Establishment of an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line (SDUKIi006-A) from a 21-year old male patient diagnosed with atypical autism disorder.

Autism is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder defined by significant challenges in communication skills and social behavior as well as repetitive conduct and interests. Recent advances in stem cell technologies allow in vitro modeling of the underlying molecular disease mechanisms. Using integration-free episomal plasmids, we have generated a novel iPS cell line (SDUKIi006-A) from a patient diagnosed with atypical autism ("FYNEN cohort" of Southern Denmark). Characterization of the established cell line validated its expression of pluripotency markers, differentiation into the three germ layers, and the absence of chromosomal abnormalities.

Generation of autism spectrum disorder patient-derived iPSC line SDUKIi004-A.

Autism is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder defined by deficits in socialization, communication, and patterns of behavior. Using stem cells to model brain disordersmay yield new understanding about the underlying neuropathological processes and could prove essential for drug development. We present here a newhuman inducedpluripotentstem cell (iPSC) line (SDUKIi004-A) generated from skin fibroblasts derived from a 21-year old male patient diagnosed with Pervasive DevelopmentalDisorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)("FYNEN-cohort"). Reprogramming of the fibroblasts was accomplished using integration-free episomal plasmids. Characterization validated the expression of pluripotency markers, differentiation into the three germ layers, and absence of chromosomal abnormalities.

Generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (SDUKIi002-A) from a 22-year-old male diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by impaired social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests and behavior. Increasing evidence points to an early-stage disruption of brain development. A human-induced pluripotent stem cell line (SDUKIi002-A) was created from skin fibroblasts from a 22-year old autistic male identified in the "FYNEN-cohort" of Southern Denmark. Reprogramming of the fibroblasts was performed using integration-free episomal plasmids. Further characterization confirmed the expression of pluripotency markers, differentiation into the three germ layers, absence of chromosomal abnormalities, and mycoplasma infection.

Epigenetics and cerebral organoids: promising directions in autism spectrum disorders.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect 1 in 68 children in the US according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is characterized by impairments in social interactions and communication, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behaviors, and interests. Owing to disease complexity, only a limited number of treatment options are available mainly for children that alleviate but do not cure the debilitating symptoms. Studies confirm a genetic link, but environmental factors, such as medications, toxins, and maternal infection during pregnancy, as well as birth complications also play a role. Some studies indicate a set of candidate genes with different DNA methylation profiles in ASD compared to healthy individuals. Thus epigenetic alterations could help bridging the gene-environment gap in deciphering the underlying neurobiology of autism. However, epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) have mainly included a very limited number of postmortem brain samples. Hence, cellular models mimicking brain development in vitro will be of great importance to study the critical epigenetic alterations and when they might happen. This review will give an overview of the state of the art concerning knowledge on epigenetic changes in autism and how new, cutting edge expertise based on three-dimensional (3D) stem cell technology models (brain organoids) can contribute in elucidating the multiple aspects of disease mechanisms.