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Andreas Heuer

Andreas Heuer

Research team manager

Andreas Heuer

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

Author

  • Shane Grealish
  • Andreas Heuer
  • Tiago Cardoso
  • Agnete Kirkeby
  • Marie Jönsson
  • Jenny G Johansson
  • Anders Björklund
  • Johan Jakobsson
  • Malin Parmar

Summary, in English

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.

Department/s

  • Neurobiology
  • Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology
  • Molecular Neurogenetics
  • StemTherapy: National Initiative on Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy
  • MultiPark: Multidisciplinary research focused on Parkinson´s disease

Publishing year

2015

Language

English

Pages

975-983

Publication/Series

Stem Cell Reports

Volume

4

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Cell Press

Topic

  • Cell and Molecular Biology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Neurobiology
  • Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology
  • Molecular Neurogenetics

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2213-6711