Distinct Neurodegenerative Changes in an Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Frontotemporal Dementia Linked to Mutant TAU Protein

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Marc Ehrlich - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Münster (Author)
  • Anna Lena Hallmann - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Münster (Author)
  • Peter Reinhardt - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Marcos J. Araúzo-Bravo - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biodonostia, Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science (Author)
  • Sabrina Korr - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Albrecht Röpke - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Olympia E. Psathaki - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (Author)
  • Petra Ehling - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Sven G. Meuth - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Adrian L. Oblak - , Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Author)
  • Jill R. Murrell - , Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Author)
  • Bernardino Ghetti - , Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Author)
  • Holm Zaehres - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (Author)
  • Hans R. Schöler - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (Author)
  • Jared Sterneckert - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine (Author)
  • Tanja Kuhlmann - , University of Münster (Author)
  • Gunnar Hargus - , Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Münster (Author)

Abstract

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a frequent form of early-onset dementia and can be caused by mutations in MAPT encoding the microtubule-associated protein TAU. Because of limited availability of neural cells from patients' brains, the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration in FTD are poorly understood. Here, we derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with FTD-associated MAPT mutations and differentiated them into mature neurons. Patient iPSC-derived neurons demonstrated pronounced TAU pathology with increased fragmentation and phospho-TAU immunoreactivity, decreased neurite extension, and increased but reversible oxidative stress response to inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, FTD neurons showed an activation of the unfolded protein response, and a transcriptome analysis demonstrated distinct, disease-associated gene expression profiles. These findings indicate distinct neurodegenerative changes in FTD caused by mutant TAU and highlight the unique opportunity to use neurons differentiated from patient-specific iPSCs to identify potential targets for drug screening purposes and therapeutic intervention.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)83-96
Number of pages14
JournalStem cell reports
Volume5
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jul 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 26143746
ORCID /0000-0002-7688-3124/work/142250043

Keywords