Alexander disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in an astrocyte specific filamentous protein. Astrocytes are star-shaped cells that act as the brain’s support network, forming intricate webs of connections with neurons, blood vessels, and other glial cells. Astrocytes are much more complex in humans than in animal models and generating mature, disease-relevant human astrocytes in vitro remains challenging. These limitations restrict studies of Alexander disease mechanisms.
reNEW research
Human astrocytes were isolated from 6-month old cortical control organoids using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. This approach allows astrocytes to mature following their natural trajectory and through interactions with other relevant neural cell types before isolation. The resulting cells more closely resemble mature human astrocytes in vivo, providing a platform to investigate the mechanisms underlying Alexander disease pathology.
Image description
Human astrocyte isolated from brain organoids, with turquoise maturity-marker present on endfeet.
Credits
Luisa Lauer, PhD student, Velasco lab, reNEW Melbourne.
