Genetically-engineered human cortical spheroid models of Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multi-system developmental disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, whose protein products are negative regulators of mTOR complex 1 signaling. Hallmark pathologies of TSC are cortical tubers; regions of dysmorphic, disorganized neurons and glia in the cortex that are linked to epileptogenesis. To determine the developmental origin of tuber cells, we established human cellular models of TSC by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of TSC1 or TSC2 in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Using heterozygous TSC2 hPSCs with a conditional mutation in the functional allele, we show that mosaic biallelic inactivation during neural progenitor expansion is necessary for the formation of dysplastic cells and increased glia production in three-dimensional cortical spheroids. Our findings provide support for the second-hit model of cortical tuber formation and suggest that variable developmental timing of somatic mutations could contribute to the heterogeneity in the neurological presentation of TSC.