A 3D-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human neural culture model to study certain molecular and biochemical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) early pathology needs better understanding and models. Here, we describe a human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived 3D neural culture model to study certain aspects of AD biochemistry and pathology. Method iPSCs derived from controls and AD patients with Presenilin1 mutations were cultured in a 3D platform with a similar microenvironment to the brain, to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes and self-organise into 3D structures by 3 weeks of differentiation in vitro. Results Cells express astrocytic (GFAP), neuronal (β3-Tubulin, MAP2), glutamatergic (VGLUT1), GABAergic (GAD65/67), pre-synaptic (Synapsin1) markers and a low level of neural progenitor cell (Nestin) marker after 6 and 12 weeks of differentiation in 3D. The foetal 3R Tau isoforms and adult 4R Tau isoforms were detected at 6 weeks post differentiation, showing advanced neuronal maturity. In the 3D AD cells, total and insoluble Tau levels were higher than in 3D control cells. Conclusion Our data indicates that this model may recapitulate the early biochemical and pathological disease features and can be a relevant platform for studying early cellular and biochemical changes and the identification of drug targets.