Development of fast-forming 3D cultures of human neurons for modeling Alzheimers disease amyloid and Tau pathology

2022 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07771
• Research Institution: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
• Principal Investigator: DIMITROV DIMITAR 沖縄科学技術大学院大学, 細胞分子シナプス機能ユニット, 技術員 (70568865)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Alzheimer's model / Tau pathology / Neurodome culture / semi-3D culture / iPSC-neurons

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Using iPSC-derived human neuronal cultures, I attempt to modify the cultures so that more cell grow in controlled clustered "neurodome" organization. This is advantageous because beta-amyloid plaques can form in the semi-3D neurodome cultures, wehreas in monolayer cultures it would diffuse in the medium. Thus, the neurodome cultures represent a better model for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, I found that in the semi-3D neurodome structures, the neuronal cells are healthier and also have better synaptic networks.

Using such neurodome neuronal cultures, I used to indice Alzheimer's like pathology by adding tau re-formed fibrils. The first publication using such cultures is in the final stages of preparation.

In addition, I found several molecules that additionaly enhance the formation of neurodomes.