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Comparison of BALB/c and B6-albino mouse strain blastocysts as hosts for the injection of C57BL6/N-derived C2 embryonic stem cells. Transgenic Res 2016; 25:527-31. [PMID: 26852382 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-9937-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells from a C57BL/6N (B6N) background injected into B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J (B6-albino) recipient blastocysts are commonly used for generating genetically modified mouse models. To understand the influence of the recipient blastocyst strain on germline transmission, BALB/cAnNTac and B6-albino germline transmission rates were compared using the C57BL6/N-derived C2 ES cell line. A total of 92 ES cell clones from 27 constructs were injected. We compared blastocyst yield, birth rate, chimera formation rate, and high-percentage (>50 %) male chimera formation rate. For germline transmission, we analyzed 24 clones from 19 constructs, which generated high-percentage male chimeras from both donor strains. B6-albino hosts resulted in higher mean blastocyst yields per donor than did BALB/c ones (3.6 vs. 2.5). However, BALB/c hosts resulted in a higher birth rate than B6-albino ones (36 vs. 27 %), a higher chimera formation rate (50 vs. 42 %), a higher high-percentage male chimera rate (10 vs. 8 %), and a higher germline transmission rate (65 vs. 49 %), respectively. Our data suggest that BALB/c is a suitable blastocyst host strain for C2 ES cells and has an advantage over the B6-albino strain for receiving the injection of C2 ES cells.
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Abstract
Passenger mutations specific to particular mouse strains can distort experimental outcomes. In this issue of Immunity, Vanden Berghe et al. (2015) demonstrate that passenger mutations are frequent in most genetically engineered congenic mice and persist even after extensive backcrossing.
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53
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Fox E, Shojaie S, Wang J, Tseu I, Ackerley C, Bilodeau M, Post M. Three-dimensional culture and FGF signaling drive differentiation of murine pluripotent cells to distal lung epithelial cells. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:21-35. [PMID: 25079436 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reciprocal signaling between the lung mesenchyme and epithelium is crucial for differentiation and branching morphogenesis. We hypothesized that the combination of signaling pathways comprising early epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and a 3D spatial environment are necessary for an efficient induction of embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs and iPSCs) into a lung cell phenotype with hallmarks of the distal niche. Aggregating early, but not late, embryonic lung mesenchyme with endoderm-induced mouse ESCs and iPSCs for 6 days resulted in organization into tubular structures and differentiation of the tubular lining cells to an NKX2-1(+)/SOX2(-)/SOX9(+)/proSFTPC(+) lineage. Over 80% of the endoderm-induced cells committed to an NKX2-1(+) lineage. Electron microscopy analysis demonstrated numerous multivesicular bodies and glycogen deposits in the tubular lining cells, characteristic features of type II epithelial cell progenitors. Using soluble FGFR2 receptor antagonists, we demonstrate that reciprocal fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2, 7, and 10 signaling is essential for differentiation of endoderm-induced cells to an NKX2-1(+)/proSFTPC(+) phenotype within 3D aggregates. Only FGF2 was able to commit endoderm-induced cells in monolayer cultures to an NKX2-1(+) lineage, however with a significant lower efficiency (∼16%) than seen with mesenchyme. Thus, while FGF2 signaling alone can induce a primed population of ESCs and iPSCs, the cells do not differentiate to distal lung epithelial progenitors with the same efficiency and level of maturity that is achieved when the complex tissue and 3D environment of the developing lung is more accurately recapitulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Fox
- 1 Physiology and Experimental Medicine Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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54
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Shawlot W, Vazquez-Chantada M, Wallingford JB, Finnell RH. Rfx2 is required for spermatogenesis in the mouse. Genesis 2015; 53:604-611. [PMID: 26248850 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22880] [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: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
RFX transcription factors are key regulators of ciliogenesis in vertebrates. In Xenopus and zebrafish embryos, knockdown of Rfx2 causes defects in neural tube closure and in left-right axis patterning. To determine the essential role of the Rfx2 gene in mammalian development, we generated Rfx2-deficient mice using an embryonic stem cell clone containing a lacZ gene trap reporter inserted into the first intron of the Rfx2 gene. We found that the Rfx2 lacZ reporter is expressed in ciliated tissues during mouse development including the node, the floor plate and the dorsal neural tube. However, mice homozygous for the Rfx2 gene trap mutation did not have defects in neural tube closure or in organ situs. The gene trap insertion appears to create a null allele as Rfx2 mRNA was not detected in Rfx2gt/gt embryos. Although Rfx2-deficient mice do not have an obvious embryonic phenotype, we found that Rfx2gt/gt males are infertile because of a defect in spermatid maturation at or before the round and elongating spermatid stage. Our results indicate that Rfx2 is not essential for embryonic development in the mouse but is required for spermatogenesis. genesis 53:604-611, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Shawlot
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
| | - Mercedes Vazquez-Chantada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
| | - John B Wallingford
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas
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55
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Sturzu AC, Rajarajan K, Passer D, Plonowska K, Riley A, Tan TC, Sharma A, Xu AF, Engels MC, Feistritzer R, Li G, Selig MK, Geissler R, Robertson KD, Scherrer-Crosbie M, Domian IJ, Wu SM. Fetal Mammalian Heart Generates a Robust Compensatory Response to Cell Loss. Circulation 2015; 132:109-21. [PMID: 25995316 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.114.011490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart development is tightly regulated by signaling events acting on a defined number of progenitor and differentiated cardiac cells. Although loss of function of these signaling pathways leads to congenital malformation, the consequences of cardiac progenitor cell or embryonic cardiomyocyte loss are less clear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that embryonic mouse hearts exhibit a robust mechanism for regeneration after extensive cell loss. METHODS AND RESULTS By combining a conditional cell ablation approach with a novel blastocyst complementation strategy, we generated murine embryos that exhibit a full spectrum of cardiac progenitor cell or cardiomyocyte ablation. Remarkably, ablation of up to 60% of cardiac progenitor cells at embryonic day 7.5 was well tolerated and permitted embryo survival. Ablation of embryonic cardiomyocytes to a similar degree (50% to 60%) at embryonic day 9.0 could be fully rescued by residual myocytes with no obvious adult cardiac functional deficit. In both ablation models, an increase in cardiomyocyte proliferation rate was detected and accounted for at least some of the rapid recovery of myocardial cellularity and heart size. CONCLUSION Our study defines the threshold for cell loss in the embryonic mammalian heart and reveals a robust cardiomyocyte compensatory response that sustains normal fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C Sturzu
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Kuppusamy Rajarajan
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Derek Passer
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Karolina Plonowska
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Alyssa Riley
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Timothy C Tan
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Arun Sharma
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Adele F Xu
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Marc C Engels
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Rebecca Feistritzer
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Guang Li
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Martin K Selig
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Richard Geissler
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Keston D Robertson
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Ibrahim J Domian
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Sean M Wu
- From Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (A.C.S., K.R., K.P., A.S., A.F.X., G.L., S.M.W.), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., S.M.W.), Department of Pathology (R.G.), Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (S.M.W.), and Child Health Research Institute (S.M.W.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA; and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (A.C.S., K.R., D.P., A.R., T.C.T., M.C.E., R.F., K.D.R., M.S.-C., I.J.D.) and Department of Pathology (M.K.S.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
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Teng G, Zhao X, Lees-Miller JP, Belke D, Shi C, Chen Y, O’Brien ER, Fedak PW, Bracey N, Cross JC, Duff HJ. Role of Mutation and Pharmacologic Block of Human KCNH2 in Vasculogenesis and Fetal Mortality. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2015; 8:420-8. [DOI: 10.1161/circep.114.001837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background—
N629D
KCNH2
is a human missense long-QT2 mutation. Previously, we reported that the N629D/N629D mutation embryos disrupted cardiac looping, right ventricle development, and ablated I
Kr
activity at E9.5. The present study evaluates the role of KCNH2 in vasculogenesis.
Methods and Results—
N629D/N629D yolk sac vessels and aorta consist of sinusoids without normal arborization. Isolated E9.5 +/+ first branchial arches showed normal outgrowth of mouse ERG–positive/α-smooth muscle actin coimmunolocalized cells; however, outgrowth was grossly reduced in N629D/N629D. N629D/N629D aortas showed fewer α-smooth muscle actin positive cells that were not coimmunolocalized with mouse ERG cells. Transforming growth factor-β treatment of isolated N629D/N629D embryoid bodies partially rescued this phenotype. Cultured N629D/N629D embryos recapitulate the same cardiovascular phenotypes as seen in vivo. Transforming growth factor-β treatment significantly rescued these embryonic phenotypes. Both in vivo and in vitro, dofetilide treatment, over a narrow window of time, entirely recapitulated the N629D/N629D fetal phenotypes. Exogenous transforming growth factor-β treatment also rescued the dofetilide-induced phenotype toward normal.
Conclusions—
Loss of function of KCNH2 mutations results in defects in cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Because many medications inadvertently block the KCNH2 potassium current, these novel findings seem to have clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Teng
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhao
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James P. Lees-Miller
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darrell Belke
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chunhua Shi
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yongxiang Chen
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Edward R. O’Brien
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul W. Fedak
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nathan Bracey
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James C. Cross
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry J. Duff
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Bates JM, Flanagan K, Mo L, Ota N, Ding J, Ho S, Liu S, Roose-Girma M, Warming S, Diehl L. Dendritic cell CD83 homotypic interactions regulate inflammation and promote mucosal homeostasis. Mucosal Immunol 2015; 8:414-28. [PMID: 25204675 PMCID: PMC4326976 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2014.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) form an extensive network in the intestinal lamina propria, which orchestrates the mucosal immune response. Alterations in DC function can predispose to inflammatory bowel disease, although by unknown mechanisms. We show that CD83, a highly regulated DC cell surface protein, modulates the immune response to prevent colitis. Mice with a conditional knockout of CD83 in DCs develop exacerbated colitis following dextran sodium sulfate challenge, whereas mucosal overexpression of CD83 inhibits DC inflammatory response and protects against colitis. These CD83 perturbations can be modeled in vitro where we show that CD83 homotypic interaction occurs via cell-cell contact and inhibits pro-inflammatory responses. CD83 knockdown or cytoplasmic truncation abrogates the effects of homotypic binding. We demonstrate that CD83 homotypic interaction regulates DC activation via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by inhibiting p38α phosphorylation. Our findings indicate that CD83 homotypic interactions regulate DC activation and promote mucosal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Bates
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - K Flanagan
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - L Mo
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - N Ota
- Department of Immunology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - J Ding
- Department of Immunology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - S Ho
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - S Liu
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - M Roose-Girma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - S Warming
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - L Diehl
- Department of Pathology, Genetech, South San Francisco, California, USA
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Tonge PD, Corso AJ, Monetti C, Hussein SMI, Puri MC, Michael IP, Li M, Lee DS, Mar JC, Cloonan N, Wood DL, Gauthier ME, Korn O, Clancy JL, Preiss T, Grimmond SM, Shin JY, Seo JS, Wells CA, Rogers IM, Nagy A. Divergent reprogramming routes lead to alternative stem-cell states. Nature 2015; 516:192-7. [PMID: 25503232 DOI: 10.1038/nature14047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotency is defined by the ability of a cell to differentiate to the derivatives of all the three embryonic germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Pluripotent cells can be captured via the archetypal derivation of embryonic stem cells or via somatic cell reprogramming. Somatic cells are induced to acquire a pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) state through the forced expression of key transcription factors, and in the mouse these cells can fulfil the strictest of all developmental assays for pluripotent cells by generating completely iPSC-derived embryos and mice. However, it is not known whether there are additional classes of pluripotent cells, or what the spectrum of reprogrammed phenotypes encompasses. Here we explore alternative outcomes of somatic reprogramming by fully characterizing reprogrammed cells independent of preconceived definitions of iPSC states. We demonstrate that by maintaining elevated reprogramming factor expression levels, mouse embryonic fibroblasts go through unique epigenetic modifications to arrive at a stable, Nanog-positive, alternative pluripotent state. In doing so, we prove that the pluripotent spectrum can encompass multiple, unique cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Tonge
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Andrew J Corso
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada [2] Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Claudio Monetti
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Samer M I Hussein
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Mira C Puri
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada [2] Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Iacovos P Michael
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada [2] Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Mira Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Dong-Sung Lee
- 1] Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [2] Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [3] Department of Biochemistry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea
| | - Jessica C Mar
- Department of Systems &Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Nicole Cloonan
- Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - David L Wood
- Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Maely E Gauthier
- Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Othmar Korn
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Clancy
- Genome Biology Department, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton (Canberra), Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Thomas Preiss
- 1] Genome Biology Department, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton (Canberra), Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia [2] Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst (Sydney), New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Sean M Grimmond
- Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Jong-Yeon Shin
- 1] Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [2] Life Science Institute, Macrogen Inc., Seoul 153-781, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Sun Seo
- 1] Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [2] Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [3] Department of Biochemistry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, South Korea [4] Life Science Institute, Macrogen Inc., Seoul 153-781, South Korea
| | - Christine A Wells
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ian M Rogers
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada [2] Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada [3] Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Andras Nagy
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada [2] Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada [3] Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
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Mekada K, Hirose M, Murakami A, Yoshiki A. Development of SNP markers for C57BL/6N-derived mouse inbred strains. Exp Anim 2014; 64:91-100. [PMID: 25341966 PMCID: PMC4329520 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.14-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
C57BL/6N inbred mice are used as the genetic background for producing knockout mice in
large-scale projects worldwide; however, the genetic divergence among C57BL/6N-derived
substrains has not been verified. Here, we identified novel single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNPs) specific to the C57BL/6NJ strain and selected useful SNPs for the
genetic monitoring of C57BL/6N-derived substrains. Informative SNPs were selected from the
public SNP database at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute by comparing sequence data from
C57BL/6NJ and C57BL/6J mice. A total of 1,361 candidate SNPs from the SNP database could
distinguish the C57BL/6NJ strain from 12 other inbred strains. We confirmed 277
C57BL/6NJ-specific SNPs including 10 nonsynonymous SNPs by direct sequencing, and selected
100 useful SNPs that cover all of the chromosomes except Y. Genotyping of 11
C57BL/6N-derived substrains at these 100 SNP loci demonstrated genetic differences among
the substrains. This information will be useful for accurate genetic monitoring of mouse
strains with a C57BL/6N-derived background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Mekada
- Experimental Animal Division, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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60
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Lin Z, Zhang Y, Gao T, Wang L, Zhang Q, Zhou J, Zhao J. Homologous recombination efficiency enhanced by inhibition of MEK and GSK3β. Genesis 2014; 52:889-96. [PMID: 25196127 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is widely utilized in genome engineering, particularly in the generation of gene targeted mice. However, genome engineering is often plagued by the problem of low homologous recombination efficiency. In this study, we developed a novel method to increase the efficiency of homologous recombination in ESCs by changing its culture conditions. By comparing the efficiency of different ESCs in various culture conditions, we determined that chemicals that inhibit the MEK and GSK3β pathways (2i condition) enhance homologous recombination and eliminate differences in efficiencies among cell lines. Analysis of gene expression patterns in ESCs maintained in different culture conditions has identified several homologous recombination-related candidates, including the pluripotent markers Eras and Tbx3. The results of this study suggest that homologous recombination is associated with ESC pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyu Lin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, People's Republic of China
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61
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Orosco LA, Ross AP, Cates SL, Scott SE, Wu D, Sohn J, Pleasure D, Pleasure SJ, Adamopoulos IE, Zarbalis KS. Loss of Wdfy3 in mice alters cerebral cortical neurogenesis reflecting aspects of the autism pathology. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4692. [PMID: 25198012 PMCID: PMC4159772 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex and heterogeneous developmental disabilities affecting an ever-increasing number of children worldwide. The diverse manifestations and complex, largely genetic aetiology of ASDs pose a major challenge to the identification of unifying neuropathological features. Here we describe the neurodevelopmental defects in mice that carry deleterious alleles of the Wdfy3 gene, recently recognized as causative in ASDs. Loss of Wdfy3 leads to a regionally enlarged cerebral cortex resembling early brain overgrowth described in many children on the autism spectrum. In addition, affected mouse mutants display migration defects of cortical projection neurons, a recognized cause of epilepsy, which is significantly comorbid with autism. Our analysis of affected mouse mutants defines an important role for Wdfy3 in regulating neural progenitor divisions and neural migration in the developing brain. Furthermore, Wdfy3 is essential for cerebral expansion and functional organization while its loss-of-function results in pathological changes characteristic of ASDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori A Orosco
- 1] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Adam P Ross
- 1] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Staci L Cates
- 1] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Sean E Scott
- 1] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Dennis Wu
- 1] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Jiho Sohn
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - David Pleasure
- 1] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
| | - Samuel J Pleasure
- Department of Neurology, Programs in Neuroscience, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, Sandler Neurosciences Center, Box 3206, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Room 214, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Iannis E Adamopoulos
- 1] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Konstantinos S Zarbalis
- 1] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA [2] Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95817, USA
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62
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Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from virus-free in vivo reprogramming of BALB/c mouse liver cells. Biomaterials 2014; 35:8312-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.05.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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63
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Zevnik B, Uyttersprot NC, Perez AV, Bothe GWM, Kern H, Kauselmann G. C57BL/6N albino/agouti mutant mice as embryo donors for efficient germline transmission of C57BL/6 ES cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90570. [PMID: 24599260 PMCID: PMC3944090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We generated C57BL/6NTac mice carrying a tyrosinase loss-of function mutation and a reversion of the nonagouti locus to agouti. This strain has a high superovulation response, allows visual detection of chimeric coat color contribution of C57BL/6 ES-cells and provides a simplified breeding format that generates black G1 offspring of pure inbred C57BL/6 background in one step, providing the ideal host for genetically manipulated C57BL/6 ES cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branko Zevnik
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Ana V. Perez
- Taconic, Hudson, New York, United States of America
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64
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Transcription regulation and chromatin structure in the pluripotent ground state. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2014; 1839:129-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Abstract
Saborowski et al. developed a flexible embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based mouse model for pancreatic cancer. The ESCs harbor a latent Kras mutant, a homing cassette, and other genetic elements needed for rapid insertion and conditional expression of tetracycline-controlled transgenes, including fluorescence-coupled shRNAs. This model produces a disease that follows the progression of human pancreatic cancer, and they used it to dissect temporal roles for Pten and c-Myc in pancreatic cancer development and maintenance. Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) have greatly expanded our knowledge of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and serve as a critical tool to identify and evaluate new treatment strategies. However, the cost and time required to generate conventional pancreatic cancer GEMMs limits their use for investigating novel genetic interactions in tumor development and maintenance. To address this problem, we developed flexible embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based GEMMs that facilitate the rapid generation of genetically defined multiallelic chimeric mice without further strain intercrossing. The ESCs harbor a latent Kras mutant (a nearly ubiquitous feature of pancreatic cancer), a homing cassette, and other genetic elements needed for rapid insertion and conditional expression of tetracycline-controlled transgenes, including fluorescence-coupled shRNAs capable of efficiently silencing gene function by RNAi. This system produces a disease that recapitulates the progression of pancreatic cancer in human patients and enables the study and visualization of the impact of gene perturbation at any stage of pancreas cancer progression. We describe the use of this approach to dissect temporal roles for the tumor suppressor Pten and the oncogene c-Myc in pancreatic cancer development and maintenance.
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66
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Lee KH. Generating chimeric mice from embryonic stem cells via vial coculturing or hypertonic microinjection. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1194:77-111. [PMID: 25064099 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1215-5_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The generation of a fertile embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived or F0 (100 % coat color chimerism) mice is the final criterion in proving that the ESC is truly pluripotent. Many methods have been developed to produce chimeric mice. To date, the most popular methods for generating chimeric embryos is well sandwich aggregation between zona pellucida (ZP) removed (denuded) 2.5-day post-coitum (dpc) embryos and ESC clumps, or direct microinjection of ESCs into the cavity (blastocoel) of 3.5-dpc blastocysts. However, due to systemic limitations and the disadvantages of conventional microinjection, aggregation, and coculturing, two novel methods (vial coculturing and hypertonic microinjection) were developed in recent years at my laboratory.Coculturing 2.5-dpc denuded embryos with ESCs in 1.7-mL vials for ~3 h generates chimeras that have significantly high levels of chimerism (including 100 % coat color chimerism) and germline transmission. This method has significantly fewer instrumental and technological limitations than existing methods, and is an efficient, simple, inexpensive, and reproducible method for "mass production" of chimeric embryos. For laboratories without a microinjection system, this is the method of choice for generating chimeric embryos. Microinjecting ESCs into a subzonal space of 2.5-dpc embryos can generate germline-transmitted chimeras including 100 % coat color chimerism. However, this method is adopted rarely due to the very small and tight space between ZP and blastomeres. Using a laser pulse or Piezo-driven instrument/device to help introduce ESCs into the subzonal space of 2.5-dpc embryos demonstrates the superior efficiency in generating ESC-derived (F0) chimeras. Unfortunately, due to the need for an expensive instrument/device and extra fine skill, not many studies have used either method. Recently, ESCs injected into the large subzonal space of 2.5-dpc embryos in an injection medium containing 0.2-0.3 M sucrose very efficiently generated viable, healthy, and fertile chimeric mice with 100 % coat color chimerism.Both vial coculture and hypertonic microinjection methods are useful and effective alternatives for producing germline chimeric or F0 mice efficiently and reliably. Furthermore, both novel methods are also good for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate chimeric embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Hsiung Lee
- Division of Biotechnology, Animal Technology Institute Taiwan, 23, Chunan (35053), Miaoli, Taiwan,
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67
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Sánchez-Martín FJ, Fan Y, Lindquist DM, Xia Y, Puga A. Lead induces similar gene expression changes in brains of gestationally exposed adult mice and in neurons differentiated from mouse embryonic stem cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80558. [PMID: 24260418 PMCID: PMC3834098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental toxicants during embryonic life causes changes in the expression of developmental genes that may last for a lifetime and adversely affect the exposed individual. Developmental exposure to lead (Pb), an ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes deficits in cognitive functions and IQ, behavioral effects, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Long-term effects observed after early life exposure to Pb include reduction of gray matter, alteration of myelin structure, and increment of criminal behavior in adults. Despite growing research interest, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the effects of lead in the central nervous system are still largely unknown. To study the molecular changes due to Pb exposure during neurodevelopment, we exposed mice to Pb in utero and examined the expression of neural markers, neurotrophins, transcription factors and glutamate-related genes in hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus at postnatal day 60. We found that hippocampus was the area where gene expression changes due to Pb exposure were more pronounced. To recapitulate gestational Pb exposure in vitro, we differentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) into neurons and treated ESC-derived neurons with Pb for the length of the differentiation process. These neurons expressed the characteristic neuronal markers Tubb3, Syp, Gap43, Hud, Ngn1, Vglut1 (a marker of glutamatergic neurons), and all the glutamate receptor subunits, but not the glial marker Gafp. Importantly, several of the changes observed in Pb-exposed mouse brains in vivo were also observed in Pb-treated ESC-derived neurons, including those affecting expression of Ngn1, Bdnf exon IV, Grin1, Grin2D, Grik5, Gria4, and Grm6. We conclude that our ESC-derived model of toxicant exposure during neural differentiation promises to be a useful model to analyze mechanisms of neurotoxicity induced by Pb and other environmental agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Sánchez-Martín
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yunxia Fan
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Diana M. Lindquist
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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68
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Ko CI, Wang Q, Fan Y, Xia Y, Puga A. Pluripotency factors and Polycomb Group proteins repress aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression in murine embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2013; 12:296-308. [PMID: 24316986 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Revised: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a transcription factor and environmental sensor that regulates expression of genes involved in drug-metabolism and cell cycle regulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, Ahr ablation in mice and studies with orthologous genes in invertebrates suggest that AHR may also play a significant role in embryonic development. To address this hypothesis, we studied the regulation of Ahr expression in mouse embryonic stem cells and their differentiated progeny. In ES cells, interactions between OCT3/4, NANOG, SOX2 and Polycomb Group proteins at the Ahr promoter repress AHR expression, which can also be repressed by ectopic expression of reprogramming factors in hepatoma cells. In ES cells, unproductive RNA polymerase II binds at the Ahr transcription start site and drives the synthesis of short abortive transcripts. Activation of Ahr expression during differentiation follows from reversal of repressive marks in Ahr promoter chromatin, release of pluripotency factors and PcG proteins, binding of Sp factors, establishment of histone marks of open chromatin, and engagement of active RNAPII to drive full-length RNA transcript elongation. Our results suggest that reversible Ahr repression in ES cells holds the gene poised for expression and allows for a quick switch to activation during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yunxia Fan
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3223 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Wang Q, Chen J, Ko CI, Fan Y, Carreira V, Chen Y, Xia Y, Medvedovic M, Puga A. Disruption of aryl hydrocarbon receptor homeostatic levels during embryonic stem cell differentiation alters expression of homeobox transcription factors that control cardiomyogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2013; 121:1334-43. [PMID: 24058054 PMCID: PMC3855521 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates the expression of xenobiotic detoxification genes and is a critical mediator of gene-environment interactions. Many AHR target genes identified by genome-wide gene expression profiling have morphogenetic functions, suggesting that AHR may play a role in embryonic development. OBJECTIVES To characterize the developmental functions of the AHR, we studied the consequences of AHR activation by the agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-doxin (TCDD), and the result of its repression by the antagonists 6,2,4-trimethoxyflavone and CH 223191 or by short-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated Ahr knockdown during spontaneous differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into cardiomyocytes. METHODS We generated an AHR-positive cardiomyocyte lineage differentiated from mouse ES cells that expresses puromycin resistance and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the control of the Cyp1a1 (cytochrome P450 1a1) promoter. We used RNA sequencing (RNA.Seq) to analyze temporal trajectories of TCDD-dependent global gene expression in these cells during differentiation. RESULTS Activation, inhibition, and knockdown of Ahr significantly inhibited the formation of contractile cardiomyocyte nodes. Global expression analysis of AHR-positive cells showed that activation of the AHR/TCDD axis disrupted the concerted expression of genes that regulate multiple signaling pathways involved in cardiac and neural morphogenesis and differentiation, including dozens of genes encoding homeobox transcription factors and Polycomb and trithorax group proteins. CONCLUSIONS Disruption of AHR expression levels resulted in gene expression changes that perturbed cardiomyocyte differentiation. The main function of the AHR during development appears to be the coordination of a complex regulatory network responsible for attainment and maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis.
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70
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Parameswaran S, Kumar S, Verma RS, Sharma RK. Cardiomyocyte culture - an update on the in vitro cardiovascular model and future challenges. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2013; 91:985-98. [PMID: 24289068 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2013-0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The success of any work with isolated cardiomyocytes depends on the reproducibility of cell isolation, because the cells do not divide. To date, there is no suitable in vitro model to study human adult cardiac cell biology. Although embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are able to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro, the efficiency of this process is low. Isolation and expansion of human cardiomyocyte progenitor cells from cardiac surgical waste or, alternatively, from fetal heart tissue is another option. However, to overcome various issues related to human tissue usage, especially ethical concerns, researchers use large- and small-animal models to study cardiac pathophysiology. A simple model to study the changes at the cellular level is cultures of cardiomyocytes. Although primary murine cardiomyocyte cultures have their own advantages and drawbacks, alternative strategies have been developed in the last two decades to minimise animal usage and interspecies differences. This review discusses the use of freshly isolated murine cardiomyocytes and cardiomyocyte alternatives for use in cardiac disease models and other related studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreejit Parameswaran
- a Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8, Canada
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71
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Embryonic stem cell self-renewal pathways converge on the transcription factor Tfcp2l1. EMBO J 2013; 32:2548-60. [PMID: 23942238 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) self-renewal can be maintained by activation of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) signalling pathway or dual inhibition (2i) of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (Gsk3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Several downstream targets of the pathways involved have been identified that when individually overexpressed can partially support self-renewal. However, none of these targets is shared among the involved pathways. Here, we show that the CP2 family transcription factor Tfcp2l1 is a common target in LIF/Stat3- and 2i-mediated self-renewal, and forced expression of Tfcp2l1 can recapitulate the self-renewal-promoting effect of LIF or either of the 2i components. In addition, Tfcp2l1 can reprogram post-implantation epiblast stem cells to naïve pluripotent ESCs. Tfcp2l1 upregulates Nanog expression and promotes self-renewal in a Nanog-dependent manner. We conclude that Tfcp2l1 is at the intersection of LIF- and 2i-mediated self-renewal pathways and plays a critical role in maintaining ESC identity. Our study provides an expanded understanding of the current model of ground-state pluripotency.
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72
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Ota T, Doyle-Cooper C, Cooper AB, Doores KJ, Aoki-Ota M, Le K, Schief WR, Wyatt RT, Burton DR, Nemazee D. B cells from knock-in mice expressing broadly neutralizing HIV antibody b12 carry an innocuous B cell receptor responsive to HIV vaccine candidates. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:3179-85. [PMID: 23940273 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Broadly neutralizing Abs against HIV protect from infection, but their routine elicitation by vaccination has not been achieved. To generate small animal models to test vaccine candidates, we have generated targeted transgenic ("knock-in") mice expressing, in the physiological Ig H and L chain loci, two well-studied broadly neutralizing Abs: 4E10, which interacts with the membrane proximal external region of gp41, and b12, which binds to the CD4 binding site on gp120. 4E10HL mice are described in the companion article (Doyle-Cooper et al., J. Immunol. 191: 3186-3191). In this article, we describe b12 mice. B cells in b12HL mice, in contrast to the case in 4E10 mice, were abundant and essentially monoclonal, retaining the b12 specificity. In cell culture, b12HL B cells responded avidly to HIV envelope gp140 trimers and to BCR ligands. Upon transfer to wild-type recipients, b12HL B cells responded robustly to vaccination with gp140 trimers. Vaccinated b12H mice, although generating abundant precursors and Abs with affinity for Env, were unable to rapidly generate neutralizing Abs, highlighting the importance of developing Ag forms that better focus responses to neutralizing epitopes. The b12HL and b12H mice should be useful in optimizing HIV vaccine candidates to elicit a neutralizing response while avoiding nonprotective specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Ota
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92130, USA
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73
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Ectopic γ-catenin expression partially mimics the effects of stabilized β-catenin on embryonic stem cell differentiation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65320. [PMID: 23724138 PMCID: PMC3664634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
β-catenin, an adherens junction component and key Wnt pathway effector, regulates numerous developmental processes and supports embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency in specific contexts. The β-catenin homologue γ-catenin (also known as Plakoglobin) is a constituent of desmosomes and adherens junctions and may participate in Wnt signaling in certain situations. Here, we use β-catenin(+/+) and β-catenin(−/−) mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to investigate the role of γ-catenin in Wnt signaling and mESC differentiation. Although γ-catenin protein is markedly stabilized upon inhibition or ablation of GSK-3 in wild-type (WT) mESCs, efficient silencing of its expression in these cells does not affect β-catenin/TCF target gene activation after Wnt pathway stimulation. Nonetheless, knocking down γ-catenin expression in WT mESCs appears to promote their exit from pluripotency in short-term differentiation assays. In β-catenin(−/−) mESCs, GSK-3 inhibition does not detectably alter cytosolic γ-catenin levels and does not activate TCF target genes. Intriguingly, β-catenin/TCF target genes are induced in β-catenin(−/−) mESCs overexpressing stabilized γ-catenin and the ability of these genes to be activated upon GSK-3 inhibition is partially restored when wild-type γ-catenin is overexpressed in these cells. This suggests that a critical threshold level of total catenin expression must be attained before there is sufficient signaling-competent γ-catenin available to respond to GSK-3 inhibition and to regulate target genes as a consequence. WT mESCs stably overexpressing γ-catenin exhibit robust Wnt pathway activation and display a block in tri-lineage differentiation that largely mimics that observed upon overexpression of β-catenin. However, β-catenin overexpression appears to be more effective than γ-catenin overexpression in sustaining the retention of markers of naïve pluripotency in cells that have been subjected to differentiation-inducing conditions. Collectively, our study reveals a function for γ-catenin in the regulation of mESC differentiation and has implications for human cancers in which γ-catenin is mutated and/or aberrantly expressed.
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74
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Dolt KS, Lawrence ML, Miller-Hodges E, Slight J, Thornburn A, Devenney PS, Hohenstein P. A universal vector for high-efficiency multi-fragment recombineering of BACs and knock-in constructs. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62054. [PMID: 23637962 PMCID: PMC3639282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing need for more efficient generation of transgenic constructs. Here we present a universal multi-site Gateway vector for use in recombineering reactions. Using transgenic mouse models, we show its use for the generation of BAC transgenics and targeting vectors. The modular nature of the vector allows for rapid modification of constructs to generate different versions of the same construct. As such it will help streamline the generation of series of related transgenic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karamjit Singh Dolt
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie L. Lawrence
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Eve Miller-Hodges
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joan Slight
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Thornburn
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Paul S. Devenney
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hohenstein
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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75
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Hong N, He BP, Schartl M, Hong Y. Medaka embryonic stem cells are capable of generating entire organs and embryo-like miniatures. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 22:750-7. [PMID: 23067146 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells have the potency to produce many cell types of the embryo and adult body. Upon transplantation into early host embryos, ES cells are able to differentiate into various specialized cells and contribute to host tissues and organs of all germ layers. Here we present data in the fish medaka (Oryzias latipes) that ES cells have a novel ability to form extra organs and even embryo-like miniatures. Upon transplantation as individual cells according to the standard procedure, ES cells distributed widely to various organ systems of 3 germ layers. Upon transplantation as aggregates, ES cells were able to form extra organs, including the hematopoietic organ and contracting heart. We show that localized ES cell transplantation often led to the formation of extra axes that comprised essentially of either host cells or donor ES cells. These extra axes were associated with the head region of the embryo proper or formed at ectopic sites on the yolk sac. Surprisingly, certain ectopic axes were even capable of forming embryo-like miniatures. We conclude that ES cells have the ability to form entire organs and even embryo-like miniatures under proper environmental conditions. This finding points to a new possibility to generate ES cell-derived axes and organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Hong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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76
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On the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in stem cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2012; 1830:2297-306. [PMID: 22986148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stem cells are mainly characterized by two properties: self-renewal and the potency to differentiate into diverse cell types. These processes are regulated by different growth factors including members of the Wnt protein family. Wnt proteins are secreted glycoproteins that can activate different intracellular signaling pathways. SCOPE OF REVIEW Here we summarize our current knowledge on the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with respect to these two main features of stem cells. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS A particular focus is given on the function of Wnt signaling in embryonic stem cells. Wnt signaling can also improve reprogramming of somatic cells towards iPS cells highlighting the importance of this pathway for self-renewal and pluripotency. As an example for the role of Wnt signaling in adult stem cell behavior, we furthermore focus on intestinal stem cells located in the crypts of the small intestine. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE A broad knowledge about stem cell properties and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on these processes is a requirement for the use of these cells in regenerative medicine in the future or to understand cancer development in the adult. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Stem Cells.
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77
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Differences in chimera formation and germline transmission between E14 and C2J embryonic stem cells in mice. ZYGOTE 2012; 22:182-6. [PMID: 22805319 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199412000366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Summary The goal of this project was to determine whether the originating strain of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells affects the maintenance of their pluripotency under uniform culture conditions. ES cells from two strains of mice, E14 and C2J, were tested. Both ES cell lines were cultured in KOSR + 2i medium and then injected into C57BL/6J blastocysts. Our results demonstrate that this medium could support both E14 and C2J ES cells to keep their pluripotency, though E14 ES cells were found to have a higher chimeric rate than C2J ES cells. However, analysis by backcrossing revealed that C2J and E14 ES cells have the same ability for germline transmission. Our results demonstrate that ES cells derived from E14 and C2J cells have the same capacity for germline transmission when injected into C57BL/6J blastocysts; however, due to the limitation of mixed genetic background between E14 cells and host C57BL/6J embryos, C2J ES cells are preferable to E14 ES cells for use in gene-targeting and should become the cell line of choice for the generation of genetically engineered mutant mouse lines.
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78
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Gilchrist DA, Fromm G, dos Santos G, Pham LN, McDaniel IE, Burkholder A, Fargo DC, Adelman K. Regulating the regulators: the pervasive effects of Pol II pausing on stimulus-responsive gene networks. Genes Dev 2012; 26:933-44. [PMID: 22549956 DOI: 10.1101/gad.187781.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The expression of many metazoan genes is regulated through controlled release of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) that has paused during early transcription elongation. Pausing is highly enriched at genes in stimulus-responsive pathways, where it has been proposed to poise downstream targets for rapid gene activation. However, whether this represents the major function of pausing in these pathways remains to be determined. To address this question, we analyzed pausing within several stimulus-responsive networks in Drosophila and discovered that paused Pol II is much more prevalent at genes encoding components and regulators of signal transduction cascades than at inducible downstream targets. Within immune-responsive pathways, we found that pausing maintains basal expression of critical network hubs, including the key NF-κB transcription factor that triggers gene activation. Accordingly, loss of pausing through knockdown of the pause-inducing factor NELF leads to broadly attenuated immune gene activation. Investigation of murine embryonic stem cells revealed that pausing is similarly widespread at genes encoding signaling components that regulate self-renewal, particularly within the MAPK/ERK pathway. We conclude that the role of pausing goes well beyond poising-inducible genes for activation and propose that the primary function of paused Pol II is to establish basal activity of signal-responsive networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Gilchrist
- Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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79
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Moraveji SF, Attari F, Shahverdi A, Sepehri H, Farrokhi A, Hassani SN, Fonoudi H, Aghdami N, Baharvand H. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 promotes efficient derivation of pluripotent stem cells from neonatal mouse testis. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:2312-24. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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80
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Ye S, Tan L, Yang R, Fang B, Qu S, Schulze EN, Song H, Ying Q, Li P. Pleiotropy of glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibition by CHIR99021 promotes self-renewal of embryonic stem cells from refractory mouse strains. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35892. [PMID: 22540008 PMCID: PMC3335080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 03/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) improves the efficiency of embryonic stem (ES) cell derivation from various strains of mice and rats, as well as dramatically promotes ES cell self-renewal potential. β-catenin has been reported to be involved in the maintenance of self-renewal of ES cells through TCF dependent and independent pathway. But the intrinsic difference between ES cell lines from different species and strains has not been characterized. Here, we dissect the mechanism of GSK-3 inhibition by CHIR99021 in mouse ES cells from refractory mouse strains. Methodology/Principal Findings We found that CHIR99021, a GSK-3 specific inhibitor, promotes self-renewal of ES cells from recalcitrant C57BL/6 (B6) and BALB/c mouse strains through stabilization of β-catenin and c-Myc protein levels. Stabilized β-catenin promoted ES self-renewal through two mechanisms. First, β-catenin translocated into the nucleus to maintain stem cell pluripotency in a lymphoid-enhancing factor/T-cell factor–independent manner. Second, β-catenin binds plasma membrane-localized E-cadherin, which ensures a compact, spherical morphology, a hallmark of ES cells. Further, elevated c-Myc protein levels did not contribute significantly to CH-mediated ES cell self-renewal. Instead, the role of c-Myc is dependent on its transformation activity and can be replaced by N-Myc but not L-Myc. β-catenin and c-Myc have similar effects on ES cells derived from both B6 and BALB/c mice. Conclusions/Significance Our data demonstrated that GSK-3 inhibition by CH promotes self-renewal of mouse ES cells with non-permissive genetic backgrounds by regulation of multiple signaling pathways. These findings would be useful to improve the availability of normally non-permissive mouse strains as research tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoudong Ye
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Tan
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongqing Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Fang
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Su Qu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Eric N. Schulze
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Houyan Song
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qilong Ying
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ping Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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81
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Schmouth JF, Bonaguro RJ, Corso-Diaz X, Simpson EM. Modelling human regulatory variation in mouse: finding the function in genome-wide association studies and whole-genome sequencing. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002544. [PMID: 22396661 PMCID: PMC3291530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing body of literature from genome-wide association studies and human whole-genome sequencing highlights the identification of large numbers of candidate regulatory variants of potential therapeutic interest in numerous diseases. Our relatively poor understanding of the functions of non-coding genomic sequence, and the slow and laborious process of experimental validation of the functional significance of human regulatory variants, limits our ability to fully benefit from this information in our efforts to comprehend human disease. Humanized mouse models (HuMMs), in which human genes are introduced into the mouse, suggest an approach to this problem. In the past, HuMMs have been used successfully to study human disease variants; e.g., the complex genetic condition arising from Down syndrome, common monogenic disorders such as Huntington disease and β-thalassemia, and cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1. In this commentary, we highlight a novel method for high-throughput single-copy site-specific generation of HuMMs entitled High-throughput Human Genes on the X Chromosome (HuGX). This method can be applied to most human genes for which a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) construct can be derived and a mouse-null allele exists. This strategy comprises (1) the use of recombineering technology to create a human variant-harbouring BAC, (2) knock-in of this BAC into the mouse genome using Hprt docking technology, and (3) allele comparison by interspecies complementation. We demonstrate the throughput of the HuGX method by generating a series of seven different alleles for the human NR2E1 gene at Hprt. In future challenges, we consider the current limitations of experimental approaches and call for a concerted effort by the genetics community, for both human and mouse, to solve the challenge of the functional analysis of human regulatory variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Schmouth
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Russell J. Bonaguro
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ximena Corso-Diaz
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
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82
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Dow LE, Premsrirut PK, Zuber J, Fellmann C, McJunkin K, Miething C, Park Y, Dickins RA, Hannon GJ, Lowe SW. A pipeline for the generation of shRNA transgenic mice. Nat Protoc 2012; 7:374-93. [PMID: 22301776 PMCID: PMC3724521 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2011.446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is an extremely effective tool for studying gene function in almost all metazoan and eukaryotic model systems. RNAi in mice, through the expression of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), offers something not easily achieved with traditional genetic approaches-inducible and reversible gene silencing. However, technical variability associated with the production of shRNA transgenic strains has so far limited their widespread use. Here we describe a pipeline for the generation of miR30-based shRNA transgenic mice that enables efficient and consistent targeting of doxycycline-regulated, fluorescence-linked shRNAs to the Col1a1 locus. Notably, the protocol details crucial steps in the design and testing of miR30-based shRNAs to maximize the potential for developing effective transgenic strains. In all, this 14-week procedure provides a fast and cost-effective way for any laboratory to investigate gene function in vivo in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas E Dow
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA
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83
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Wray J, Hartmann C. WNTing embryonic stem cells. Trends Cell Biol 2011; 22:159-68. [PMID: 22196214 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2011.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) - undifferentiated cells originating from preimplantation stage embryos - have prolonged self-renewal capacity and are pluripotent. Activation of the canonical Wnt pathway is implicated in maintenance of and exit from the pluripotent state. Recent findings demonstrate that the essential mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, β-catenin, is dispensable for ESC maintenance; however, its activation inhibits differentiation through derepression of T cell factor 3 (Tcf3)-bound genes. Wnt agonists are useful in deriving ESCs from recalcitrant mouse strains and the rat and in nuclear reprogramming of somatic stem cells. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the role of canonical Wnt signaling in the regulation of ESC self-renewal and how its manipulation can improve pluripotent ESC derivation and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Wray
- University College London, Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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84
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Abstract
Large-scale projects are providing rapid global access to a wealth of mouse genetic resources to help discover disease genes and to manipulate their function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Darren W Logan
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
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85
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A conditional knockout resource for the genome-wide study of mouse gene function. Nature 2011; 474:337-42. [PMID: 21677750 DOI: 10.1038/nature10163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1268] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells has become the principal technology for manipulation of the mouse genome, offering unrivalled accuracy in allele design and access to conditional mutagenesis. To bring these advantages to the wider research community, large-scale mouse knockout programmes are producing a permanent resource of targeted mutations in all protein-coding genes. Here we report the establishment of a high-throughput gene-targeting pipeline for the generation of reporter-tagged, conditional alleles. Computational allele design, 96-well modular vector construction and high-efficiency gene-targeting strategies have been combined to mutate genes on an unprecedented scale. So far, more than 12,000 vectors and 9,000 conditional targeted alleles have been produced in highly germline-competent C57BL/6N embryonic stem cells. High-throughput genome engineering highlighted by this study is broadly applicable to rat and human stem cells and provides a foundation for future genome-wide efforts aimed at deciphering the function of all genes encoded by the mammalian genome.
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86
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Kelly KF, Ng DY, Jayakumaran G, Wood GA, Koide H, Doble BW. β-catenin enhances Oct-4 activity and reinforces pluripotency through a TCF-independent mechanism. Cell Stem Cell 2011; 8:214-27. [PMID: 21295277 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Revised: 08/13/2010] [Accepted: 12/14/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms regulating pluripotency in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells is required to ensure their safe use in clinical applications. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) has emerged as an important regulator of pluripotency, based primarily on studies with small-molecule GSK-3 inhibitors. Here, we use mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) lacking GSK-3 to demonstrate that a single GSK-3 substrate, β-catenin, controls the ability of ESCs to exit the pluripotent state and to differentiate into neurectoderm. Unexpectedly, the effects of β-catenin on pluripotency do not appear to be dependent on TCF-mediated signaling, based on experiments utilizing a β-catenin C-terminal truncation mutant or highly efficient dominant-negative TCF strategies. Alternatively, we find that stabilized β-catenin forms a complex with and enhances the activity of Oct-4, a core component of the transcriptional network regulating pluripotency. Collectively, our data suggest previously underappreciated, divergent TCF-dependent and TCF-independent roles for β-catenin in ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin F Kelly
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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87
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Lin FY, Yang X. [Issues and solutions of conditional gene targeting]. YI CHUAN = HEREDITAS 2011; 33:469-484. [PMID: 21586394 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1005.2011.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Conditional gene targeting, based on the site-specific recombination system such as Cre-loxP, plays a vital role in the study of gene functions and the generation of disease mouse models. It was always under consideration that there were problems in the Cre-loxP recombination system, such as illegal expression pattern of Cre transgene, variation of Cre recombination efficiency and toxicity of Cre recombinase, as well as the potential influences of genetic background, breeding strategy, experimental control and gene compensation. Oversights of these issues may have a profound influence on the accuracy of gene functional dissection and conditional gene targeting mice phenotypic interpretation. Accordingly, solutions should be adopted including delicate regulative control of temporal-spatial specific Cre expression, detailed detection of Cre recombination efficiency, reduction of Cre toxicity, simplification of mouse genetic background, optimization of breeding, setting up of proper control and combined conditional gene targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Yu Lin
- Genetic Laboratory of Development and Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
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88
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Li Z, Bhat N, Manali D, Wang D, Hong N, Yi M, Ge R, Hong Y. Medaka cleavage embryos are capable of generating ES-like cell cultures. Int J Biol Sci 2011; 7:418-25. [PMID: 21547059 PMCID: PMC3088284 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryos at the blastocyst stage have three major lineages, which in culture can give rise to embryonic stem (ES) cells from the inner cell mass or epiblast, trophoblast stem cells from the trophectoderm, and primitive endoderm stem cells. None of these stem cells is totipotent, because they show gene expression profiles characteristic of their sources and usually contribute only to the lineages of their origins in chimeric embryos. It is unknown whether embryos prior to the blastocyst stage can be cultivated towards totipotent stem cell cultures. Medaka is an excellent model for stem cell research. This laboratory fish has generated diploid and even haploid ES cells from the midblastula embryo with ~2000 cells. Here we report in medaka that dispersed cells from earlier embryos can survive, proliferate and attach in culture. We show that even 32-cells embryos can be dissociated into individual cells capable of producing continuously growing ES-like cultures. Our data point to the possibility to derive stable cell culture from cleavage embryos in this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhendong Li
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, Singapore
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Abstract
Experimental mouse chimeras have served as immensely important research tools for studying many aspects of mammalian development ever since they first were produced over 50 years ago. Chimera studies have served as crucial assays in the era of modern mouse genetics that was triggered by the advent of mouse embryonic stem cells. Lately, chimeras are also used as proof of pluripotency and normality of induced pluripotent stem cells. With this long history in mind, it may seem surprising that chimeras now have an ever-increasing role to play. The high-throughput mouse gene targeting projects are in the process of producing ES cell lines with a mutation in each of the close to 20,000 known protein coding genes. These will all be waiting for germline transmission through chimeras. Such a large-scale approach calls for simplified methods for generating germline transmitting chimeras. In this chapter, we will describe the currently most cost efficient and simple method; the aggregation of pluripotent stem cells with diploid or tetraploid mouse embryos. Since most of the large knockout projects are using the C57BL/6 background, we will pay special attention to cell lines derived from this inbred strain.
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