Home Blog of Signal Transduction Metabolism HSP (HSP90) Single cell transcriptomic profiling of neurodegeneration mediated by tau in a novel 3D neuron-astrocyte coculture model

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Single cell transcriptomic profiling of neurodegeneration mediated by tau in a novel 3D neuron-astrocyte coculture model

Background: Research into neurodegeneration has been hampered by a lack of systems that rapidly and accurately recapitulate neurodegenerative processes. We report development of a model combining human iPSC derived neurons (hiNCs) and astrocytes (hiACs) in self-aggregating 3D organoids that reproducibly develop a robust range of tau pathology and neurodegeneration. This system is a scalable and highly manipulatable model of neurodegeneration and critical understudied glial responses. Additionally, the model induces pathology without reliance on genetic overexpression. Our system represents an important technological advance in modeling Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and is a promising tool for identifying disease modifying treatments.

Methods: The system was developed by combining advances in 3D cell modeling and tau propagation. We perform directed differentiation of wild-type iPSC to hiNCs and hiACs, and hiNCs are selectively exposed to toxic aggregations to induce pathology. Cells are combined in microwells to induce self-aggregation, and pathology develops over the course of three weeks. Tau pathogenesis in the model was correlated with human tauopathy progression by immunopathology and single cell transcriptomics, and the application of a selective inhibitor PU-H71 demonstrated the efficacy of the model to explore disease modifying treatment.

Result: The model consistently displays a robust range of tau pathology within three weeks, including progressive development of hyperphosphorylated tau at positions T181, S262, and S396/404, misfolded tau (MC1, TOMA2), and fibrillar tau (THIOS). Neurodegeneration (FlouroJadeB, LDH) is accompanied by reactive astrogliosis (GFAP), which single cell transcriptomics reveals to be driven by heat shock proteins (HSPs). The observed tau pathology and transcriptional responses were reduced by treatment with PU-H71, which eliminates dysfunctional HSP epichaperome. Together this evidence demonstrates a rapid and reversible recapitulation of tau pathogenesis.

Conclusion: Our novel model consistently recapitulates tau-induced neurodegeneration in a human system, and allows for the elucidation of neuronal and astrocytic responses. Additionally, we have demonstrated the power to model the reduction of tau pathology by drug treatment. Continued expansion of the model will include integration of microglia. This novel model represents a technological advance that will allow for the rapid recapitulation of neurodegeneration in a manipulatable system that promises to accelerate drug development for AD.

Related Products

Cat.No. Product Name Information
S8039 Zelavespib (PU-H71) Zelavespib (PU-H71, NSC 750424) is a potent and selective inhibitor of HSP90 with IC50 of 51 nM. Phase 1.

Related Targets

HSP (HSP90)