Expression of Transcriptional Factor Genes (Oct-4, Nanog, and Sox-2) and Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Characters in Placental Membrane of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

RSPO3 induced by Helicobacter pylori extracts promotes gastric cancer stem cell properties through the GNG7/β-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) accounts for the majority of gastric cancer (GC) cases globally. The present study found that H. pylori promoted GC stem cell (CSC)-like properties, therefore, the regulatory mechanism of how H. pylori promotes GC stemness was explored.

METHODS

Spheroid-formation experiments were performed to explore the self-renewal capacity of GC cells. The expression of R-spondin 3 (RSPO3), Nanog homeobox, organic cation/carnitine transporter-4 (OCT-4), SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX-2), CD44, Akt, glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, β-catenin, and G protein subunit gamma 7 (GNG7) were detected by RT-qPCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence. Co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were performed to identify proteins interacting with RSPO3. Lentivirus-based RNA interference constructed short hairpin (sh)-RSPO3 GC cells. Small interfering RNA transfection was performed to inhibit GNG7. The in vivo mechanism was verified using a tumor peritoneal seeding model in nude mice.

RESULTS

H. pylori extracts promoted a CSC-like phenotype in GC cells and elevated the expression of RSPO3. RSPO3 knockdown significantly reduced the CSC-like properties induced by H. pylori. Previous studies have demonstrated that RSPO3 potentiates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, but the inhibitor of Wnt cannot diminish the RSPO3-induced activation of β-catenin. CoIP and LC-MS/MS revealed that GNG7 is one of the transmembrane proteins interacting with RSPO3, and it was confirmed that RSPO3 directly interacted with GNG7. Recombinant RSPO3 protein increased the phosphorylation level of Akt and GSK-3β, and the expression of β-catenin in GC cells, but this regulatory effect of RSPO3 could be blocked by GNG7 knockdown. Of note, GNG7 suppression could diminish the promoting effect of RSPO3 to CSC-like properties. In addition, RSPO3 suppression inhibited MKN45 tumor peritoneal seeding in vivo. IHC staining also showed that RSPO3, CD44, OCT-4, and SOX-2 were elevated in H. pylori GC tissues.

CONCLUSION

RSPO3 enhanced the stemness of H. pylori extracts-infected GC cells through the GNG7/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Effect of milk and whey on proliferation and differentiation of placental stromal cells

Fetal bovine serum (FBS), which is widely used in cell culture media, has the potential to cause medical and ethical problems. Here, an experimental study using milk or whey proteins containing essential nutrients and growth factors is presented to limit the use of FBS in cell culture media produced for cell and tissue regeneration. Study groups were formed by culturing human placenta mesenchymal stem cells, known to have high proliferation and differentiation capacity, with milk or whey solution at increasing concentrations, alone or in combination with FBS. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacities of proliferating cells were observed in FBS, milk or whey groups. Milk, whey or FBS groups obtained in P3 and after differentiation were separately analyzed for protein mRNA expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2), Octamer-binding Transcription Factor 4 (OCT4), Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 (BMP6), and adipogenic differentiation marker Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) were analysed by RT-qPCR. Proliferation was more pronounced in FBS alone and in its combinations with milk-whey compared to the groups in which only milk and whey were used. OCT4 mRNA and FGF2 mRNA expression decreased in differentiated cells. BMP6 mRNA expression increased with osteogenic and adipogenic stimuli. As expected, PPRG expression also increased with adipogenic stimulation. With this experimental study, evidence has been obtained that milk or whey can provide nutritional support to the culture media of repair cells and preserve the functional capacity of the cells, with a slightly more limited capacity than FBS.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-023-00585-z.

The domesticated buffalo - An emerging model for experimental and therapeutic use of extraembryonic tissues

Large animals play important roles as model animals for biomedical sciences and translational research. The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is an economically important, multipurpose livestock species. Important assisted reproduction techniques, such as in vitro fertilization, cryo-conservation of sperm and embryos, embryo transfer, somatic cell nuclear transfer, genetic engineering, and genome editing have been successfully applied to buffaloes. Recently, detailed whole genome data and transcriptome maps have been generated. In addition, rapid progress has been made in stem cell biology of the buffalo. Apart from embryonic stem cells, bubaline extra-embryonic stem cells have gained particular interest. The multipotency of non-embryonic stem cells has been revealed, and their utility in basic and applied research is currently investigated. In particular, success achieved in bubaline extra-embryonic stem cells may have important roles in experimental biology and therapeutic regenerative medicine. Progress in other farm animals in assisted reproduction techniques, stem cell biology and genetic engineering, which could be of importance for buffalo, will also be briefly summarized.

Stem cells from foetal adnexa and fluid in domestic animals: an update on their features and clinical application

Over the past decade, stem cell research has emerged as an area of major interest for its potential in regenerative medicine applications. This is in constant need of new cell sources to conceive regenerative medicine approaches for diseases that are still without therapy. Scientists drew the attention towards alternative sources such as foetal adnexa and fluid, as these sources possess many advantages: first of all, cells can be extracted from discarded foetal material and it is non-invasive and inexpensive for the patient; secondly, abundant stem cells can be obtained; and finally, these stem cell sources are free from ethical considerations. Cells derived from foetal adnexa and fluid preserve some of the characteristics of the primitive embryonic layers from which they originate. Many studies have demonstrated the differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo towards mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal cell types; in addition, the immune-modulatory properties make these cells a good candidate for allo- and xenotransplantation. Naturally occurring diseases in domestic animals can be more ideal as disease model of human genetic and acquired diseases and could help to define the potential therapeutic use efficiency and safety of stem cells therapies. This review offers an update on the state of the art of characterization of domestic animals' MSCs derived from foetal adnexa and fluid and on the latest findings in pre-clinical or clinical setting of the stem cell populations isolated from these sources.