We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Stem Cell-Based Cultures Used for Brain Disease Research

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Aug 2018
Print article
Image: Microcultures of oligocortical spheroids (Photo courtesy of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine).
Image: Microcultures of oligocortical spheroids (Photo courtesy of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine).
A team of neurological disease researchers used stem cell technology to culture mini-organoids comprising all the major cell types found in the human cerebral cortex - including oligodendrocytes - for brain structure/function research.

Oligodendrocytes make myelin, the fatty substance that wraps, supports, and insulates nerve cells and connections. Nerve cells that lack myelin cannot communicate effectively and may degenerate.

Cerebral organoids have been shown to be an accessible system for investigations of cellular composition, interactions, and organization of the brain but have lacked oligodendrocytes. To correct this problem, investigators at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Cleveland, OH, USA) reproducibly generated oligodendrocytes and myelin in "oligocortical spheroids" derived from human pluripotent stem cells.

The investigators reported in the July 25, 2018, online edition of the journal Nature Methods that molecular features consistent with those of maturing oligodendrocytes and early myelin appeared by week 20 in culture, with further maturation and myelin compaction evident by week 30.

Drugs that promoted myelin formation were found to enhance the rate and extent of oligodendrocyte generation and myelination, while spheroids generated from human subjects with the genetic myelin disorder Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease recapitulated human disease phenotypes.

“We have taken the organoid system and added the third major cell type in the central nervous system—oligodendrocytes—and now have a more accurate representation of cellular interactions that occur during human brain development,” said senior author Dr. Paul Tesar, associate professor of genetics and genome sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. “This is a powerful platform to understand human development and neurological disease. Using stem cell technology we can generate nearly unlimited quantities of human brain-like tissue in the lab. Our method creates a "mini-cortex", containing neurons, astrocytes, and now oligodendrocytes producing myelin. This is a major step toward unlocking stages of human brain development that previously were inaccessible.”

“Our method enables generation of human brain tissue in the laboratory from any patient,” said Dr. Tesar. “More broadly, it can accurately recapitulate how the human nervous system is built and identify what goes wrong in certain neurological conditions.”

Related Links:
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.