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Cui W, Marcho C, Wang Y, Degani R, Golan M, Tremblay KD, Rivera-Pérez JA, Mager J. MED20 is essential for early embryogenesis and regulates NANOG expression. Reproduction 2020; 157:215-222. [PMID: 30571656 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Mediator is an evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit complex, bridging transcriptional activators and repressors to the general RNA polymerase II (Pol II) initiation machinery. Though the Mediator complex is crucial for the transcription of almost all Pol II promoters in eukaryotic organisms, the phenotypes of individual Mediator subunit mutants are each distinct. Here, we report for the first time, the essential role of subunit MED20 in early mammalian embryo development. Although Med20 mutant mouse embryos exhibit normal morphology at E3.5 blastocyst stage, they cannot be recovered at early post-gastrulation stages. Outgrowth assays show that mutant blastocysts cannot hatch from the zona pellucida, indicating impaired blastocyst function. Assessments of cell death and cell lineage specification reveal that apoptosis, inner cell mass, trophectoderm and primitive endoderm markers are normal in mutant blastocysts. However, the epiblast marker NANOG is ectopically expressed in the trophectoderm of Med20 mutants, indicative of defects in trophoblast specification. These results suggest that MED20 specifically, and the Mediator complex in general, are essential for the earliest steps of mammalian development and cell lineage specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cui
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.,Animal Models Core Facility, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chelsea Marcho
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Rinat Degani
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Morgane Golan
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kimberly D Tremblay
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jaime A Rivera-Pérez
- Division of Genes and Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Lee SC, Seo HC, Lee J, Jun JH, Choi KW. Effects of dynamic oxygen concentrations on the development of mouse pre- and peri-implantation embryos using a double-channel gas supply incubator system. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2019; 46:189-196. [PMID: 31813209 PMCID: PMC6919202 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2019.00514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects of different oxygen conditions (20% [high O2], 5% [low O2] and 5% decreased to 2% [dynamic O2]) on mouse pre- and peri-implantation development using a novel double-channel gas supply (DCGS) incubator (CNC Biotech Inc.) to alter the oxygen concentration during in vitro culture. Methods The high-O2 and low-O2 groups were cultured from the one-cell to the blastocyst stage under 20% and 5% oxygen concentrations, respectively. In the dynamic-O2 group, mouse embryos were cultured from the one-cell to the morula stage under 5% O2 for 3 days, followed by culture under 2% O2 to the blastocyst stage. To evaluate peri-implantation development, the blastocysts from the three groups were individually transferred to a fibronectin-coated dish and cultured to the outgrowth stage in droplets. Results The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher in the low-O2 and dynamic-O2 groups than in the high-O2 group. The total cell number was significantly higher in the dynamic-O2 group than in the low-O2 and high-O2 groups. Additionally, the apoptotic index was significantly lower in the low-O2 and dynamic-O2 groups than in the high-O2 group. The trophoblast outgrowth rate and spread area were significantly higher in the low-O2 and dynamic-O2 groups than in the high-O2 group. Conclusion Our results showed that a dynamic oxygen concentration (decreasing from 5% to 2%) had beneficial effects on mouse pre- and peri-implantation development. Optimized, dynamic changing of oxygen concentrations using the novel DCGS incubator could improve the developmental competence of in vitro cultured embryos in a human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, BK21 PLUS Program, Graduate School, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Jin Hyun Jun
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, BK21 PLUS Program, Graduate School, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea.,Department of Senior Healthcare, BK21 PLUS Program, Graduate School, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea
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3
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Towards Functional Annotation of the Preimplantation Transcriptome: An RNAi Screen in Mammalian Embryos. Sci Rep 2016; 6:37396. [PMID: 27869233 PMCID: PMC5116644 DOI: 10.1038/srep37396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
With readily available transcriptome-wide data, understanding the role of each expressed gene is an essential next step. Although RNAi technologies allow for genome-wide screens in cell culture, these approaches cannot replace strategies for discovery in the embryo. Here we present, for the first time, a knockdown screen in mouse preimplantation embryos. Early mammalian development encompasses dynamic cellular, molecular and epigenetic events that are largely conserved from mouse to man. We assayed 712 genes for requirements during preimplantation. We identified 59 genes required for successful development or outgrowth and implantation. We have characterized each phenotype and revealed cellular, molecular, and lineage specific defects following knockdown of transcript. Induced network analyses demonstrate this as a valid approach to identify networks of genes that play important roles during preimplantation. Our approach provides a robust and efficient strategy towards identification of novel phenotypes during mouse preimplantation and facilitates functional annotation of the mammalian transcriptome.
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4
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Yu L, Hu R, Sullivan C, Swanson RJ, Oehninger S, Sun YP, Bocca S. MFGE8 regulates TGF-β-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in endometrial epithelial cells in vitro. Reproduction 2016; 152:225-33. [PMID: 27340235 DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the role of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFGE8) in TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial epithelial cells. These were in vitro studies using human endometrial epithelial cells and mouse blastocysts. We investigated the ability of TGF-β to induce EMT in endometrial epithelial cells (HEC-1A) by assessment of cytological phenotype (by light and atomic force microscopy), changes in expression of the markers of cell adhesion/differentiation E- and N-cadherin, and of the transcription factor Snail (by immunofluorescence and immunoblotting), and competence to support embryo attachment in a mouse blastocyst outgrowth assay. We also studied the effects of E-cadherin expression in cells transfected by retroviral shRNA vectors specifically silencing MFGE8. Results demonstrated that TGF-β induced EMT as demonstrated by phenotypic cell changes, by a switch of cadherin expression as well as by upregulation of the expression of the mesenchymal markers Snail and Vimentin. Upon MFGE8 knockdown, these processes were interfered with, suggesting that MFGE8 and TGF-β together may participate in regulation of EMT. This study demonstrated for the first time that endometrial MFGE8 modulates TGF-β-induced EMT in human endometrium cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yu
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA Reproductive Medical CenterThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rong Hu
- Reproductive Medicine CenterKey Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Claretta Sullivan
- Department of SurgeryEastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - R James Swanson
- Department of Biological SciencesOld Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Sergio Oehninger
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Reproductive Medical CenterThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Silvina Bocca
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
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5
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Kim J, Lee J, Kim SH, Jun JH. Coculture of Preimplantation Embryos With Outgrowth Embryos Improves Embryonic Developmental Competence in Mice. Reprod Sci 2015; 23:913-23. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719115623641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Kim
- Department of Senior Healthcare, BK21 Plus Program, Graduated School, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok Hyun Kim
- Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Hyun Jun
- Department of Senior Healthcare, BK21 Plus Program, Graduated School, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Health Science, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
- Eulji Medi-Bio Research Institute (EMBRI), Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
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6
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Extracellular syntaxin4 triggers the differentiation program in teratocarcinoma F9 cells that impacts cell adhesion properties. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 354:581-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1680-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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7
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Vallejo G, Maschi D, Mestre-Citrinovitz AC, Aiba K, Maronna R, Yohai V, Ko MSH, Beato M, Saragüeta P. Changes in global gene expression during in vitro decidualization of rat endometrial stromal cells. J Cell Physiol 2009; 222:127-37. [PMID: 19780023 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During the preimplantation phase of pregnancy the endometrial stroma differentiates into decidua, a process that implies numerous morphological changes and is an example of physiological transdifferentiation. Here we show that UIII rat endometrial stromal cells cultured in the presence of calf serum acquired morphological features of decidual cells and expressed decidual markers. To identify genes involved in decidualization we compared gene expression patterns of control and decidualized UIII cells using cDNA microarray. We found 322 annotated genes exhibiting significant differences in expression (>3-fold, fold discovery rate (FDR) >0.005), of which 312 have not been previously related to decidualization. Analysis of overrepresented functions revealed that protein synthesis, gene expression, and chromatin architecture and remodeling are the most relevant modified functions during decidualization. Relevant genes are also found in the functional terms differentiation, cell proliferation, signal transduction, and matrix/structural proteins. Several of these new genes involved in decidualization (Csdc2, Trim27, Eef1a1, Bmp1, Wt1, Aes, Gna12, and Men1) are shown to be also regulated in uterine decidua during normal pregnancy. Thus, the UIII cell culture model will allow future mechanistic studies to define the transcriptional network regulating reprogramming of stromal cells into decidual cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griselda Vallejo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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8
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Okugawa Y, Hirai Y. Overexpression of Extracellular Epimorphin Leads to Impaired Epidermal Differentiation in HaCaT Keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol 2008; 128:1884-93. [DOI: 10.1038/jid.2008.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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9
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Hirai Y, Nelson CM, Yamazaki K, Takebe K, Przybylo J, Madden B, Radisky DC. Non-classical export of epimorphin and its adhesion to alphav-integrin in regulation of epithelial morphogenesis. J Cell Sci 2007; 120:2032-43. [PMID: 17535848 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.006247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Epimorphin (also known as syntaxin 2) acts as an epithelial morphogen when secreted by stromal cells of the mammary gland, lung, liver, colon, pancreas and other tissues, but the same molecule functions within the cell to mediate membrane fusion. How this molecule, which lacks a signal sequence and contains a transmembrane domain at the C-terminus, translocates across the plasma membrane and is secreted to become a morphogen, and how it initiates morphogenic events is not clear. Here, we show that epimorphin is secreted through a non-classical mechanism, similar to that previously described for secretion of the leaderless protein FGF1, and we identify the key molecular elements responsible for translocation and secretion from the cell. We also show that secreted epimorphin binds to alphav-integrin-containing receptors on target epithelial cells, leading to activation of specific downstream signaling pathways and induction of epithelial morphogenesis. These findings provide key insight into how epimorphin functions as an epithelial morphogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Hirai
- Department of Morphoregulation, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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10
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Selesniemi K, Reedy M, Gultice A, Guilbert LJ, Brown TL. Transforming growth factor-beta induces differentiation of the labyrinthine trophoblast stem cell line SM10. Stem Cells Dev 2006; 14:697-711. [PMID: 16433625 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2005.14.697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian placenta consists of different trophoblast cell types that assist in the variety of functions required for the maintenance of pregnancy. In rodents, labyrinthine trophoblasts of the placenta are especially important, because they are capable of differentiating into fused labyrinthine cells, which form the feto-maternal exchange surface. Even though the molecular signals triggering labyrinthine trophoblast differentiation are poorly understood, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to be present in the placental environment and alter trophoblast development. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGF-beta on the differentiation of the labyrinthine trophoblast stem cell lines SM10 and HRP-1. RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that while the molecular expression of labyrinthine-specific lineage markers (Esx1, Tfeb, and Tec) was maintained in TGF-beta-treated SM10 and HRP-1 cells, TGF-beta induced the down-regulation of trophoblast stem cell markers Id2 and Cdx2. In contrast, TGF-beta induced the expression of a marker of differentiated labyrinthine trophoblasts, Gcm1, only in the SM10 cell line. Furthermore, we demonstrated an increased glucose uptake in the TGF-beta-treated SM10 cells, indicative of functional differentiation. Finally, cell fusion in TGF-beta-treated SM10 and HRP-1 cells was investigated by western blotting analysis of placental alkaline phosphatase and cadherin-11 and by microscopic analyses of cell morphology using green fluorescent protein (GFP) and rhodamine phalloidin staining. The western blotting and morphological analyses indicate TGF-beta-induced cell fusion and morphological differentiation in the SM10 cell line. The SM10 cell line will provide a new and unique model for detailed analysis of TGF-beta-induced molecular events associated with labyrinthine trophoblast differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Selesniemi
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA
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11
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Wang Y, Wang L, Iordanov H, Swietlicki EA, Zheng Q, Jiang S, Tang Y, Levin MS, Rubin DC. Epimorphin(-/-) mice have increased intestinal growth, decreased susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate colitis, and impaired spermatogenesis. J Clin Invest 2006; 116:1535-46. [PMID: 16710473 PMCID: PMC1462938 DOI: 10.1172/jci25442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2005] [Accepted: 03/28/2006] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic and reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are critical for the normal morphogenesis and maintenance of epithelia. Epimorphin has been identified as a unique molecule expressed by mesenchymal cells and myofibroblasts and has putative morphogenetic effects in multiple epithelial tissues, including intestine, skin, mammary gland, lung, gallbladder, and liver. To define the in vivo role of epimorphin, we created epimorphin-null mice by targeted inactivation of the epimorphin gene. Male epimorphin-/- mice are sterile due to abnormal testicular development and impaired spermatogenesis. Intestinal growth is increased in epimorphin-/- mice due to augmented crypt cell proliferation and crypt fission during the neonatal (suckling) period, mediated at least in part by changes in bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways. Colonic mucosal injury and colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) are ameliorated in epimorphin-/- mice, probably due to the increased proliferative capacity of the epimorphin-/- colon. These in vivo findings support the notion that epimorphin is a key stromal regulator of epithelial cell proliferation and growth in the intestine. In addition, our studies demonstrate a novel and critical role for epimorphin in regulating testicular development and growth as well as spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hristo Iordanov
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elzbieta A. Swietlicki
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Qun Zheng
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Shujun Jiang
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yuzhu Tang
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Marc S. Levin
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Deborah C. Rubin
- Department of Medicine and
Speciality Care Service Line, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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12
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Selesniemi KL, Reedy MA, Gultice AD, Brown TL. Identification of committed placental stem cell lines for studies of differentiation. Stem Cells Dev 2006; 14:535-47. [PMID: 16305338 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2005.14.535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblasts provide a model to investigate fundamental mechanisms of stem cell differentiation, but the availability of trophoblast stem cell lines is limited. Here we report the development of an RT-PCR-based lineage-specific profile as a method to identify the lineages of placental trophoblast cells routinely and specifically. This profiling method was used to analyze the mouse SM10 and rat HRP-1 cell lines, isolated from a region of the placental labyrinth, but of previously unidentified lineage. Using this profile, the expression of trophoblast stem cell markers was detected in the SM10 and HRP-1 cells. In contrast, no expression of a marker of differentiated labyrinthine trophoblast was detected. Additionally, both cell lines expressed labyrinthine trophoblast-specific genes and did not express lineage-specific markers of spongiotrophoblasts or trophoblast giant cells. Our results suggest that SM10 and HRP-1 cell lines are trophoblast stem cell-like cell lines that can be maintained in undifferentiated but committed state in cell culture. These cell lines express labyrinthine-specific genes and are committed to differentiate solely into functional labyrinthine trophoblasts. Our profiling method provides a new technique to identify stem cells and their lineage-specific differentiation. This method additionally indicates that SM10 and HRP-1 cell lines provide new systems for future studies of stem cell differentiation, allowing investigation of basic mechanisms of differentiation, which may provide insights into the biophysics of development of a specialized system. This method should also prove to be useful for identification of other stem cell lines and examination of lineage-specific commitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa L Selesniemi
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
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13
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Qin J, Díaz-Cueto L, Schwarze JE, Takahashi Y, Imai M, Isuzugawa K, Yamamoto S, Chang KT, Gerton GL, Imakawa K. Effects of Progranulin on Blastocyst Hatching and Subsequent Adhesion and Outgrowth in the Mouse1. Biol Reprod 2005; 73:434-42. [PMID: 15901638 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.105.040030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Using cDNA microarray methodology, we have shown previously that transcripts of progranulin gene (Grn, also known as acrogranin), a recently identified autocrine growth factor, were upregulated in mouse blastocysts adhered to the filter membrane in an in vitro-culture system. In the present study, we investigated the expression and effects of progranulin on blastocyst hatching, adhesion, and embryo outgrowth during the peri-implantation period in the mouse. During this period, substantial amounts of Grn mRNA were present in both inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm. Progranulin was localized exclusively to the surface of the trophectoderm in early and pre- and postadhesion blastocysts as well as in trophoblast cells and ICM of outgrowth embryos, being secreted as a single, 88-kDa form into the surrounding medium. NIH3T3 cells that had been transfected with a progranulin expression construct secreted the 88-kDa form of the protein, from which a 68-kDa form could be generated by deglycosylation. In vitro treatment of blastocysts with recombinant progranulin promoted blastocyst hatching, adhesion, and outgrowth, whereas rabbit anti-mouse progranulin immunoglobulin G reduced the incidence of blastocyst hatching, adhesion, and outgrowth. Studies of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and immunodissection of the ICM revealed that progranulin was effective on the trophectoderm but not on the ICM. These results indicate that progranulin is an important factor for the processes of blastocyst hatching, adhesion, and outgrowth, and they suggest that the effects of progranulin on blastocyst adhesion and outgrowth may have been triggered by the previous action of progranulin to induce hatching of the blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junwen Qin
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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14
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Hirai Y, Takebe K, Nakajima K. Structural optimization of pep7, a small peptide extracted from epimorphin, for effective induction of hair follicle anagen. Exp Dermatol 2005; 14:692-9. [PMID: 16098129 DOI: 10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00346.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epimorphin is representative of a unique class of stromal membrane-anchored proteins that plays distinct functions depending on its membrane topology. When exposed extracellularly, this molecule acts as a morphoregulator for various tissues including hair follicle epithelia. Previous study identified its functional domain (the pep7 domain: SIEQSCDQDE) for hair follicular morphogenesis followed by the successful generation of a chemically modified active peptide. Here, we report optimization of this peptide by the introduction of sequential mutations and subsequent structural determination. We found that three residues from the C-terminus are dispensable, and alternation of the seventh amino acid to an Alanine residue enhanced activity. To favour the biologically active conformation, epsilon-Acp (NH(CH(2))(5)CO) linked to a Cysteine residue was connected at the N-terminus followed by the introduction of an intramolecular disulphide bridge, the modification process of which could be included in the peptide synthesis. The obtained modified peptide, termed 'EPM (epimorphin-derived) peptide', has a Mw of 950 Da and exerts an inductive effect on hair follicle regeneration at a concentration of approximately 0.00001% or even lower. The action of this EPM peptide was more apparent in mice treated with 1% minoxidil, suggesting its potential clinical benefit as a new type of hair-regenerating agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Hirai
- Department of Morphoregulation, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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