A novel two-factor monosynaptic TRIO tracing method for assessment of circuit integration of hESC-derived dopamine transplants
Summary
Transplantation in Parkinson's disease using human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons is a promising future treatment option. However, many of the mechanisms that govern their differentiation, maturation, and integration into the host circuitry remain elusive. Here, we engrafted hESCs differentiated toward a ventral midbrain DA phenotype into the midbrain of a preclinical rodent model of Parkinson's disease. We then injected a novel DA-neurotropic retrograde MNM008 adeno-associated virus vector capsid, into specific DA target regions to generate starter cells based on their axonal projections. Using monosynaptic rabies-based tracing, we demonstrated for the first time that grafted hESC-derived DA neurons receive distinctly different afferent inputs depending on their projections. The similarities to the host DA system suggest a previously unknown directed circuit integration. By evaluating the differential host-to-graft connectivity based on projection patterns, this novel approach offers a tool to answer outstanding questions regarding the integration of grafted hESC-derived DA neurons. Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
| Authors | Aldrin-Kirk P, Åkerblom M, Cardoso T, Nolbrant S, Adler AF, Liu X, Heuer A, Davidsson M, Parmar M, Björklund T |
|---|---|
| Journal | Stem cell reports |
| Publication Date | 2022 Jan 11;17(1):159-172 |
| PubMed | 34971563 |
| PubMed Central | PMC8758947 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.11.014 |