Monosynaptic Tracing using Modified Rabies Virus Reveals Early and Extensive Circuit Integration of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons

TY - JOUR

T1 - Monosynaptic Tracing using Modified Rabies Virus Reveals Early and Extensive Circuit Integration of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons

AU - Grealish, Shane

AU - Heuer, Andreas

AU - Cardoso, Tiago

AU - Kirkeby, Agnete

AU - Jönsson, Marie

AU - Johansson, Jenny

AU - Björklund, Anders

AU - Jakobsson, Johan

AU - Parmar, Malin

PY - 2015/6/9

Y1 - 2015/6/9

N2 - Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived dopamine neurons are currently moving toward clinical use for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the timing and extent at which stem cell-derived neurons functionally integrate into existing host neural circuitry after transplantation remain largely unknown. In this study, we use modified rabies virus to trace afferent and efferent connectivity of transplanted hESC-derived neurons in a rat model of PD and report that grafted human neurons integrate into the host neural circuitry in an unexpectedly rapid and extensive manner. The pattern of connectivity resembled that of local endogenous neurons, while ectopic connections were not detected. Revealing circuit integration of human dopamine neurons substantiates their potential use in clinical trials. Additionally, our data present rabies-based tracing as a valuable and widely applicable tool for analyzing graft connectivity that can easily be adapted to analyze connectivity of a variety of different neuronal sources and subtypes in different disease models.

AB - Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived dopamine neurons are currently moving toward clinical use for Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the timing and extent at which stem cell-derived neurons functionally integrate into existing host neural circuitry after transplantation remain largely unknown. In this study, we use modified rabies virus to trace afferent and efferent connectivity of transplanted hESC-derived neurons in a rat model of PD and report that grafted human neurons integrate into the host neural circuitry in an unexpectedly rapid and extensive manner. The pattern of connectivity resembled that of local endogenous neurons, while ectopic connections were not detected. Revealing circuit integration of human dopamine neurons substantiates their potential use in clinical trials. Additionally, our data present rabies-based tracing as a valuable and widely applicable tool for analyzing graft connectivity that can easily be adapted to analyze connectivity of a variety of different neuronal sources and subtypes in different disease models.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930928346&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.04.011

DO - 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.04.011

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26004633

AN - SCOPUS:84930928346

SN - 2213-6711

VL - 4

SP - 975

EP - 983

JO - Stem Cell Reports

JF - Stem Cell Reports

IS - 6

ER -