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Nasr-Esfahani MH, Ahmad-Khanbeigi KH, Hasannia A. Qur'anic Views on Human Cloning (I): Doctrinal and Theological Evidences. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2021; 15:73-79. [PMID: 33497051 PMCID: PMC7838753 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2020.134415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human cloning is a recent occurrence that is not confined to bio-issues; rather, it has provoked numerous questions worldwide and presented scientific and religious challenges. These series of articles aim to examine the proposed approaches and analyze the aspects of human cloning in terms of tenets, morals, jurisprudence, and laws. In this paper, we analyze the ideological and theological evidences, regardless of scientific, ethical and legal problems that exist in the reproduction method. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used a descriptive-analytical method to consider the challenges of human cloning according to the "system of Divine creativity" and "the will of God", as well as the "pairing system" and "diversity in nature" with emphasis on the Holy Qur'an and Qur'anic commentaries. RESULTS According to the Qur'an, although any type of physical changes and retouching of the human body are forbidden, the alteration of God's creation may not prove the prohibition of cloning. Cloning is not contradictory to the principle, precedent, and rule of coupling, and it may be one of the hidden precedents of creation. Therefore, not only does a clone not contradict the precedent of the variety of men, but this variety is a sign for men and not a precedent predominated over the order of nature. CONCLUSION It is proven that cloning does not give life; instead, it utilizes the life bestowed by God. This technique does not contradict the precedents of existence. It is a way to discover some precedents of God and is under the order of cause and effect of the world. Cloning is not considered as a challenge to human beliefs, nor is it a change in Divine creation. Moreover, cloning does not contradict the theological teachings and concepts of the Holy Qur'an and Shiite Muslims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - K Hadijeh Ahmad-Khanbeigi
- Department of Jurisprudence and Law, Research Institute of Imam Khomeini and Islamic Revolution, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Hasannia
- Department of Qur'an and Hadith Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
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Zuo Y, Song M, Li H, Chen X, Cao P, Zheng L, Cao G. Analysis of the Epigenetic Signature of Cell Reprogramming by Computational DNA Methylation Profiles. Curr Bioinform 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1574893614666190919103752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
DNA methylation plays an important role in the reprogramming process.
Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of reprogramming is crucial for answering
fundamental questions regarding the transition of cell identity.
Methods:
In this study, based on the genome-wide DNA methylation data from different cell lines,
comparative methylation profiles were proposed to identify the epigenetic signature of cell
reprogramming.
Results:
The density profile of CpG methylation showed that pluripotent cells are more polarized
than Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDF) cells. The heterogeneity of iPS has a greater deviation in
the DNA hypermethylation pattern. The result of regional distribution showed that the differential
CpG sites between pluripotent cells and HDFs tend to accumulate in the gene body and CpG shelf
regions, whereas the internal differential methylation CpG sites (DMCs) of three types of
pluripotent cells tend to accumulate in the TSS1500 region. Furthermore, a series of endogenous
markers of cell reprogramming were identified based on the integrative analysis, including focal
adhesion, pluripotency maintenance and transcription regulation. The calcium signaling pathway
was detected as one of the signatures between NT cells and iPS cells. Finally, the regional bias of
DNA methylation for key pluripotency factors was discussed. Our studies provide new insight into
the barrier identification of cell reprogramming.
Conclusion:
Our studies analyzed some epigenetic markers and barriers of nuclear reprogramming,
hoping to provide new insight into understanding the underlying molecular mechanism
of reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Zuo
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Mingmin Song
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Hanshuang Li
- State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Xing Chen
- State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Pengbo Cao
- State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- State key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010070, China
| | - Guifang Cao
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
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Qu P, Wang Y, Zhang C, Liu E. Insights into the roles of sperm in animal cloning. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:65. [PMID: 32070430 PMCID: PMC7027237 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01599-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has shown a wide application in the generation of transgenic animals, protection of endangered animals, and therapeutic cloning. However, the efficiency of SCNT remains very low due to some poorly characterized key factors. Compared with fertilized embryos, somatic donor cells lack some important components of sperm, such as sperm small noncoding RNA (sncRNA) and proteins. Loss of these factors is considered an important reason for the abnormal development of SCNT embryo. This study focused on recent advances of SCNT and the roles of sperm in development. Sperm-derived factors play an important role in nucleus reprogramming and cytoskeleton remodeling during SCNT embryo development. Hence, considering the role of sperm may provide a new strategy for improving cloning efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chengsheng Zhang
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China.,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, Yanta West Road, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Bahadori A, Moreno-Pescador G, Oddershede LB, Bendix PM. Remotely controlled fusion of selected vesicles and living cells: a key issue review. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2018; 81:032602. [PMID: 29369822 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa9966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Remote control over fusion of single cells and vesicles has a great potential in biological and chemical research allowing both transfer of genetic material between cells and transfer of molecular content between vesicles. Membrane fusion is a critical process in biology that facilitates molecular transport and mixing of cellular cytoplasms with potential formation of hybrid cells. Cells precisely regulate internal membrane fusions with the aid of specialized fusion complexes that physically provide the energy necessary for mediating fusion. Physical factors like membrane curvature, tension and temperature, affect biological membrane fusion by lowering the associated energy barrier. This has inspired the development of physical approaches to harness the fusion process at a single cell level by using remotely controlled electromagnetic fields to trigger membrane fusion. Here, we critically review various approaches, based on lasers or electric pulses, to control fusion between individual cells or between individual lipid vesicles and discuss their potential and limitations for present and future applications within biochemistry, biology and soft matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Bahadori
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zuo Y, Su G, Cheng L, Liu K, Feng Y, Wei Z, Bai C, Cao G, Li G. Coexpression analysis identifies nuclear reprogramming barriers of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. Oncotarget 2017; 8:65847-65859. [PMID: 29029477 PMCID: PMC5630377 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of cloned animal "Dolly Sheep" demonstrated the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique holds huge potentials for mammalian asexual reproduction. However, the extremely poor development of SCNT embryos indicates their molecular mechanism remain largely unexplored. Deciphering the spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression in SCNT embryos is a crucial step toward understanding the mechanisms associated with nuclear reprogramming. In this study, a valuable transcriptome recourse of SCNT embryos was firstly established, which derived from different inter-/intra donor cells. The gene co-expression analysis identified 26 cell-specific modules, and a series of regulatory pathways related to reprogramming barriers were further enriched. Compared to the intra-SCNT embryos, the inter-SCNT embryos underwent only complete partially reprogramming. As master genome trigger genes, the transcripts related to TFIID subunit, RNA polymerase and mediators were incomplete activated in inter-SCNT embryos. The inter-SCNT embryos only wasted the stored maternal mRNA of master regulators, but failed to activate their self-sustained pathway of RNA polymerases. The KDM family of epigenetic regulator also seriously delayed in inter-SCNT embryo reprogramming process. Our study provided new insight into understanding of the mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Zuo
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Guanghua Su
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Kun Liu
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Yu Feng
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Zhuying Wei
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Chunling Bai
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Guangpeng Li
- The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
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Xu R, Zhang S, Lei A. Chromatin changes in reprogramming of mammalian somatic cells. Rejuvenation Res 2014; 17:3-10. [PMID: 23987213 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2013.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), cell fusion, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technologies are three strategies that allow reprogramming somatic cells into the pluripotent state; however, the efficiency is low and the mechanisms are not fully clear. In addition, there are reports that changes in chromatin play a critical role in these reprogramming strategies by modulating binding of transcription factors to their targets. In this review, we mainly discuss inactivation of the X chromosome, chromatin decondensation and remodeling, histone modifications, and histone variants in the three strategies. This review will provide an insight for future nuclear reprogramming research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Key Lab for Animal Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture of China, Northwest A&F University , Yangling, Shaanxi, P.R. China
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Zhao B, Yang D, Jiang J, Li J, Fan C, Huang M, Fan Y, Jin Y, Jin Y. Genome-wide mapping of miRNAs expressed in embryonic stem cells and pluripotent stem cells generated by different reprogramming strategies. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:488. [PMID: 24942538 PMCID: PMC4082626 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reprogrammed cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (NT-ESCs), are similar in many respects to natural embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, previous studies have demonstrated that iPSCs retain a gene expression signature that is unique from that of ESCs, including differences in microRNA (miRNA) expression, while NT-ESCs are more faithfully reprogrammed cells and have better developmental potential compared with iPSCs. RESULTS We focused on miRNA expression and explored the difference between ESCs and reprogrammed cells, especially ESCs and NT-ESCs. We also compared the distinct expression patterns among iPSCs, NT-ESCs and NT-iPSCs. The results demonstrated that reprogrammed cells (iPSCs and NT-ESCs) have unique miRNA expression patterns compared with ESCs. The comparison of differently reprogrammed cells (NT-ESCs, NT-iPSCs and iPSCs) suggests that several miRNAs have key roles in the distinct developmental potential of reprogrammed cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that miRNAs play a part in the difference between ESCs and reprogrammed cells, as well as between MEFs and pluripotent cells. The variation of miRNA expression in reprogrammed cells derived using different reprogramming strategies suggests different characteristics induced by nuclear transfer and iPSC generation, as well as different developmental potential among NT-ESCs, iPSCs and NT-iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yan Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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Liu T, Qin W, Huang Y, Zhao Y, Wang J. Induction of estrogen-sensitive epithelial cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells to repair ovarian function in a chemotherapy-induced mouse model of premature ovarian failure. DNA Cell Biol 2013; 32:685-98. [PMID: 24032550 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2013.2032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of premature ovarian failure (POF), a condition causing amenorrhea and hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenism in women before the age of 40, has been increasing in recent years. As an irreversible pathological change, improved treatment strategies for this disease are urgently needed. In this study, a type of microRNA (miR-17-3p) was used to guide the differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into hormone-sensitive ovarian epithelial (OSE)-like cells in vitro. To prevent their morphological transformation into fibroblast-like cells, MiR-17-3p, a microRNA that suppresses vimentin expression, was transfected into human iPS cells. Subsequently, these cells were successfully induced into OSE-like cells in vitro after treatment with estrogen and cell growth factors. Compared with controls, iPS cells transfected with miR-17-3p expressed higher levels of epithelial markers (cytokeratin 7, AE1, AE3, and E-cadherin) and estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) while levels of mesenchymal markers (fibronectin, vimentin, and N-cadherin) lowered after the induction. The human iPS cell-derived OSE-like cells were then injected into cyclophosphamide-induced POF model mice to determine their potential benefit as grafts to repair ovarian tissues. The OSE-like cells survived within POF mouse ovaries for at least 14 days in vivo. Compared with the negative controls, expressions of cytokeratin 7 and ERβ proteins were elevated while fibronectin and vimentin levels in ovarian tissues were downregulated in the OSE-like cell transplantation group. Moreover, the ovarian weight and plasma E2 level increased over time in the transplantation with OSE-like cells, compared with control groups. Hence, we can draw the conclusion that iPS cells can be induced to differentiate into OSE-like cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te Liu
- 1 Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Shanghai, China
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Meagher RB, Müssar KJ. The influence of DNA sequence on epigenome-induced pathologies. Epigenetics Chromatin 2012; 5:11. [PMID: 22818522 PMCID: PMC3439399 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8935-5-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cause-and-effect relationships are commonly established between genotype and the inherited risk of acquiring human and plant diseases and aberrant phenotypes. By contrast, few such cause-and-effect relationships are established linking a chromatin structure (that is, the epitype) with the transgenerational risk of acquiring a disease or abnormal phenotype. It is not entirely clear how epitypes are inherited from parent to offspring as populations evolve, even though epigenetics is proposed to be fundamental to evolution and the likelihood of acquiring many diseases. This article explores the hypothesis that, for transgenerationally inherited chromatin structures, "genotype predisposes epitype", and that epitype functions as a modifier of gene expression within the classical central dogma of molecular biology. Evidence for the causal contribution of genotype to inherited epitypes and epigenetic risk comes primarily from two different kinds of studies discussed herein. The first and direct method of research proceeds by the examination of the transgenerational inheritance of epitype and the penetrance of phenotype among genetically related individuals. The second approach identifies epitypes that are duplicated (as DNA sequences are duplicated) and evolutionarily conserved among repeated patterns in the DNA sequence. The body of this article summarizes particularly robust examples of these studies from humans, mice, Arabidopsis, and other organisms. The bulk of the data from both areas of research support the hypothesis that genotypes predispose the likelihood of displaying various epitypes, but for only a few classes of epitype. This analysis suggests that renewed efforts are needed in identifying polymorphic DNA sequences that determine variable nucleosome positioning and DNA methylation as the primary cause of inherited epigenome-induced pathologies. By contrast, there is very little evidence that DNA sequence directly determines the inherited positioning of numerous and diverse post-translational modifications of histone side chains within nucleosomes. We discuss the medical and scientific implications of these observations on future research and on the development of solutions to epigenetically induced disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Meagher
- Genetics Department, Davison Life Sciences Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30605, USA.
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