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Tan H, Tee WW. Committing the primordial germ cell: An updated molecular perspective. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2018; 11:e1436. [PMID: 30225862 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The germ line is a crucial cell lineage that is distinct from somatic cells, and solely responsible for the trans-generational transmission of hereditary information in metazoan sexual reproduction. Primordial germ cells (PGCs)-the precursors to functional germ cells-are among the first cell types to be allocated in embryonic development, and this lineage commitment is a critical event in partitioning germ line and somatic tissues. Classically, mammalian PGC development has been largely informed by investigations on mouse embryos and embryonic stem cells. Recent findings from corresponding nonrodent systems, however, have indicated that murine PGC specification may not be fully archetypal. In this review, we outline the current understanding of molecular mechanisms in PGC specification, emphasizing key transcriptional events, and focus on salient differences between early human and mouse PGC commitment. Beyond these latest findings, we also contemplate the future outlook of inquiries in this field, highlighting the importance of comprehensively understanding early fate decisions that underlie the segregation of this unique lineage. This article is categorized under: Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration Biological Mechanisms > Cell Fates Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihan Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wee-Wei Tee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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52
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Pendzialek SM, Schindler M, Plösch T, Gürke J, Haucke E, Hecht S, Fischer B, Santos AN. Cholesterol metabolism in rabbit blastocysts under maternal diabetes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:1921-1931. [PMID: 27918728 DOI: 10.1071/rd15542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In the rabbit reproductive model, maternal experimentally induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (expIDD) leads to accumulation of lipid droplets in blastocysts. Cholesterol metabolism is a likely candidate to explain such metabolic changes. Therefore, in the present study we analysed maternal and embryonic cholesterol concentrations and expression of related genes in vivo (diabetic model) and in vitro (embryo culture in hyperglycaemic medium). In pregnant expIDD rabbits, the serum composition of lipoprotein subfractions was changed, with a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increase in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; in uterine fluid, total cholesterol concentrations were elevated. Expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 2 (SREBF2), insulin-induced gene-1 (INSIG1) and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) mRNA was decreased in the liver and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA expression was decreased in the adipose tissue of diabetic rabbits. In embryos from diabetic rabbits, the mean (±s.e.m.) ratio of cholesterol concentrations in trophoblasts to embryoblasts was changed from 1.27±2.34 (control) to 0.88±3.85 (expIDD). Rabbit blastocysts expressed HMGCR, LDLR, VLDLR, SREBF2 and INSIG1 but not CYP7A1, without any impairment of expression as a result of maternal diabetes. In vitro hyperglycaemia decreased embryonic HMGCR and SREBF2 transcription in rabbit blastocysts. The findings of the present study show that a diabetic pregnancy leads to distinct changes in maternal cholesterol metabolism with a minor effect on embryo cholesterol metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mareike Pendzialek
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maria Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Torsten Plösch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Gürke
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Elisa Haucke
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stefanie Hecht
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Bernd Fischer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anne Navarrete Santos
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstr. 52, 06108 Halle (Saale), Germany
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β-Catenin-dependent mechanotransduction dates back to the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:6231-6236. [PMID: 29784822 PMCID: PMC6004442 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1713682115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides genetic regulation, mechanical forces have been identified as important cues in numerous developmental processes. Mechanical forces can activate biochemical cascades in a process called mechanotransduction. Recent studies in vertebrates and flies elucidated the role of mechanical forces for mesodermal gene expression. However, it remains unclear whether mechanotransduction is a universal regulatory mechanism throughout Metazoa. Here, we show in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis that mechanical pressure can ectopically activate or restore brachyury expression. This mechanotransduction is dependent on β-catenin, similar to vertebrates. We propose that a regulatory feedback loop between genetic and mechanical gene activation exists during gastrulation and the β-catenin–dependent mechanotransduction is an ancient regulatory mechanism, which was present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians. Although the genetic regulation of cellular differentiation processes is well established, recent studies have revealed the role of mechanotransduction on a variety of biological processes, including regulation of gene expression. However, it remains unclear how universal and widespread mechanotransduction is in embryonic development of animals. Here, we investigate mechanosensitive gene expression during gastrulation of the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, a cnidarian model organism. We show that the blastoporal marker gene brachyury is down-regulated by blocking myosin II-dependent gastrulation movements. Brachyury expression can be restored by applying external mechanical force. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and morpholino antisense technology, we also show that mechanotransduction leading to brachyury expression is β-catenin dependent, similar to recent findings in fish and Drosophila [Brunet T, et al. (2013) Nat Commun 4:1–15]. Finally, we demonstrate that prolonged application of mechanical stress on the embryo leads to ectopic brachyury expression. Thus, our data indicate that β-catenin–dependent mechanotransduction is an ancient gene regulatory mechanism, which was present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians, at least 600 million years ago.
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Taniguchi H, Hoshino D, Moriya C, Zembutsu H, Nishiyama N, Yamamoto H, Kataoka K, Imai K. Silencing PRDM14 expression by an innovative RNAi therapy inhibits stemness, tumorigenicity, and metastasis of breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:46856-46874. [PMID: 28423353 PMCID: PMC5564528 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PR domain zinc finger protein 14 (PRDM14) maintains stemness in embryonic stem cells via epigenetic mechanisms. Although PRDM14 is elevated in several cancers, it is unclear if and how PRDM14 confers stem cell-like properties and epigenetic changes to cancer cells. Here, we examined the phenotypic characteristics and epigenetic and gene expression profiles of cancer cells that differentially express PRDM14, and assessed the potential of PRDM14-targeted cancer therapy. PRDM14 expression was markedly increased in many different cancer types and correlated with poor survival of breast cancer patients. PRDM14 conferred stem cell-like phenotypes to cancer cells and regulated the expression of genes involved in cancer stemness, metastasis, and chemoresistance. PRDM14 also reduced the methylation of proto-oncogene and stemness gene promoters and PRDM14-binding regions were primarily occupied by histone H3 Lys-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), both of which are positively correlated with gene expression. Moreover, strong PRDM14 binding sites coincided with promoters containing both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 histone marks. Using calcium phosphate hybrid micelles as an RNAi delivery system, silencing of PRDM14 expression by chimera RNAi reduced tumor size and metastasis in vivo without causing adverse effects. Conditional loss of PRDM14 function also improved survival of MMTV-Wnt-1 transgenic mice, a spontaneous model of murine breast cancer. Our findings suggest that PRDM14 inhibition may be an effective and novel therapy for cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Taniguchi
- The Center for Antibody and Vaccine Therapy, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hoshino
- Cancer Biology Department, The Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Kanagawa 241-0815, Japan
| | - Chiharu Moriya
- The Center for Antibody and Vaccine Therapy, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Zembutsu
- Division of Genetics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nishiyama
- Polymer Chemistry Division, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, St. Marianna Medical University, Kanagawa 216-0015, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kohzoh Imai
- The Center for Antibody and Vaccine Therapy, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
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55
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Whole exome sequencing in an Italian family with isolated maxillary canine agenesis and canine eruption anomalies. Arch Oral Biol 2018; 91:96-102. [PMID: 29705498 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was the clinical and molecular characterization of a family segregating a trait consisting of a phenotype specifically involving the maxillary canines, including agenesis, impaction and ectopic eruption, characterized by incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity. DESIGN Clinical standardized assessment of 14 family members and a whole-exome sequencing (WES) of three affected subjects were performed. WES data analyses (sequence alignment, variant calling, annotation and prioritization) were carried out using an in-house implemented pipeline. Variant filtering retained coding and splice-site high quality private and rare variants. Variant prioritization was performed taking into account both the disruptive impact and the biological relevance of individual variants and genes. Sanger sequencing was performed to validate the variants of interest and to carry out segregation analysis. RESULTS Prioritization of variants "by function" allowed the identification of multiple variants contributing to the trait, including two concomitant heterozygous variants in EDARADD (c.308C>T, p.Ser103Phe) and COL5A1 (c.1588G>A, p.Gly530Ser), specifically associated with a more severe phenotype (i.e. canine agenesis). Differently, heterozygous variants in genes encoding proteins with a role in the WNT pathway were shared by subjects showing a phenotype of impacted/ectopic erupted canines. CONCLUSIONS This study characterized the genetic contribution underlying a complex trait consisting of isolated canine anomalies in a medium-sized family, highlighting the role of WNT and EDA cell signaling pathways in tooth development.
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56
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Trixl L, Amort T, Wille A, Zinni M, Ebner S, Hechenberger C, Eichin F, Gabriel H, Schoberleitner I, Huang A, Piatti P, Nat R, Troppmair J, Lusser A. RNA cytosine methyltransferase Nsun3 regulates embryonic stem cell differentiation by promoting mitochondrial activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:1483-1497. [PMID: 29103146 PMCID: PMC5852174 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2700-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chemical modifications of RNA have been attracting increasing interest because of their impact on RNA fate and function. Therefore, the characterization of enzymes catalyzing such modifications is of great importance. The RNA cytosine methyltransferase NSUN3 was recently shown to generate 5-methylcytosine in the anticodon loop of mitochondrial tRNAMet. Further oxidation of this position is required for normal mitochondrial translation and function in human somatic cells. Because embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are less dependent on oxidative phosphorylation than somatic cells, we examined the effects of catalytic inactivation of Nsun3 on self-renewal and differentiation potential of murine ESCs. We demonstrate that Nsun3-mutant cells show strongly reduced mt-tRNAMet methylation and formylation as well as reduced mitochondrial translation and respiration. Despite the lower dependence of ESCs on mitochondrial activity, proliferation of mutant cells was reduced, while pluripotency marker gene expression was not affected. By contrast, ESC differentiation was skewed towards the meso- and endoderm lineages at the expense of neuroectoderm. Wnt3 was overexpressed in early differentiating mutant embryoid bodies and in ESCs, suggesting that impaired mitochondrial function disturbs normal differentiation programs by interfering with cellular signalling pathways. Interestingly, basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were not altered in ESCs, but Nsun3 inactivation attenuated induction of mitochondrial ROS upon stress, which may affect gene expression programs upon differentiation. Our findings not only characterize Nsun3 as an important regulator of stem cell fate but also provide a model system to study the still incompletely understood interplay of mitochondrial function with stem cell pluripotency and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Trixl
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Amort
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Wille
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Manuela Zinni
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Susanne Ebner
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clara Hechenberger
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felix Eichin
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hanna Gabriel
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ines Schoberleitner
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anming Huang
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Roxana Nat
- Institute for Neuroscience, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jakob Troppmair
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of Visceral, Transplant, and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Lusser
- Division of Molecular Biology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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57
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Zhang B, He L, Liu Y, Zhang J, Zeng Q, Wang S, Fan Z, Fang F, Chen L, Lv Y, Xi J, Yue W, Li Y, Pei X. Prostaglandin E 2 Is Required for BMP4-Induced Mesoderm Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 10:905-919. [PMID: 29478896 PMCID: PMC5919771 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate control of early cell fate specification during differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is critical for acquiring pure therapeutic cell populations of interest. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a key mesoderm inducer from ESCs. However, the molecular mechanism of the mesodermal cell fate decision induced by BMP4 remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the requirement of a bioactive lipid, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), for the mesoderm specification from hESCs by BMP4 induction. We show that BMP4 directly regulates the expression of the key enzyme for PGE2 synthesis, COX-1, and promotes PGE2 production. More importantly, in the absence of BMP4, forced COX-1 expression or PGE2 treatment is sufficient to initiate mesoderm specification of hESCs by activation of EP2-PKA signaling and modulation of nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Together, our findings provide insights into the critical role of BMP regulation of PGE2 synthesis and its downstream signaling in initiating mesoderm commitment of hESCs. COX-1 and PGE2 played pivotal roles in the mesoderm specification of hESCs Specific inhibition of COX-1 suppressed mesoderm differentiation of hESCs BMP4 directly upregulated the transcription of the COX-1 PGE2 stimulated differentiation mainly via the EP2-PKA-GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Zhang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Lijuan He
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Quan Zeng
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Sihan Wang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Zeng Fan
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Yang Lv
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Jiafei Xi
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Wen Yue
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Yanhua Li
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China.
| | - Xuetao Pei
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; South China Research Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, SCIB, Guangzhou 510005, China.
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58
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Chen W, Liu J, Yuan D, Zuo Y, Liu Z, Liu S, Zhu Q, Qiu G, Huang S, Giampietro PF, Zhang F, Wu N, Wu Z. Progress and perspective of TBX6 gene in congenital vertebral malformations. Oncotarget 2018; 7:57430-57441. [PMID: 27437870 PMCID: PMC5302999 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital vertebral malformation is a series of significant health problems affecting a large number of populations. It may present as an isolated condition or as a part of an underlying syndromes occurring with other malformations and/or clinical features. Disruption of the genesis of paraxial mesoderm, somites or axial bones can result in spinal deformity. In the course of somitogenesis, the segmentation clock and the wavefront are the leading factors during the entire process in which TBX6 gene plays an important role. TBX6 is a member of the T-box gene family, and its important pathogenicity in spinal deformity has been confirmed. Several TBX6 gene variants and novel pathogenic mechanisms have been recently revealed, and will likely have significant impact in understanding the genetic basis for CVM. In this review, we describe the role which TBX6 plays during human spine development including its interaction with other key elements during the process of somitogenesis. We then systematically review the association between TBX6 gene variants and CVM associated phenotypes, highlighting an important and emerging role for TBX6 and human malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China.,Breast Surgical Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dongtang Yuan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuzhi Zuo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenlei Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
| | - Qiankun Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guixing Qiu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China
| | - Shishu Huang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Philip F Giampietro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China.,Medical Research Center of Orthopaedics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Wu
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Research of Skeletal Deformity, Beijing, China.,Department of Central Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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59
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Sun C, Kontaridis MI. Physiology of Cardiac Development: From Genetics to Signaling to Therapeutic Strategies. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 29532042 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The heart is one of the first organs to form and function during embryonic development. It is comprised of multiple cell lineages, each integral for proper cardiac development, and include cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, epicardial cells and neural crest cells. The molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac development and morphogenesis are dependent on signaling crosstalk between multiple lineages through paracrine interactions, cell-ECM interactions, and cell-cell interactions, which together, help facilitate survival, growth, proliferation, differentiation and migration of cardiac tissue. Aberrant regulation of any of these processes can induce developmental disorders and pathological phenotypes. Here, we will discuss each of these processes, the genetic factors that contribute to each step of cardiac development, as well as the current and future therapeutic targets and mechanisms of heart development and disease. Understanding the complex interactions that regulate cardiac development, proliferation and differentiation is not only vital to understanding the causes of congenital heart defects, but to also finding new therapeutics that can treat both pediatric and adult cardiac disease in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria I Kontaridis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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60
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Antagonistic Activities of Sox2 and Brachyury Control the Fate Choice of Neuro-Mesodermal Progenitors. Dev Cell 2017; 42:514-526.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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61
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Abstract
Metastasis, the dissemination of cancer cells from primary tumors, represents a major hurdle in the treatment of cancer. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been studied in normal mammalian development for decades, and it has been proposed as a critical mechanism during cancer progression and metastasis. EMT is tightly regulated by several internal and external cues that orchestrate the shifting from an epithelial-like phenotype into a mesenchymal phenotype, relying on a delicate balance between these two stages to promote metastatic development. EMT is thought to be induced in a subset of metastatic cancer stem cells (MCSCs), bestowing this population with the ability to spread throughout the body and contributing to therapy resistance. The EMT pathway is of increasing interest as a novel therapeutic avenue in the treatment of cancer, and could be targeted to prevent tumor cell dissemination in early stage patients or to eradicate existing metastatic cells in advanced stages. In this review, we describe the sequence of events and defining mechanisms that take place during EMT, and how these interactions drive cancer cell progression into metastasis. We summarize clinical interventions focused on targeting various aspects of EMT and their contribution to preventing cancer dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Singh
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Nicolas Yelle
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Chitra Venugopal
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
| | - Sheila K Singh
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada.
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Kim K, Cho J, Hilzinger TS, Nunns H, Liu A, Ryba BE, Goentoro L. Two-Element Transcriptional Regulation in the Canonical Wnt Pathway. Curr Biol 2017; 27:2357-2364.e5. [PMID: 28756947 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt pathway regulates numerous fundamental processes throughout development and adult physiology and is often disrupted in diseases [1-4]. Signal in the pathway is transduced by β-catenin, which in complex with Tcf/Lef regulates transcription. Despite the many processes that the Wnt pathway governs, β-catenin acts primarily on a single cis element in the DNA, the Wnt-responsive element (WRE), at times potentiated by a nearby Helper site. In this study, working with Xenopus, mouse, and human systems, we identified a cis element, distinct from WRE, upon which β-catenin and Tcf act. The element is 11 bp long, hundreds of bases apart from the WRE, and exhibits a suppressive effect. In Xenopus patterning, loss of the 11-bp negative regulatory elements (11-bp NREs) broadened dorsal expression of siamois. In mouse embryonic stem cells, genomic deletion of the 11-bp NREs in the promoter elevated Brachyury expression. This reveals a previously unappreciated mechanism within the Wnt pathway, where gene response is not only driven by WREs but also tuned by 11-bp NREs. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we found evidence for the NREs binding to β-catenin and Tcf-suggesting a dual action by β-catenin as a signal and a feedforward sensor. Analyzing β-catenin ChIP sequencing in human cells, we found the 11-bp NREs co-localizing with the WRE in 45%-71% of the peaks, suggesting a widespread role for the mechanism. This study presents an example of a more complex cis regulation by a signaling pathway, where a signal is processed through two distinct cis elements in a gene circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kibeom Kim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jaehyoung Cho
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Thomas S Hilzinger
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Harry Nunns
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Andrew Liu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Bryan E Ryba
- Department of Physics and Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lea Goentoro
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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63
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Loh KM, van Amerongen R, Nusse R. Generating Cellular Diversity and Spatial Form: Wnt Signaling and the Evolution of Multicellular Animals. Dev Cell 2017; 38:643-55. [PMID: 27676437 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
There were multiple prerequisites to the evolution of multicellular animal life, including the generation of multiple cell fates ("cellular diversity") and their patterned spatial arrangement ("spatial form"). Wnt proteins operate as primordial symmetry-breaking signals. By virtue of their short-range nature and their capacity to activate both lineage-specifying and cell-polarizing intracellular signaling cascades, Wnts can polarize cells at their site of contact, orienting the axis of cell division while simultaneously programming daughter cells to adopt diverging fates in a spatially stereotyped way. By coupling cell fate to position, symmetry-breaking Wnt signals were pivotal in constructing the metazoan body by generating cellular diversity and spatial form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Loh
- Department of Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Renée van Amerongen
- Section of Molecular Cytology and Van Leeuwenhoek Centre for Advanced Microscopy, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roel Nusse
- Department of Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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64
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Lange L, Marks M, Liu J, Wittler L, Bauer H, Piehl S, Bläß G, Timmermann B, Herrmann BG. Patterning and gastrulation defects caused by the tw18 lethal are due to loss of Ppp2r1a. Biol Open 2017; 6:752-764. [PMID: 28619992 PMCID: PMC5483016 DOI: 10.1242/bio.023200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse t haplotype, a variant 20 cM genomic region on Chromosome 17, harbors 16 embryonic control genes identified by recessive lethal mutations isolated from wild mouse populations. Due to technical constraints so far only one of these, the tw5 lethal, has been cloned and molecularly characterized. Here we report the molecular isolation of the tw18 lethal. Embryos carrying the tw18 lethal die from major gastrulation defects commencing with primitive streak formation at E6.5. We have used transcriptome and marker gene analyses to describe the molecular etiology of the tw18 phenotype. We show that both WNT and Nodal signal transduction are impaired in the mutant epiblast, causing embryonic patterning defects and failure of primitive streak and mesoderm formation. By using a candidate gene approach, gene knockout by homologous recombination and genetic rescue, we have identified the gene causing the tw18 phenotype as Ppp2r1a, encoding the PP2A scaffolding subunit PR65alpha. Our work highlights the importance of phosphatase 2A in embryonic patterning, primitive streak formation, gastrulation, and mesoderm formation downstream of WNT and Nodal signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Lange
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany.,Free University Berlin, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Takustrasse 3, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Matthias Marks
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Jinhua Liu
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Hermann Bauer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Sandra Piehl
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Gabriele Bläß
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Bernd Timmermann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Sequencing Core Facility, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Bernhard G Herrmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, Berlin 14195, Germany .,Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Institute for Medical Genetics, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, Berlin 12203, Germany
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65
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Gene expression analysis of bovine embryonic disc, trophoblast and parietal hypoblast at the start of gastrulation. ZYGOTE 2017; 25:265-278. [PMID: 28534463 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199417000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In cattle early gastrulation-stage embryos (Stage 5), four tissues can be discerned: (i) the top layer of the embryonic disc consisting of embryonic ectoderm (EmE); (ii) the bottom layer of the disc consisting of mesoderm, endoderm and visceral hypoblast (MEH); (iii) the trophoblast (TB); and (iv) the parietal hypoblast. We performed microsurgery followed by RNA-seq to analyse the transcriptome of these four tissues as well as a developmentally earlier pre-gastrulation embryonic disc. The cattle EmE transcriptome was similar at Stages 4 and 5, characterised by the OCT4/SOX2/NANOG pluripotency network. Expression of genes associated with primordial germ cells suggest their presence in the EmE tissue at these stages. Anterior visceral hypoblast genes were transcribed in the Stage 4 disc, but no longer by Stage 5. The Stage 5 MEH layer was equally similar to mouse embryonic and extraembryonic visceral endoderm. Our data suggest that the first mesoderm to invaginate in cattle embryos is fated to become extraembryonic. TGFβ, FGF, VEGF, PDGFA, IGF2, IHH and WNT signals and receptors were expressed, however the representative members of the FGF families differed from that seen in equivalent tissues of mouse embryos. The TB transcriptome was unique and differed significantly from that of mice. FGF signalling in the TB may be autocrine with both FGFR2 and FGF2 expressed. Our data revealed a range of potential inter-tissue interactions, highlighted significant differences in early development between mice and cattle and yielded insight into the developmental events occurring at the start of gastrulation.
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66
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Galdos FX, Guo Y, Paige SL, VanDusen NJ, Wu SM, Pu WT. Cardiac Regeneration: Lessons From Development. Circ Res 2017; 120:941-959. [PMID: 28302741 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.309040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Palliative surgery for congenital heart disease has allowed patients with previously lethal heart malformations to survive and, in most cases, to thrive. However, these procedures often place pressure and volume loads on the heart, and over time, these chronic loads can cause heart failure. Current therapeutic options for initial surgery and chronic heart failure that results from failed palliation are limited, in part, by the mammalian heart's low inherent capacity to form new cardiomyocytes. Surmounting the heart regeneration barrier would transform the treatment of congenital, as well as acquired, heart disease and likewise would enable development of personalized, in vitro cardiac disease models. Although these remain distant goals, studies of heart development are illuminating the path forward and suggest unique opportunities for heart regeneration, particularly in fetal and neonatal periods. Here, we review major lessons from heart development that inform current and future studies directed at enhancing cardiac regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco X Galdos
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.)
| | - Yuxuan Guo
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.)
| | - Sharon L Paige
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.)
| | - Nathan J VanDusen
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.)
| | - Sean M Wu
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.).
| | - William T Pu
- From the Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, MA (Y.G., N.J.V., W.T.P.); Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics (S.L.P.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (S.M.W.), and Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA (F.X.G., S.L.P., S.M.W.); and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (W.T.P.).
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67
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Smith Q, Chan XY, Carmo AM, Trempel M, Saunders M, Gerecht S. Compliant substratum guides endothelial commitment from human pluripotent stem cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:e1602883. [PMID: 28580421 PMCID: PMC5451190 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1602883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The role of mechanical regulation in driving human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) differentiation has been minimally explored. Although endothelial cell (EC) fate from hiPSCs has been demonstrated using small molecules to drive mesoderm induction, the effects of substrate stiffness with regard to EC differentiation efficiency have yet to be elucidated. We hypothesized that substrate compliance can modulate mesoderm differentiation kinetics from hiPSCs and affect downstream EC commitment. To this end, we used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-a transparent, biocompatible elastomeric material-as a substrate to study EC commitment of hiPSCs using a stepwise differentiation scheme. Using physiologically stiff (1.7 MPa) and soft (3 kPa) PDMS substrates, compared to polystyrene plates (3 GPa), we demonstrate that mechanical priming during mesoderm induction activates the Yes-associated protein and drives Wnt/β-catenin signaling. When mesoderm differentiation was induced on compliant PDMS substrates in both serum and serum-free E6 medium, mesodermal genetic signatures (T, KDR, MESP-1, GATA-2, and SNAIL-1) were enhanced. Furthermore, examination of EC fate following stiffness priming revealed that compliant substrates robustly improve EC commitment through VECad, CD31, vWF, and eNOS marker expression. Overall, we show that substrate compliance guides EC fate by enhancing mesoderm induction through Wnt activation without the addition of small molecules. These findings are the first to show that the mechanical context of the differentiation niche can be as potent as chemical cues in driving EC identity from hiPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinton Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xin Yi Chan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ana Maria Carmo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michelle Trempel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael Saunders
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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68
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Genovese NJ, Domeier TL, Telugu BPVL, Roberts RM. Enhanced Development of Skeletal Myotubes from Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41833. [PMID: 28165492 PMCID: PMC5292944 DOI: 10.1038/srep41833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pig is recognized as a valuable model in biomedical research in addition to its agricultural importance. Here we describe a means for generating skeletal muscle efficiently from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSC) in vitro thereby providing a versatile platform for applications ranging from regenerative biology to the ex vivo cultivation of meat. The GSK3B inhibitor, CHIR99021 was employed to suppress apoptosis, elicit WNT signaling events and drive naïve-type piPSC along the mesoderm lineage, and, in combination with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-cytidine, to activate an early skeletal muscle transcription program. Terminal differentiation was then induced by activation of an ectopically expressed MYOD1. Myotubes, characterized by myofibril development and both spontaneous and stimuli-elicited excitation-contraction coupling cycles appeared within 11 days. Efficient lineage-specific differentiation was confirmed by uniform NCAM1 and myosin heavy chain expression. These results provide an approach for generating skeletal muscle that is potentially applicable to other pluripotent cell lines and to generating other forms of muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Genovese
- C.S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 6521, USA
| | - Timothy L Domeier
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Bhanu Prakash V L Telugu
- Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.,Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory, USDA ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- C.S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 6521, USA
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69
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Ashida Y, Nakajima-Koyama M, Hirota A, Yamamoto T, Nishida E. Activin A in combination with ERK1/2 MAPK pathway inhibition sustains propagation of mouse embryonic stem cells. Genes Cells 2017; 22:189-202. [PMID: 28097777 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Activin/Nodal/TGF-β signaling pathway plays a major role in maintaining mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). The EpiSC-maintaining medium, which contains Activin A and bFGF, induces differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to EpiSCs. Here, we show that Activin A also has an ability to efficiently propagate ESCs without differentiation to EpiSCs when combined with a MEK inhibitor PD0325901. ESCs cultured in Activin+PD retained high-level expression of naive pluripotency-related transcription factors. Genomewide analysis showed that the gene expression profile of ESCs cultured in Activin+PD resembles that of ESCs cultured in 2i. ESCs cultured in Activin+PD also showed features common to the naive pluripotency of ESCs, including the preferential usage of the Oct4 distal enhancer and the self-renewal response to Wnt pathway activation. Our finding shows a role of Activin/Nodal/TGF-β signaling in stabilizing self-renewal gene regulatory networks in ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Ashida
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - May Nakajima-Koyama
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.,AMED-CREST, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
| | - Akira Hirota
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- AMED-CREST, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan.,Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.,Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Eisuke Nishida
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.,AMED-CREST, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
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70
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Adverse effect of valproic acid on an in vitro gastrulation model entails activation of retinoic acid signaling. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 66:68-83. [PMID: 27693483 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, is a teratogen that causes neural tube and axial skeletal defects, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. We previously established a gastrulation model using mouse P19C5 stem cell embryoid bodies (EBs), which exhibits axial patterning and elongation morphogenesis in vitro. Here, we investigated the effects of VPA on the EB axial morphogenesis to gain insights into its teratogenic mechanisms. Axial elongation and patterning of EBs were inhibited by VPA at therapeutic concentrations. VPA elevated expression levels of various developmental regulators, including Cdx1 and Hoxa1, known transcriptional targets of retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Co-treatment of EBs with VPA and BMS493, an RA receptor antagonist, partially rescued axial elongation as well as gene expression profiles. These results suggest that VPA requires active RA signaling to interfere with EB morphogenesis.
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71
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Mazzotta S, Neves C, Bonner RJ, Bernardo AS, Docherty K, Hoppler S. Distinctive Roles of Canonical and Noncanonical Wnt Signaling in Human Embryonic Cardiomyocyte Development. Stem Cell Reports 2016; 7:764-776. [PMID: 27641648 PMCID: PMC5063467 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is a key regulator of vertebrate heart development; however, specific roles for human cardiomyocyte development remain uncertain. Here we use human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to analyze systematically in human cardiomyocyte development the expression of endogenous Wnt signaling components, monitor pathway activity, and dissect stage-specific requirements for canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling mechanisms using small-molecule inhibitors. Our analysis suggests that WNT3 and WNT8A, via FZD7 and canonical signaling, regulate BRACHYURY expression and mesoderm induction; that WNT5A/5B, via ROR2 and noncanonical signaling, regulate MESP1 expression and cardiovascular development; and that later in development WNT2, WNT5A/5B, and WNT11, via FZD4 and FZD6, regulate functional cardiomyocyte differentiation via noncanonical Wnt signaling. Our findings confirm in human development previously proposed roles for canonical Wnt signaling in sequential stages of vertebrate cardiomyogenesis, and identify more precise roles for noncanonical signaling and for individual Wnt signal and Wnt receptor genes in human cardiomyocyte development. hESCs were used to study Wnt signaling during human cardiomyocyte development Previously proposed roles for canonical Wnt signaling were confirmed in human Specific roles for noncanonical Wnt signaling were identified in cardiomyogenesis Individual Wnt signal and receptor genes were identified in human cardiomyogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Mazzotta
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Carlos Neves
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Rory J Bonner
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Andreia S Bernardo
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, UK; Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge, West Forvie Building, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Kevin Docherty
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Stefan Hoppler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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72
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Boxman J, Sagy N, Achanta S, Vadigepalli R, Nachman I. Integrated live imaging and molecular profiling of embryoid bodies reveals a synchronized progression of early differentiation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31623. [PMID: 27530599 PMCID: PMC4987683 DOI: 10.1038/srep31623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells can spontaneously differentiate into cell types of all germ layers within embryoid bodies (EBs) in a highly variable manner. Whether there exists an intrinsic differentiation program common to all EBs is unknown. Here, we present a novel combination of high-throughput live two-photon imaging and gene expression profiling to study early differentiation dynamics spontaneously occurring within developing EBs. Onset timing of Brachyury-GFP was highly variable across EBs, while the spatial patterns as well as the dynamics of mesendodermal progression following onset were remarkably similar. We therefore defined a 'developmental clock' using the Brachyury-GFP signal onset timing. Mapping snapshot gene expression measurements to this clock revealed their temporal trends, indicating that loss of pluripotency, formation of primitive streak and mesodermal lineage progression are synchronized in EBs. Exogenous activation of Wnt or BMP signaling accelerated the intrinsic clock. CHIR down-regulated Wnt3, allowing insights into dependency mechanisms between canonical Wnt signaling and multiple genes. Our findings reveal a developmental clock characteristic of an early differentiation program common to all EBs, further establishing them as an in vitro developmental model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Boxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Naor Sagy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Sirisha Achanta
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rajanikanth Vadigepalli
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Iftach Nachman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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73
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Epiblast-specific loss of HCF-1 leads to failure in anterior-posterior axis specification. Dev Biol 2016; 418:75-88. [PMID: 27521049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian Host-Cell Factor 1 (HCF-1), a transcriptional co-regulator, plays important roles during the cell-division cycle in cell culture, embryogenesis as well as adult tissue. In mice, HCF-1 is encoded by the X-chromosome-linked Hcfc1 gene. Induced Hcfc1(cKO/+) heterozygosity with a conditional knockout (cKO) allele in the epiblast of female embryos leads to a mixture of HCF-1-positive and -deficient cells owing to random X-chromosome inactivation. These embryos survive owing to the replacement of all HCF-1-deficient cells by HCF-1-positive cells during E5.5 to E8.5 of development. In contrast, complete epiblast-specific loss of HCF-1 in male embryos, Hcfc1(epiKO/Y), leads to embryonic lethality. Here, we characterize this lethality. We show that male epiblast-specific loss of Hcfc1 leads to a developmental arrest at E6.5 with a rapid progressive cell-cycle exit and an associated failure of anterior visceral endoderm migration and primitive streak formation. Subsequently, gastrulation does not take place. We note that the pattern of Hcfc1(epiKO/Y) lethality displays many similarities to loss of β-catenin function. These results reveal essential new roles for HCF-1 in early embryonic cell proliferation and development.
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74
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Kimelman D. A novel cold-sensitive mutant of ntla reveals temporal roles of brachyury in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:874-80. [PMID: 27153483 PMCID: PMC4947019 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the exception of the head, the vertebrate embryonic body is formed progressively in an anterior-posterior direction, originating from a posteriorly located bipotential neural-mesodermal progenitor population. The T-box transcription factor Brachyury is expressed within the progenitors and is essential for the formation of the posterior mesoderm. A novel cold-sensitive mutant of Zebrafish Brachyury (ntla(cs) ) is described that allows exploration of the temporal role of this key factor. RESULTS The ntla(cs) mutant is used to show that Ntla has an essential role during early gastrulation, but as gastrulation proceeds the importance of Ntla declines as Ntlb acquires a capacity to form the posterior mesoderm. Remarkably, ntla(cs) embryos held at the nonpermissive temperature just during the gastrula stages show recovery of normal levels of mesodermal gene expression, demonstrating the plasticity of the posterior progenitors. CONCLUSION ntla(cs) is a valuable tool for exploring the processes forming the posterior body since it allows temporally specific activation and inactivation of Brachyury function. It is used here to show the changing roles of Ntla during early development and the dynamics of the neuromesodermal progenitors. Developmental Dynamics 245:874-880, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350
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75
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Kondoh H, Takada S, Takemoto T. Axial level-dependent molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the genesis of the embryonic neural plate. Dev Growth Differ 2016; 58:427-36. [PMID: 27279156 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor gene Sox2, centrally involved in neural primordial regulation, is activated by many enhancers. During the early stages of embryonic development, Sox2 is regulated by the enhancers N2 and N1 in the anterior neural plate (ANP) and posterior neural plate (PNP), respectively. This differential use of the enhancers reflects distinct regulatory mechanisms underlying the genesis of ANP and PNP. The ANP develops directly from the epiblast, triggered by nodal signal inhibition, and via the combined action of TFs SOX2, OTX2, POU3F1, and ZIC2, which promotes the the ANP development and inhibits other cell lineages. In contrast, the PNP is derived from neuromesodermal bipotential axial stem cells that develop into the neural plate when Sox2 is activated by the N1 enhancer, whereas they develop into the paraxial mesoderm when the N1 enhancer is repressed by the action of TBX6. The axial stem cells are maintained by the activity of WNT3a and T (Brachyury). However, at axial levels more anterior to the 8th somites (cervical levels), the development of both the neural plate and somite proceeds in the absence of WNT3a, T, or TBX6. These observations indicate that distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms determine neural plate genesis based on the axial level, and contradict the classical concept of the term "neural induction," which assumes a pan-neural plate mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisato Kondoh
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8555, Japan
| | - Shinji Takada
- Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takemoto
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
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76
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Sudheer S, Liu J, Marks M, Koch F, Anurin A, Scholze M, Senft AD, Wittler L, Macura K, Grote P, Herrmann BG. Different Concentrations of FGF Ligands, FGF2 or FGF8 Determine Distinct States of WNT-Induced Presomitic Mesoderm. Stem Cells 2016; 34:1790-800. [DOI: 10.1002/stem.2371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Smita Sudheer
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU; United Kingdom
| | - Jinhua Liu
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Matthias Marks
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Frederic Koch
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Anna Anurin
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
- Department of Biology; Chemistry and Pharmacy, Free University Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Manuela Scholze
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Anna Dorothea Senft
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE; United Kingdom
| | - Lars Wittler
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Karol Macura
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Phillip Grote
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main; Germany
| | - Bernhard G. Herrmann
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
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77
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Chatterjee SS, Saj A, Gocha T, Murphy M, Gonsalves FC, Zhang X, Hayward P, Akgöl Oksuz B, Shen SS, Madar A, Martinez Arias A, DasGupta R. Inhibition of β-catenin-TCF1 interaction delays differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. J Cell Biol 2016; 211:39-51. [PMID: 26459597 PMCID: PMC4602028 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201503017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Blocking β-catenin/TCF1–mediated transcriptional activation with a specific small molecule or by TCF1 knockdown delays the mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation program and enhances pluripotency. The ability of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to self-renew or differentiate into various cell lineages is regulated by signaling pathways and a core pluripotency transcriptional network (PTN) comprising Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes pluripotency by alleviating T cell factor TCF3-mediated repression of the PTN. However, it has remained unclear how β-catenin’s function as a transcriptional activator with TCF1 influences mESC fate. Here, we show that TCF1-mediated transcription is up-regulated in differentiating mESCs and that chemical inhibition of β-catenin/TCF1 interaction improves long-term self-renewal and enhances functional pluripotency. Genetic loss of TCF1 inhibited differentiation by delaying exit from pluripotency and conferred a transcriptional profile strikingly reminiscent of self-renewing mESCs with high Nanog expression. Together, our data suggest that β-catenin’s function in regulating mESCs is highly context specific and that its interaction with TCF1 promotes differentiation, further highlighting the need for understanding how its individual protein–protein interactions drive stem cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujash S Chatterjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Abil Saj
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672
| | - Tenzin Gocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Matthew Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Foster C Gonsalves
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Xiaoqian Zhang
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672
| | - Penelope Hayward
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, England, UK
| | - Betül Akgöl Oksuz
- Bioinformatics Core, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Steven S Shen
- Bioinformatics Core, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016
| | - Aviv Madar
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | - Ramanuj DasGupta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Cancer Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672
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78
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Kimelman D. Tales of Tails (and Trunks): Forming the Posterior Body in Vertebrate Embryos. Curr Top Dev Biol 2016; 116:517-36. [PMID: 26970638 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A major question in developmental biology is how the early embryonic axes are established. Recent studies using different model organisms and mammalian in vitro systems have revealed the surprising result that most of the early posterior embryonic body forms from a Wnt-regulated bipotential neuromesodermal progenitor population that escapes early germ layer patterning. Part of the regulatory network that drives the maintenance and differentiation of these progenitors has recently been determined, but much remains to be discovered. This review discusses some of the common features present in all vertebrates, as well as unique aspects that different species utilize to establish their anterior-posterior (A-P) axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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79
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Ruiz-Villalba A, Hoppler S, van den Hoff MJB. Wnt signaling in the heart fields: Variations on a common theme. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:294-306. [PMID: 26638115 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays an essential role in development and differentiation. Heart development is initiated with the induction of precardiac mesoderm requiring the tightly and spatially controlled regulation of canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways. The role of Wnt signaling in subsequent development of the heart fields is to a large extent unclear. We will discuss the role of Wnt signaling in the development of the arterial and venous pole of the heart, highlighting the dual roles of Wnt signaling with respect to its time- and dosage-dependent effects and the balance between the canonical and noncanonical signaling. Canonical signaling appears to be involved in retaining the cardiac precursors in a proliferative and precursor state, whereas noncanonical signaling promotes their differentiation. Thereafter, both canonical and noncanonical signaling regulate specific steps in differentiation of the cardiac compartments. Because heart development is a contiguous, rather than a sequential, process, analyses tend only to show a single timeframe of development. The repetitive alternating and reciprocal effect of canonical and noncanonical signaling is lost when studied in homogenates. Without the simultaneous in vivo visualization of the different Wnt signaling pathways, the mechanism of Wnt signaling in heart development remains elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Ruiz-Villalba
- Academic Medical Center, Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Hoppler
- Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine Research Programme, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Maurice J B van den Hoff
- Academic Medical Center, Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Physiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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80
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Rasmussen CH, Petersen DR, Moeller JB, Hansson M, Dufva M. Collagen Type I Improves the Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells towards Definitive Endoderm. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145389. [PMID: 26713616 PMCID: PMC4694921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells have the ability to generate all cell types in the body and can potentially provide an unlimited source of cells for cell replacement therapy to treat degenerative diseases such as diabetes. Current differentiation protocols of human embryonic stem cells towards insulin producing beta cells focus on soluble molecules whereas the impact of cell-matrix interactions has been mainly unattended. In this study almost 500 different extracellular matrix protein combinations were screened to systemically identify extracellular matrix proteins that influence differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to the definitive endoderm lineage. The percentage of definitive endoderm cells after differentiation on collagen I and fibronectin was >85% and 65%, respectively. The cells on collagen I substrates displayed different morphology and gene expression during differentiation as assessed by time lapse studies compared to cells on the other tested substrates. Global gene expression analysis showed that cells differentiated on collagen I were largely similar to cells on fibronectin after completed differentiation. Collectively, the data suggest that collagen I induces a more rapid and consistent differentiation of stem cells to definitive endoderm. The results shed light on the importance of extracellular matrix proteins for differentiation and also points to a cost effective and easy method to improve differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Martin Dufva
- DTU Nanotech, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
- * E-mail: (MH); (MD)
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81
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Pluripotency Factors on Their Lineage Move. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:6838253. [PMID: 26770212 PMCID: PMC4684880 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6838253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells are characterised by continuous self-renewal while maintaining the potential to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers. Regulatory networks of maintaining pluripotency have been described in great detail and, similarly, there is great knowledge on key players that regulate their differentiation. Interestingly, pluripotency has various shades with distinct developmental potential, an observation that coined the term of a ground state of pluripotency. A precise interplay of signalling axes regulates ground state conditions and acts in concert with a combination of key transcription factors. The balance between these transcription factors greatly influences the integrity of the pluripotency network and latest research suggests that minute changes in their expression can strengthen but also collapse the network. Moreover, recent studies reveal different facets of these core factors in balancing a controlled and directed exit from pluripotency. Thereby, subsets of pluripotency-maintaining factors have been shown to adopt new roles during lineage specification and have been globally defined towards neuroectodermal and mesendodermal sets of embryonic stem cell genes. However, detailed underlying insights into how these transcription factors orchestrate cell fate decisions remain largely elusive. Our group and others unravelled complex interactions in the regulation of this controlled exit. Herein, we summarise recent findings and discuss the potential mechanisms involved.
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82
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The N-cadherin cytoplasmic domain confers anchorage-independent growth and the loss of contact inhibition. Sci Rep 2015; 5:15368. [PMID: 26481443 PMCID: PMC4612716 DOI: 10.1038/srep15368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor growth is characterized by anchorage independence and the loss of contact inhibition. Previously, we showed that either a red fluorescent protein (DsRed)-tagged N-cadherin or E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain (DNCT or DECT) could function as a dominant negative inhibitor by blocking the cell surface localization of endogenous E-cadherin and inducing cell dissociation. Here, we show that expression of DNCT abrogated contact inhibition of proliferation and conferred anchorage-independent growth. DNCT expression induced the relocation of the tumor suppressor Merlin from the cell surface to intracellular compartments. Although DNCT expression induced redistribution of TAZ from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, YAP/TAZ signaling was not activated. An E-cadherin–α-catenin chimera that functions as a β-catenin–independent cell adhesion molecule restored contact inhibition and anchorage-dependency of growth. Addition of the SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal reversed the effects of DNCT expression, indicating that DNCT functioned outside of the nucleus.
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83
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Ozawa M. E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain inhibits cell surface localization of endogenous cadherins and fusion of C2C12 myoblasts. Biol Open 2015; 4:1427-35. [PMID: 26453620 PMCID: PMC4728358 DOI: 10.1242/bio.013938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myoblast fusion is a highly regulated process that is essential for skeletal muscle formation during muscle development and regeneration in mammals. Much remains to be elucidated about the molecular mechanism of myoblast fusion although cadherins, which are Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, are thought to play a critical role in this process. Mouse myoblasts lacking either N-cadherin or M-cadherin can still fuse to form myotubes, indicating that they have no specific function in this process and may be functionally replaced by either M-cadherin or N-cadherin, respectively. In this study, we show that expressing the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain ectopically in C2C12 myoblasts inhibits cell surface localization of endogenous M-cadherin and N-cadherin, as well as cell-cell fusion. This domain, however, does not inhibit myoblast differentiation according to microarray-based gene expression analysis. In contrast, expressing a dominant-negative β-catenin mutant ectopically, which suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signaling, did not inhibit cell-cell fusion. Therefore, the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain inhibits cell-cell fusion by inhibiting cell surface localization of endogenous cadherins and not by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Ozawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan
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84
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Bertolessi M, Linta L, Seufferlein T, Kleger A, Liebau S. A Fresh Look on T-Box Factor Action in Early Embryogenesis (T-Box Factors in Early Development). Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:1833-51. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Bertolessi
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Leonhard Linta
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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85
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Tbx3 Controls Dppa3 Levels and Exit from Pluripotency toward Mesoderm. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 5:97-110. [PMID: 26095607 PMCID: PMC4618439 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tbx3, a member of the T-box family, plays important roles in development, stem cells, nuclear reprogramming, and cancer. Loss of Tbx3 induces differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, we show that mESCs exist in an alternate stable pluripotent state in the absence of Tbx3. In-depth transcriptome analysis of this mESC state reveals Dppa3 as a direct downstream target of Tbx3. Also, Tbx3 facilitates the cell fate transition from pluripotent cells to mesoderm progenitors by directly repressing Wnt pathway members required for differentiation. Wnt signaling regulates differentiation of mESCs into mesoderm progenitors and helps to maintain a naive pluripotent state. We show that Tbx3, a downstream target of Wnt signaling, fine tunes these divergent roles of Wnt signaling in mESCs. In conclusion, we identify a signaling-TF axis that controls the exit of mESCs from a self-renewing pluripotent state toward mesoderm differentiation. An alternate and stable pluripotent state of Tbx3 knockout mESCs exists Tbx3 maintains steady-state levels of Dppa3 in mESCs Tbx3 directly represses mesoderm specification genes like T Tbx3 represses Wnt pathway genes required for mesoderm differentiation
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86
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Kugler J, Tharmann J, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Kemler R, Luch A, Oelgeschläger M. A Bmp Reporter Transgene Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Model as a Tool to Identify and Characterize Chemical Teratogens. Toxicol Sci 2015; 146:374-85. [PMID: 26001961 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfv103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were first isolated from mouse embryos more than 30 years ago. They have proven invaluable not only in generating genetically modified mice that allow for analysis of gene function in tissue development and homeostasis but also as models for genetic disease. In addition, ESCs in vitro are finding inroads in pharmaceutical and toxicological testing, including the identification of teratogenic compounds. Here, we describe the use of a bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp)-reporter ESC line, isolated from a well-characterized transgenic mouse line, as a new tool for the identification of chemical teratogens. The Bmp-mediated expression of the green fluorescent protein enabled the quantification of dose- and time-dependent effects of valproic acid as well as retinoic acid. Significant effects were detectable at concentrations that were comparable to the ones observed in the classical embryonic stem cell test, despite the fact that the reporter gene is expressed in distinct cell types, including endothelial and endodermal cells. Thus these cells provide a valuable new tool for the identification and characterization of relevant mechanisms of embryonic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Kugler
- *German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemicals and Product Safety Berlin, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Tharmann
- *German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemicals and Product Safety Berlin, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rolf Kemler
- Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Emeritus Laboratory, 79108 Freiburg, Germany and
| | - Andreas Luch
- *German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemicals and Product Safety Berlin, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Oelgeschläger
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Experimental Toxicology and Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, 10589 Berlin, Germany
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87
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Parikh A, Wu J, Blanton RM, Tzanakakis ES. Signaling Pathways and Gene Regulatory Networks in Cardiomyocyte Differentiation. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2015; 21:377-92. [PMID: 25813860 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Strategies for harnessing stem cells as a source to treat cell loss in heart disease are the subject of intense research. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be expanded extensively in vitro and therefore can potentially provide sufficient quantities of patient-specific differentiated cardiomyocytes. Although multiple stimuli direct heart development, the differentiation process is driven in large part by signaling activity. The engineering of hPSCs to heart cell progeny has extensively relied on establishing proper combinations of soluble signals, which target genetic programs thereby inducing cardiomyocyte specification. Pertinent differentiation strategies have relied as a template on the development of embryonic heart in multiple model organisms. Here, information on the regulation of cardiomyocyte development from in vivo genetic and embryological studies is critically reviewed. A fresh interpretation is provided of in vivo and in vitro data on signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks (GRNs) underlying cardiopoiesis. The state-of-the-art understanding of signaling pathways and GRNs presented here can inform the design and optimization of methods for the engineering of tissues for heart therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhirath Parikh
- 1 Lonza Walkersville, Inc. , Lonza Group, Walkersville, Maryland
| | - Jincheng Wu
- 2 Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Robert M Blanton
- 3 Division of Cardiology, Molecular Cardiology Research Institute , Tufts Medical Center, Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emmanuel S Tzanakakis
- 2 Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts.,4 Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) , Boston, Massachusetts
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88
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Ehnes DD, Geransar RM, Rancourt DE, Zur Nieden NI. Exogenous nitric oxide enhances calcification in embryonic stem cell-derived osteogenic cultures. Differentiation 2015; 89:97-103. [PMID: 25929821 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
While the involvement of nitric oxide in bone formation, homeostasis and healing has been extensively characterized, its role in directing pluripotent stem cells to the osteogenic lineage has not been described. Yet, the identification of chemical inducers that improve differentiation output to a particular lineage is highly valuable to the development of such cells for the cell-based treatment of osteo-degenerative diseases. This study aimed at investigating the instructive role of nitric oxide (NO) and its synthesizing enzymes on embryonic stem cell (ESC) osteogenic differentiation. Our findings showed that NO levels may support osteogenesis, but that the effect of nitric oxide on osteoblast differentiation may be specific to a particular time phase during the development of osteoblasts in vitro. Endogenously, nitric oxide was specifically secreted by osteogenic cultures during the calcification period. Simultaneously, messenger RNAs for both the endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoforms (eNOS and iNOS) were upregulated during this late phase development. However, the specific eNOS inhibitor L-N(5)-(1-Iminoethyl)ornithine dihydrochloride attenuated calcification more so than the specific iNOS inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium. Exogenous stage-specific supplementation of culture medium with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine increased the percentage of cells differentiating into osteoblasts and enhanced calcification. Our results point to a primary role for eNOS as a pro-osteogenic trigger in ESC differentiation and expand on the variety of supplements that may be used to direct ESC fate to the osteogenic lineage, which will be important in the development of cell-based therapies for osteo-degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Ehnes
- University of California Riverside, Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Stem Cell Center, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, 1113 Biological Sciences Building, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - R M Geransar
- Institute of Maternal & Child Health, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 4N1
| | - D E Rancourt
- Institute of Maternal & Child Health, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 4N1
| | - N I Zur Nieden
- University of California Riverside, Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience and Stem Cell Center, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, 1113 Biological Sciences Building, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Institute of Maternal & Child Health, University of Calgary, Heritage Medical Research Building, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2N 4N1.
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89
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β-Catenin Regulates Primitive Streak Induction through Collaborative Interactions with SMAD2/SMAD3 and OCT4. Cell Stem Cell 2015; 16:639-52. [PMID: 25921273 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Canonical Wnt and Nodal signaling are both required for induction of the primitive streak (PS), which guides organization of the early embryo. The Wnt effector β-catenin is thought to function in these early lineage specification decisions via transcriptional activation of Nodal signaling. Here, we demonstrate a broader role for β-catenin in PS formation by analyzing its genome-wide binding in a human embryonic stem cell model of PS induction. β-catenin occupies regulatory regions in numerous PS and neural crest genes, and direct interactions between β-catenin and the Nodal effectors SMAD2/SMAD3 are required at these regions for PS gene activation. Furthermore, OCT4 binding in proximity to these sites is likewise required for PS induction, suggesting a collaborative interaction between β-catenin and OCT4. Induction of neural crest genes by β-catenin is repressed by SMAD2/SMAD3, ensuring proper lineage specification. This study provides mechanistic insight into how Wnt signaling controls early cell lineage decisions.
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90
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The generation of definitive endoderm from human embryonic stem cells is initially independent from activin A but requires canonical Wnt-signaling. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2015; 10:480-93. [PMID: 24913278 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-014-9509-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The activation of the TGF-beta pathway by activin A directs ES cells into the definitive endoderm germ layer. However, there is evidence that activin A/TGF-beta is not solely responsible for differentiation into definitive endoderm. GSK3beta inhibition has recently been shown to generate definitive endoderm-like cells from human ES cells via activation of the canonical Wnt-pathway. The GSK3beta inhibitor CHIR-99021 has been reported to generate mesoderm from human iPS cells. Thus, the specific role of the GSK3beta inhibitor CHIR-99021 was analyzed during the differentiation of human ES cells and compared against a classic endoderm differentiation protocol. At high concentrations of CHIR-99021, the cells were directed towards mesodermal cell fates, while low concentrations permitted mesodermal and endodermal differentiation. Finally, the analyses revealed that GSK3beta inhibition rapidly directed human ES cells into a primitive streak-like cell type independently from the TGF-beta pathway with mesoderm and endoderm differentiation potential. Addition of low activin A concentrations effectively differentiated these primitive streak-like cells into definitive endoderm. Thus, the in vitro differentiation of human ES cells into definitive endoderm is initially independent from the activin A/TGF-beta pathway but requires high canonical Wnt-signaling activity.
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91
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Lei X, Deng Z, Zhang H, Zhao H, Zhou J, Liu S, Chen Q, Ning L, Cao Y, Wang X, Zhang X, Duan E. Rotary suspension culture enhances mesendoderm differentiation of embryonic stem cells through modulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2015; 10:526-38. [PMID: 24793926 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-014-9511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recently, physical factors in the local cellular microenvironment have been confirmed with strong influences on regulating stem cell fate. Despite the recent identification of the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) as a bioreactor for culturing stem cells, the underlying biological role provided by RCCS in the lineage differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) remains largely undefined. Here, we explored the embryoid body (EB) formation and subsequent differentiation of mouse ESCs in RCCS. We demonstrated that EBs formed in RCCS were more homogeneous and bigger in size compared with those in the static condition. Further, we determined that mesendoderm differentiation was prominently enhanced, while neuroectodermal differentiation was significantly suppressed in RCCS. Surprisingly, we found that Wnt/β-catenin signaling was greatly enhanced mainly due to the increased expression of Wnt3 during ESC differentiation in RCCS. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by DKK1 decreased the expression of Brachyury and attenuated mesendoderm differentiation in RCCS. Intriguingly, Wnt3a markedly increased Brachyury expression under static condition rather than in RCCS. Taken together, our findings uncover a new role of rotary suspension culture in initializing the early differentiation of ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Beichen West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
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92
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Pulkoski-Gross A, Li J, Zheng C, Li Y, Ouyang N, Rigas B, Zucker S, Cao J. Repurposing the antipsychotic trifluoperazine as an antimetastasis agent. Mol Pharmacol 2014; 87:501-12. [PMID: 25552486 DOI: 10.1124/mol.114.096941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Because cancer cell invasion is a critical determinant of metastasis, targeting invasion is a viable approach to prevent metastasis. Utilizing a novel three-dimensional high-throughput invasion assay, we screened a National Cancer Institute compound library and discovered compounds demonstrating inhibitory effects on cancer cell invasion. One hit, trifluoperazine, suppresses invasion of human cancer cell lines while displaying a limited cytotoxicity profile. This inhibition is due to the interference with cancer cell migratory ability but not proteolytic activity. Treatment of cancer cells with trifluoperazine significantly reduces angiogenesis and prevents cancer cell invasion through a chorioallantoic basement membrane. Mechanistically, treatment results in decreased phosphorylated AKT (Ser(473) and Thr(308)) and β-catenin (Ser(552)). Lack of phosphorylation of Ser(552) of β-catenin prevents β-catenin nuclear relocation, resulting in decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, likely mediated through dopamine receptor D2. Taken together, we demonstrated that trifluoperazine is responsible for reducing the angiogenic and invasive potential of aggressive cancer cells through dopamine receptor D2 to modulate the β-catenin pathway and propose that trifluoperazine may be used as an antimetastasis chemotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashleigh Pulkoski-Gross
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Carolina Zheng
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Yiyi Li
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Nengtai Ouyang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Basil Rigas
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Stanley Zucker
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences/Cancer Prevention (A.P.G.), Department of Medicine/Cancer Prevention (C.Z., Y.L., B.R., J.C.), and Department of Medicine/Hematology & Oncology (S.Z.), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York; Jimei University, Xiamen, China (J.L.); and Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, China (N.O.)
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93
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Lieven O, Dronka J, Burmühl S, Rüther U. Differential binding of Lef1 and Msx1/2 transcription factors to Dkk1 CNEs correlates with reporter gene expression in vivo. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115442. [PMID: 25545010 PMCID: PMC4278905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the active Wnt signalling itself, the extracellular inhibition by Dkk1 is important for various embryonic developmental processes, such as optic vesicle differentiation and facial outgrowth. Although a feedback crosstalk of the active Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Dkk1 regulation has been suggested, the control of Dkk1 transcription by the Tcf/Lef1 mediated Wnt signalling and its connection to additional signalling factors has not been elucidated in vivo. Here, we used a combination of transgenic mouse approaches and biochemical analyses to unravel the direct Dkk1 transcriptional regulation via Tcf/Lefs. By using site directed mutagenesis, we tested several conserved Tcf/Lef1 binding sites within Dkk1 conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) and found that these are required for tissue specific reporter expression. In addition a conserved Msx1/2 binding site is required for retinal reporter expression and Msx2 but not Msx1 binds its conserved binding site within CNE195 in the optic cups. Within craniofacial expression domains, Lef1 interferes with Dkk1 directly via two conserved Tcf/Lef1 binding sites in the craniofacial enhancer CNE114, both of which are required for the general craniofacial Dkk1 reporter activation. Furthermore, these Tcf/Lef1 sites are commonly bound in the whisker hair bud mesenchyme but specifically Tcf/Lef1 (no. 2) is required for mandibular activation and repression of maxillar Dkk1 activation. Lastly, we tested the Tcf/Lef1 binding capacities of the Dkk1 promoter and found that although Lef1 binds the Dkk1 promoter, these sites are not sufficient for tissue specific Dkk1 activation. Together, we here present the importance of conserved Tcf/Lef1 and Msx1/2 sites that are required for differential Dkk1 transcriptional reporter activation in vivo. This requirement directly correlates with Lef1 and Msx1/2 interaction with these genomic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Lieven
- The Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Building 6, 4th floor, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Julia Dronka
- Institute for Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, Building 26.13.00, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stephan Burmühl
- Institute for Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, Building 26.13.00, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ulrich Rüther
- Institute for Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstr. 1, Building 26.13.00, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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94
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Savory JGA, Edey C, Hess B, Mears AJ, Lohnes D. Identification of novel retinoic acid target genes. Dev Biol 2014; 395:199-208. [PMID: 25251699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Retinoic acid is required for diverse ontogenic processes and as such identification of the genes and pathways affected by retinoic acid is critical to understanding these pleiotropic effects. The presomitic mesoderm of the E8.5 mouse embryo is composed of undifferentiated cells that are depleted of retinoic acid, yet are competent to respond to the retinoid signal. We have exploited these properties to use this tissue to identify novel retinoic acid-responsive genes, including candidate target genes, by treating E8.5 embryos with retinoic acid and assessing changes in gene expression in the presomitic mesoderm by microarray analysis. This exercise yielded a cohort of genes that were differentially expressed in response to exogenous retinoic acid exposure. Among these were a number of previously characterized retinoic acid targets, validating this approach. In addition, we recovered a number of novel candidate target genes which were confirmed as retinoic acid-responsive by independent analysis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed retinoic acid receptor occupancy of the promoters of certain of these genes. We further confirmed direct retinoic acid regulation of the F11r gene, a new RA target, using tissue culture models. Our results reveal a significant number of potential RA targets implicated in embryonic development and offer a novel in vivo system for better understanding of retinoid-dependent transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne G A Savory
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Caitlin Edey
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bradley Hess
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alan J Mears
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David Lohnes
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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95
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Brachyury cooperates with Wnt/β-catenin signalling to elicit primitive-streak-like behaviour in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells. BMC Biol 2014; 12:63. [PMID: 25115237 PMCID: PMC4171571 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-014-0063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The formation of the primitive streak is the first visible sign of gastrulation, the process by which the three germ layers are formed from a single epithelium during early development. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide a good system for understanding the molecular and cellular events associated with these processes. Previous work, both in embryos and in culture, has shown how converging signals from both nodal/TGFβR and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways specify cells to adopt a primitive-streak-like fate and direct them to undertake an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, many of these approaches have relied on genetic analyses without taking into account the temporal progression of events within single cells. In addition, it is still unclear to what extent events in the embryo are able to be reproduced in culture. Results Here, we combine flow cytometry and a quantitative live single-cell imaging approach to demonstrate how the controlled differentiation of mouse ESCs towards a primitive streak fate in culture results in cells displaying many of the characteristics observed during early mouse development including transient brachyury expression, EMT and increased motility. We also find that the EMT initiates the process, and this is both fuelled and terminated by the action of brachyury, whose expression is dependent on the EMT and β-catenin activity. Conclusions As a consequence of our analysis, we propose that a major output of brachyury expression is in controlling the velocity of the cells that are transiting out of the primitive streak. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-014-0063-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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96
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Herion NJ, Salbaum JM, Kappen C. Traffic jam in the primitive streak: the role of defective mesoderm migration in birth defects. BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH. PART A, CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR TERATOLOGY 2014; 100:608-22. [PMID: 25115487 PMCID: PMC9828327 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Gastrulation is the process in which the three germ layers are formed that contribute to the formation of all major tissues in the developing embryo. We here review mouse genetic models in which defective gastrulation leads to mesoderm insufficiencies in the embryo. Depending on severity of the abnormalities, the outcomes range from incompatible with embryonic survival to structural birth defects, such as heart defects, spina bifida, or caudal dysgenesis. The combined evidence from the mutant models supports the notion that these congenital anomalies can originate from perturbations of mesoderm specification, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and mesodermal cell migration. Knowledge about the molecular pathways involved may help to improve strategies for the prevention of major structural birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils J. Herion
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Department of Developmental Biology, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - J. Michael Salbaum
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Laboratory for Regulation of Gene Expression, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | - Claudia Kappen
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Department of Developmental Biology, Baton Rouge, Louisiana,Correspondence to: Claudia Kappen, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Department of Developmental Biology, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
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97
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Caronna EA, Patterson ES, Hummert PM, Kroll KL. Geminin restrains mesendodermal fate acquisition of embryonic stem cells and is associated with antagonism of Wnt signaling and enhanced polycomb-mediated repression. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1477-87. [PMID: 23630199 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic cells use both growth factor signaling and cell intrinsic transcriptional and epigenetic regulation to acquire early cell fates. Underlying mechanisms that integrate these cues are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of Geminin, a nucleoprotein that interacts with both transcription factors and epigenetic regulatory complexes, during fate acquisition of mouse embryonic stem cells. In order to determine Geminin's role in mesendoderm formation, a process which occurs during embryonic gastrulation, we selectively over-expressed or knocked down Geminin in an in vitro model of differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells. We found that Geminin antagonizes mesendodermal fate acquisition, while these cells instead maintain elevated expression of genes associated with pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. During mesendodermal fate acquisition, Geminin knockdown promotes Wnt signaling, while Bmp, Fgf, and Nodal signaling are not affected. Moreover, we showed that Geminin facilitates the repression of mesendodermal genes that are regulated by the Polycomb repressor complex. Geminin directly binds several of these genes, while Geminin knockdown in mesendodermal cells reduces Polycomb repressor complex occupancy at these loci and increases trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4, which correlates with active gene expression. Together, these results indicate that Geminin is required to restrain mesendodermal fate acquisition of early embryonic cells and that this is associated with both decreased Wnt signaling and enhanced Polycomb repressor complex retention at mesendodermal genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Caronna
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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98
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Lei X, Deng Z, Zhang H, Zhao H, Zhou J, Liu S, Chen Q, Ning L, Cao Y, Wang X, Zhang X, Duan E. Rotary Suspension Culture Enhances Mesendoderm Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells Through Modulation of Wnt/β-catenin Pathway. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2014. [DOI: doi 10.1007/s12015-014-9511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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99
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Tsakiridis A, Huang Y, Blin G, Skylaki S, Wymeersch F, Osorno R, Economou C, Karagianni E, Zhao S, Lowell S, Wilson V. Distinct Wnt-driven primitive streak-like populations reflect in vivo lineage precursors. Development 2014; 141:1209-21. [PMID: 24595287 PMCID: PMC3943179 DOI: 10.1242/dev.101014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
During gastrulation, epiblast cells are pluripotent and their fate is thought to be constrained principally by their position. Cell fate is progressively restricted by localised signalling cues from areas including the primitive streak. However, it is unknown whether this restriction accompanies, at the individual cell level, a reduction in potency. Investigation of these early transition events in vitro is possible via the use of epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs), self-renewing pluripotent cell lines equivalent to the postimplantation epiblast. Strikingly, mouse EpiSCs express gastrulation stage regional markers in self-renewing conditions. Here, we examined the differentiation potential of cells expressing such lineage markers. We show that undifferentiated EpiSC cultures contain a major subfraction of cells with reversible early primitive streak characteristics, which is mutually exclusive to a neural-like fraction. Using in vitro differentiation assays and embryo grafting we demonstrate that primitive streak-like EpiSCs are biased towards mesoderm and endoderm fates while retaining pluripotency. The acquisition of primitive streak characteristics by self-renewing EpiSCs is mediated by endogenous Wnt signalling. Elevation of Wnt activity promotes restriction towards primitive streak-associated lineages with mesendodermal and neuromesodermal characteristics. Collectively, our data suggest that EpiSC pluripotency encompasses a range of reversible lineage-biased states reflecting the birth of pioneer lineage precursors from a pool of uncommitted EpiSCs similar to the earliest cell fate restriction events taking place in the gastrula stage epiblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anestis Tsakiridis
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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100
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Naujok O, Lentes J, Diekmann U, Davenport C, Lenzen S. Cytotoxicity and activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in mouse embryonic stem cells treated with four GSK3 inhibitors. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:273. [PMID: 24779365 PMCID: PMC4008422 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Small membrane-permeable molecules are now widely used during maintenance and differentiation of embryonic stem cells of different species. In particular the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is an interesting target, since its chemical inhibition activates the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. In the present comparative study four GSK3 inhibitors were characterized. Methods Cytotoxicity and potential to activate the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway were tested using the commonly used GSK3 inhibitors BIO, SB-216763, CHIR-99021, and CHIR-98014. Wnt/beta-catenin-dependent target genes were measured by quantitative PCR to confirm the Wnt-reporter assay and finally EC50-values were calculated. Results CHIR-99021 and SB-216763 had the lowest toxicities in mouse embryonic stem cells and CHIR-98014 and BIO the highest toxicities. Only CHIR-99021 and CHIR-98014 lead to a strong induction of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, whereas BIO and SB-216763 showed a minor or no increase in activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway over the natural ligand Wnt3a. The data from the Wnt-reporter assay were confirmed by gene expression analysis of the TCF/LEF regulated gene T. Conclusions Out of the four tested GSK3 inhibitors, only CHIR-99021 and CHIR-98014 proved to be potent pharmacological activators of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. But only in the case of CHIR-99021 high potency was combined with very low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortwin Naujok
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str, 1, Hannover 30625, Germany.
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