Analysis of intracellular organelles in neurons differentiated from iPSCs of Chédiak‐Higashi syndrome patients

Background Clinical manifestations of Chédiak‐Higashi syndrome (CHS), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by LYST gene variants, include immunodeficiency and neurologic deficits. This study investigated the effects of defective LYST on neurodegenerative features by the morphological analysis of organelles in dopaminergic neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from CHS patients. Methods iPSCs derived from CHS patients were analyzed by immunostaining with antibodies against microtubule‐associated protein 2 and tyrosine hydroxylase, periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) staining, electron microscopy, and staining with a fluorescent probe to monitor autophagy. Results iPSC‐derived neurons contained PAS‐positive giant granules and lipofuscin‐like granules. Electron microscopy revealed enlarged lysosomes with electron‐dense granules and filament‐like structures. The number and brightness of autophagosomes and autolysosomes were markedly increased in CHS iPSC‐derived neurons under basal culture conditions. CHS iPSC‐derived neuronal mitochondria were enlarged, polymorphic, and hypertrophic. Conclusions CHS iPSC‐derived neurons contained abnormal organelles, including lysosomes, autophagosomes, and mitochondria, which may be related to the neurodegenerative features of CHS.