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Androgens increase excitatory neurogenic potential in human brain organoids

Author

Listed:
  • Iva Kelava

    (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology
    Wellcome Trust Genome Campus)

  • Ilaria Chiaradia

    (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

  • Laura Pellegrini

    (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

  • Alex T. Kalinka

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Madeline A. Lancaster

    (Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

Abstract

The biological basis of male–female brain differences has been difficult to elucidate in humans. The most notable morphological difference is size, with male individuals having on average a larger brain than female individuals1,2, but a mechanistic understanding of how this difference arises remains unknown. Here we use brain organoids3 to show that although sex chromosomal complement has no observable effect on neurogenesis, sex steroids—namely androgens—lead to increased proliferation of cortical progenitors and an increased neurogenic pool. Transcriptomic analysis and functional studies demonstrate downstream effects on histone deacetylase activity and the mTOR pathway. Finally, we show that androgens specifically increase the neurogenic output of excitatory neuronal progenitors, whereas inhibitory neuronal progenitors are not increased. These findings reveal a role for androgens in regulating the number of excitatory neurons and represent a step towards understanding the origin of sex-related brain differences in humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Iva Kelava & Ilaria Chiaradia & Laura Pellegrini & Alex T. Kalinka & Madeline A. Lancaster, 2022. "Androgens increase excitatory neurogenic potential in human brain organoids," Nature, Nature, vol. 602(7895), pages 112-116, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:602:y:2022:i:7895:d:10.1038_s41586-021-04330-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04330-4
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