The Presence of Blood–Brain Barrier Modulates the Response to Magnesium Salts in Human Brain Organoids |
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Authors: | Alessandra Cazzaniga Giorgia Fedele Sara Castiglioni Jeanette A. Maier |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (G.F.); (S.C.); (J.A.M.);2.Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (CIMaINa), Università di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy |
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Abstract: | Magnesium (Mg) is fundamental in the brain, where it regulates metabolism and neurotransmission and protects against neuroinflammation. To obtain insights into the molecular basis of Mg action in the brain, we investigated the effects of Mg in human brain organoids, a revolutionary 3D model to study neurobiology and neuropathology. In particular, brain organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells were cultured in the presence or in the absence of an in vitro-generated blood–brain barrier (BBB), and then exposed to 1 or 5 mM concentrations of inorganic and organic Mg salts (Mg sulphate (MgSO4); Mg pidolate (MgPid)). We evaluated the modulation of NMDA and GABAergic receptors, and BDNF. Our data suggest that the presence of the BBB is essential for Mg to exert its effects on brain organoids, and that 5 mM of MgPid is more effective than MgSO4 in increasing the levels of GABA receptors and BDNF, and decreasing those of NMDA receptor. These results might illuminate novel pathways explaining the neuroprotective role of Mg. |
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Keywords: | induced pluripotent stem cells organoids GABA receptors NMDA receptor BDNF magnesium |
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