1
|
Abstract
Reproductive engineering techniques are essential for assisted reproduction of animals
and generation of genetically modified animals. They may also provide invaluable research
models for understanding the mechanisms involved in the developmental and reproductive
processes. At the RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), I have sought to develop new
reproductive engineering techniques, especially those related to cryopreservation,
microinsemination (sperm injection), nuclear transfer, and generation of new stem cell
lines and animals, hoping that they will support the present and future projects at BRC. I
also want to combine our techniques with genetic and biochemical analyses to solve
important biological questions. We expect that this strategy makes our research more
unique and refined by providing deeper insights into the mechanisms that govern the
reproductive and developmental systems in mammals. To make this strategy more effective,
it is critical to work with experts in different scientific fields. I have enjoyed
collaborations with about 100 world-recognized laboratories, and all our collaborations
have been successful and fruitful. This review summarizes development of reproductive
engineering techniques at BRC during these 15 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bai GY, Song SH, Wang ZD, Shan ZY, Sun RZ, Liu CJ, Wu YS, Li T, Lei L. Embryos aggregation improves development and imprinting gene expression in mouse parthenogenesis. Dev Growth Differ 2016; 58:270-9. [PMID: 26991405 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mouse parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (PgESCs) could be applied to study imprinting genes and are used in cell therapy. Our previous study found that stem cells established by aggregation of two parthenogenetic embryos at 8-cell stage (named as a2 PgESCs) had a higher efficiency than that of PgESCs, and the paternal expressed imprinting genes were observably upregulated. Therefore, we propose that increasing the number of parthenogenetic embryos in aggregation may improve the development of parthenogenetic mouse and imprinting gene expression of PgESCs. To verify this hypothesis, we aggregated four embryos together at the 4-cell stage and cultured to the blastocyst stage (named as 4aPgB). qPCR detection showed that the expression of imprinting genes Igf2, Mest, Snrpn, Igf2r, H19, Gtl2 in 4aPgB were more similar to that of fertilized blastocyst (named as fB) compared to 2aPgB (derived from two 4-cell stage parthenogenetic embryos aggregation) or PgB (single parthenogenetic blastocyst). Post-implantation development of 4aPgB extended to 11 days of gestation. The establishment efficiency of GFP-a4 PgESCs which derived from GFP-4aPgB is 62.5%. Moreover, expression of imprinting genes Igf2, Mest, Snrpn, notably downregulated and approached the level of that in fertilized embryonic stem cells (fESCs). In addition, we acquired a 13.5-day fetus totally derived from GFP-a4 PgESCs with germline contribution by 8-cell under zona pellucida (ZP) injection. In conclusion, four embryos aggregation improves parthenogenetic development, and compensates imprinting genes expression in PgESCs. It implied that a4 PgESCs could serve as a better scientific model applied in translational medicine and imprinting gene study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yu Bai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Si-Hang Song
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhen-Dong Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhi-Yan Shan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Rui-Zhen Sun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Chun-Jia Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yan-Shuang Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Langerova A, Fulka H, Fulka J. Pluripotent stem cells from maturing oocytes. Cell Reprogram 2013; 15:389-93. [PMID: 23961764 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2013.0028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells are mostly derived from mature oocytes that were either fertilized or activated parthenogenetically and then reached the blastocyst stage. From the cell cycle perspective, fertilization or activation induces the exit from meiosis, decondensation of oocyte chromosomes, and the entry into mitosis. Decondensation of oocyte chromatin with subsequent formation of nuclei can be, however, induced at any postgerminal vesicle breakdown meiotic maturation stage. In this article, we discuss the possibility of cleavage of transformed maturing oocytes and whether they can reach the blastocyst stage, from which pluripotent stem cell lines could be derived.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
AbstractEmbryonic stem cells (ESCs) represent a useful tool for cell therapy studies, however the use of embryos for their derivation give rise to ethical, religious and legal problems when applied to the human. During the last years parthenogenesis has been proposed as an alternative source to obtain ESCs. Based on the fact that parthenotes avoid many concerns surrounding the “ad hoc” in vitro production and following destruction of viable human embryos. Unfortunately many aspects related to parthenogenetic cell biology are not fully understood and still need to be elucidated. In this review we describe advantages and limits of these cells. We discuss their typical ESC morphology and high telomerase activity, which disappears after differentiation. We examine the pluripotency signature that they share with bi-parental ESCs. We review their high differentiation plasticity that allow for the derivation of several mature cell type populations when we expose these cells to adequate conditions. On the other hand, in-depth analysis demonstrated chromosome mal-segregation and altered mechanisms controlling centriole arrangement and mitotic spindle formation in these cells. We hypothesize their monoparental origin as one of the possible cause of these anomalies and suggest a great caution if a therapeutic use is considered.
Collapse
|