Non-injection methods for the production of embryonic stem cell-embryo chimaeras

Isolation, microinjection and transfer of mouse blastocysts

Genetically modified mice by means of homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells are generated by injection of manipulated ES cells into recipient blastocysts. The injected blastocysts, following reintroduction into recipient foster mice, will produce chimeric mice in which the manipulated ES cells populate the germline and transmit the induced mutation to the offspring. Crossing of the chimeras' offspring bearing the targeted mutation in heterozygosis will ultimately produce mice homozygous for the specific genetic mutation. Here we describe the steps and procedures required to generate the chimeric mice leading to the transfer of a genetic mutation to the mouse germline.

Aggregation chimeras: combining ES cells, diploid, and tetraploid embryos

During the past 40 years, mouse chimeras have served as invaluable tools for studying not only genetics but also embryonic development, and the path from undifferentiated cell populations to fully committed functional cell types. This chapter gives a description of the early events of cell commitment and differentiation in the pre-and postimplantation-stage embryo. Next, a discussion follows highlighting the most commonly used as well as more recently developed applications of various cell types and origins used in the production of chimeras. Finally, detailed protocols and trouble-shooting suggestions will be presented for each of the steps involved.

Homeodomain protein Pitx3 maintains the mitotic activity of lens epithelial cells

Pitx3 is a bicoid like homeobox transcription factor of which deficiency in mice is linked with the aphakia phenotype. Mutation in human PITX3 gene is associated with autosomal dominant cataract with variable anterior segment mesenchymal dysgenesis. However, the molecular events causing the morphological changes in aphakia remains unknown. In this study we investigated the behaviour of GFP tagged Pitx3 null embryonic stem cells in chimeric lens, as well as the molecular features of the Pitx3-deficient lens of homozygous Pitx3 knockout mice. We show that the lack of colonisation of Pitx3-deficient ES cell derivatives in Pitx3 wild-type<-->Pitx3 null chimeric lens was due to the depletion of the epithelial cells in lens epithelium manifested by aberrant cell cycle exit and precocious onset of fibre cell differentiation of the Pitx3 null cells at the lens vesicle stage. This was demonstrated by the early activation of the cell cycle inhibitors p27Kip1 and p57Kip2, and the expression of beta-and gamma-crystallins. These defects are at least partially attributed to the loss of FoxE3 and misexpression of Prox1 in the lens vesicle epithelial cells. Thus, Pitx3 is essential to maintain lens epithelial phenotype and prevent inappropriate fibre cell differentiation during lens development.

A protocol for constructing gene targeting vectors: generating knockout mice for the cadherin family and beyond

We describe here a streamlined procedure for targeting vector construction, which often is a limiting factor for gene targeting (knockout) technology. This procedure combines various highly efficient recombination-based cloning methods in bacteria, consisting of three steps. First step is the use of Red-pathway-mediated recombination (recombineering) to capture a genomic fragment into a Gateway-compatible vector. Second, the vector is modified by recombineering to include a positive selection gene neo, from a variety of modular reagents. Finally, through a simple in vitro Gateway recombination, the modified genomic fragment is switched into a vector that contains negative selection cassettes, as well as unique sites for linearization. To demonstrate the usefulness of this protocol, we report targeted disruptions of members of the cadherin gene family, focusing on those that have not been previously studied at the molecular genetic level. This protocol needs 2 weeks to construct a targeting vector, and several vectors can be easily handled simultaneously using common laboratory setup.

Differentiation of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells in Skeletal Muscles of Mice

Possible myogenic differentiation of SSEA-1- and OCT-4-positive murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and embryoid bodies (EBs) was studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, ESC- or EB-derived ESCs (EBs/ESCs) showed only traces of Pax 3 and 7 expression by immunocytochemistry and Pax 3 expression by immunoblot. By RT-PCR, myogenic determinant molecules (myf5, myoD, and myogenin) were expressed by EBs/ESCs but not by ESCs. However, in such cultures, very rare contracting myotubes were still present. Suspensions of LacZ-labeled ESCs or EBs were injected into anterior tibialis muscles (ATM) of different cohorts of mice for the study of their survival and possible myogenic differentiation. The different cohorts of mice included isogenic adult 129/Sv, nonisogenic CD1 and mdx, as well as mdx immunosuppressed with 2.5 mg/kg daily injections of tacrolimus. Ten to 90 days postinjections, the injected ATM of nonisogenic mice did not contain cells positive for LacZ, SSEA-1, OCT-4, or embryonic myosin heavy chain. The ATM of intact mdx mice contained very rare examples of muscle fibers positive for dystrophin and/or embryonic myosin heavy chain. In the ATM of the isogenic normal and the immunosuppressed mdx mice, as expected, large teratomas developed containing the usual diverse cell types. In some teratomas of immunosuppressed mdx mice, small pockets of muscle fibers expressed dystrophin and myosin heavy chain. Our studies indicated that in muscles of animals nonisogenic with the used ESCs, only very rare ESCs survived with myogenic differentiation. These studies also indicated that ESCs will not undergo significant, selective, and preferential myogenic differentiation in vitro or in vivo in any of the models studied. It is probable that this strain of murine ESC requires some experimentally induced alteration of its gene expression profile to secure significant myogenicity and suppress tumorogenicity.

Derivation of human embryonic stem cells from single blastomeres

This protocol details a method to derive human embryonic stem (hES) cells from single blastomeres. Blastomeres are removed from morula (eight-cell)-stage embryos and cultured until they form multicell aggregates. These blastomere-derived cell aggregates are plated into microdrops seeded with mitotically inactivated feeder cells, and then connected with neighboring microdrops seeded with green fluorescent protein-positive hES cells. The resulting blastomere-derived outgrowths are cultured in the same manner as blastocyst-derived hES cells. The whole process takes about 3-4 months.

IGF-I and insulin activate mitogen-activated protein kinase via the type 1 IGF receptor in mouse embryonic stem cells

Although IGF-I and insulin are important modulators of preimplantation embryonic physiology, the signalling pathways activated during development remain to be elucidated. As a model of preimplantation embryos, pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells were used to investigate which receptor mediated actions of physiological concentrations of IGF-I and insulin on growth measured by protein synthesis. Exposure of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to 1.7 pM IGF-I or 1.7 nM insulin for 4 h caused approximately 25% increase in protein synthesis when compared with cells cultured in basal medium containing BSA. Dose-response studies showed 100-fold higher potency of IGF-I that pointed to the type 1 IGF receptor as the mediating receptor for both ligands. This was confirmed using an anti-type 1 IGF receptor-blocking antibody (alphaIR3). Both 1.7 pM IGF-I and 1.7 nM insulin increased phosphorylation of the type 1 IGF receptor and this increase was blocked by alphaIR3, but the insulin receptor was not phosphorylated. Finally, binding of either agonist led to downstream phosphorylation of ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) also via IGF-1R as this was blocked by alphaIR3. Together, these results suggest that IGF-I and insulin modulate ES cell physiology through binding to the type 1 IGF receptor and subsequent activation of MAPK pathway.

Generation and functional characterization of mice with a disrupted glutathione S-transferase, theta 1 gene

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) theta 1 (GSTT1) has been regarded as one of the key enzymes involved in phase II reactions because of its unique substrate specificity. In this study, we generated mice with the disrupted Gstt1 gene (Gstt1-null mice) by gene targeting and analyzed the metabolic properties in cytosolic and in vivo studies. The resulting Gstt1-null mice failed to express the Gstt1 mRNA and GSTT1 protein by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis and two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis/mass spectrometry analysis, respectively. However, the Gstt1-null mice appeared to be normal and were fertile. In an enzymatic study using cytosolic samples from the liver and kidney, GST activity toward 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)propane (EPNP), dichloromethane (DCM), and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) was markedly lower in Gstt1-null mice than in the wild-type controls, despite there being no difference in GST activity toward 1-choloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene between Gstt1-null mice and the wild-type controls. Gstt1-null mice had GST activity of only 8.7 to 42.1% of the wild-type controls to EPNP, less than 2.2% of the wild-type controls to DCM, and 13.2 to 23.9% of the wild-type controls to BCNU. Plasma BCNU concentrations after a single i.p. administration of BCNU to Gstt1-null mice were significantly higher, and there was a larger area under the curve(5-60) min (male, 2.30 times; female, 2.28 times, versus the wild-type controls) based on the results. In conclusion, Gstt1-null mice would be useful as an animal model of humans with the GSTT1-null genotype.

Improved embryonic stem cell technologies

Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells have become an indispensable tool for investigating genetic function both in vitro and, importantly, in vivo. Recent advances, including tetraploid aggregation, new site-specific recombinases and RNAi, have enabled more sophisticated manipulation of the ES cell genome. For instance, it is now possible to control gene expression in both a temporally and spatially restricted manner. Such new technologies are answering complex questions surrounding the function and interaction of an increasing number of genes. This chapter will review both the history and recent technological progress that has been made in mouse ES cell derivation, genetic manipulation and the generation of ES cell-derived chimaeric animals.

In vitro development and cell allocation of porcine blastocysts derived by aggregation of in vitro fertilized embryos

In pigs, the morphology and cell number of in vitro-produced blastocysts are inferior to those of their in vivo counterparts. The objective of this study was to increase developmental competence and to gain an understanding of cell allocation in blastocysts derived from the aggregation of four-cell stage porcine embryos produced in vitro. After removal of the zona pellucida, two (2x) and three (3x) four-cell stage embryos were aggregated by co-culturing them in aggregation plates. Five days after aggregation, the developmental ability and the number of cells in the aggregated embryos were determined. The percentage of blastocysts was higher (P < 0.05) in both the 2x and 3x aggregated embryos (66.6% and 72.0%, respectively) compared to that of the 1x embryos and the intact controls (43.1% and 36.4%, respectively). The total cell number of blastocysts also increased in aggregated embryos compared to that of intact controls (2.6-fold for 2x and 3.4-fold for 3x) (P < 0.05). The cells of two differentially stained embryos were started to mix at 72 hr after aggregation. In vitro-fertilized porcine aggregates (2x) were developed to blastocyst with a random distribution of cells from each embryo. The mRNA levels for the oct-4, bcl-xL and connexin 43 genes were higher (P < 0.05) and bak gene were lower (P < 0.05) in both the 2x and 3x aggregated embryos than the intact controls. Therefore, the aggregation of the four-cell stage embryos could be used to improve the quality of porcine preimplantation stage embryos produced in vitro.

An alternative simple method for mass production of chimeric embryos by coculturing denuded embryos and embryonic stem cells in Eppendorf vials

The generation of germline competent chimeric mice via embryonic stem (ES) cells is a crucial step in developing gene-manipulated mouse models. To date, techniques for generating chimeric mice include direct microinjection of ES cells into the cavity of 3.5-d post-coitum (dpc) blastocysts and aggregating or coculturing 2.5 dpc zona pellucida-free (denuded) embryos with ES cells. We present here a procedure that is simple and reproducible for mass producing (10-150 embryos/vial/time) chimeric embryos by coculturing denuded 8-cell embryos and morula in 0.8 mL KSOM-AA medium containing 5 x 10(5)mL-1 purified green fluorescence protein-expressing ES cells (either fresh or thawed) in an 1.7 mL Eppendorf vial for 3h. The resulting chimeras had substantial levels of chimerism and high germline transmission rates. Therefore, the method developed in this study can provide a simple and mass reproducible alternative method (to germline transmitter chimeric mice), without technological and instrumental difficulties, for generating chimeric embryos.

Identification and isolation of embryonic stem cell-derived target cells by adenoviral conditional targeting

The technical limitations of isolating target cells have restricted the utility of pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells. For example, early cardiac (i.e., precontractile) cells have not been isolated from ES cells. Here, we find that direct expression of reporter genes under cell-specific promoters-the currently available strategy for isolating cells lacking cell-specific surface markers-is ineffective for isolating progenitor cells. This was due to the weak activity of cell-specific promoters, particularly in ES cells at early stages. We show that adenoviral conditional targeting efficiently isolates viable ES cell-derived target cells without harmful effects. In this strategy, we employ the alpha-myosin heavy chain and Nkx2.5 promoter to visualize and purify efficiently differentiated and primitive cells of the cardiac lineage, respectively. While the former cells predominantly expressed sarcomeric proteins and maintained contractile function, the latter demonstrated neither of these features, but rather exhibited expression patterns characteristic of a mixture of primitive cells and cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, smooth muscle actin was predominantly expressed in the latter cells, and both functionally known and unknown genes were systematically identified, demonstrating the benefits of this system. Thus, our method facilitates molecular and cellular studies of development and ES cell-derived cell therapy.

Deletion of exon I of SMAD7 in mice results in altered B cell responses

The members of the TGF-beta superfamily, i.e., TGF-beta isoforms, activins, and bone morphogenetic proteins, regulate growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, both during embryonic development and during postnatal life. Smad7 is induced by the TGF-beta superfamily members and negatively modulates their signaling, thus acting in a negative, autocrine feedback manner. In addition, Smad7 is induced by other stimuli. Thus, it can fine-tune and integrate TGF-beta signaling with other signaling pathways. To investigate the functional role(s) of Smad7 in vivo, we generated mice deficient in exon I of Smad7, leading to a partial loss of Smad7 function. Mutant animals are viable, but significantly smaller on the outbred CD-1 mouse strain background. Mutant B cells showed an overactive TGF-beta signaling measured as increase of phosphorylated Smad2-positive B cells compared with B cells from wild-type mice. In agreement with this expected increase in TGF-beta signaling, several changes in B cell responses were observed. Mutant B cells exhibited increased Ig class switch recombination to IgA, significantly enhanced spontaneous apoptosis in B cells, and a markedly reduced proliferative response to LPS stimulation. Interestingly, LPS treatment reverted the apoptotic phenotype in the mutant cells. Taken together, the observed phenotype highlights a prominent role for Smad7 in development and in regulating the immune system's response to TGF-beta.

Characterization of phenotypes in Gstm1-null mice by cytosolic and in vivo metabolic studies using 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene

Glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) has been regarded as one of the key enzymes involved in phase II reactions in the liver, because of its high expression level. In this study, we generated mice with disrupted glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 gene (Gstm1-null mice) by gene targeting, and characterized the phenotypes by cytosolic and in vivo studies. The resulting Gstm1-null mice appeared to be normal and were fertile. Expression analyses for the Gstm1-null mice revealed a deletion of Gstm1 mRNA and a small decrease in glutathione S-transferase alpha 3 mRNA. In the enzymatic study, GST activities toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in the liver and kidney cytosols were markedly lower in Gstm1-null mice than in the wild-type control. Gstm1-null mice had GST activities of only 6.1 to 21.0% of the wild-type control to DCNB and 26.0 to 78.6% of the wild-type control to CDNB. After a single oral administration of DCNB to Gstm1-null mice, the plasma concentration of DCNB showed larger AUC0-24 (5.1-5.3 times, versus the wild-type control) and higher Cmax (2.1-2.2 times, versus the wild-type control), with a correspondingly lower level of glutathione-related metabolite (AUC0-24, 9.4-17.9%; and Cmax, 9.7-15.6% of the wild-type control). In conclusion, Gstm1-null mice showed markedly low ability for glutathione conjugation to DCNB in the cytosol and in vivo and would be useful as a deficient model of GSTM1 for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/toxicology studies.

In vitro culture period but not the passage number influences the capacity of chimera production of inner cell mass and its deriving cells from porcine embryos

Mammalian embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst. These cells are able to proliferate continuously without differentiation in vitro under suitable conditions. Their capacity of pluripotency in differentiation will be resumed when they are reintroduced into host embryos, when they will contribute to the embryonic development to form chimeric individuals. Manipulation of ES cells has been mainly established from studies in the mouse, and is powerful in the production of transgenic animals. Porcine ICM-derived cell lines possess the same cellular morphology and in vitro behavior as those of murine ES cells, but have lower efficiency in chimera formation when reintroduced into host embryos. This study was to determine the influences of passage number and the duration of in vitro culture on the capacity of porcine ICM-derived cells in the generation of chimeric embryos. The results showed that when passage number of porcine ICM-derived cells was less than 15, there were no detrimental effects on its integration ability. Extending the culture time up to 6 days in each passage of porcine ICM-derived cells impaired its integration capacity into the host blastocyst. Porcine ICM-derived cells cultured for more than 4 days in each passage should not be used for blastocyst injection if high efficiency of chimera production is to be achieved.

Generation of mice harbouring a conditional loss-of-function allele of Gata6

The zinc finger transcription factor GATA6 is believed to have important roles in the development of several organs including the liver, gastrointestinal tract and heart. However, analyses of the contribution of GATA6 toward organogenesis have been hampered because Gata6-/- mice fail to develop beyond gastrulation due to defects in extraembryonic endoderm function. We have therefore generated a mouse line harbouring a conditional loss-of-function allele of Gata6 using Cre/loxP technology. LoxP elements were introduced into introns flanking exon 2 of the Gata6 gene by homologous recombination in ES cells. Mice containing this altered allele were bred to homozygosity and were found to be viable and fertile. To assess the functional integrity of the loxP sites and to confirm that we had generated a Gata6 loss-of-function allele, we bred Gata6 'floxed' mice to EIIa-Cre mice in which Cre is ubiquitously expressed, and to Villin-Cre mice that express Cre in the epithelial cells of the intestine. We conclude that we have generated a line of mice in which GATA6 activity can be ablated in a cell type specific manner by expression of Cre recombinase. This line of mice can be used to establish the role of GATA6 in regulating embryonic development and various aspects of mammalian physiology.

Meox1Cre: a mouse line expressing Cre recombinase in somitic mesoderm

We developed a novel strategy based on in vitro DNA transposition of phage Mu to construct vectors for "knock-in" of the gene encoding Cre recombinase into endogenous loci in embryonic stem cells. This strategy was used to introduce Cre into the mouse Meox1 locus, which was expected to drive Cre expression in the presomitic and somitic mesoderm. In embryos heterozygous for both Meox1(Cre) and R26R or Z/AP reporter alleles, specific and efficient recombination of the reporter alleles was detected in the maturing somites and their derivatives, including developing vertebrae, skeletal muscle, back dermis, as well as endothelium of the blood vessels invading the spinal cord and developing limbs. In contrast to the somitic mesoderm, Cre activity was not observed in the cranial paraxial mesoderm. Thus, the Meox1(Cre) allele allows detailed fate-mapping of Meox1-expressing tissues, including derivatives of the somitic mesoderm. We used it to demonstrate dynamic changes in the composition of the mesenchyme surrounding the developing inner ear. Meox1(Cre) may also be used for tissue-specific mutagenesis in the somitic mesoderm and its derivatives.

Angptl3-null Mice Show Low Plasma Lipid Concentrations by Enhanced Lipoprotein Lipase Activity

Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) is a secreted protein with both angiogenesis and lipid metabolism functions. We generated knockout mice that failed to express the Angptl3 gene, and analyzed the lipid metabolism. Angptl3-null mice, fed a normal diet or a high-fat, high-calorie (HFC) diet, revealed markedly low plasma lipid concentrations, especially plasma triglyceride concentration, although the body weight and liver weight were not different between Angptl3-null mice and wild-type mice. Angptl3-null mice fed an HFC diet also revealed a significantly reduced epididymal adipose tissue weight despite there being no difference in adipocyte size between them and wild-type mice. A triglyceride clearance study indicated that the lower plasma triglyceride concentration in Angptl3-null mice was caused by an accelerated clearance of triglyceride. In fact, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities in the post-heparin plasma of Angptl3-null mice were 1.57 times and 1.42 times higher than those of wild-type mice, respectively. These results suggest that ANGPTL3 may have an effect not only on lipid metabolism but also on adipose formation.

Inhibitor of apoptosis protein cIAP2 is essential for lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage survival

The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 2 (cIAP2/HIAP1) is a potent inhibitor of apoptotic death. In contrast to the other members of the IAP family, cIAP2 is transcriptionally inducible by nuclear factor-kappaB in response to multiple triggers. We demonstrate here that cIAP2-/- mice exhibit profound resistance to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis, specifically because of an attenuated inflammatory response. We show that LPS potently upregulates cIAP2 in macrophages and that cIAP2-/- macrophages are highly susceptible to apoptosis in a LPS-induced proinflammatory environment. Hence, cIAP2 is critical in the maintenance of a normal innate immune inflammatory response.

Murine Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from preimplantation stage mouse embryos at the time when they have reached the blastocyst stage. It is at this point that the first steps of differentiation take place during mammalian embryonic development. The individual blastomeres now start to organize themselves into three distinct locations, each encompassing a different cell type: outside epithelial cells, trophectoderm; cells at the blastocele surface of the inner cell mass (ICM), the primitive endoderm; and inside cells of the ICM, the primitive ectoderm. ES cells originate from the third population, the primitive ectoderm, which is a transiently existing group of cells in the embryo. Primitive ectoderm cells diminish within a day as the embryo is entering into the next steps of differentiation. ES cells, however, while retaining the property of their origin in terms of developmental potential, also have the ability to self-renew. It is hence important to realize that ES cells do not exist in vivo; they should be regarded simply as tissue culture artifact. Nevertheless, these powerful cells have the potential to differentiate into all the cells of the embryo proper and postnatal animal. Furthermore, they retain the limitation of their origin through their inability to contribute to the trophectoderm lineage (the trophoblast of the placenta) and the lineages of the primitive endoderm, the visceral and parietal endoderm. Due to these unique features, we must admit that even if we regard ES cells as products of in vitro culture and should not compare them to true somatic stem cells found in the adult organism, they certainly offer us a fantastic tool for genetic, developmental, and disease studies.

A genome-wide, end-sequenced 129Sv BAC library resource for targeting vector construction

The majority of gene-targeting experiments in mice are performed in 129Sv-derived embryonic stem (ES) cell lines, which are generally considered to be more reliable at colonizing the germ line than ES cells derived from other strains. Gene targeting is reliant on homologous recombination of a targeting vector with the host ES cell genome. The efficiency of recombination is affected by many factors, including the isogenicity (H. te Riele et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 5128-5132) and the length of homologous sequence of the targeting vector and the location of the target locus. Here we describe the double-end sequencing and mapping of 84,507 bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) generated from AB2.2 ES cell DNA (129S7/SvEvBrd-Hprtb-m2). We have aligned these BACs against the mouse genome and displayed them on the Ensembl genome browser, DAS: 129S7/AB2.2. This library has an average insert size of 110.68 kb and average depth of genome coverage of 3.63- and 1.24-fold across the autosomes and sex chromosomes, respectively. Over 97% of the mouse genome and 99.1% of Ensembl genes are covered by clones from this library. This publicly available BAC resource can be used for the rapid construction of targeting vectors via recombineering. Furthermore, we show that targeting vectors containing DNA recombineered from this BAC library can be used to target genes efficiently in several 129-derived ES cell lines.

Genetic basis of human testicular germ cell cancer: insights from the fruitfly and mouse

The prevalence of tumours of the germ line is increasing in the male population. This complex disease has a complex aetiology. We examine the contribution of genetic mutations to the development of germ line tumours in this review. In particular, we concentrate on fly and mouse experimental systems in order to demonstrate that mutations in some conserved genes cause pathologies typical of certain human germ cell tumours, whereas other mutations elicit phenotypes that are unique to the experimental model. Despite these experimental systems being imperfect, we show that they are useful models of human testicular germ cell tumourigenesis.

Foundation Review: Transgenic animals and their impact on the drug discovery industry

The ability to direct genetic changes at the molecular level has resulted in a revolution in biology. Nowhere has this been more apparent than in the production of transgenic animals. Transgenic technology lies at the junction of several enabling techniques in such diverse fields as embryology, cell biology and molecular genetics. A host of techniques have been used to effect change in gene expression and develop new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compounds cost-effectively. Scientific advances gained by transgenic capabilities enable further understanding of basic biological pathways and yield insights into how changes in fundamental processes can perturb programmed development or culminate in disease pathogenesis.

Efficient cardiomyogenic differentiation of embryonic stem cell by fibroblast growth factor 2 and bone morphogenetic protein 2

BACKGROUND

Despite the pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells, the specific control of their cardiomyogenic differentiation remains difficult. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether growth factors may efficiently enhance the in vitro cardiac differentiation of ES cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Recombinant growth factors at various concentrations or their inhibitors were added according to various schedules during the cardiomyogenic differentiation of ES cells. Cardiomyogenic differentiation was assessed by mRNA and protein expressions of several cardiomyocyte-specific genes. Basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and/or bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) efficiently enhanced the cardiomyogenic differentiation, but only when they were added at the optimal concentration (1.0 ng/ml in FGF-2 and 0.2 ng/ml in BMP-2; relatively lower than expected in both cases) for the first 3 days. Inhibition of FGF-2 and/or BMP-2 drastically suppressed the cardiomyogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

FGF-2 and BMP-2 play a crucial role in early cardiomyogenesis. The achievement of efficient cardiac differentiation using both growth factors may facilitate ES cell-derived cell therapy for heart diseases as well as contribute to developmental studies of the heart.

Transgenic and gene knock-out techniques and burn research

The development of transgenic technology has given researchers a powerful tool to examine biological effects, and the response to injury is no exception. Techniques such as pronuclear injection, targeted homologous recombination, and Cre/loxP gene excision are being used to construct animals with specific genetic designs; these are exploited to learn the role of genes in the response to severe burn. We review the construction of transgenic animals, pitfalls and benefits of this relatively new technique, and how this technique has been used in burn research.

Pkd1 regulates immortalized proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells through p53 induction and JNK activation

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common human monogenic genetic disorder and is characterized by progressive bilateral renal cysts and the development of renal insufficiency. The cystogenesis of ADPKD is believed to be a monoclonal proliferation of PKD-deficient (PKD(-/-)) renal tubular epithelial cells. To define the function of Pkd1, we generated chimeric mice by aggregation of Pkd1(-/-) ES cells and Pkd1(+/+) morulae from ROSA26 mice. As occurs in humans with ADPKD, these mice developed cysts in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. Surprisingly, the cyst epithelia of the kidney were composed of both Pkd1(-/-) and Pkd1(+/+) renal tubular epithelial cells in the early stages of cystogenesis. Pkd1(-/-) cyst epithelial cells changed in shape from cuboidal to flat and replaced Pkd1(+/+) cyst epithelial cells lost by JNK-mediated apoptosis in intermediate stages. In late-stage cysts, Pkd1(-/-) cells continued immortalized proliferation with downregulation of p53. These results provide a novel understanding of the cystogenesis of ADPKD patients. Furthermore, immortalized proliferation without induction of p53 was frequently observed in 3T3-type culture of mouse embryonic fibroblasts from Pkd1(-/-) mice. Thus, Pkd1 plays a role in preventing immortalized proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells through the induction of p53 and activation of JNK.

Mouse Embryos and Chimera Cloned from Neural Cells in the Postnatal Cerebral Cortex

Cloning of mice has been achieved by transferring nuclei of various types of somatic cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes. However, all attempts to produce live cloned offspring using the nuclei of neurons from adult cerebral cortex have failed. Previously we obtained cloned mice using the nuclei of neural cells collected from fetal cerebral cortex. Here, we attempted to generate cloned mice using differentiated neurons from the cerebral cortex of postnatal (day 0-4) mice. Although we were unable to obtain live cloned pups, many fetuses reached day 10.5 days of development. These fetuses showed various abnormalities such as spherical omission of the neuroepithelium, collapsed lumen of neural tube, and aberrant expressions of marker proteins of neurons. We produced chimeric mice in which some hair cells and kidney cells were originated from differentiated neurons. In chimeric fetuses, LacZ-positive donor cells were in all three germ cell layers. However, chimeras with large contribution of donor-derived cells were not obtained. These results indicate that nuclei of differentiated neurons have lost their developmental totipotency. In other words, the conventional nuclear transfer technique does not allow nuclei of differentiated neurons to undergo complete genomic reprogramming required for normal embryonic development.

Hand-made cloning approach: potentials and limitations

Two major drawbacks hamper the advancement of somatic cell nuclear transfer in domestic animals. The first is a biological problem that has been studied extensively by many scientists and from many viewpoints, including the cell, molecular and developmental biology, morphology, biochemistry and tissue culture. The second is a technical problem that may be responsible for 50% or more of quantitative and/or qualitative failures of routine cloning experiments and is partially the result of the demanding and complicated procedure. However, even the relatively rare documented efforts focusing on technique are usually restricted to details and accept the principles of the micromanipulator-based approach, with its inherent limitations. Over the past decade, a small alternative group of procedures, called hand-made cloning (HMC), has emerged that has the common feature of removal of the zona pellucida prior to enucleation and fusion, resulting in a limited (or no) requirement for micromanipulators. The benefits of HMC are low equipment costs, a simple and rapid procedure and an in vitro efficiency comparable with or higher than that of traditional nuclear transfer. Embryos created by the zona-free techniques can be cryopreserved and, although data are still sparse, are capable of establishing pregnancies and resulting in the birth of calves. Hand-made cloning may also open the way to partial or full automation of somatic cell nuclear transfer. Consequently, the zona- and micromanipulator-free approach may become a useful alternative to traditional cloning, either in special situations or generally for the standardisation and widespread application of somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Dysregulation of insulin receptor substrate 2 in beta cells and brain causes obesity and diabetes

The molecular link between obesity and beta cell failure that causes diabetes is difficult to establish. Here we show that a conditional knockout of insulin receptor substrate 2 (Irs2) in mouse pancreas beta cells and parts of the brain--including the hypothalamus--increased appetite, lean and fat body mass, linear growth, and insulin resistance that progressed to diabetes. Diabetes resolved when the mice were between 6 and 10 months of age: functional beta cells expressing Irs2 repopulated the pancreas, restoring sufficient beta cell function to compensate for insulin resistance in the obese mice. Thus, Irs2 signaling promotes regeneration of adult beta cells and central control of nutrient homeostasis, which can prevent obesity and diabetes in mice.

The role of autophagy during the early neonatal starvation period

At birth the trans-placental nutrient supply is suddenly interrupted, and neonates face severe starvation until supply can be restored through milk nutrients. Here, we show that neonates adapt to this adverse circumstance by inducing autophagy. Autophagy is the primary means for the degradation of cytoplasmic constituents within lysosomes. The level of autophagy in mice remains low during embryogenesis; however, autophagy is immediately upregulated in various tissues after birth and is maintained at high levels for 3-12 h before returning to basal levels within 1-2 days. Mice deficient for Atg5, which is essential for autophagosome formation, appear almost normal at birth but die within 1 day of delivery. The survival time of starved Atg5-deficient neonates (approximately 12 h) is much shorter than that of wild-type mice (approximately 21 h) but can be prolonged by forced milk feeding. Atg5-deficient neonates exhibit reduced amino acid concentrations in plasma and tissues, and display signs of energy depletion. These results suggest that the production of amino acids by autophagic degradation of 'self' proteins, which allows for the maintenance of energy homeostasis, is important for survival during neonatal starvation.

A Gain of Function Mutation in the Activation Loop of Plateletderived Growth Factor β-Receptor Deregulates Its Kinase Activity

The platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) are receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in multiple aspects of cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Recently, a gain of function mutation in the activation loop of the human PDGFRalpha has been found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Here we show that a mutation in the corresponding codon in the activation loop of the murine PDGFRbeta, namely an exchange of asparagine for aspartic acid at amino acid position 849 (D849N), confers transforming characteristics to embryonic fibroblasts from mutant mice, generated by a knock-in strategy. By comparing the enzymatic properties of the wild-type versus the mutant receptor protein, we demonstrate that the D849N mutation lowers the threshold for kinase activation, causes a dramatic alteration in the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation kinetics following ligand stimulation, and induces a ligand-independent phosphorylation of several tyrosine residues. These changes result in deregulated recruitment of specific signal transducers. The GTPase-activating protein for Ras (RasGAP), a negative regulator of the Ras mitogenic pathway, displayed a delayed binding to the mutant receptor. Moreover, we have observed enhanced ligand-independent ERK1/2 activation and an increased proliferation of mutant cells. The p85 regulatory subunit of the phosphatidylinositol 3 '-kinase was constitutively associated with the mutant receptor, and this ligand-independent activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase pathway may explain the observed strong protection against apoptosis and increased motility in cellular wounding assays. Our findings support a model whereby an activating point mutation results in a deregulated PDGFRbeta with oncogenic predisposition.

Genetic selection of mouse male germline stem cells in vitro: offspring from single stem cells

Spermatogenesis originates from a small population of spermatogonial stem cells. These cells are believed to divide infinitely and support spermatogenesis throughout life in the male. In this investigation, we examined the possibility of deriving transgenic offspring from single spermatogonial stem cells. Spermatogonial stem cells were transfected in vitro with a plasmid vector containing a drug resistant gene. Stably transfected stem cell clones were isolated by in vitro drug selection; these clones were expanded and used to produce transgenic progeny following spermatogonial transplantation into infertile recipients. An average of 49% of the offspring carried the transgene, and the recipient mice continued to produce monoclonal transgenic progeny a year after transplantation. Thus, a somatic cell-based genetic approach can be used to modify and select clones of spermatogonial stem cells in a manner similar to embryonic stem cells. The feasibility of genetic selection using postnatal spermatogonial stem cells demonstrates their extensive proliferative potential and provides the opportunity to develop new methods for generating stable animal transgenics or for germline gene therapy.

Erythroid-like cells from neural stem cells injected into blastocysts

OBJECTIVE

In contrast to embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are able to give rise to all cell types of the body, somatic stem cells have been thought to be more limited in their differentiation potential in that they are committed to generate only cells of their tissue of origin. Unexpectedly, some recent data suggest that somatic stem cells isolated from one tissue can also generate cells of heterologous tissues and organs, implying that somatic stem cells have a greater potential for differentiation.

METHODS

To explore further the developmental potential of murine neural stem cells (NSCs) we injected cultured NSCs as neurospheres into preimplantation blastocysts and determined the seeding by donor cells in tissues of developing chimeric fetal and adult animals.

RESULTS

We frequently detected progeny of injected NSCs both in embryos and in adult animals. In embryos we observed transient seeding of donor cells to hematopoietic tissues and generation of NSC-derived cells that express globin genes and an erythroid-specific cell-surface marker. In adults progeny of NSCs were mostly detected in neural tissues. The observed low level of chimerism of wild-type NSCs was increased if we injected stem cells expressing a bcl-2 transgene, without changing the seeding pattern.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that cultured NSCs, following their injection into blastocysts, generate at mid-gestation erythroid-like cells but later, in adult chimeric mice, engraftment mainly persisted in neural tissues.

Tetraploid development in the mouse

Spontaneous duplication of the mammalian genome occurs in approximately 1% of fertilizations. Although one or more whole genome duplications are believed to have influenced vertebrate evolution, polyploidy of contemporary mammals is generally incompatible with normal development and function of all but a few tissues. The production of tetraploid (4n) embryos has become a common experimental manipulation in the mouse. Although development of tetraploid mice has generally not been observed beyond midgestation, tetraploid:diploid (4n:2n) chimeras are widely used as a method for rescuing extraembryonic defects. The tolerance of tissues to polyploidy appears to be dependent on genetic background. Indeed, the recent discovery of a naturally tetraploid rodent species suggests that, in rare genetic backgrounds, mammalian genome duplications may be compatible with the development of viable and fertile adults. Thus, the range of developmental potentials of tetraploid embryos remains in large part unexplored. Here, we review the biological consequences and experimental utility of tetraploid mammals, in particular the mouse.

Avian precardiac endoderm/mesoderm induces cardiac myocyte differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells

The ability to regenerate damaged myocardium with tissue derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells is currently undergoing extensive investigation. As a prerequisite to transplantation therapy, strategies must be developed to induce ES cells to the cardiac phenotype. Toward this end, cues from mechanisms of embryonic induction have been exploited, based on previous findings that anterior lateral endoderm (precardiac endoderm) from gastrulation-stage chick embryos potently induces cardiac myocyte differentiation in both precardiac and nonprecardiac mesoderm. Hypothesizing that avian precardiac endoderm acting as feeder/inducer cells would induce high percentage conversion of murine ES (mES) cells into cardiac myocytes, it was observed that the majority (approximately 65%) of cocultured ES cell-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) were enriched in cardiac myocytes and exhibited rhythmic contractions. By contrast, mouse EBs cultured alone, or on feeder layers of mouse embryonic fibroblasts or avian nonprecardiac posterior endoderm, contained only 7% to 16% cardiac myocytes while exhibiting a relatively low incidence (<10%) of beating. When mES cells were cocultured with a bilayer of explanted precardiac endoderm/mesoderm, the incidence of rhythmically contractile EBs increased to 100%. To verify that the rhythmically contractile cells were derived from murine ES cells, cell-free medium conditioned by avian precardiac endoderm/mesoderm was used to induce myocyte differentiation in a mES cell-line containing a nuclear LacZ reporter marker gene under control of the cardiac-specific alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter, resulting in rhythmic contractility in 92% of EBs in which the majority of cells (average=86%) were identified as cardiac myocytes. The inductive efficacy of medium conditioned by avian precardiac endoderm/mesoderm may provide an opportunity to biochemically define factors that induce cardiac myocyte differentiation in ES cells. The full text of this article is available online at http://circres.ahajournals.org.

Anatomical identification of neurons responsive to nociceptive stimuli

We describe methods for labeling and identifying neurons within the central nervous system involved in the transmission of nociceptive stimuli. The most reliable methods are physiological identification followed by intracellular injection or immunocytochemical detection of stimulus-induced markers such as Fos. These latter strategies are used with appropriate controls to distinguish neurons activated secondarily (e.g., motor response or inhibitory neurons) by the nociceptive stimuli. Other methods include location and morphology as determined by standard cytological and tracing methods and/or the presence of specific neurochemical markers such as substance P determined by immunocytochemistry.

Attempts to enhance production of porcine chimeras from embryonic germ cells and preimplantation embryos

Porcine embryonic germ (EG) cells share common features with porcine embryonic stem (ES) cells, including morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity and capacity for in vitro differentiation. Porcine EG cells are also capable of in vivo development by producing chimeras after blastocyst injection; however, the proportion of injected embryos that yield a chimera and the proportion of cells contributed by the cultured cells in each chimera are too low for practical use in genetic manipulation. Moreover, somatic, but not germ-line chimerism, has been reported from blastocyst injection using porcine ES or EG cells. To test whether efficiency of chimera production from blastocyst injection can be improved upon by changing the host embryo, we used as host embryos four groups according to developmental stage or length in culture: fresh 4-cell and 8-cell stage embryos subsequently cultured into blastocysts, fresh morulae, fresh blastocysts, and cultured blastocysts. Injection and embryo transfer of fresh and cultured blastocysts produced similar percentages of live piglets (17% versus 19%). Four piglets were judged to have a small degree of pigmentation chimerism, but microsatellite analysis failed to confirm chimerism in these or other piglets. Polymerase chain reaction analysis for detection of the porcine SRY gene in female piglets born from embryos injected with male EG cells identified six chimeras, at least one, but not more than two, from each treatment. Chimerism was confirmed in two putative pigmentation chimeras and in four piglets without overt signs of chimerism. The low percentage of injected embryos that yielded a chimera and the small contribution by EG cells to development of each confirmed chimera indicated that procedural changes in how EG cells were combined with host embryos were unsuccessful in increasing the likelihood that porcine EG cells will participate in embryonic development. Alternatively, our results suggested that improvements are needed in EG cell isolation and culture procedures to ensure in vitro maintenance of EG cell developmental capacity.

Dual roles of the C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) during developmental vascularization

Here we report that C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), a tyrosine kinase that negatively regulates the activity of Src and related kinases, is important for vascular development. In Csk–/– embryos, although vascular tubules were formed and organized into capillary-like networks during the initial genesis of blood vessels, the vessels failed to engage in normal sprout formation. In chimeric embryos containing both wild-type and Csk–/– cells, the presence of wild-type cells enabled Csk–/– endothelial cells to participate in branching morphogenesis. We suggest that wild-type cells may have supplied an angiogenic factor absent in Csk–/– cells. Despite the partial rescue of vascular development in chimeric embryos, the embryos failed to form vitelline vessels and died at E9.5. These results indicate that Csk is required both for angiogenic sprouting and vascular remodeling.

A Comparison of Established and New Approaches in Ovine and Bovine Nuclear Transfer

Several breakthroughs in nuclear transfer research were first achieved in sheep, although cattle soon became the main livestock species of interest. However, sheep still offer significant advantages both in basic and applied research. With increased interest in cloning of livestock, new approaches have been developed for both sheep and cattle nuclear transfer technology. These include methods for zona-free nuclear transfer that can be performed with or without the use of micromanipulator. Here we describe four different nuclear transfer methods including the traditional micromanipulation-assisted method in sheep, zona-free method in sheep in which the order of enucleation and nucleus delivery have been reversed ("reverse-order" cloning) and zona free manual cloning methods ("hand-made cloning") for embryonic and somatic cloning in cattle. The purpose of this paper is to encourage people to familiarize themselves with these different methods available and to help them choose and test the method most suitable for their particular circumstances.

Nrf1 is critical for redox balance and survival of liver cells during development

The Nrf1 transcription factor belongs to the CNC subfamily of basic leucine zipper proteins. Knockout of Nrf1 is lethal in mouse embryos, but nothing is known about the cell types that absolutely require its function during development. We show by chimera analysis that Nrf1 is essential for the hepatocyte lineage. Mouse embryonic stem cells lacking Nrf1 developed normally and contributed to most tissues in adult chimeras where Nrf1 is normally expressed. Nrf1-deficient cells contributed to fetal, but not adult, liver cells. Loss of Nrf1 function resulted in liver cell apoptosis in late-gestation chimeric fetuses. Fetal livers from mutant embryos exhibited increased oxidative stress and impaired expression of antioxidant genes, and primary cultures of nrf1(-/-) fetal hepatocytes were sensitive to tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cell death, suggesting that impaired antioxidant defense may be responsible for the apoptosis observed in the livers of chimeric mice. In addition, cells deficient in Nrf1 were sensitized to the cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Our results provide in vivo evidence demonstrating an essential role of Nrf1 in the survival of hepatocytes during development. Our results also suggest that Nrf1 may promote cell survival by maintaining redox balance and protecting embryonic hepatocytes from TNF-mediated apoptosis during development.

Specific protein methylation defects and gene expression perturbations in coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1-deficient mice

Arginine methylation has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression. The coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1/PRMT4) binds the p160 family of steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs). This association enhances transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors. Here, we show that embryos with a targeted disruption of CARM1 are small in size and die perinatally. The methylation of two known CARM1 substrates, poly(A)-binding protein (PABP1) and the transcriptional cofactor p300, was abolished in knockout embryos and cells. However, CARM1-dependent methylation of histone H3 was not observed. Furthermore, estrogen-responsive gene expression was aberrant in Carm1-/- fibroblasts and embryos, thus emphasizing the role of arginine methylation as a transcription activation tag. These findings provide genetic evidence for the essential role of CARM1 in estrogen-mediated transcriptional activation.

Handmade somatic cell cloning in cattle: analysis of factors contributing to high efficiency in vitro

Widespread application of somatic cell cloning has been hampered by biological and technical problems, which include complicated and time-consuming procedures requiring skilled labor. Recently, zona-free techniques have been published with limited or no requirement for micromanipulators. The purpose of the present work was to optimize certain steps of the micromanipulator-free (i.e., handmade) procedure, to analyze the morphology of the developing blastocysts, and to explain factors involved in the high efficiencies observed. Optimization of the procedure included selection of the appropriate medium for enucleation, orientation of pairs at fusion, timing of fusion, and culture conditions. As a result of these improved steps, in vitro efficiency as measured by blastocysts per reconstructed embryo and blastocysts per working hour was among the highest described so far. The cattle serum used in our experiments was superior to other protein sources for in vitro embryo development. One possible explanation of this effect is the considerable mitogenic activity of the cattle serum compared with that of commercially available fetal calf serum. Morphological analysis of blastocysts by inverted microscopy, inner cell mass-trophoblast differential staining, and transmission electron microscopy revealed high average quality. A high initial pregnancy rate was achieved after the transfer of single blastocysts derived by aggregation of two nuclear transfer embryos into recipients. The improved handmade somatic cell nuclear transfer method may become a useful technology as a simple, inexpensive, and efficient alternative to traditional somatic cell nuclear transfer.