线粒体与多潜能干细胞功能

线粒体是细胞内重要的细胞器,主要功能是通过氧化磷酸化为细胞生命活动提供能量。近年来,研究表明,在多潜能干细胞（Pluripotent stem cells, PSCs）中线粒体表现出独有的特征,即在多能性状态下,PSCs主要依靠糖酵解提供能量,其分化期间线粒体氧化磷酸化代谢能力逐渐增强。相反,体细胞重编程为多潜能干细胞期间,线粒体氧化磷酸化向糖酵解途径的转变是其成功重编程必需的代谢过程。另外,线粒体通过生物合成和形态结构的动态重塑维持了PSCs多能性、诱导分化及诱导多能干细胞（Induced pluripotent stem cells, iPSCs）的重编程。因此,本文综述了PSCs线粒体形态结构及其在调控PSCs多能性、合成代谢、氧化还原状态的平衡、分化及重新编程中的作用,为深入了解线粒体调控PSCs功能的作用提供理论基础。     

线粒体功能缺陷和神经系统疾病

线粒体呼吸链缺陷一直被认为是诱发线粒体疾病的重要因素,这有助于研究人员阐释其遗传和临床多样性。然而,线粒体的其他功能也具有重要意义,包括蛋白质运输、细胞器动力学和细胞凋亡。调控这些功能的基因缺陷不仅导致神经和精神疾病,而且还导致年龄相关的神经变性疾病。因此,引起越来越多的关注。在讨论呼吸链缺陷引起相关神经系统疾病的一些致病难题后,就线粒体动力学改变引起的相关神经系统疾病病因和常见神经变性疾病的病理生理机制作一综述。     

Diagnosis and molecular basis of mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders: Exome sequencing for disease gene identification

Mitochondrial disorders have the highest incidence among congenital metabolic diseases, and are thought to occur at a rate of 1 in 5000 births. About 25% of the diseases diagnosed as mitochondrial disorders in the field of pediatrics have mitochondrial DNA abnormalities, while the rest occur due to defects in genes encoded in the nucleus. The most important function of the mitochondria is biosynthesis of ATP. Mitochondrial disorders are nearly synonymous with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder, as respiratory chain complexes serve a central role in ATP biosynthesis. By next-generation sequencing of the exome, we analyzed 104 patients with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders. The results of analysis to date were 18 patients with novel variants in genes previously reported to be disease-causing, and 27 patients with mutations in genes suggested to be associated in some way with mitochondria, and it is likely that they are new disease-causing genes in mitochondrial disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Frontiers of Mitochondrial Research.     

Modelling neurodegenerative diseases with 3D brain organoids

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions characterized by the deterioration of brain function. Most brain disease models rely on human post‐mortem brain tissue, non‐human primate tissue, or in vitro two‐dimensional (2D) experiments. Resource limitations and the complexity of the human brain are some of the reasons that make suitable human neurodegenerative disease models inaccessible. However, recently developed three‐dimensional (3D) brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced PSCs, may provide suitable models for the study of the pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of existing 3D brain organoid models and discuss recent advances in organoid technology that have increased our understanding of brain development. Moreover, we explain how 3D organoid models recapitulate aspects of specific neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease, and explore the utility of these models, for therapeutic applications.     

Mitochondrial proteolytic stress induced by loss of mortalin function is rescued by Parkin and PINK1

The mitochondrial chaperone mortalin was implicated in Parkinson''s disease (PD) because of its reduced levels in the brains of PD patients and disease-associated rare genetic variants that failed to rescue impaired mitochondrial integrity in cellular knockdown models. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying mortalin-related neurodegeneration, we dissected the cellular surveillance mechanisms related to mitochondrial quality control, defined the effects of reduced mortalin function at the molecular and cellular levels and investigated the functional interaction of mortalin with Parkin and PINK1, two PD-related proteins involved in mitochondrial homeostasis. We found that reduced mortalin function leads to: (1) activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)), (2) increased susceptibility towards intramitochondrial proteolytic stress, (3) increased autophagic degradation of fragmented mitochondria and (4) reduced mitochondrial mass in human cells in vitro and ex vivo. These alterations caused increased vulnerability toward apoptotic cell death. Proteotoxic perturbations induced by either partial loss of mortalin or chemical induction were rescued by complementation with native mortalin, but not disease-associated mortalin variants, and were independent of the integrity of autophagic pathways. However, Parkin and PINK1 rescued loss of mortalin phenotypes via increased lysosomal-mediated mitochondrial clearance and required intact autophagic machinery. Our results on loss of mortalin function reveal a direct link between impaired mitochondrial proteostasis, UPR(mt) and PD and show that effective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria via either genetic (PINK1 and Parkin overexpression) or pharmacological intervention (rapamycin) may compensate mitochondrial phenotypes.     

Modeling human neurological disorders with induced pluripotent stem cells

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells obtained by reprogramming technology are a source of great hope, not only in terms of applications in regenerative medicine, such as cell transplantation therapy, but also for modeling human diseases and new drug development. In particular, the production of iPS cells from the somatic cells of patients with intractable diseases and their subsequent differentiation into cells at affected sites (e.g., neurons, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, and myocytes) has permitted the in vitro construction of disease models that contain patient‐specific genetic information. For example, disease‐specific iPS cells have been established from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism, as well as from those with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. A multi‐omics analysis of neural cells originating from patient‐derived iPS cells may thus enable investigators to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of neurological diseases that have heretofore been unknown. In addition, large‐scale screening of chemical libraries with disease‐specific iPS cells is currently underway and is expected to lead to new drug discovery. Accordingly, this review outlines the progress made via the use of patient‐derived iPS cells toward the modeling of neurological disorders, the testing of existing drugs, and the discovery of new drugs.

     

Recent progress of animal transplantation studies for treating articular cartilage damage using pluripotent stem cells

Focal articular cartilage damage can eventually lead to the onset of osteoarthritis with degradation around healthy articular cartilage. Currently, there are no drugs available that effectively repair articular cartilage damage. Several surgical techniques exist and are expected to prevent progression to osteoarthritis, but they do not offer a long‐term clinical solution. Recently, regenerative medicine approaches using human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have gained attention as new cell sources for therapeutic products. To translate PSCs to clinical application, appropriate cultures that produce large amounts of chondrocytes and hyaline cartilage are needed. So too are assays for the safety and efficacy of the cellular materials in preclinical studies including animal transplantation models. To confirm safety and efficacy, transplantation into the subcutaneous space and articular cartilage defects have been performed in animal models. All but one study we reviewed that transplanted PSC‐derived cellular products into articular cartilage defects found safe and effective recovery. However, for most of those studies, the quality of the PSCs was not verified, and the evaluations were done with small animals over short observation periods. Large animals and longer observation times are preferred. We will discuss the recent progress and future direction of the animal transplantation studies for the treatment of focal articular cartilage damages using PSCs.     

A peep into mitochondrial disorder:multifaceted from mitochondrial DNAmutations to nuclear gene modulation

Mitochondrial genome is responsible for multiple human diseases in a maternal inherited pattern, yet phenotypes of patients in a same pedigree frequently vary largely. Genes involving in epigenetic modification, RNA processing, and other biological pathways, rather than “threshold effect” and environmental factors, provide more specific explanation to the aberrant phenotype. Thus, the double hit theory, mutations both in mitochondrial DNA and modifying genes aggravating the symptom, throws new light on mitochondrial dysfunction processes. In addition, mitochondrial retrograde signaling pathway that leads to reconfiguration of cell metabolism to adapt defects in mitochondria may as well play an active role. Here we review selected examples of modifier genes and mitochondrial retrograde signaling in mitochondrial disorders, which refine our understanding and will guide the rational design of clinical therapies.     

Internalization of isolated functional mitochondria: involvement of macropinocytosis

In eukaryotic cells, mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with a variety of human diseases. Delivery of exogenous functional mitochondria into damaged cells has been proposed as a mechanism of cell transplant and physiological repair for damaged tissue. We here demonstrated that isolated mitochondria can be transferred into homogeneic and xenogeneic cells by simple co‐incubation using genetically labelled mitochondria, and elucidated the mechanism and the effect of direct mitochondrial transfer. Intracellular localization of exogenous mitochondria was confirmed by PCR, real‐time PCR, live fluorescence imaging, three‐dimensional reconstruction imaging, continuous time‐lapse microscopic observation, flow cytometric analysis and immunoelectron microscopy. Isolated homogeneic mitochondria were transferred into human uterine endometrial gland‐derived mesenchymal cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, mitochondrial transfer rescued the mitochondrial respiratory function and improved the cellular viability in mitochondrial DNA‐depleted cells and these effects lasted several days. Finally, we discovered that mitochondrial internalization involves macropinocytosis. In conclusion, these data support direct transfer of exogenous mitochondria as a promising approach for the treatment of various diseases.     

线粒体转运蛋白质家族

线粒体转运蛋白质家族（mitochondrial transporter family）等可溶性物质载体（solute carrier,SLC）,主要包括SLC25,广泛存在于真核生物线粒体中,负责可溶性物质跨线粒体内膜的转运。SLC25家族成员拥有相似的结构特征、种类繁多的转运底物,并与细胞的多种生理功能密切相关。有研究表明,SLC25家族蛋白质的缺失或突变可导致多种代谢性疾病或神经系统疾病的发生。     

Large-scale generation of human iPSC-derived neural stem cells/early neural progenitor cells and their neuronal differentiation

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to perform high-throughput screening of novel drugs for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Such screenings require a robust and scalable method for generating large numbers of mature, differentiated neuronal cells. Currently available methods based on differentiation of embryoid bodies (EBs) or directed differentiation of adherent culture systems are either expensive or are not scalable. We developed a protocol for large-scale generation of neuronal stem cells (NSCs)/early neural progenitor cells (eNPCs) and their differentiation into neurons. Our scalable protocol allows robust and cost-effective generation of NSCs/eNPCs from iPSCs. Following culture in neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 and BDNF, NSCs/eNPCs differentiate predominantly into vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) positive neurons. Targeted mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates that iPSC-derived neurons express ligand-gated channels and other synaptic proteins and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments indicate that these channels are functional. The robust and cost-effective differentiation protocol described here for large-scale generation of NSCs/eNPCs and their differentiation into neurons paves the way for automated high-throughput screening of drugs for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.     

Mechanisms Orchestrating Mitochondrial Dynamics for Energy Homeostasis

To maintain homeostasis, every cell must constantly monitor its energy level and appropriately adjust energy, in the form of ATP, production rates based on metabolic demand. Continuous fulfillment of this energy demand depends on the ability of cells to sense, metabolize, and convert nutrients into chemical energy. Mitochondria are the main energy conversion sites for many cell types. Cellular metabolic states dictate the mitochondrial size, shape, function, and positioning. Mitochondrial shape varies from singular discrete organelles to interconnected reticular networks within cells. The morphological adaptations of mitochondria to metabolic cues are facilitated by the dynamic events categorized as transport, fusion, fission, and quality control. By changing their dynamics and strategic positioning within the cytoplasm, mitochondria carry out critical functions and also participate actively in inter-organelle cross-talk, assisting metabolite transfer, degradation, and biogenesis. Mitochondrial dynamics has become an active area of research because of its particular importance in cancer, metabolic diseases, and neurological disorders. In this review, we will highlight the molecular pathways involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and their roles in maintaining energy homeostasis.     

综述: 与神经退行性疾病相关的RNA结合蛋白在线粒体损伤中的作用

线粒体是细胞内制造能量的细胞器,它还负责各种细胞信号的整合,参与协调多种复杂的细胞功能.线粒体是动态变化的,连续不断地进行分裂与融合,这是其功能维持和增殖遗传的关键.在过去20年中,参与线粒体分裂与融合的核心因子陆续被发现,它们在进化上高度保守,但是在形成分裂与融合复合物中的详细分子机制还有待于深入研究.线粒体分裂与融合的动态变化,是线粒体质量控制的重要组成部分,其动态平衡在细胞发育和稳态维持中起重要作用.线粒体动态变化失衡和功能失调,则会导致多种神经退行性疾病的发生.这些研究的发现为探索线粒体生物学及与疾病的关系开拓了令人振奋的新方向.     

A comparison of radiation-induced mitochondrial damage between neural progenitor stem cells and differentiated cells

Mitochondria play a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis during stress responses, and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to carcinogenesis, aging, and neurologic disease. We here investigated ionizing radiation (IR)-induced mitochondrial damage in human neural progenitor stem cells (NSCs), their differentiated counterparts and human normal fibroblasts. Long-term fractionated radiation (FR) with low doses of X-rays for 31 d enhanced mitochondrial activity as evident by elevated mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and mitochondrial complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) activity to fill the energy demands for the chronic DNA damage response in differentiated cells. Subsequent reduction of the antioxidant glutathione via continuous activation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation caused oxidative stress and genomic instability in differentiated cells exposed to long-term FR. In contrast, long-term FR had no effect on the mitochondrial activity in NSCs. This cell type showed efficient DNA repair, no mitochondrial damage, and resistance to long-term FR. After high doses of acute single radiation (SR) (> 5 Gy), cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase was observed in NSCs and human fibroblasts. Under this condition, increase in mitochondria mass, mitochondrial DNA, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed in the absence of enhanced mitochondrial activity. Consequently, cellular senescence was induced by high doses of SR in differentiated cells.

In conclusion, we demonstrated that mitochondrial radiation responses differ according to the extent of DNA damage, duration of radiation exposure, and cell differentiation.     

Pluripotent Stem Cells Models for Huntington＇s Disease： Prospects and Challenges

Pluripotent cellular models have shown great promise in the study of a number of neurological disorders.Several advantages of using a stem cell model include the potential for cells to derive disease relevant neuronal cell types,providing a system for researchers to monitor disease progression during neurogenesis,along with serving as a platform for drug discovery.A number of stem cell derived models have been employed to establish in vitro research models of Huntington’s disease that can be used to investigate cellular pathology and screen for drug and cell-based therapies.Although some progress has been made,there are a number of challenges and limitations that must be overcome before the true potential of this research strategy is achieved.In this article we review current stem cell models that have been reported,as well as discuss the issues that impair these studies.We also highlight the prospective application of Huntington’s disease stem cell models in the development of novel therapeutic strategies and advancement of personalized medicine.     

Application of reprogrammed patient cells to investigate the etiology of neurological and psychiatric disorders

Cellular reprogramming allows for the de novo generation of human neurons and glial cells from patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders.Crucially,this technology preserves the genome of the...     

多能性胚胎干细胞与DNA甲基化的关系

胚胎干细胞是一种能够维持自我更新、具有无限扩增能力的多能性干细胞。灵长类多能干细胞（iPSCs）根据其发育能力、细胞形态、基因表达谱以及表观遗传学的差异分为初始态多能干细胞（pPSCs）和原始态多能干细胞（nPSCs）。nPSCs因其容易进行基因工程处理以及体内外再生出功能组织器官等优势而在临床潜在应用上备受关注,因而有效维持ESCs的原始状态对其用于基础及临床研究具有重要意义。nPSCs的线粒体活性和自我更新能力高于pPSCs,且这两种多能性干细胞在DNA甲基化等方面都存在明显差别,DNA甲基化在nPSCs的转化及代谢中起到重要的作用。本文综述了DNA甲基化对ESCs的作用,特别是维持原始态的作用。