Project description:Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived kidney organoids recapitulate complex developmental processes and tissue architectures, but the intrinsic limitations, such as variability and a lack of vasculature, have greatly hampered their application. Here we establish a highly efficient and versatile protocol for generating vascularized three-dimensional (3D) kidney organoids. We employ dynamic modulation of WNT signaling to control the relative proportion of proximal versus distal nephron segments, thereby producing a correlative level of VEGFA to define the resident vascular network. By single cell RNA-sequencing, we identify a subset of nephron progenitor cells as a potential source of the vasculature. Upon implantation into host mice, these kidney organoids undergo further structural and functional maturation, as demonstrated by the size-selective handling of dextran. Based on this differentiation platform, we establish an in vitro model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) by differentiating induced PSCs (iPSCs) from an ARPKD patient into 3D kidney organoids that develop tubule cysts in response to cAMP upregulation. The cystogenesis phenotype can be effectively prevented by gene correction or drug treatment. Our studies provide a versatile platform for studying human kidney development and diseases, and opens new avenues for modeling disease pathogenesis and performing patient-specific drug screening.
Project description:Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived kidney organoids recapitulate complex developmental processes and tissue architectures, but the intrinsic limitations, such as variability and a lack of vasculature, have greatly hampered their application. Here we establish a highly efficient and versatile protocol for generating vascularized three-dimensional (3D) kidney organoids. We employ dynamic modulation of WNT signaling to control the relative proportion of proximal versus distal nephron segments, thereby producing a correlative level of VEGFA to define the resident vascular network. By single cell RNA-sequencing, we identify a subset of nephron progenitor cells as a potential source of the vasculature. Upon implantation into host mice, these kidney organoids undergo further structural and functional maturation, as demonstrated by the size-selective handling of dextran. Based on this differentiation platform, we establish an in vitro model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) by differentiating induced PSCs (iPSCs) from an ARPKD patient into 3D kidney organoids that develop tubule cysts in response to cAMP upregulation. The cystogenesis phenotype can be effectively prevented by gene correction or drug treatment. Our studies provide a versatile platform for studying human kidney development and diseases, and opens new avenues for modeling disease pathogenesis and performing patient-specific drug screening.
Project description:Loss of contractility and acquisition of an epithelial phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key events in proliferative vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis and post-angioplastic restenosis. There is no proper cell culture system allowing VSMC differentiation so that it is difficult to delineate the molecular mechanism responsible for proliferative vasculopathy. We investigated whether a micro-patterned substrate could restore the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in vitro. To induce and maintain the differentiated VSMC phenotype in vitro, we introduced a micro-patterned groove substrate to modulate the morphology and function of VSMCs.
Project description:In early neurodevelopment, the central nervous system is established through the coordination of various neural organizers directing tissue patterning and cell differentiation. Better recapitulation of morphogen gradient production and signaling will be crucial for establishing improved developmental models of the brainin vitro. Here, we developed a method by assembling polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices capable of generating a sustained chemical gradient to produce patterned brain organoids, which we termedMorphogen-gradientInducedBrainOrganoids (MIBOs). At 3.5 weeks, MIBOs replicated Dorsal-Ventral patterning observed in the Ganglionic Eminence (GE). Analysis of matured MIBOs through single-cell RNA sequencing revealed distinct Dorsal GE derived CALB2+ interneurons (INs), Medium Spiny Neurons (MSNs), and MGE derived cell types. Finally, we demonstrate long term culturing capabilities with MIBOs maintaining stable neural activity in cultures grown up to 5.5 months. MIBOs demonstrate a versatile approach for generating spatially patterned brain organoids for embryonic development and disease modeling.
Project description:We established a micro-patterned respiratory epithelial cell culture system in vitro. In this culture system, various types of lung epithelial cells were identified.