Learning about cell lineage, cellular diversity and evolution of the human brain through stem cell models

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2021 Feb:66:166-177. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.10.018. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Authors

Romain Le Bail¹, Antonela Bonafina¹, Ira Espuny-Camacho², Laurent Nguyen³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis, GIGA-Stem Cells, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium.
² Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis, GIGA-Stem Cells, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium. Electronic address: im.espunycamacho@uliege.be.
³ Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis, GIGA-Stem Cells, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Applied Genoproteomics (GIGA-R), University of Liège, C.H.U. Sart Tilman, Liège 4000, Belgium. Electronic address: lnguyen@uliege.be.

PMID: 33246264
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.10.018

Abstract

Here, we summarize the current knowledge on cell diversity in the cortex and other brain regions from in vivo mouse models and in vitro models based on pluripotent stem cells. We discuss the mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and temporal progression that leads to the sequential generation of neurons dedicated to different layers of the cortex. We highlight models of corticogenesis from stem cells that recapitulate specific transcriptional and connectivity patterns from different cortical areas. We overview state-of-the art of human brain organoids modeling different brain regions, and we discuss insights into human cortical evolution from stem cells. Finally, we interrogate human brain organoid models for their competence to recapitulate the essence of human brain development.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain
Cell Lineage
Cerebral Cortex*
Humans
Mice
Organoids
Pluripotent Stem Cells*