Distinct regions in a human brain organoid emerge after treatment with FGF8, with a frontal forebrain (red) and an adjacent midbrain (green) region labelled using immunostaining. Image credit: Bertacchi et al. (CC BY 4.0)
Healthy brain development in the human embryo relies on the precise coordination of numerous molecular signals that guide the formation of distinct brain regions in their correct locations. Molecules that diffuse through embryonic tissues, known as morphogens, serve as spatial and temporal cues that help cells determine their position within the developing brain. These positional signals are crucial for the proper formation of specific brain regions along the embryo’s principal axes.
FGF8 is a well-characterized morphogen that influences the anterior-to-posterior regional identity of brain cells in model organisms such as mice. However, studying this process in human embryos poses both technical and ethical challenges, meaning that little is known about the molecular bases of how developing brain cells determine their position along different axes. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is essential for gaining insights into human brain function and the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Bertacchi et al. developed a new 'organ-in-a-dish' system – also known as an organoid – using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The research team combined 2D cell cultures on flat surfaces with 3D tissue culture techniques to create a more reproducible cerebral organoid protocol. This approach enabled the investigation of the role of FGF8 in human brain development within a controlled laboratory setting. Treatment with FGF8 enhanced brain cell diversity, as measured by gene expression analysis through single-cell RNA sequencing. Notably, distinct regions resembling the forebrain (telencephalon) and the midbrain (mesencephalon) emerged in FGF8-treated organoids. Within the telencephalic region, the cell type composition shifted, favoring neurons typically found in the ventral (lower) parts of the human brain. This altered the activity of the neural network, as evidenced by direct electrical signal measurements.
Overall, Bertacchi et al. demonstrated that a single molecular signal, FGF8, can drive the formation of distinct brain regions along multiple axes in human brain organoids. They also identified genes regulated by FGF8 that are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. One such gene, NR2F1, is well-studied for its involvement in conditions such as intellectual disability, autism and epilepsy. This work provides a biologically accurate cell culture model, offering a valuable tool for advancing research into human brain development and associated neurological diseases.
