstream applications.

High Glucose Attenuates Anesthetic Cardioprotection in Stem-Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes: The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Fission.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia can blunt the cardioprotective effects of isoflurane in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Previous studies suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial fission play a role in cardiomyocyte death during ischemia-reperfusion injury. To investigate the role of glucose concentration in ROS production and mitochondrial fission during ischemia-reperfusion (with and without anesthetic protection), we used the novel platform of human-induced pluripotent stem-cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs). METHODS: Cardiomyocyte differentiation from iPSC was characterized by the expression of CM-specific markers using immunohistochemistry and by measuring contractility. iPSC-CMs were exposed to varying glucose conditions (5, 11, and 25 mM) for 24 hours. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, cell viability, and ROS generation endpoints were used to assess the effects of various treatment conditions. Mitochondrial fission was monitored by the visualization of fragmented mitochondria using confocal microscopy. Expression of activated dynamin-related protein 1, a key protein responsible for mitochondrial fission, was assessed by Western blot. RESULTS: Cardiomyocytes were successfully differentiated from iPSC. Elevated glucose conditions (11 and 25 mM) significantly increased ROS generation, whereas only the 25-mM high glucose condition induced mitochondrial fission and increased the expression of activated dynamin-related protein 1 in iPSC-CMs. Isoflurane delayed mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and protected iPSC-CMs from oxidative stress in 5- and 11-mM glucose conditions to a similar level as previously observed in various isolated animal cardiomyocytes. Scavenging ROS with Trolox or inhibiting mitochondrial fission with mdivi-1 restored the anesthetic cardioprotective effects in iPSC-CMs in 25-mM glucose conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Human iPSC-CM is a useful, relevant model for studying isoflurane cardioprotection and can be manipulated to recapitulate complex clinical perturbations. We demonstrate that the cardioprotective effects of isoflurane in elevated glucose conditions can be restored by scavenging ROS or inhibiting mitochondrial fission. These findings may contribute to further understanding and guidance for restoring pharmacological cardioprotection in hyperglycemic patients.

Concise review: tissue-specific microvascular endothelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells.

Accumulating evidence suggests that endothelial cells (ECs) display significant heterogeneity across tissue types, playing an important role in tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Recent work demonstrating the derivation of tissue-specific microvascular endothelial cells (TS-MVECs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has ignited the potential to generate tissue-specific models which may be applied to regenerative medicine and in vitro modeling applications. Here, we review techniques by which hPSC-derived TS-MVECs have been made to date and discuss how current hPSC-EC differentiation protocols may be directed toward tissue-specific fates. We begin by discussing the nature of EC tissue specificity in vivo and review general hPSC-EC differentiation protocols generated over the last decade. Finally, we describe how specificity can be integrated into hPSC-EC protocols to generate hPSC-derived TS-MVECs in vitro, including EC and parenchymal cell coculture, directed differentiation, and direct reprogramming strategies.

Cdk1, PKCδ and calcineurin-mediated Drp1 pathway contributes to mitochondrial fission-induced cardiomyocyte death.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Mitochondrial fission has been shown to be involved in cardiomyocyte death. However, molecular machinery involved in mitochondrial fission during I/R injury has not yet been completely understood. In this study we aimed to investigate molecular mechanisms of controlling activation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1, a key protein in mitochondrial fission) during anoxia-reoxygenation (A/R) injury of HL1 cardiomyocytes. A/R injury induced cardiomyocyte death accompanied by the increases of mitochondrial fission, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activated Drp1 (pSer616 Drp1), and decrease of inactivated Drp1 (pSer637 Drp1) while mitochondrial fusion protein levels were not significantly changed. Blocking Drp1 activity with mitochondrial division inhibitor mdivi1 attenuated cell death, mitochondrial fission, and Drp1 activation after A/R. Trolox, a ROS scavenger, decreased pSer616 Drp1 level and mitochondrial fission after A/R. Immunoprecipitation assay further indicates that cyclin dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and protein kinase C isoform delta (PKCδ) bind Drp1, thus increasing mitochondrial fission. Inhibiting Cdk1 and PKCδ attenuated the increases in pSer616 Drp1, mitochondrial fission, and cardiomyocyte death. FK506, a calcineurin inhibitor, blocked the decrease in expression of inactivated pSer637 Drp1 and mitochondrial fission. Our findings reveal the following novel molecular mechanisms controlling mitochondrial fission during A/R injury of cardiomyocytes: (1) ROS are upstream initiators of mitochondrial fission; and (2) the increased mitochondrial fission is resulted from both increased activation and decreased inactivation of Drp1 through Cdk1, PKCδ, and calcineurin-mediated pathways, respectively.

A human pluripotent stem cell-derived in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier in cerebral malaria.

BACKGROUND: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a central feature of cerebral malaria (CM), a severe complication of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infections. In CM, sequestration of Pf-infected red blood cells (Pf-iRBCs) to brain endothelial cells combined with inflammation, hemolysis, microvasculature obstruction and endothelial dysfunction mediates BBB disruption, resulting in severe neurologic symptoms including coma and seizures, potentially leading to death or long-term sequelae. In vitro models have advanced our knowledge of CM-mediated BBB disruption, but their physiological relevance remains uncertain. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (hiPSC-BMECs), we aimed to develop a novel in vitro model of the BBB in CM, exhibiting enhanced barrier properties. METHODS: hiPSC-BMECs were co-cultured with HB3var03 strain Pf-iRBCs up to 9 h. Barrier integrity was measured using transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and sodium fluorescein permeability assays. Localization and expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin, zonula occludens-1, claudin-5), cellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and endothelial surface markers (EPCR) were determined using immunofluorescence imaging (IF) and western blotting (WB). Expression of angiogenic and cell stress markers were measured using multiplex proteome profiler arrays. RESULTS: After 6-h of co-culture with Pf-iRBCs, hiPSC-BMECs showed reduced TEER and increased sodium fluorescein permeability compared to co-culture with uninfected RBCs, indicative of a leaky barrier. We observed disruptions in localization of occludin, zonula occludens-1, and claudin-5 by IF, but no change in protein expression by WB in Pf-iRBC co-cultures. Expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 but not EPCR was elevated in hiPSC-BMECs with Pf-iRBC co-culture compared to uninfected RBC co-culture. In addition, there was an increase in expression of angiogenin, platelet factor-4, and phospho-heat shock protein-27 in the Pf-iRBCs co-culture compared to uninfected RBC co-culture. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the validity of our hiPSC-BMECs based model of the BBB, that displays enhanced barrier integrity and appropriate TJ protein localization. In the hiPSC-BMEC co-culture with Pf-iRBCs, reduced TEER, increased paracellular permeability, changes in TJ protein localization, increase in expression of adhesion molecules, and markers of angiogenesis and cellular stress all point towards a novel model with enhanced barrier properties, suitable for investigating pathogenic mechanisms underlying BBB disruption in CM.

EVALUATION OF TRANEXAMIC ACID AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE IN MAJOR TRAUMAS IN A PREHOSPITAL SETTING: A NARRATIVE REVIEW.

ABSTRACT: Excessive blood loss in the prehospital setting poses a significant challenge and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In response, emergency medical services (EMS) have increasingly adopted the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) as therapeutic interventions for hemorrhagic traumas. Tranexamic acid functions by inhibiting plasmin formation and restoring hemostatic balance, while calcium plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade, facilitating the conversion of factor X to factor Xa and prothrombin to thrombin. Despite the growing utilization of TXA and CaCl 2 in both prehospital and hospital environments, a lack of literature exists regarding the comparative effectiveness of these agents in reducing hemorrhage and improving patient outcomes. Notably, Morgan County Indiana EMS recently integrated the administration of TXA with CaCl 2 into their treatment protocols, offering a valuable opportunity to gather insight and formulate updated guidelines based on patient-centered outcomes. This narrative review aims to comprehensively evaluate the existing evidence concerning the administration of TXA and CaCl 2 in the prehospital management of hemorrhages, while also incorporating and analyzing data derived from the co-administration of these medications within the practices of Morgan County EMS. This represents the inaugural description of the concurrent use of both TXA and CaCl 2 to manage hemorrhages in the scientific literature.

Marked hyperglycemia attenuates anesthetic preconditioning in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

INTRODUCTION: Anesthetic preconditioning protects cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress-induced injury, but it is ineffective in patients with diabetes mellitus. To address the role of hyperglycemia in the inability of diabetic individuals to be preconditioned, we used human cardiomyocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells generated from patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-iPSC- and N-iPSC-CMs, respectively) to investigate the efficacy of preconditioning in varying glucose conditions (5, 11, and 25 mM). METHODS: Induced pluripotent stem cells were induced to generate cardiomyocytes by directed differentiation. For subsequent studies, cardiomyocytes were identified by genetic labeling with enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by a cardiac-specific promoter. Cell viability was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Confocal microscopy was utilized to measure opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the mitochondrial adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. RESULTS: Isoflurane (0.5 mM) preconditioning protected N-iPSC- and DM-iPSC-CMs from oxidative stress-induced lactate dehydrogenase release and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in 5 mM and 11 mM glucose. Isoflurane triggered mitochondrial adenosine-5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opening in N-iPSC-CMs in 5 mM and 11 mM glucose and in DM-iPSC-CMs in 5 mM glucose; 25 mM glucose disrupted anesthetic preconditioning-mediated protection in DM-iPSC- and N-iPSC-CMs. CONCLUSIONS: The opening of mitochondrial adenosine 5'-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels are disrupted in DM-iPSC-CMs in 11 mM and 25 mM glucose and in N-iPSC-CMs in 25 mM glucose. Cardiomyocytes derived from healthy donors and patients with a specific disease, such as diabetes in this study, open possibilities in studying genotype- and phenotype-related pathologies in a human-relevant model.

The Effects of Propofol on a Human in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

Background: Recently, the safety of repeated and lengthy anesthesia administration has been called into question, a subset of these animal studies demonstrated that anesthetics induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. The BBB is critical in protecting the brain parenchyma from the surrounding micro-vasculature. BBB breakdown and dysfunction has been observed in several neurodegenerative diseases and may contribute to both the initiation and the progression of the disease. In this study we utilize a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived-BBB model, exhibiting near in vivo properties, to evaluate the effects of anesthetics on critical barrier properties. Methods: iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) expressed near in vivo barrier tightness assessed by trans-endothelial electrical resistance and para-cellular permeability. Efflux transporter activity was determined by substrate transport in the presence of specific inhibitors. Trans-cellular transport was measured utilizing large fluorescently tagged dextran. Tight junction localization in BMECs was evaluated with fluorescent microscopy. The anesthetic, propofol was exposed to BMECs at varying durations and concentrations and BBB properties were monitored post-exposure. Results: Following propofol exposure, BMECs displayed reduced resistance and increased permeability indicative of a leaky barrier. Reduced barrier tightness and the dysregulation of occludin, a tight junction protein, were partly the result of an elevation in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels. Efflux transporter activity and trans-cellular transport were unaffected by propofol exposure. Propofol induced barrier dysfunction was partially restored following matrix metalloproteinase inhibition. Conclusion: For the first time, we have demonstrated that propofol alters BBB integrity utilizing a human in vitro BBB model that displays key in vivo characteristics. A leaky BBB enables otherwise impermeable molecules such as pathogens and toxins the ability to reach vulnerable cell types of the brain parenchyma. A robust human in vitro BBB model will allow for the evaluation of several anesthetics at fluctuating clinical scenarios and to elucidate mechanisms with the goal of ultimately improving anesthesia safety.

Wnt signaling mediates acquisition of blood-brain barrier properties in naïve endothelium derived from human pluripotent stem cells.

Endothelial cells (ECs) in the central nervous system (CNS) acquire their specialized blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties in response to extrinsic signals, with Wnt/ß-catenin signaling coordinating multiple aspects of this process. Our knowledge of CNS EC development has been advanced largely by animal models, and human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer the opportunity to examine BBB development in an in vitro human system. Here, we show that activation of Wnt signaling in hPSC-derived naïve endothelial progenitors, but not in matured ECs, leads to robust acquisition of canonical BBB phenotypes including expression of GLUT-1, increased claudin-5, decreased PLVAP, and decreased permeability. RNA-seq revealed a transcriptome profile resembling ECs with CNS-like characteristics, including Wnt-upregulated expression of LEF1, APCDD1, and ZIC3. Together, our work defines effects of Wnt activation in naïve ECs and establishes an improved hPSC-based model for interrogation of CNS barriergenesis.

The cells that line the inside of blood vessels are called endothelial cells. In the blood vessels of the brain, these cells form a structure called the 'blood-brain barrier', which allows nutrients to pass from the blood into the brain, while at the same time preventing harmful substances like toxins from crossing. Faults in the blood-brain barrier can contribute to neurological diseases, but the blood-brain barrier can also restrict drugs from accessing the brain, making it difficult to treat certain conditions. Understanding how the endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier develop may offer insight into new treatments for neurological diseases. During the development of the embryo, endothelial cells develop from stem cells. They can also be generated in the laboratory from human pluripotent stem cells or 'hPSCs', which are cells that can produce more cells like themselves, or differentiate into any cell type in the body. Scientists can treat hPSCs with specific molecules to make them differentiate into endothelial cells, or to modify their properties. This allows researchers to monitor how different types of endothelial cells form. Endothelial cells at the blood-brain barrier are one of these types. During their development, these cells gain distinct features, including the production of proteins called GLUT-1, claudin-5 and LSR. GLUT-1 transports glucose across endothelial cells' membranes, while claudin-5 and LSR tightly join adjacent cells together, preventing molecules from leaking into the brain through the space between cells. In mouse endothelial cells, a signaling protein called Wnt is responsible for turning on the genes that code for these proteins. But how does Wnt signaling impact human endothelial cells? Gastfriend et al. probed the effects of Wnt signaling on human endothelial cells grown in the lab as they differentiate from hPSCs. They found that human endothelial cells developed distinct blood-brain barrier features when Wnt signaling was activated, producing GLUT-1, claudin-5 and LSR. Gastfriend et al. also found that human endothelial cells were more responsive to Wnt signaling earlier in their development. Additionally, they identified the genes that became activated in human endothelial cells when Wnt signaling was triggered. These findings provide insight into the development and features of the endothelial cells that form the human blood-brain barrier. The results are a first step towards a better understanding of how this structure works in humans. This information may also allow researchers to develop new ways to deliver drugs into the brain.

Correction to: An isogenic neurovascular unit model comprised of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons.

Following publication of the original article [1], the author has reported that in Figure 1 (b and c) the y-axis TEER (© x cm2) should be replaced with TEER (Ω x cm2).

Studying Human Neurological Disorders Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: From 2D Monolayer to 3D Organoid and Blood Brain Barrier Models.

Neurological disorders have emerged as a predominant healthcare concern in recent years due to their severe consequences on quality of life and prevalence throughout the world. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and the interactions between different brain cell types is essential for the development of new therapeutics. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are invaluable tools for neurological disease modeling, as they have unlimited self-renewal and differentiation capacity. Mounting evidence shows: (i) various brain cells can be generated from iPSCs in two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures; and (ii) further advances in 3D culture systems have led to the differentiation of iPSCs into organoids with multiple brain cell types and specific brain regions. These 3D organoids have gained widespread attention as in vitro tools to recapitulate complex features of the brain, and (iii) complex interactions between iPSC-derived brain cell types can recapitulate physiological and pathological conditions of blood-brain barrier (BBB). As iPSCs can be generated from diverse patient populations, researchers have effectively applied 2D, 3D, and BBB models to recapitulate genetically complex neurological disorders and reveal novel insights into molecular and genetic mechanisms of neurological disorders. In this review, we describe recent progress in the generation of 2D, 3D, and BBB models from iPSCs and further discuss their limitations, advantages, and future ventures. This review also covers the current status of applications of 2D, 3D, and BBB models in drug screening, precision medicine, and modeling a wide range of neurological diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, neurodevelopmental disorders, brain injury, and neuropsychiatric disorders). © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:565-611, 2019.

An isogenic neurovascular unit model comprised of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons.

BACKGROUND: Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) astrocytes, neurons, and pericytes form the neurovascular unit (NVU). Interactions with NVU cells endow BMECs with extremely tight barriers via the expression of tight junction proteins, a host of active efflux and nutrient transporters, and reduced transcellular transport. To recreate the BMEC-enhancing functions of NVU cells, we combined BMECs, astrocytes, neurons, and brain pericyte-like cells. METHODS: BMECs, neurons, astrocytes, and brain like pericytes were differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and placed in a Transwell-type NVU model. BMECs were placed in co-culture with neurons, astrocytes, and/or pericytes alone or in varying combinations and critical barrier properties were monitored. RESULTS: Co-culture with pericytes followed by a mixture of neurons and astrocytes (1:3) induced the greatest barrier tightening in BMECs, supported by a significant increase in junctional localization of occludin. BMECs also expressed active P-glycoprotein (PGP) efflux transporters under baseline BMEC monoculture conditions and continued to express baseline active PGP efflux transporters regardless of co-culture conditions. Finally, brain-like pericyte co-culture significantly reduced the rate of non-specific transcytosis across BMECs. CONCLUSIONS: Importantly, each cell type in the NVU model was differentiated from the same donor iPSC source, yielding an isogenic model that could prove enabling for enhanced personalized modeling of the NVU in human health and disease.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived brain pericyte-like cells induce blood-brain barrier properties.

Brain pericytes play important roles in the formation and maintenance of the neurovascular unit (NVU), and their dysfunction has been implicated in central nervous system disorders. While human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been used to model other NVU cell types, including brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), astrocytes, and neurons, hPSC-derived brain pericyte-like cells have not been integrated into these models. In this study, we generated neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), the embryonic precursor to forebrain pericytes, from hPSCs and subsequently differentiated NCSCs to brain pericyte-like cells. These cells closely resembled primary human brain pericytes and self-assembled with endothelial cells. The brain pericyte-like cells induced blood-brain barrier properties in BMECs, including barrier enhancement and reduced transcytosis. Last, brain pericyte-like cells were incorporated with iPSC-derived BMECs, astrocytes, and neurons to form an isogenic human model that should prove useful for the study of the NVU.

Software to improve transfer and reproducibility of cell culture methods.

Cell culture is a vital component of laboratories throughout the scientific community, yet the absence of standardized protocols and documentation practice challenges laboratory efficiency and scientific reproducibility. We examined the effectiveness of a cloud-based software application, CultureTrax® as a tool for standardizing and transferring a complex cell culture protocol. The software workflow and template were used to electronically format a cardiomyocyte differentiation protocol and share a digitally executable copy with a different lab user. While the protocol was unfamiliar to the recipient, they executed the experiment by solely using CultureTrax and successfully derived cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. This software tool significantly reduced the time and resources required to effectively transfer and implement a novel protocol.

Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to blood-brain barrier endothelial cells.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of specialized endothelial cells that are critical to neurological health. A key tool for understanding human BBB development and its role in neurological disease is a reliable and scalable source of functional brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can theoretically generate unlimited quantities of any cell lineage in vitro, including BMECs, for disease modeling, drug screening, and cell-based therapies. We demonstrate a facile, chemically defined method to differentiate hPSCs to BMECs in a developmentally relevant progression via small-molecule activation of key signaling pathways. hPSCs are first induced to mesoderm commitment by activating canonical Wnt signaling. Next, these mesoderm precursors progress to endothelial progenitors, and treatment with retinoic acid leads to acquisition of BBB-specific markers and phenotypes. hPSC-derived BMECs generated via this protocol exhibit endothelial properties, including tube formation and low-density lipoprotein uptake, as well as efflux transporter activities characteristic of BMECs. Notably, these cells exhibit high transendothelial electrical resistance above 3000 ohm·cm2. These hPSC-derived BMECs serve as a robust human in vitro BBB model that can be used to study brain disease and inform therapeutic development.

Exploring the effects of cell seeding density on the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to brain microvascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Brain microvascular-like endothelial cells (BMECs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have significant promise as tools for drug screening and studying the structure and function of the BBB in health and disease. The density of hPSCs is a key factor in regulating cell fate and yield during differentiation. Prior reports of hPSC differentiation to BMECs have seeded hPSCs in aggregates, leading to non-uniform cell densities that may result in differentiation heterogeneity. Here we report a singularized-cell seeding approach compatible with hPSC-derived BMEC differentiation protocols and evaluate the effects of initial hPSC seeding density on the subsequent differentiation, yield, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) phenotype. METHODS: A range of densities of hPSCs was seeded and differentiated, with the resultant endothelial cell yield quantified via VE-cadherin flow cytometry. Barrier phenotype of purified hPSC-derived BMECs was measured via transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), and purification protocols were subsequently optimized to maximize TEER. Expression of characteristic vascular markers, tight junction proteins, and transporters was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and quantified by flow cytometry. P-glycoprotein and MRP-family transporter activity was assessed by intracellular accumulation assay. RESULTS: The initial hPSC seeding density of approximately 30,000 cells/cm(2) served to maximize the yield of VE-cadherin+ BMECs per input hPSC. BMECs displayed the highest TEER (>2,000 Ω × cm(2)) within this same range of initial seeding densities, although optimization of the BMEC purification method could minimize the seeding density dependence for some lines. Localization and expression levels of tight junction proteins as well as efflux transporter activity were largely independent of hPSC seeding density. Finally, the utility of the singularized-cell seeding approach was demonstrated by scaling the differentiation and purification process down from 6-well to 96-well culture without impacting BBB phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Given the yield and barrier dependence on initial seeding density, the singularized-cell seeding approach reported here should enhance the reproducibility and scalability of hPSC-derived BBB models, particularly for the application to new pluripotent stem cell lines.

Chemically-defined albumin-free differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to endothelial progenitor cells.

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived endothelial cells and their progenitors are important for vascular research and therapeutic revascularization. Here, we report a completely defined endothelial progenitor differentiation platform that uses a minimalistic medium consisting of Dulbecco's modified eagle medium and ascorbic acid, lacking of albumin and growth factors. Following hPSC treatment with a GSK-3ß inhibitor and culture in this medium, this protocol generates more than 30% multipotent CD34+ CD31+ endothelial progenitors that can be purified to >95% CD34+ cells via magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). These CD34+ progenitors are capable of differentiating into endothelial cells in serum-free inductive media. These hPSC-derived endothelial cells express key endothelial markers including CD31, VE-cadherin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF), exhibit endothelial-specific phenotypes and functions including tube formation and acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) uptake. This fully defined platform should facilitate production of proliferative, xeno-free endothelial progenitor cells for both research and clinical applications.