1
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Chatterjee S, Leach-Mehrwald M, Huang CK, Xiao K, Fuchs M, Otto M, Lu D, Dang V, Winkler T, Dunbar CE, Thum T, Bär C. Telomerase is essential for cardiac differentiation and sustained metabolism of human cardiomyocytes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:196. [PMID: 38658440 PMCID: PMC11043037 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Telomeres as the protective ends of linear chromosomes, are synthesized by the enzyme telomerase (TERT). Critically short telomeres essentially contribute to aging-related diseases and are associated with a broad spectrum of disorders known as telomeropathies. In cardiomyocytes, telomere length is strongly correlated with cardiomyopathies but it remains ambiguous whether short telomeres are the cause or the result of the disease. In this study, we employed an inducible CRISPRi human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line to silence TERT expression enabling the generation of hiPSCs and hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes with long and short telomeres. Reduced telomerase activity and shorter telomere lengths of hiPSCs induced global transcriptomic changes associated with cardiac developmental pathways. Consequently, the differentiation potential towards cardiomyocytes was strongly impaired and single cell RNA sequencing revealed a shift towards a more smooth muscle cell like identity in the cells with the shortest telomeres. Poor cardiomyocyte function and increased sensitivity to stress directly correlated with the extent of telomere shortening. Collectively our data demonstrates a TERT dependent cardiomyogenic differentiation defect, highlighting the CRISPRi TERT hiPSCs model as a powerful platform to study the mechanisms and consequences of short telomeres in the heart and also in the context of telomeropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shambhabi Chatterjee
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center of Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Megan Leach-Mehrwald
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cheng-Kai Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ke Xiao
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Fuchs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mandy Otto
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dongchao Lu
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center of Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vinh Dang
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Winkler
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cynthia E Dunbar
- Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center of Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Bär
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- Center of Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
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2
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Burns JS. The Evolving Landscape of Potency Assays. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1420:165-189. [PMID: 37258790 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30040-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
There is a "goldilocks" aspect to potency assays. On the one hand, a comprehensive evaluation of the cell product with detailed quantitative measurement of the critical quality attribute/s of the desired biological activity is required. On the other hand, the potency assay benefits from simplification and lean approaches that avoid unnecessary complication and enhance robustness, to provide a reproducible and scalable product. There is a need to balance insightful knowledge of complex biological healing processes with straightforward manufacture of an advanced therapeutic medicinal product (ATMP) that can be administered in a trustworthy cost-effective manner. While earlier chapters within this book have highlighted numerous challenges facing the potency assay conundrum, this chapter offers a forward-looking perspective regarding the many recent advances concerning acellular products, cryopreservation, induced MSC, cell priming, nanotechnology, 3D culture, regulatory guidelines and evolving institutional roles, that are likely to facilitate potency assay development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge S Burns
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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3
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Adibkia K, Ehsani A, Jodaei A, Fathi E, Farahzadi R, Barzegar-Jalali M. Silver nanoparticles induce the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells via telomere length extension. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 12:786-797. [PMID: 34395152 PMCID: PMC8353587 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.12.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Finding new strategies for the treatment of heart failures using stem cells has attracted a lot of attention. Meanwhile, nanotechnology-based approaches to regenerative medicine hypothesize a possible combination of stem cells and nanotechnology in the treatment of diseases. This study aims to investigate the in vitro effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) on the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) through detection of cardiac markers. For this purpose, MSCs were isolated from bone marrow resident and differentiated to the cardiac cells using a dedicated medium with Ag-NPs. Also, the cardiomyogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. Then, real-time PCR and western blotting assay were used for measuring absolute telomere length (TL) measurement, and gene and protein assessment of the cells, respectively. It was found that 2.5 µg/mL Ag-NPs caused elongation of the telomeres and altered VEGF, C-TnI, VWF, SMA, GATA-4, TERT, and cyclin D protein and gene expression in the cardiomyogenically differentiated BM-MSCs. Also, there was a significant increase in the protein and gene expression of Wnt3 and β-catenin as main components of pathways. We concluded that Ag-NPs could change the in vitro expression of cardiac markers of BM-MSCs via the Wnt3/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khosro Adibkia
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Ehsani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Asma Jodaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ezzatollah Fathi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Barzegar-Jalali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Analysis Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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4
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Maturation strategies and limitations of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:226678. [PMID: 33057659 PMCID: PMC8209171 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes (CMs). They are not only widely used in cardiac pharmacology screening, human heart disease modeling, and cell transplantation-based treatments, but also the most promising source of CMs for experimental and clinical applications. However, their use is largely restricted by the immature phenotype of structure and function, which is similar to embryonic or fetal CMs and has certain differences from adult CMs. In order to overcome this critical issue, many studies have explored and revealed new strategies to induce the maturity of iPSC-CMs. Therefore, this article aims to review recent induction methods of mature iPSC-CMs, related mechanisms, and limitations.
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5
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Sharma S, Mukherjee AK, Roy SS, Bagri S, Lier S, Verma M, Sengupta A, Kumar M, Nesse G, Pandey DP, Chowdhury S. Human telomerase is directly regulated by non-telomeric TRF2-G-quadruplex interaction. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109154. [PMID: 34010660 PMCID: PMC7611063 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) remains suppressed in most normal somatic cells. Resulting erosion of telomeres leads eventually to replicative senescence. Reactivation of hTERT maintains telomeres and triggers progression of >90% of cancers. However, any direct causal link between telomeres and telomerase regulation remains unclear. Here, we show that the telomere-repeat-binding-factor 2 (TRF2) binds hTERT promoter G-quadruplexes and recruits the polycomb-repressor EZH2/PRC2 complex. This is causal for H3K27 trimethylation at the hTERT promoter and represses hTERT in cancer as well as normal cells. Two highly recurrent hTERT promoter mutations found in many cancers, including ∼83% glioblastoma multiforme, that are known to destabilize hTERT promoter G-quadruplexes, showed loss of TRF2 binding in patient-derived primary glioblastoma multiforme cells. Ligand-induced G-quadruplex stabilization restored TRF2 binding, H3K27-trimethylation, and hTERT re-suppression. These results uncover a mechanism of hTERT regulation through a telomeric factor, implicating telomere-telomerase molecular links important in neoplastic transformation, aging, and regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalu Sharma
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Ananda Kishore Mukherjee
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Shuvra Shekhar Roy
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Sulochana Bagri
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Silje Lier
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Meenakshi Verma
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Antara Sengupta
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Imaging Facility, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Gaute Nesse
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Shantanu Chowdhury
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; GNR Knowledge Centre for Genome and Informatics, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India.
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6
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Fathi E, Farahzadi R, Javanmardi S, Vietor I. L-carnitine Extends the Telomere Length of the Cardiac Differentiated CD117 +- Expressing Stem Cells. Tissue Cell 2020; 67:101429. [PMID: 32861877 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2020.101429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy has emerged as an attractive method for regenerating and repairing the lost heart organ. On other hand, poor survival and maintenance of the cells transferred into the damaged heart tissue are broadly accepted as serious barriers to enhance the efficacy of the regenerative therapy. For this reason, external factors, such as antioxidants are used as a favorite strategy by the investigators to improve the cell survival and retention properties. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the In -vitro effect of L-carnitine (LC) on the telomere length and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression in the cardiac differentiated bone marrow resident CD117+ stem cells through Wnt3/β-catenin and ERK1/2 pathways. To do this, bone marrow resident CD117+ stem cells were enriched by the magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) method, and were differentiated to the cardiac cells in the absence (-LC) and presence of the LC (+LC). Also, characterization of the enriched c-kit+ cells was performed using the flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. At the end of the treatment period, the cells were subjected to the real-time PCR technique along with western blotting assay for measurement of the telomere length and assessment of mRNA and protein, respectively. The results showed that 0.2 mM LC caused the elongation of the telomere length and increased the hTERT gene expression in the cardiac differentiated CD117+ stem cells. In addition, a significant increase was observed in the mRNA and protein expression of Wnt3, β-catenin and ERK1/2 as key components of these pathways. It can be concluded that the LC can increase the telomere length as an effective factor in increasing the cell survival and maintenance of the cardiac differentiated bone marrow resident CD117+ stem cells via Wnt3/β-catenin and ERK1/2 signaling pathway components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezzatollah Fathi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Raheleh Farahzadi
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sara Javanmardi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ilja Vietor
- Institute of Cell Biology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Biocenter, Innsbruck, Austria
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7
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Vinayagamurthy S, Ganguly A, Chowdhury S. Extra-telomeric impact of telomeres: Emerging molecular connections in pluripotency or stemness. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10245-10254. [PMID: 32444498 PMCID: PMC7383370 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev119.009710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres comprise specialized nucleic acid-protein complexes that help protect chromosome ends from DNA damage. Moreover, telomeres associate with subtelomeric regions through looping. This results in altered expression of subtelomeric genes. Recent observations further reveal telomere length-dependent gene regulation and epigenetic modifications at sites spread across the genome and distant from telomeres. This regulation is mediated through the telomere-binding protein telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TRF2). These observations suggest a role of telomeres in extra-telomeric functions. Most notably, telomeres have a broad impact on pluripotency and differentiation. For example, cardiomyocytes differentiate with higher efficacy from induced pluripotent stem cells having long telomeres, and differentiated cells obtained from human embryonic stem cells with relatively long telomeres have a longer lifespan. Here, we first highlight reports on these two seemingly distinct research areas: the extra-telomeric role of telomere-binding factors and the role of telomeres in pluripotency/stemness. On the basis of the observations reported in these studies, we draw attention to potential molecular connections between extra-telomeric biology and pluripotency. Finally, in the context of the nonlocal influence of telomeres on pluripotency and stemness, we discuss major opportunities for progress in molecular understanding of aging-related disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soujanya Vinayagamurthy
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Akansha Ganguly
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
| | - Shantanu Chowdhury
- Integrative and Functional Biology Unit, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
- G.N.R. Knowledge Centre for Genome Informatics, CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi, India
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8
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Criqui M, Qamra A, Chu TW, Sharma M, Tsao J, Henry DA, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Arrowsmith CH, Winegarden N, Lupien M, Harrington L. Telomere dysfunction cooperates with epigenetic alterations to impair murine embryonic stem cell fate commitment. eLife 2020; 9:47333. [PMID: 32297856 PMCID: PMC7192583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The precise relationship between epigenetic alterations and telomere dysfunction is still an extant question. Previously, we showed that eroded telomeres lead to differentiation instability in murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) via DNA hypomethylation at pluripotency-factor promoters. Here, we uncovered that telomerase reverse transcriptase null (Tert-/-) mESCs exhibit genome-wide alterations in chromatin accessibility and gene expression during differentiation. These changes were accompanied by an increase of H3K27me3 globally, an altered chromatin landscape at the Pou5f1/Oct4 promoter, and a refractory response to differentiation cues. Inhibition of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), an H3K27 tri-methyltransferase, exacerbated the impairment in differentiation and pluripotency gene repression in Tert-/-mESCs but not wild-type mESCs, whereas inhibition of H3K27me3 demethylation led to a partial rescue of the Tert-/- phenotype. These data reveal a new interdependent relationship between H3K27me3 and telomere integrity in stem cell lineage commitment that may have implications in aging and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Criqui
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Département de biologie moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Aditi Qamra
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tsz Wai Chu
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Département de biologie moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Monika Sharma
- Princess Margaret Genomics Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Julissa Tsao
- Princess Margaret Genomics Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Danielle A Henry
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Département de biologie moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Department of Medical Biophysics, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Department of Medical Biophysics, Toronto, Canada
| | - Neil Winegarden
- Princess Margaret Genomics Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mathieu Lupien
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lea Harrington
- Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancérologie (IRIC), Département de biologie moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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9
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Shafa M, Walsh T, Panchalingam KM, Richardson T, Menendez L, Tian X, Suresh Babu S, Dadgar S, Beller J, Yang F, Baghbaderani BA. Long-Term Stability and Differentiation Potential of Cryopreserved cGMP-Compliant Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010108. [PMID: 31877913 PMCID: PMC6982271 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical effectiveness of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is highly dependent on a few key quality characteristics including the generation of high quality cell bank, long-term genomic stability, post-thaw viability, plating efficiency, retention of pluripotency, directed differentiation, purity, potency, and sterility. We have already reported the establishment of iPSC master cell banks (MCBs) and working cell banks (WCBs) under current good manufacturing procedure (cGMP)-compliant conditions. In this study, we assessed the cellular and genomic stability of the iPSC lines generated and cryopreserved five years ago under cGMP-compliant conditions. iPSC lines were thawed, characterized, and directly differentiated into cells from three germ layers including cardiomyocytes (CMs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and definitive endoderm (DE). The cells were also expanded in 2D and 3D spinner flasks to evaluate their long-term expansion potential in matrix-dependent and feeder-free culture environment. All three lines successfully thawed and attached to the L7TM matrix, and formed typical iPSC colonies that expressed pluripotency markers over 15 passages. iPSCs maintained their differentiation potential as demonstrated with spontaneous and directed differentiation to the three germ layers and corresponding expression of specific markers, respectfully. Furthermore, post-thaw cells showed normal karyotype, negative mycoplasma, and sterility testing. These cells maintained both their 2D and 3D proliferation potential after five years of cryopreservation without acquiring karyotype abnormality, loss of pluripotency, and telomerase activity. These results illustrate the long-term stability of cGMP iPSC lines, which is an important step in establishing a reliable, long-term source of starting materials for clinical and commercial manufacturing of iPSC-derived cell therapy products.
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10
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Liu N, Yin Y, Wang H, Zhou Z, Sheng X, Fu H, Guo R, Wang H, Yang J, Gong P, Ning W, Ju Z, Liu Y, Liu L. Telomere dysfunction impairs epidermal stem cell specification and differentiation by disrupting BMP/pSmad/P63 signaling. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008368. [PMID: 31518356 PMCID: PMC6760834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere shortening is associated with aging and age-associated diseases. Additionally, telomere dysfunction resulting from telomerase gene mutation can lead to premature aging, such as apparent skin atrophy and hair loss. However, the molecular signaling linking telomere dysfunction to skin atrophy remains elusive. Here we show that dysfunctional telomere disrupts BMP/pSmad/P63 signaling, impairing epidermal stem cell specification and differentiation of skin and hair follicles. We find that telomere shortening mediated by Terc loss up-regulates Follistatin (Fst), inhibiting pSmad signaling and down-regulating P63 and epidermal keratins in an ESC differentiation model as well as in adult development of telomere-shortened mice. Mechanistically, short telomeres disrupt PRC2/H3K27me3-mediated repression of Fst. Our findings reveal that skin atrophy due to telomere dysfunction is caused by a previously unappreciated link with Fst and BMP signaling that could be explored in the development of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhongcheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoyan Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haifeng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Renpeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenyu Ju
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Institute of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- Yale Fertility Center and Department of OB/GYN, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YL); (LL)
| | - Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- * E-mail: (YL); (LL)
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11
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The role of telomere-binding modulators in pluripotent stem cells. Protein Cell 2019; 11:60-70. [PMID: 31350723 PMCID: PMC6949317 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-019-0651-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), ESCs derived by somatic cell nuclear transfer (ntESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have unlimited capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency and can give rise to all types of somatic cells. In order to maintain their self-renewal and pluripotency, PSCs need to preserve their telomere length and homeostasis. In recent years, increasing studies have shown that telomere reprogramming is essential for stem cell pluripotency maintenance and its induced pluripotency process. Telomere-associated proteins are not only required for telomere maintenance in both stem cells, their extra-telomeric functions have also been found to be critical as well. Here, we will discuss how telomeres and telomere-associated factors participate and regulate the maintenance of stem cell pluripotency.
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Chang WF, Wu YH, Xu J, Sung LY. Compromised Chondrocyte Differentiation Capacity in TERC Knockout Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Derived by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051236. [PMID: 30870992 PMCID: PMC6429130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian telomere lengths are primarily regulated by telomerase, consisting of a reverse transcriptase protein (TERT) and an RNA subunit (TERC). We previously reported the generation of mouse Terc+/- and Terc-/- embryonic stem cells (ntESCs) by somatic cell nuclear transfer. In the present work, we investigated the germ layer development competence of Terc-/-, Terc+/- and wild-type (Terc+/+) ntESCs. The telomere lengths are longest in wild-type but shortest in Terc-/- ntESCs, and correlate reversely with the population doubling time. Interestingly, while in vitro embryoid body (EB) differentiation assay reveals EB size difference among ntESCs of different genotypes, the more stringent in vivo teratoma assay demonstrates that Terc-/- ntESCs are severely defective in differentiating into the mesodermal lineage cartilage. Consistently, in a directed in vitro chondrocyte differentiation assay, the Terc-/- cells failed in forming Collagen II expressing cells. These findings underscore the significance in maintaining proper telomere lengths in stem cells and their derivatives for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Fang Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Yun-Hsin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Jie Xu
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Li-Ying Sung
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
- Animal Resource Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
- Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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Harrington L, Pucci F. In medio stat virtus: unanticipated consequences of telomere dysequilibrium. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2016.0444. [PMID: 29335368 PMCID: PMC5784064 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrity of chromosome ends, or telomeres, depends on myriad processes that must balance the need to compact and protect the telomeric, G-rich DNA from detection as a double-stranded DNA break, and yet still permit access to enzymes that process, replicate and maintain a sufficient reserve of telomeric DNA. When unable to maintain this equilibrium, erosion of telomeres leads to perturbations at or near the telomeres themselves, including loss of binding by the telomere protective complex, shelterin, and alterations in transcription and post-translational modifications of histones. Although the catastrophic consequences of full telomere de-protection are well described, recent evidence points to other, less obvious perturbations that arise when telomere length equilibrium is altered. For example, critically short telomeres also perturb DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications at distal sites throughout the genome. In murine stem cells for example, this dysregulated chromatin leads to inappropriate suppression of pluripotency regulator factors such as Nanog. This review summarizes these recent findings, with an emphasis on how these genome-wide, telomere-induced perturbations can have profound consequences on cell function and fate. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding diversity in telomere dynamics’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Harrington
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Fabio Pucci
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
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Jose SS, Bendickova K, Fric J. High-Throughput Screening of Senescence Markers in Hematopoietic Stem Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1771:121-130. [PMID: 29633209 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7792-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The successful development and characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a powerful tool to study the molecular mechanisms that control cell fate decisions and differentiation toward distinct lineages. Here we focus on the ability of donors derived iPSCs to differentiate toward hematopoietic progenitor cells and on the analysis of their telomere length. The ability to screen telomere length in individual donors is important for defining cellular senescence, which correlates with their differentiation potential toward hematopoietic lineages. We have modified iPSC culture protocol and telomere length analysis to suit for high throughput screening of telomere length in large number of individual donors. This approach can be used to demonstrate the heterogeneity or changes of telomere length and its shortening as an exclusion criterion for selection of suitable donors for future stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam Sushama Jose
- Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation Group (CMI), Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Bendickova
- Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation Group (CMI), Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Fric
- Cellular and Molecular Immunoregulation Group (CMI), Center for Translational Medicine (CTM), International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
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(Re-)programming of subtype specific cardiomyocytes. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 120:142-167. [PMID: 28916499 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) possess a highly restricted intrinsic regenerative potential - a major barrier to the effective treatment of a range of chronic degenerative cardiac disorders characterized by cellular loss and/or irreversible dysfunction and which underlies the majority of deaths in developed countries. Both stem cell programming and direct cell reprogramming hold promise as novel, potentially curative approaches to address this therapeutic challenge. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has introduced a second pluripotent stem cell source besides embryonic stem cells (ESCs), enabling even autologous cardiomyocyte production. In addition, the recent achievement of directly reprogramming somatic cells into cardiomyocytes is likely to become of great importance. In either case, different clinical scenarios will require the generation of highly pure, specific cardiac cellular-subtypes. In this review, we discuss these themes as related to the cardiovascular stem cell and programming field, including a focus on the emergent topic of pacemaker cell generation for the development of biological pacemakers and in vitro drug testing.
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Effect of cryopreservation on proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cell sheets. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:77. [PMID: 28412975 PMCID: PMC5392927 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0530-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryopreservation has been extensively applied to the long-term storage of a diverse range of biological materials. However, no comprehensive study is currently available on the cryopreservation of periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) sheets which have been suggested as excellent transplant materials for periodontal tissue regeneration. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cryopreservation on the structural integrity and functional viability of PDLSC sheets. METHODS PDLSC sheets prepared from extracted human molars were divided into two groups: the cryopreservation group (cPDLSC sheets) and the freshly prepared control group (fPDLSC sheets). The cPDLSC sheets were cryopreserved in a solution consisting of 90% fetal bovine serum and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide for 3 months. Cell viability and cell proliferation rates of PDLSCs in both groups were evaluated by cell viability assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, respectively. The multilineage differentiation potentials of the cells were assessed by von Kossa staining and Oil Red O staining. The chromosomal stability was examined by karyotype analysis. Moreover, the cell sheets in each group were transplanted subcutaneously into the dorsal site of nude mice, after which Sirius Red staining was performed to analyze the efficiency of tissue regeneration. RESULTS The PDLSCs derived from both groups of cell sheets showed no significant difference in their viability, proliferative capacities, and multilineage differentiation potentials, as well as chromosomal stability. Furthermore, transplantation experiments based on a mouse model demonstrated that the cPDLSC sheets were equally effective in generating viable osteoid tissues in vivo as their freshly prepared counterparts. In both cases, the regenerated tissues showed similar network patterns of bone-like matrix. CONCLUSIONS Our results offer convincing evidence that cryopreservation does not alter the biological properties of PDLSC sheets and could enhance their clinical utility in tissue regeneration.
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