3D-cultured dermal fibroblasts self-produce a brain-like matrisome that
promotes neurogenesis in silico and supports neuronal survival in vitro
Vincent Roy
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada, Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec research center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Corresponding Author:vincent.roy@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Author ProfileIsabella Bienjonetti
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada, Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec research center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Author ProfileAlexandre Paquet
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada, Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec research center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Author ProfileFrançois Gros-Louis
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada, Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Quebec research center, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Author ProfileAbstract
Studying neurological disorders in vitro is still challenging due to the
human brain’s complexity and the difficulty of obtaining primary neural
cells. However, tissue engineering and tridimensional (3D) cell culture
have become increasingly important tools for disease modeling. By
providing an extracellular matrix (ECM) substrate that closely resembles
physiological conditions, 3D cell culture offers several advantages over
standard monolayer cell culture, including enhanced cell-cell and
cell-matrix interactions. This results in a microenvironment that more
accurately reflects in vivo biology. In this study, we performed an
in-depth analysis of the proteome and matrisome of 3D tissue-engineered
dermis, made from human primary dermal fibroblasts cultivated in 3D and
embedded in a self-produced ECM. Interestingly, in silico analysis
revealed that neurogenesis and associated functions were predicted to be
strongly activated in this tissue-engineered 3D model. Indeed, we showed
that ECM proteins involved in neuronal development and maintenance,
typically produced by cerebral cells, were also expressed by dermal
fibroblasts. Of particular interest, the 3D co-cultivation of dermal
fibroblasts with iPSC-derived motor neurons readily enabled long-lasting
culture periods without costly media supplementation with exogenous
additives. Patient-derived dermal fibroblasts, cultivated in 3D, could
therefore become valuable models for the study of neurological diseases.
This approach offers a cost-effective and a less invasive alternative to
brain biopsies for modeling complex neurological disorders in vitro.