1
|
Kim J, Kwon EJ, Kim YJ, Kim D, Shin YZ, Gil D, Kim JH, Shin HD, Kim LH, Lee MO, Go YH, Cha HJ. Epigenetic repression of CHCHD2 enhances survival from single cell dissociation through attenuated Rho A kinase activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:38. [PMID: 38214772 PMCID: PMC10787008 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05060-8] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
During in vitro culture, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) often acquire survival advantages characterized by decreased susceptibility to mitochondrial cell death, known as "culture adaptation." This adaptation is associated with genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, including TP53 mutations, copy number variations, trisomy, and methylation changes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this acquired survival advantage is crucial for safe hPSC-based cell therapies. Through transcriptome and methylome analysis, we discovered that the epigenetic repression of CHCHD2, a mitochondrial protein, is a common occurrence during in vitro culture using enzymatic dissociation. We confirmed this finding through genetic perturbation and reconstitution experiments in normal human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Loss of CHCHD2 expression conferred resistance to single cell dissociation-induced cell death, a common stress encountered during in vitro culture. Importantly, we found that the downregulation of CHCHD2 significantly attenuates the activity of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), which is responsible for inducing single cell death in hESCs. This suggests that hESCs may survive routine enzyme-based cell dissociation by downregulating CHCHD2 and thereby attenuating ROCK activity. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which hPSCs acquire survival advantages and adapt to in vitro culture conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jumee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Ze Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Gil
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Kim
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lyoung Hyo Kim
- Research Institute for Life Science, GW Vitek, Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Ok Lee
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Go
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Krivec N, Ghosh MS, Spits C. Gains of 20q11.21 in human pluripotent stem cells: Insights from cancer research. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:11-27. [PMID: 38157850 PMCID: PMC10828824 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The genetic abnormalities observed in hPSC cultures worldwide have been suggested to pose an important hurdle in their safe use in regenerative medicine due to the possibility of oncogenic transformation by mutant cells in the patient posttransplantation. One of the best-characterized genetic lesions in hPSCs is the gain of 20q11.21, found in 20% of hPSC lines worldwide, and strikingly, also amplified in 20% of human cancers. In this review, we have curated the existing knowledge on the incidence of this mutation in hPSCs and cancer, explored the significance of chromosome 20q11.21 amplification in cancer progression, and reviewed the oncogenic role of the genes in the smallest common region of gain, to shed light on the significance of this mutation in hPSC-based cell therapy. Lastly, we discuss the state-of-the-art strategies devised to detect aneuploidies in hPSC cultures, avoid genetic changes in vitro cultures of hPSCs, and strategies to eliminate genetically abnormal cells from culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuša Krivec
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Manjusha S Ghosh
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Claudia Spits
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|