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Li YR, Ling LB, Chao A, Fugmann SD, Yang SY. Transient chromatin decompaction at the start of D. melanogaster male embryonic germline development. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302401. [PMID: 38991729 PMCID: PMC11239976 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic germ cells develop rapidly to establish the foundation for future developmental trajectories, and in this process, they make critical lineage choices including the configuration of their unique identity and a decision on sex. Here, we use single-cell genomics patterns for the entire embryonic germline in Drosophila melanogaster along with the somatic gonadal precursors after embryonic gonad coalescence to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in the setting up and regulation of the germline program. Profiling of the early germline chromatin landscape revealed sex- and stage-specific features. In the male germline immediately after zygotic activation, the chromatin structure underwent a brief remodeling phase during which nucleosome density was lower and deconcentrated from promoter regions. These findings echoed enrichment analysis results of our genomics data in which top candidates were factors with the ability to mediate large-scale chromatin reorganization. Together, they point to the importance of chromatin regulation in the early germline and raise the possibility of a conserved epigenetic reprogramming-like process required for proper initiation of germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ru Li
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Li Bin Ling
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Angel Chao
- https://ror.org/02dnn6q67 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Sebastian D Fugmann
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- https://ror.org/02dnn6q67 Department of Nephrology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shu Yuan Yang
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- https://ror.org/00d80zx46 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- https://ror.org/02dnn6q67 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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2
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Yang Y, Valdés-Rives SA, Liu Q, Gao T, Burudpakdee C, Li Y, Tan J, Tan Y, Koch CA, Rong Y, Houser SR, Wei S, Cai KQ, Wu J, Cheng SY, Wechsler-Reya R, Yang ZJ. Thyroid hormone suppresses medulloblastoma progression through promoting terminal differentiation of tumor cells. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:1434-1449.e5. [PMID: 39137728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is commonly detected in patients with medulloblastoma (MB). However, whether thyroid hormone (TH) contributes to MB pathogenicity remains undetermined. Here, we find that TH plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell differentiation. Reduction in TH levels frees the TH receptor, TRα1, to bind to EZH2 and repress expression of NeuroD1, a transcription factor that drives tumor cell differentiation. Increased TH reverses EZH2-mediated repression of NeuroD1 by abrogating the binding of EZH2 and TRα1, thereby stimulating tumor cell differentiation and reducing MB growth. Importantly, TH-induced differentiation of tumor cells is not restricted by the molecular subgroup of MB, suggesting that TH can be used to broadly treat MB subgroups. These findings establish an unprecedented association between TH signaling and MB pathogenicity, providing solid evidence for TH as a promising modality for MB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Yang
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Cancer Epigenetic Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Silvia Anahi Valdés-Rives
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Cancer Epigenetic Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tong Gao
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Chakkapong Burudpakdee
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Cancer Epigenetic Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Yuzhe Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yinfei Tan
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Christian A Koch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Yuan Rong
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Steven R Houser
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Shuanzeng Wei
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Kathy Q Cai
- Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Jinhua Wu
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Sheue-Yann Cheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert Wechsler-Reya
- Brain Tumor Research, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Zeng-Jie Yang
- Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA; Cancer Epigenetic Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
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3
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AbuMadighem A, Cohen O, Huleihel M. Elucidating the Transcriptional States of Spermatogenesis-Joint Analysis of Germline and Supporting Cell, Mice and Human, Normal and Perturbed, Bulk and Single-Cell RNA-Seq. Biomolecules 2024; 14:840. [PMID: 39062554 PMCID: PMC11274546 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070840] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In studying the molecular underpinning of spermatogenesis, we expect to understand the fundamental biological processes better and potentially identify genes that may lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies toward precision medicine in male infertility. In this review, we emphasized our perspective that the path forward necessitates integrative studies that rely on complementary approaches and types of data. To comprehensively analyze spermatogenesis, this review proposes four axes of integration. First, spanning the analysis of spermatogenesis in the healthy state alongside pathologies. Second, the experimental analysis of model systems (in which we can deploy treatments and perturbations) alongside human data. Third, the phenotype is measured alongside its underlying molecular profiles using known markers augmented with unbiased profiles. Finally, the testicular cells are studied as ecosystems, analyzing the germ cells alongside the states observed in the supporting somatic cells. Recently, the study of spermatogenesis has been advancing using single-cell RNA sequencing, where scientists have uncovered the unique stages of germ cell development in mice, revealing new regulators of spermatogenesis and previously unknown cell subtypes in the testis. An in-depth analysis of meiotic and postmeiotic stages led to the discovery of marker genes for spermatogonia, Sertoli and Leydig cells and further elucidated all the other germline and somatic cells in the testis microenvironment in normal and pathogenic conditions. The outcome of an integrative analysis of spermatogenesis using advanced molecular profiling technologies such as scRNA-seq has already propelled our biological understanding, with additional studies expected to have clinical implications for the study of male fertility. By uncovering new genes and pathways involved in abnormal spermatogenesis, we may gain insights into subfertility or sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali AbuMadighem
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Ofir Cohen
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel;
| | - Mahmoud Huleihel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel;
- The Center of Advanced Research and Education in Reproduction (CARER), Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel
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4
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Le Goff A, Jeffries Hein R, Hart AN, Roberson I, Landecker HL. Anticipating in vitro gametogenesis: Hopes and concerns for IVG among diverse stakeholders. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:933-945. [PMID: 38848715 PMCID: PMC11252480 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.05.002] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro gametogenesis (IVG), the reconstitution of germ cell development in vitro, is an emerging stem cell-based technology with profound implications for reproductive science. Despite researchers' long-term goals for future clinical applications, little is currently known about the views of IVG held by the stakeholders potentially most affected by its introduction in humans. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 80 individuals with lived experience of infertility and/or LGBTQ+ family formation in the US, two intersecting groups of potential IVG users. Respondents expressed hope that IVG would lead to higher reproductive success than current assisted reproductive technology (ART), alleviate suffering associated with ART use, and promote greater social inclusion, while expressing concerns predominantly framed in terms of equity and safety. These findings underscore the importance of sustained engagement with stakeholders with relevant experience to anticipate the implications of IVG for research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Le Goff
- The Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Robbin Jeffries Hein
- The Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ariel N Hart
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Isaias Roberson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Reproductive Science, Health, and Education, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Hannah L Landecker
- The Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center for Reproductive Science, Health, and Education, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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5
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Liu W, Chen C, Gao Y, Cui X, Zhang Y, Gu L, He Y, Li J, Gao S, Gao R, Jiang C. Transcriptome Dynamics and Cell Dialogs Between Oocytes and Granulosa Cells in Mouse Follicle Development. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 22:qzad001. [PMID: 38955498 DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The development and maturation of follicles is a sophisticated and multistage process. The dynamic gene expression of oocytes and their surrounding somatic cells and the dialogs between these cells are critical to this process. In this study, we accurately classified the oocyte and follicle development into nine stages and profiled the gene expression of mouse oocytes and their surrounding granulosa cells and cumulus cells. The clustering of the transcriptomes showed the trajectories of two distinct development courses of oocytes and their surrounding somatic cells. Gene expression changes precipitously increased at Type 4 stage and drastically dropped afterward within both oocytes and granulosa cells. Moreover, the number of differentially expressed genes between oocytes and granulosa cells dramatically increased at Type 4 stage, most of which persistently passed on to the later stages. Strikingly, cell communications within and between oocytes and granulosa cells became active from Type 4 stage onward. Cell dialogs connected oocytes and granulosa cells in both unidirectional and bidirectional manners. TGFB2/3, TGFBR2/3, INHBA/B, and ACVR1/1B/2B of TGF-β signaling pathway functioned in the follicle development. NOTCH signaling pathway regulated the development of granulosa cells. Additionally, many maternally DNA methylation- or H3K27me3-imprinted genes remained active in granulosa cells but silent in oocytes during oogenesis. Collectively, Type 4 stage is the key turning point when significant transcription changes diverge the fate of oocytes and granulosa cells, and the cell dialogs become active to assure follicle development. These findings shed new insights on the transcriptome dynamics and cell dialogs facilitating the development and maturation of oocytes and follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenju Liu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinyu Cui
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Liang Gu
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuanlin He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Cizhong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Murase Y, Yokogawa R, Yabuta Y, Nagano M, Katou Y, Mizuyama M, Kitamura A, Puangsricharoen P, Yamashiro C, Hu B, Mizuta K, Tsujimura T, Yamamoto T, Ogata K, Ishihama Y, Saitou M. In vitro reconstitution of epigenetic reprogramming in the human germ line. Nature 2024; 631:170-178. [PMID: 38768632 PMCID: PMC11222161 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07526-6] [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: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic reprogramming resets parental epigenetic memories and differentiates primordial germ cells (PGCs) into mitotic pro-spermatogonia or oogonia. This process ensures sexually dimorphic germ cell development for totipotency1. In vitro reconstitution of epigenetic reprogramming in humans remains a fundamental challenge. Here we establish a strategy for inducing epigenetic reprogramming and differentiation of pluripotent stem-cell-derived human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) into mitotic pro-spermatogonia or oogonia, coupled with their extensive amplification (about >1010-fold). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is a key driver of these processes. BMP-driven hPGCLC differentiation involves attenuation of the MAPK (ERK) pathway and both de novo and maintenance DNA methyltransferase activities, which probably promote replication-coupled, passive DNA demethylation. hPGCLCs deficient in TET1, an active DNA demethylase abundant in human germ cells2,3, differentiate into extraembryonic cells, including amnion, with de-repression of key genes that bear bivalent promoters. These cells fail to fully activate genes vital for spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and their promoters remain methylated. Our study provides a framework for epigenetic reprogramming in humans and an important advance in human biology. Through the generation of abundant mitotic pro-spermatogonia and oogonia-like cells, our results also represent a milestone for human in vitro gametogenesis research and its potential translation into reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Murase
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryuta Yokogawa
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagano
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Katou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Manami Mizuyama
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayaka Kitamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Pimpitcha Puangsricharoen
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chika Yamashiro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taro Tsujimura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical-Risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Ogata
- Department of Molecular Systems BioAnalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishihama
- Department of Molecular Systems BioAnalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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7
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Wan C, Huang Y, Xue X, Chang G, Wang M, Zhao X, Luo F, Tang Z. HELQ deficiency impairs the induction of primordial germ cell-like cells. FEBS Open Bio 2024; 14:1087-1100. [PMID: 38720471 PMCID: PMC11216937 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13810] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Helicase POLQ-like (HELQ) is a DNA helicase essential for the maintenance of genome stability. A recent study identified two HELQ missense mutations in some cases of infertile men. However, the functions of HELQ in the process of germline specification are not well known and whether its function is conserved between mouse and human remains unclear. Here, we revealed that Helq knockout (Helq-/-) could significantly reduce the efficiency of mouse primordial germ cell-like cell (PGCLC) induction. In addition, Helq-/- embryonic bodies exhibited a severe apoptotic phenotype on day 6 of mouse PGCLC induction. p53 inhibitor treatment could partially rescue the generation of mouse PGCLCs from Helq mutant mouse embryonic stem cells. Finally, the genetic ablation of HELQ could also significantly impede the induction of human PGCLCs. Collectively, our study sheds light on the involvement of HELQ in the induction of both mouse and human PGCLCs, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying germline differentiation and the genetic studies of human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wan
- Maoming People's HospitalChina
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yaping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xingguo Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Gang Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyShenzhen University Health Science CenterChina
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiao‐Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue EngineeringSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH‐GDL)China
| | - Fang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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8
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Fichtner A, Nettersheim D, Bremmer F. Pathogenesis and pathobiology of testicular germ cell tumours: a view from a developmental biological perspective with guidelines for pathological diagnostics. Histopathology 2024. [PMID: 38922953 DOI: 10.1111/his.15249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (GCT) are divided into three different subtypes (types I-III) regarding to their developmental origin, histological differences and molecular features. Type I GCT develop from disturbed primordial germ cells and most commonly occur in children and young adolescents, which is why they are referred to as prepubertal GCT. Type II GCT develop from a non-invasive germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and show an isochromosome 12p (i12p) or gain of 12p material as a common and characteristic molecular alteration. Type III GCT originate from distorted postpubertal germ cells (e.g. spermatogonia) in adult patients and have changes on chromosome 9 with amplification of the DMRT1 gene. Type I GCT encompass prepubertal-type teratomas and yolk-sac tumours (YST). Type II GCT include seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, postpubertal-type teratoma and postpubertal-type YST. Types I and II GCT both show similar morphology, but are separated from each other by the detection of a GCNIS and an i12p in type II GCT. For type II GCT it is especially important to detect non-seminomatous elements, as these tumours have a worse biological behaviour and need a different treatment to seminomas. In contrast to types I and II GCT, type III tumours are equivalent to spermatocytic tumours and usually occur in elderly men, with few exceptions in young adults. The development of types I and II GCT seems to depend not upon driver mutations, but rather on changes in the epigenetic landscape. Furthermore, different pluripotency associated factors (e.g. OCT3/4, SOX2, SOX17) play a crucial role in GCT development and can be used as immunohistochemical markers allowing to distinguish the different subtypes from each other in morphologically challenging tissue specimens. Especially in metastatic sites, a morphological and immunohistochemical diagnostic algorithm is important to detect small subpopulations of each non-seminomatous GCT subtype, which are associated with a poorer prognosis and need a different treatment. Furthermore, primary extragonadal GCT of the retroperitoneum or mediastinum develop from misguided germ cells during embryonic development, and might be challenging to detect in small tissue biopsies due to their rarity at corresponding sites. This review article summarises the pathobiological and developmental aspects of the three different types of testicular GCT that can be helpful in the histopathological examination of tumour specimens by pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Department of Urology, Urological Research Laboratory, Translational UroOncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen, Bonn, Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Lighthouse Project: Germ Cell Tumours, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Felix Bremmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
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9
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Noor Z, Guo S, Zhao Z, Qin Y, Shi G, Ma H, Zhang Y, Li J, Yu Z. Identification and involvement of DAX1 gene in spermatogenesis of boring giant clam Tridacna crocea. Gene 2024; 911:148338. [PMID: 38438056 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148338] [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: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
DAX1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on X chromosome gene 1), a key sex determinant in various species, plays a vital role in gonad differentiation and development and controls spermatogenesis. However, the identity and function of DAX1 are still unclear in bivalves. In the present study, we identified a DAX1 (designed as Tc-DAX1) gene from the boring giant clam Tridacna crocea, a tropical marine bivalve. The full length of Tc-DAX1 was 1877 bp, encoding 462 amino acids, with a Molecular weight of 51.81 kDa and a theoretical Isoelectric point of 5.87 (pI). Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis indicated a putative ligand binding domain (LBD) conserved regions clustered with molluscans DAX1 homologs. The tissue distributions in different reproductive stages revealed a dimorphic pattern, with the highest expression trend in the male reproductive stage, indicating its role in spermatogenesis. The DAX1 expression data from embryonic stages shows its highest expression profile (P < 0.05) in the zygote stage, followed by decreasing trends in the larvae stages (P > 0.05). The localization of DAX1 transcripts has also been confirmed by whole mount in situ hybridization, showing high positive signals in the fertilized egg, 2, and 4-cell stage, and gastrula. Moreover, RNAi knockdown of the Tc-DAX1 transcripts shows a significantly lower expression profile in the ds-DAX1 group compared to the ds-EGFP group. Subsequent histological analysis of gonads revealed that spermatogenesis was affected in a ds-DAX1 group compared to the ds-EGFP group. All these results indicate that Tc-DAX1 is involved in the spermatogenesis and early embryonic development of T. crocea, providing valuable information for the breeding and aquaculture of giant clams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohaib Noor
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Shuming Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Yanpin Qin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Gongpengyang Shi
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Haitao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Yuehuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China.
| | - Ziniu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Hainan Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Hainan Sanya Marine Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Sanya 572024, China.
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10
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Kurlovich J, Rodriguez Polo I, Dovgusha O, Tereshchenko Y, Cruz CRV, Behr R, Günesdogan U. Generation of marmoset primordial germ cell-like cells under chemically defined conditions. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302371. [PMID: 38499329 PMCID: PMC10948935 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of sperm and oocytes, which transmit genetic/epigenetic information across generations. Mouse PGC and subsequent gamete development can be fully reconstituted in vitro, opening up new avenues for germ cell studies in biomedical research. However, PGCs show molecular differences between rodents and humans. Therefore, to establish an in vitro system that is closely related to humans, we studied PGC development in vivo and in vitro in the common marmoset monkey Callithrix jacchus (cj). Gonadal cjPGCs at embryonic day 74 express SOX17, AP2Ɣ, BLIMP1, NANOG, and OCT4A, which is reminiscent of human PGCs. We established transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cell (cjiPSC) lines from foetal and postnatal fibroblasts. These cjiPSCs, cultured in defined and feeder-free conditions, can be differentiated into precursors of mesendoderm and subsequently into cjPGC-like cells (cjPGCLCs) with a transcriptome similar to human PGCs/PGCLCs. Our results not only pave the way for studying PGC development in a non-human primate in vitro under experimentally controlled conditions, but also provide the opportunity to derive functional marmoset gametes in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kurlovich
- https://ror.org/01y9bpm73 Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ignacio Rodriguez Polo
- https://ror.org/01y9bpm73 Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
- Stem Cell and Human Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Oleksandr Dovgusha
- https://ror.org/01y9bpm73 Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yuliia Tereshchenko
- German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Carmela Rieline V Cruz
- https://ror.org/01y9bpm73 Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ufuk Günesdogan
- https://ror.org/01y9bpm73 Göttingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Department of Developmental Biology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- https://ror.org/03av75f26 Department for Molecular Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
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11
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Nishimura T, Takebe T. Synthetic human gonadal tissues for toxicology. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 126:108598. [PMID: 38657700 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108598] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The process of mammalian reproduction involves the development of fertile germ cells in the testis and ovary, supported by the surrounders. Fertilization leads to embryo development and ultimately the birth of offspring inheriting parental genome information. Any disruption in this process can result in disorders such as infertility and cancer. Chemical toxicity affecting the reproductive system and embryogenesis can impact birth rates, overall health, and fertility, highlighting the need for animal toxicity studies during drug development. However, the translation of animal data to human health remains challenging due to interspecies differences. In vitro culture systems offer a promising solution to bridge this gap, allowing the study of mammalian cells in an environment that mimics the physiology of the human body. Current advances on in vitro culture systems, such as organoids, enable the development of biomaterials that recapitulate the physiological state of reproductive organs. Application of these technologies to human gonadal cells would provide effective tools for drug screening and toxicity testing, and these models would be a powerful tool to study reproductive biology and pathology. This review focuses on the 2D/3D culture systems of human primary testicular and ovarian cells, highlighting the novel approaches for in vitro study of human reproductive toxicology, specifically in the context of testis and ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiya Nishimura
- WPI Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Takanori Takebe
- WPI Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Communication Design Center, Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.
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12
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Haideri T, Lin J, Bao X, Lian XL. MAGIK: A rapid and efficient method to create lineage-specific reporters in human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:744-757. [PMID: 38579711 PMCID: PMC11103783 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.03.005] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise insertion of fluorescent proteins into lineage-specific genes in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) presents challenges due to low knockin efficiency and difficulties in isolating targeted cells. To overcome these hurdles, we present the modified mRNA (ModRNA)-based Activation for Gene Insertion and Knockin (MAGIK) method. MAGIK operates in two steps: first, it uses a Cas9-2A-p53DD modRNA with a mini-donor plasmid (without a drug selection cassette) to significantly enhance efficiency. Second, a deactivated Cas9 activator modRNA and a 'dead' guide RNA are used to temporarily activate the targeted gene, allowing for live cell sorting of targeted cells. Consequently, MAGIK eliminates the need for drug selection cassettes or labor-intensive single-cell colony screening, expediting precise gene editing. We showed MAGIK can be utilized to insert fluorescent proteins into various genes, including SOX17, NKX6.1, NKX2.5, and PDX1, across multiple hPSC lines. This underscores its robust performance and offers a promising solution for achieving knockin in hPSCs within a significantly shortened time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Haideri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jirong Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Xiaojun Lance Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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13
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de Castro RCF, Buranello TW, Recchia K, de Souza AF, Pieri NCG, Bressan FF. Emerging Contributions of Pluripotent Stem Cells to Reproductive Technologies in Veterinary Medicine. J Dev Biol 2024; 12:14. [PMID: 38804434 PMCID: PMC11130827 DOI: 10.3390/jdb12020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The generation of mature gametes and competent embryos in vitro from pluripotent stem cells has been successfully achieved in a few species, mainly in mice, with recent advances in humans and scarce preliminary reports in other domestic species. These biotechnologies are very attractive as they facilitate the understanding of developmental mechanisms and stages that are generally inaccessible during early embryogenesis, thus enabling advanced reproductive technologies and contributing to the generation of animals of high genetic merit in a short period. Studies on the production of in vitro embryos in pigs and cattle are currently used as study models for humans since they present more similar characteristics when compared to rodents in both the initial embryo development and adult life. This review discusses the most relevant biotechnologies used in veterinary medicine, focusing on the generation of germ-cell-like cells in vitro through the acquisition of totipotent status and the production of embryos in vitro from pluripotent stem cells, thus highlighting the main uses of pluripotent stem cells in livestock species and reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raiane Cristina Fratini de Castro
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01001-010, SP, Brazil; (R.C.F.d.C.); (T.W.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Tiago William Buranello
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01001-010, SP, Brazil; (R.C.F.d.C.); (T.W.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Kaiana Recchia
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01001-010, SP, Brazil; (R.C.F.d.C.); (T.W.B.); (K.R.)
| | - Aline Fernanda de Souza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Naira Caroline Godoy Pieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil;
| | - Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 01001-010, SP, Brazil; (R.C.F.d.C.); (T.W.B.); (K.R.)
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Sciences and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil;
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14
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Cardenas RP, Zyoud A, McIntyre A, Alberio R, Mongan NP, Allegrucci C. NANOG controls testicular germ cell tumour stemness through regulation of MIR9-2. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:128. [PMID: 38693576 PMCID: PMC11062916 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03724-1] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) represent a clinical challenge; they are most prevalent in young individuals and are triggered by molecular mechanisms that are not fully understood. The origin of TGCTs can be traced back to primordial germ cells that fail to mature during embryonic development. These cells express high levels of pluripotency factors, including the transcription factor NANOG which is highly expressed in TGCTs. Gain or amplification of the NANOG locus is common in advanced tumours, suggesting a key role for this master regulator of pluripotency in TGCT stemness and malignancy. METHODS In this study, we analysed the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) that are regulated by NANOG in TGCTs via integrated bioinformatic analyses of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and NANOG chromatin immunoprecipitation in human embryonic stem cells. Through gain-of-function experiments, MIR9-2 was further investigated as a novel tumour suppressor regulated by NANOG. After transfection with MIR9-2 mimics, TGCT cells were analysed for cell proliferation, invasion, sensitivity to cisplatin, and gene expression signatures by RNA sequencing. RESULTS For the first time, we identified 86 miRNAs regulated by NANOG in TGCTs. Among these, 37 miRNAs were differentially expressed in NANOG-high tumours, and they clustered TGCTs according to their subtypes. Binding of NANOG within 2 kb upstream of the MIR9-2 locus was associated with a negative regulation. Low expression of MIR9-2 was associated with tumour progression and MIR9-2-5p was found to play a role in the control of tumour stemness. A gain of function of MIR9-2-5p was associated with reduced proliferation, invasion, and sensitivity to cisplatin in both embryonal carcinoma and seminoma tumours. MIR9-2-5p expression in TGCT cells significantly reduced the expression of genes regulating pluripotency and cell division, consistent with its functional effect on reducing cancer stemness. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new molecular insights into the role of NANOG as a key determinant of pluripotency in TGCTs through the regulation of MIR9-2-5p, a novel epigenetic modulator of cancer stemness. Our data also highlight the potential negative feedback mediated by MIR9-2-5p on NANOG expression, which could be exploited as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Cardenas
- SVMS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ahmad Zyoud
- SVMS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Alan McIntyre
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Centre for Cancer Sciences and Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ramiro Alberio
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Nigel P Mongan
- SVMS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
- Centre for Cancer Sciences and Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Cinzia Allegrucci
- SVMS, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
- Centre for Cancer Sciences and Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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15
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Bush SJ, Nikola R, Han S, Suzuki S, Yoshida S, Simons BD, Goriely A. Adult Human, but Not Rodent, Spermatogonial Stem Cells Retain States with a Foetal-like Signature. Cells 2024; 13:742. [PMID: 38727278 PMCID: PMC11083513 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis involves a complex process of cellular differentiation maintained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Being critical to male reproduction, it is generally assumed that spermatogenesis starts and ends in equivalent transcriptional states in related species. Based on single-cell gene expression profiling, it has been proposed that undifferentiated human spermatogonia can be subclassified into four heterogenous subtypes, termed states 0, 0A, 0B, and 1. To increase the resolution of the undifferentiated compartment and trace the origin of the spermatogenic trajectory, we re-analysed the single-cell (sc) RNA-sequencing libraries of 34 post-pubescent human testes to generate an integrated atlas of germ cell differentiation. We then used this atlas to perform comparative analyses of the putative SSC transcriptome both across human development (using 28 foetal and pre-pubertal scRNA-seq libraries) and across species (including data from sheep, pig, buffalo, rhesus and cynomolgus macaque, rat, and mouse). Alongside its detailed characterisation, we show that the transcriptional heterogeneity of the undifferentiated spermatogonial cell compartment varies not only between species but across development. Our findings associate 'state 0B' with a suppressive transcriptomic programme that, in adult humans, acts to functionally oppose proliferation and maintain cells in a ready-to-react state. Consistent with this conclusion, we show that human foetal germ cells-which are mitotically arrested-can be characterised solely as state 0B. While germ cells with a state 0B signature are also present in foetal mice (and are likely conserved at this stage throughout mammals), they are not maintained into adulthood. We conjecture that in rodents, the foetal-like state 0B differentiates at birth into the renewing SSC population, whereas in humans it is maintained as a reserve population, supporting testicular homeostasis over a longer reproductive lifespan while reducing mutagenic load. Together, these results suggest that SSCs adopt differing evolutionary strategies across species to ensure fertility and genome integrity over vastly differing life histories and reproductive timeframes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. Bush
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rafail Nikola
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Seungmin Han
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8787, Japan
| | - Benjamin D. Simons
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome—MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
| | - Anne Goriely
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
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16
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Ream MW, Randolph LN, Jiang Y, Chang Y, Bao X, Lian XL. Direct programming of human pluripotent stem cells into endothelial progenitors with SOX17 and FGF2. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:579-595. [PMID: 38518781 PMCID: PMC11096437 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are pivotal in guiding stem cell behavior, including their maintenance and differentiation. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated TFs expressed in endothelial progenitors (EPs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and identified upregulated expression of SOXF factors SOX7, SOX17, and SOX18 in the EP population. To test whether overexpression of these factors increases differentiation efficiency, we established inducible hPSC lines for each SOXF factor and found only SOX17 overexpression robustly increased the percentage of cells expressing CD34 and vascular endothelial cadherin (VEC). Conversely, SOX17 knockdown via CRISPR-Cas13d significantly compromised EP differentiation. Intriguingly, we discovered SOX17 overexpression alone was sufficient to generate CD34+VEC+CD31- cells, and, when combined with FGF2 treatment, more than 90% of CD34+VEC+CD31+ EP was produced. These cells are capable of further differentiating into endothelial cells. These findings underscore an undiscovered role of SOX17 in programming hPSCs toward an EP lineage, illuminating pivotal mechanisms in EP differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Ream
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Lauren N Randolph
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yuqian Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Yun Chang
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
| | - Xiaojun Lance Lian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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17
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Shirasawa A, Hayashi M, Shono M, Ideta A, Yoshino T, Hayashi K. Efficient derivation of embryonic stem cells and primordial germ cell-like cells in cattle. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:82-95. [PMID: 38355134 PMCID: PMC11017101 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-087] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The induction of the germ cell lineage from pluripotent stem cells (in vitro gametogenesis) will help understand the mechanisms underlying germ cell differentiation and provide an alternative source of gametes for reproduction. This technology is especially important for cattle, which are among the most important livestock species for milk and meat production. Here, we developed a new method for robust induction of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from newly established bovine embryonic stem (bES) cells. First, we refined the pluripotent culture conditions for pre-implantation embryos and ES cells. Inhibition of RHO increased the number of epiblast cells in the pre-implantation embryos and dramatically improved the efficiency of ES cell establishment. We then determined suitable culture conditions for PGCLC differentiation using bES cells harboring BLIMP1-tdTomato and TFAP2C-mNeonGreen (BTTN) reporter constructs. After a 24-h culture with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), followed by three-dimensional culture with BMP4 and a chemical agonist and WNT signaling chemical antagonist, bES cells became positive for the reporters. A set of primordial germ cells (PGC) marker genes, including PRDM1/BLIMP1, TFAP2C, SOX17, and NANOS3, were expressed in BTTN-positive cells. These bovine PGCLCs (bPGCLCs) were isolated as KIT/CD117-positive and CD44-negative cell populations. We anticipate that this method for the efficient establishment of bES cells and induction of PGCLCs will be useful for stem cell-based reproductive technologies in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Shirasawa
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Fukuoka 810-0001, Japan
| | - Masafumi Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mayumi Shono
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ideta
- Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Fukuoka 810-0001, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoshino
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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18
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Barton LJ, Roa-de la Cruz L, Lehmann R, Lin B. The journey of a generation: advances and promises in the study of primordial germ cell migration. Development 2024; 151:dev201102. [PMID: 38607588 PMCID: PMC11165723 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201102] [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] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The germline provides the genetic and non-genetic information that passes from one generation to the next. Given this important role in species propagation, egg and sperm precursors, called primordial germ cells (PGCs), are one of the first cell types specified during embryogenesis. In fact, PGCs form well before the bipotential somatic gonad is specified. This common feature of germline development necessitates that PGCs migrate through many tissues to reach the somatic gonad. During their journey, PGCs must respond to select environmental cues while ignoring others in a dynamically developing embryo. The complex multi-tissue, combinatorial nature of PGC migration is an excellent model for understanding how cells navigate complex environments in vivo. Here, we discuss recent findings on the migratory path, the somatic cells that shepherd PGCs, the guidance cues somatic cells provide, and the PGC response to these cues to reach the gonad and establish the germline pool for future generations. We end by discussing the fate of wayward PGCs that fail to reach the gonad in diverse species. Collectively, this field is poised to yield important insights into emerging reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacy J. Barton
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Lorena Roa-de la Cruz
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Ruth Lehmann
- Whitehead Institute and Department of Biology, MIT, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Benjamin Lin
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
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19
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Alves-Lopes JP, Wong FCK, Surani MA. Human primordial germ cell-like cells specified from resetting precursors develop in human hindgut organoids. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:1149-1182. [PMID: 38302732 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00945-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Human primordial germ cells (hPGCs), the precursors of eggs and sperm, start their complex development shortly after specification and during their migration to the primitive gonads. Here, we describe protocols for specifying hPGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) from resetting precursors and progressing them with the support of human hindgut organoids. Resetting hPGCLCs (rhPGCLCs) are specified from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) transitioning from the primed into the naive state of pluripotency. Hindgut organoids are also derived from hESCs after a sequential differentiation into a posterior endoderm/hindgut fate. Both rhPGCLCs and hindgut organoids are combined and co-cultured for 25 d. The entire procedure takes ~1.5 months and can be successfully implemented by a doctoral or graduate student with basic skills and experience in hESC cultures. The co-culture system supports the progression of rhPGCLCs at a developmental timing analogous to that observed in vivo. Compared with previously developed hPGCLC progression protocols, which depend on co-cultures with mouse embryonic gonadal tissue, our co-culture system represents a developmentally relevant model closer to the environment that hPGCs first encounter after specification. Together with the potential for investigations of events during hPGC specification and early development, these protocols provide a practical approach to designing efficient models for in vitro gametogenesis. Notably, the rhPGCLC-hindgut co-culture system can also be adapted to study failings in hPGC migration, which are associated with the etiology of some forms of infertility and germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pedro Alves-Lopes
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, J9:30, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Frederick C K Wong
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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20
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Ding Y, Zhang C, Zuo Q, Jin K, Li B. lncCPSET1 acts as a scaffold for MLL2/COMPASS to regulate Bmp4 and promote the formation of chicken primordial germ cells. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:41. [PMID: 38551742 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02127-4] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the ancestors of female and male germ cells. Recent studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and histone methylation are key epigenetic factors affecting PGC formation; however, their joint regulatory mechanisms have rarely been studied. Here, we explored the mechanism by which lncCPSET1 and H3K4me2 synergistically regulate the formation of chicken PGCs for the first time. Combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) sequencing and RNA-seq of PGCs transfected with the lncCPSET1 overexpression vector, GO annotation and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways were significantly enriched, and Fzd2, Id1, Id4, and Bmp4 were identified as candidate genes. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed that ASH2L, DPY30, WDR5, and RBBP5 overexpression significantly increased the expression of Bmp4, which was up-regulated after lncCPSET1 overexpression as well. It indicated that Bmp4 is a target gene co-regulated by lncCPSET1 and MLL2/COMPASS. Interestingly, co-immunoprecipitation results showed that ASH2L, DPY30 and WDR5 combined and RBBP5 weakly combined with DPY30 and WDR5. lncCPSET1 overexpression significantly increased Dpy30 expression and co-immunoprecipitation showed that interference/overexpression of lncCPSET1 did not affect the binding between the proteins in the complexes, but interference with lncCPSET1 inhibited DPY30 expression, which was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation that lncCPSET1 binds to DPY30. Additionally, CHIP-qPCR results showed that DPY30 enriched in the Bmp4 promoter region promoted its transcription, thus promoting the formation of PGCs. This study demonstrated that lncCPSET1 and H3K4me2 synergistically promote PGC formation, providing a reference for the study of the regulatory mechanisms between lncRNA and histone methylation, as well as a molecular basis for elucidating the formation mechanism of PGCs in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- RNA Medicine Center, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Institutes of Agricultural Science and Technology Development, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, 88 South University Ave, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
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21
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Rodriguez-Polo I, Moris N. Using embryo models to understand the development and progression of embryonic lineages: a focus on primordial germ cell development. Cells Tissues Organs 2024:000538275. [PMID: 38479364 DOI: 10.1159/000538275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recapitulating mammalian cell type differentiation in vitro promises to improve our understanding of how these processes happen in vivo, while bringing additional prospects for biomedical applications. The establishment of stem cell-derived embryo models and embryonic organoids, which have experienced explosive growth over the last few years, open new avenues for research due to their scale, reproducibility, and accessibility. Embryo models mimic various developmental stages, exhibit different degrees of complexity, and can be established across species. Since embryo models exhibit multiple lineages organised spatially and temporally, they are likely to provide cellular niches that, to some degree, recapitulate the embryonic setting and enable "co-development" between cell types and neighbouring populations. One example where this is already apparent is in the case of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). SUMMARY While directed differentiation protocols enable the efficient generation of high PGCLC numbers, embryo models provide an attractive alternative as they enable the study of interactions of PGCLCs with neighbouring cells, alongside the regulatory molecular and biophysical mechanisms of PGC competency. Additionally, some embryo models can recapitulate post-specification stages of PGC development (including migration or gametogenesis), mimicking the inductive signals pushing PGCLCs to mature and differentiate, and enabling the study of PGCLC development across stages. Therefore, in vitro models may allow us to address questions of cell type differentiation, and PGC development specifically, that have hitherto been out of reach with existing systems. KEY MESSAGE This review evaluates the current advances in stem cell-based embryo models, with a focus on their potential to model cell type-specific differentiation in general, and in particular to address open questions in PGC development and gametogenesis.
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22
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Du P, Wu J. Hallmarks of totipotent and pluripotent stem cell states. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:312-333. [PMID: 38382531 PMCID: PMC10939785 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.01.009] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Though totipotency and pluripotency are transient during early embryogenesis, they establish the foundation for the development of all mammals. Studying these in vivo has been challenging due to limited access and ethical constraints, particularly in humans. Recent progress has led to diverse culture adaptations of epiblast cells in vitro in the form of totipotent and pluripotent stem cells, which not only deepen our understanding of embryonic development but also serve as invaluable resources for animal reproduction and regenerative medicine. This review delves into the hallmarks of totipotent and pluripotent stem cells, shedding light on their key molecular and functional features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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23
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Gyngell C, Lynch F, Sawai T, Savulescu J. Stem cell-derived embryo models: moral advance or moral obfuscation? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024:jme-2023-109605. [PMID: 38429089 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Stem cell-derived embryo models (SCEMs) are model embryos used in scientific research to gain a better understanding of early embryonic development. The way humans develop from a single-cell zygote to a complex multicellular organism remains poorly understood. However, research looking at embryo development is difficult because of restrictions on the use of human embryos in research. Stem cell embryo models could reduce the need for human embryos, allowing us to both understand early development and improve assisted reproductive technologies. There have been several rapid advances in creating SCEMs in recent years. These advances potentially provide a new avenue to study early human development. The benefits of SCEMs are predicated on the claim that they are different from embryos and should, therefore, be exempt from existing regulations that apply to embryos (such as the 14-day rule). SCEMs are proposed as offering a model that can capture the inner workings of the embryo but lack its moral sensitivities. However, the ethical basis for making this distinction has not been clearly explained. In this current controversy, we focus on the ethical justification for treating SCEMs differently to embryos, based on considerations of moral status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gyngell
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Melbourne Law School, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Lynch
- Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne Melbourne Law School, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tsutomu Sawai
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Julian Savulescu
- Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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24
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Fang F, Li Z, Zhang X, Huang Q, Lu S, Wang X. Divergent Roles of KLF4 During Primordial Germ Cell Fate Induction from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:727-735. [PMID: 37884729 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01360-3] [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: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
As a core transcriptional factor regulating pluripotency, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has gained much attention in the field of stem cells during the past decades. However, few research have focused on the function of KLF4 during human primordial germ cell (PGC) specification. Here, we induced human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and the derived hPGCLCs upregulated PGC-related genes, like SOX17, BLIMP1, TFAP2C, NANOS3, and the naïve pluripotency gene KLF4. The KLF4-knockout hESCs formed typical multicellular colonies with clear borders, expressed pluripotency genes, such as NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2, and exhibited no differences in proliferation capacity compared with wild type hESCs. Notably, KLF4 deletion in hESCs did not influence the induction of PGCLCs in vitro. In contrast, overexpression of KLF4 during PGC induction process inhibited the efficiency of PGCLC formation from hESCs in vitro. Overexpression of KLF4 may regenerate the naïve ground state in hESCs and results in repression for PGC specification. Thus, KLF4 could be a downstream target of human PGC program and the upregulation of KLF4 is prepared for late stage of germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China
| | - Zili Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoke Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Qi Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Collage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shi Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Collage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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25
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Yang Y, Valdés-Rives SA, Liu Q, Li Y, Tan J, Tan Y, Koch CA, Rong Y, Houser SR, Wei S, Cai KQ, Cheng SY, Curran T, Wechsler-Reya R, Yang ZJ. Thyroid Hormone Suppresses Medulloblastoma Progression Through Promoting Terminal Differentiation of Tumor Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580111. [PMID: 38405864 PMCID: PMC10888774 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism is commonly detected in patients with medulloblastoma (MB). A possible link between thyroid hormone (TH) signaling and MB pathogenicity has not been reported. Here, we find that TH plays a critical role in promoting tumor cell differentiation. Reduction in TH levels frees the TH receptor, TRα1, to bind to EZH2 and repress expression of NeuroD1, a transcription factor that drives tumor cell differentiation. Increased TH reverses EZH2-mediated repression of NeuroD1 by abrogating the binding of EZH2 and TRα1, thereby stimulating tumor cell differentiation and reducing MB growth. Importantly, TH-induced differentiation of tumor cells is not restricted by the molecular subgroup of MB. These findings establish an unprecedented association between TH signaling and MB pathogenicity, providing solid evidence for TH as a promising modality for MB treatment.
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26
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Frost ER, Gilchrist RB. Making human eggs in a dish: are we close? Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:168-178. [PMID: 37625913 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.07.007] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
In the space of 50 years, we have seen incredible achievements in human reproductive medicine. With these leaps forward, it is no wonder that there is a major interest in women's reproductive health research, including extension of reproductive lifespan. Substantial effort is currently being made to address this challenge, including from the commercial sector. In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) in mice is a spectacular breakthrough and has the potential to offer hope to women with intractable infertility. However, with such lofty goals, some reflection may be called for: mastering all of the techniques required for complete and safe IVG in women is likely to be extraordinarily difficult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Frost
- Fertility & Research Centre, Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Robert B Gilchrist
- Fertility & Research Centre, Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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27
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Matsui S, Granitto M, Buckley M, Ludwig K, Koigi S, Shiley J, Zacharias WJ, Mayhew CN, Lim HW, Iwafuchi M. Pioneer and PRDM transcription factors coordinate bivalent epigenetic states to safeguard cell fate. Mol Cell 2024; 84:476-489.e10. [PMID: 38211589 PMCID: PMC10872272 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Pioneer transcription factors (TFs) regulate cell fate by establishing transcriptionally primed and active states. However, cell fate control requires the coordination of both lineage-specific gene activation and repression of alternative-lineage programs, a process that is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the pioneer TF FOXA coordinates with PRDM1 TF to recruit nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complexes and Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs), which establish highly occupied, accessible nucleosome conformation with bivalent epigenetic states, thereby preventing precocious and alternative-lineage gene expression during human endoderm differentiation. Similarly, the pioneer TF OCT4 coordinates with PRDM14 to form bivalent enhancers and repress cell differentiation programs in human pluripotent stem cells, suggesting that this may be a common and critical function of pioneer TFs. We propose that pioneer and PRDM TFs coordinate to safeguard cell fate through epigenetic repression mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Matsui
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Marissa Granitto
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Morgan Buckley
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Katie Ludwig
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sandra Koigi
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joseph Shiley
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - William J Zacharias
- Division of Pulmonary Biology and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Christopher N Mayhew
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Makiko Iwafuchi
- Division of Developmental Biology, Center for Stem Cell & Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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28
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Gong W, Zhao J, Yao Z, Zhang Y, Niu Y, Jin K, Li B, Zuo Q. The Establishment and Optimization of a Chicken Primordial Germ Cell Induction Model Using Small-Molecule Compounds. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:302. [PMID: 38254471 PMCID: PMC10812757 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into functional primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro has become an important method of obtaining a large number of PGCs. However, the instability and low induction efficiency of the in vitro PGC induction system restrict the application of PGCs in transgenic animal production, germplasm resource conservation and other fields. In this study, we successfully established a two-step induction model of chicken PGCs in vitro, which significantly improved the formation efficiency of PGC-like cells (PGCLCs). To further improve the PGC formation efficiency in vitro, 5025 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained between embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and PGCs through RNA-seq. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that signaling pathways such as BMP4, Wnt and Notch were significantly activated during PGC formation, similar to other species. In addition, we noted that cAMP was activated during PGC formation, while MAPK was suppressed. Based on the results of our analysis, we found that the PGC formation efficiency was significantly improved after activating Wnt and inhibiting MAPK, and was lower than after activating cAMP. To sum up, in this study, we successfully established a two-step induction model of chicken PGCs in vitro with high PGC formation efficiency, which lays a theoretical foundation for further demonstrating the regulatory mechanism of PGCs and realizing their specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zeling Yao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yingjie Niu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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29
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MacCarthy CM, Wu G, Malik V, Menuchin-Lasowski Y, Velychko T, Keshet G, Fan R, Bedzhov I, Church GM, Jauch R, Cojocaru V, Schöler HR, Velychko S. Highly cooperative chimeric super-SOX induces naive pluripotency across species. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:127-147.e9. [PMID: 38141611 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.010] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of pluripotency remains limited: iPSC generation has only been established for a few model species, pluripotent stem cell lines exhibit inconsistent developmental potential, and germline transmission has only been demonstrated for mice and rats. By swapping structural elements between Sox2 and Sox17, we built a chimeric super-SOX factor, Sox2-17, that enhanced iPSC generation in five tested species: mouse, human, cynomolgus monkey, cow, and pig. A swap of alanine to valine at the interface between Sox2 and Oct4 delivered a gain of function by stabilizing Sox2/Oct4 dimerization on DNA, enabling generation of high-quality OSKM iPSCs capable of supporting the development of healthy all-iPSC mice. Sox2/Oct4 dimerization emerged as the core driver of naive pluripotency with its levels diminished upon priming. Transient overexpression of the SK cocktail (Sox+Klf4) restored the dimerization and boosted the developmental potential of pluripotent stem cells across species, providing a universal method for naive reset in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangming Wu
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; International Bio Island, Guangzhou, China; MingCeler Biotech, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Taras Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gal Keshet
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rui Fan
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ivan Bedzhov
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sergiy Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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30
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Esfahani SN, Zheng Y, Arabpour A, Irizarry AMR, Kobayashi N, Xue X, Shao Y, Zhao C, Agranonik NL, Sparrow M, Hunt TJ, Faith J, Lara MJ, Wu QY, Silber S, Petropoulos S, Yang R, Chien KR, Clark AT, Fu J. Derivation of human primordial germ cell-like cells in an embryonic-like culture. Nat Commun 2024; 15:167. [PMID: 38167821 PMCID: PMC10762101 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43871-2] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of sperm and eggs. They transmit genetic and epigenetic information across generations. Given the prominent role of germline defects in diseases such as infertility, detailed understanding of human PGC (hPGC) development has important implications in reproductive medicine and studying human evolution. Yet, hPGC specification remains an elusive process. Here, we report the induction of hPGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) in a bioengineered human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture that mimics peri-implantation human development. In this culture, amniotic ectoderm-like cells (AMLCs), derived from hPSCs, induce hPGCLC specification from hPSCs through paracrine signaling downstream of ISL1. Our data further show functional roles of NODAL, WNT, and BMP signaling in hPGCLC induction. hPGCLCs are successfully derived from eight non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) participant-derived hPSC lines using this biomimetic platform, demonstrating its promise for screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajedeh Nasr Esfahani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Auriana Arabpour
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | | | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Xufeng Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yue Shao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Instituet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicole L Agranonik
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Megan Sparrow
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Timothy J Hunt
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jared Faith
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Mary Jasmine Lara
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Qiu Ya Wu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sherman Silber
- Infertility Center of St. Louis, St. Luke's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, 63017, USA
| | - Sophie Petropoulos
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Instituet, 14186, Stockholm, Sweden
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montreal, QC, H2X 19A, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Molecular Biology Programme, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ran Yang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenneth R Chien
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amander T Clark
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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31
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Oikawa M, Hirabayashi M, Kobayashi T. Induction of Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells from Rat Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2770:99-111. [PMID: 38351449 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3698-5_8] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In vitro induction of primordial germ cell like-cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a robust method that will contribute to understanding the fundamentals of cell fate decisions, animal breeding, and future reproductive medicine. Here, we introduce this system established in the rat model. We describe a stepwise protocol to induce epiblast-like cells and subsequent PGCLCs by forming spherical aggregates from rat PSCs. We also describe a protocol to mature these PGCLCs from specified/migratory to the gonadal stage by aggregation with female gonadal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Oikawa
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan
- The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Aichi, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kobayashi
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.
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32
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Irie N, Kobayashi T, Azim Surani M. Human Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cell Induction from Pluripotent Stem Cells by SOX17 and PRDM1 Expression. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2770:87-97. [PMID: 38351448 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3698-5_7] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Human primordial germ cell (PGC) development initiates about 2 weeks after fertilization during embryogenesis. Unique molecular events follow, including epigenetic resetting, to establish functional gametes (egg and sperm). Due to the inaccessibility of human embryos, it is essential to have an amenable experimental platform to investigate the mechanisms and potential dysfunctions of the events. We previously established a PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation method using human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) via induction of precursor cells followed by stimulation with a cytokine cocktail including BMP. We also revealed that the expression of PGC specifiers, SOX17 and PRDM1, can robustly induce PGCLCs from PSCs without the cytokines. The balance of SOX17 and PRDM1 is critical for germ cell fate since the two factors also regulate endoderm differentiation. Here we describe a detailed procedure for PGCLC differentiation with the balanced induction of SOX17 and PRDM1. The protocol can be used for PGC induction in other mammalian species exhibiting PGCs with SOX17 expression. Together, these studies will advance the understanding of germ cell biology and its applications in reproductive technology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Irie
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research U.K. Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK.
- Metabolic Systems Laboratory, Live Imaging Center, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki-ku, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Toshihiro Kobayashi
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research U.K. Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK.
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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33
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Aponte PM, Gutierrez-Reinoso MA, Garcia-Herreros M. Bridging the Gap: Animal Models in Next-Generation Reproductive Technologies for Male Fertility Preservation. Life (Basel) 2023; 14:17. [PMID: 38276265 PMCID: PMC10820126 DOI: 10.3390/life14010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This review aims to explore advanced reproductive technologies for male fertility preservation, underscoring the essential role that animal models have played in shaping these techniques through historical contexts and into modern applications. Rising infertility concerns have become more prevalent in human populations recently. The surge in male fertility issues has prompted advanced reproductive technologies, with animal models playing a pivotal role in their evolution. Historically, animal models have aided our understanding in the field, from early reproductive basic research to developing techniques like artificial insemination, multiple ovulation, and in vitro fertilization. The contemporary landscape of male fertility preservation encompasses techniques such as sperm cryopreservation, testicular sperm extraction, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, among others. The relevance of animal models will undoubtedly bridge the gap between traditional methods and revolutionary next-generation reproductive techniques, fortifying our collective efforts in enhancing male fertility preservation strategies. While we possess extensive knowledge about spermatogenesis and its regulation, largely thanks to insights from animal models that paved the way for human infertility treatments, a pressing need remains to further understand specific infertility issues unique to humans. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of how animal models have influenced the development and refinement of advanced reproductive technologies for male fertility preservation, and to assess their future potential in bridging the gap between current practices and cutting-edge fertility techniques, particularly in addressing unique human male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M. Aponte
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales (COCIBA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Quito 170901, Ecuador
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Biomedicina “One-Health”, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Campus Cumbayá, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Miguel A. Gutierrez-Reinoso
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Carrera de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC), Latacunga 050150, Ecuador;
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chillán 3780000, Chile
| | - Manuel Garcia-Herreros
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV), 2005-048 Santarém, Portugal
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34
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Aizawa E, Ozonov EA, Kawamura YK, Dumeau C, Nagaoka S, Kitajima TS, Saitou M, Peters AHFM, Wutz A. Epigenetic regulation limits competence of pluripotent stem cell-derived oocytes. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113955. [PMID: 37850882 PMCID: PMC10690455 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113955] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the differentiation of pluripotent cells into oocytes in vitro. However, the developmental competence of in vitro-generated oocytes remains low. Here, we perform a comprehensive comparison of mouse germ cell development in vitro over all culture steps versus in vivo with the goal to understand mechanisms underlying poor oocyte quality. We show that the in vitro differentiation of primordial germ cells to growing oocytes and subsequent follicle growth is critical for competence for preimplantation development. Systematic transcriptome analysis of single oocytes that were subjected to different culture steps identifies genes that are normally upregulated during oocyte growth to be susceptible for misregulation during in vitro oogenesis. Many misregulated genes are Polycomb targets. Deregulation of Polycomb repression is therefore a key cause and the earliest defect known in in vitro oocyte differentiation. Conversely, structurally normal in vitro-derived oocytes fail at zygotic genome activation and show abnormal acquisition of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine on maternal chromosomes. Our data identify epigenetic regulation at an early stage of oogenesis limiting developmental competence and suggest opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eishi Aizawa
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchKobeJapan
| | - Evgeniy A Ozonov
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yumiko K Kawamura
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Charles‐Etienne Dumeau
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - So Nagaoka
- Department of EmbryologyNara Medical UniversityNaraJapan
| | | | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Antoine HFM Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Anton Wutz
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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35
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Hwang YS, Seita Y, Blanco MA, Sasaki K. CRISPR loss of function screening to identify genes involved in human primordial germ cell-like cell development. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011080. [PMID: 38091369 PMCID: PMC10752514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite our increasing knowledge of molecular mechanisms guiding various aspects of human reproduction, those underlying human primordial germ cell (PGC) development remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted custom CRISPR screening in an in vitro system of human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) to identify genes required for acquisition and maintenance of PGC fate. Amongst our candidates, we identified TCL1A, an AKT coactivator. Functional assessment in our in vitro hPGCLCs system revealed that TCL1A played a critical role in later stages of hPGCLC development. Moreover, we found that TCL1A loss reduced AKT-mTOR signaling, downregulated expression of genes related to translational control, and subsequently led to a reduction in global protein synthesis and proliferation. Together, our study highlights the utility of CRISPR screening for human in vitro-derived germ cells and identifies novel translational regulators critical for hPGCLC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sun Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yasunari Seita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - M. Andrés Blanco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kotaro Sasaki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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36
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Teague S, Yao L, Heemskerk I. The many dimensions of germline competence. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 85:102259. [PMID: 37852152 PMCID: PMC11123554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cell (PGC) specification is the first step in the development of the germline. Recent work has elucidated human-mouse differences in PGC differentiation and identified cell states with enhanced competency for PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in vitro in both species. However, it remains a subject of debate how different PGC competent states in vitro relate to each other, to embryonic development, and to the origin of PGCs in vivo. Here we review recent literature on human PGCLC differentiation in the context of mouse and non-human primate models. In contrast to what was previously thought, recent work suggests human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are highly germline competent. We argue that paradoxical observations regarding the origin and signaling requirements of hPGCLCs may be due to local cell interactions. These confound assays of competence by generating endogenous signaling gradients and spatially modulating the ability to receive exogenous inductive signals. Furthermore, combinatorial signaling suggests that there is no unique germline competent state: rather than a one-dimensional spectrum of developmental progression, competence should be considered in a higher dimensional landscape of cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Teague
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - LiAng Yao
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Idse Heemskerk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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37
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Zhang G, Xie XX, Zhang SE, Zhang FL, Li CX, Qiao T, Dyce PW, Feng XL, Lin WB, Sun QC, Shen W, Cheng SF. Induced differentiation of primordial germ cell like cells from SOX9 + porcine skin derived stem cells. Theriogenology 2023; 212:129-139. [PMID: 37717516 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.08.027] [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: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms behind porcine primordial germ cell like cells (pPGCLCs) development, differentiation, and gametogenesis is crucial in the treatment of infertility. In this study, SOX9+ skin derived stem cells (SOX9+ SDSCs) were isolated from fetal porcine skin and a high-purity SOX9+ SDSCs population was obtained. The SOX9+ SDSCs were induced to transdifferentiate into PGCLCs during 8 days of cultured. The results of RNA-seq, western blot and immunofluorescence staining verified SDSCs have the potential to transdifferentiate into PGCLCs from aspects of transcription factor activation, germ layer differentiation, energy metabolism, and epigenetic changes. Both adherent and suspended cells were collected. The adherent cells were found to be very similar to early porcine primordial germ cells (pPGCs). The suspended cells resembled late stage pPGCs and had a potential to enter meiotic process. This SDSCs culture-induced in vitro model is expected to provide suitable donor cells for stem cell transplantation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geng Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Xin-Xiang Xie
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shu-Er Zhang
- Animal Husbandry General Station of Shandong Province, Jinan, 250010, China
| | - Fa-Li Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Tian Qiao
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Paul W Dyce
- Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Xin-Lei Feng
- Shandong Animal Products Quality and Safety Center, Jinan, 250010, China
| | - Wei-Bo Lin
- Animal Husbandry Development Center of Changyi City, Weifang, 261300, China
| | - Qi-Cheng Sun
- School of Finance, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
| | - Shun-Feng Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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38
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Hayashi Y, Tando Y, Ito‐Matsuoka Y, Ikuta K, Takehara A, Morino K, Maegawa H, Matsui Y. Nutritional and metabolic control of germ cell fate through O-GlcNAc regulation. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56845. [PMID: 37842859 PMCID: PMC10626443 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356845] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fate determination of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is regulated in a multi-layered manner, involving signaling pathways, epigenetic mechanisms, and transcriptional control. Chemical modification of macromolecules, including epigenetics, is expected to be closely related with metabolic mechanisms but the detailed molecular machinery linking these two layers remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway controls PGC fate determination via O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification. Consistent with this model, reduction of carbohydrate metabolism via a maternal ketogenic diet that decreases O-GlcNAcylation levels causes repression of PGC formation in vivo. Moreover, maternal ketogenic diet intake until mid-gestation affects the number of ovarian germ cells in newborn pups. Taken together, we show that nutritional and metabolic mechanisms play a previously unappreciated role in PGC fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Hayashi
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of MedicineTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Yukiko Tando
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of MedicineTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Yumi Ito‐Matsuoka
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Kaho Ikuta
- School of MedicineTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Asuka Takehara
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Katsutaro Morino
- Department of MedicineShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Hiroshi Maegawa
- Department of MedicineShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Yasuhisa Matsui
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC)Tohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of Life SciencesTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Graduate School of MedicineTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
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39
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Zhu P, Zhang B, Sun R, Wang J, Liu Z, Liu X, Yan M, Cui Y, Sha J, Yuan Y. Derivation of new pluripotent stem cells from human extended pluripotent stem cells with formative features and trophectoderm potential. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13480. [PMID: 37052060 PMCID: PMC10623941 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of intermediate stem cells, which have been successfully obtained from human naive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and peri-implantation embryos. However, it is not known whether human extended pluripotent stem cells (hEPSCs) can be directly induced into intermediate stem cells. Moreover, the ability of extra-embryonic lineage differentiation in intermediate stem cells has not been verified. In this issue, we transformed hEPSCs into a kind of novel intermediate pluripotent stem cell resembling embryonic days 8-9 (E8-E9) epiblasts and proved its feature of formative epiblasts. We engineered hEPSCs from primed hPSCs under N2B27-LCDM (N2B27 plus Lif, CHIR, DiH and MiH) conditions. Then, we added Activin A, FGF and XAV939 to modulate signalling pathways related to early humans' embryogenesis. We performed RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analysis to compare with AF9-hPSCs from different pluripotency stages of hPSCs. Trophectoderm (TE), primordial germ cells-like cells (PGCLC) and endoderm, mesoderm, and neural ectoderm induction were conducted by specific small molecules and proteins. AF9-hPSCs transcription resembled that of E8-E9 peri-implantation epiblasts. Signalling pathway responsiveness and histone methylation further revealed their formative pluripotency. Additionally, AF9-hPSCs responded directly to primordial germ cells (PGCs) specification and three germ layer differentiation signals in vitro. Moreover, AF9-hPSCs could differentiate into the TE lineage. Therefore, AF9-hPSCs represented an E8-E9 formative pluripotency state between naïve and primed pluripotency, opening new avenues for studying human pluripotency development during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinmou Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Bohang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ruiqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jiachen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhaode Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Min Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineWomen's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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40
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Romualdez-Tan MV. Modelling in vitro gametogenesis using induced pluripotent stem cells: a review. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 12:33. [PMID: 37843621 PMCID: PMC10579208 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-023-00176-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) has been a topic of great interest in recent years not only because it allows for further exploration of mechanisms of germ cell development, but also because of its prospect for innovative medical applications especially for the treatment of infertility. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying gamete development in vivo has inspired scientists to attempt to recapitulate the entire process of gametogenesis in vitro. While earlier studies have established IVG methods largely using pluripotent stem cells of embryonic origin, the scarcity of sources for these cells and the ethical issues involved in their use are serious limitations to the progress of IVG research especially in humans. However, with the emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) due to the revolutionary discovery of dedifferentiation and reprogramming factors, IVG research has progressed remarkably in the last decade. This paper extensively reviews developments in IVG using iPSCs. First, the paper presents key concepts from groundwork studies on IVG including earlier researches demonstrating that IVG methods using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) also apply when using iPSCs. Techniques for the derivation of iPSCs are briefly discussed, highlighting the importance of generating transgene-free iPSCs with a high capacity for germline transmission to improve efficacy when used for IVG. The main part of the paper discusses recent advances in IVG research using iPSCs in various stages of gametogenesis. In addition, current clinical applications of IVG are presented, and potential future applications are discussed. Although IVG is still faced with many challenges in terms of technical issues, as well as efficacy and safety, novel IVG methodologies are emerging, and IVG using iPSCs may usher in the next era of reproductive medicine sooner than expected. This raises both ethical and social concerns and calls for the scientific community to cautiously develop IVG technology to ensure it is not only efficacious but also safe and adheres to social and ethical norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Romualdez-Tan
- Present Address: Repro Optima Center for Reproductive Health, Inc., Ground Floor JRDC Bldg. Osmena Blvd. Capitol Site, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines.
- Cebu Doctors University Hospital, Cebu City, Philippines.
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41
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Kubiura-Ichimaru M, Penfold C, Kojima K, Dollet C, Yabukami H, Semi K, Takashima Y, Boroviak T, Kawaji H, Woltjen K, Minoda A, Sasaki E, Watanabe T. mRNA-based generation of marmoset PGCLCs capable of differentiation into gonocyte-like cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1987-2002. [PMID: 37683645 PMCID: PMC10656353 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.08.006] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Primate germ cell development remains largely unexplored due to limitations in sample collection and the long duration of development. In mice, primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can develop into functional gametes by in vitro culture or in vivo transplantation. Such PGCLC-mediated induction of mature gametes in primates is highly useful for understanding human germ cell development. Since marmosets generate functional sperm earlier than other species, recapitulating the whole male germ cell development process is technically more feasible. Here, we induced the differentiation of iPSCs into gonocyte-like cells via PGCLCs in marmosets. First, we developed an mRNA transfection-based method to efficiently generate PGCLCs. Subsequently, to promote PGCLC differentiation, xenoreconstituted testes (xrtestes) were generated in the mouse kidney capsule. PGCLCs show progressive DNA demethylation and stepwise expression of developmental marker genes. This study provides an efficient platform for the study of marmoset germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musashi Kubiura-Ichimaru
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; Division of Molecular Genetics & Epigenetics, Department of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Christopher Penfold
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Trust-Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Kazuaki Kojima
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Constance Dollet
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Haruka Yabukami
- Laboratory for Cellular Epigenomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Katsunori Semi
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Thorsten Boroviak
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- Research Center for Genome & Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; Preventive Medicine and Applied Genomics Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Knut Woltjen
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Aki Minoda
- Laboratory for Cellular Epigenomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Erika Sasaki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Watanabe
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
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42
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Irie N, Lee SM, Lorenzi V, Xu H, Chen J, Inoue M, Kobayashi T, Sancho-Serra C, Drousioti E, Dietmann S, Vento-Tormo R, Song CX, Surani MA. DMRT1 regulates human germline commitment. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1439-1452. [PMID: 37709822 PMCID: PMC10567552 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01224-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Germline commitment following primordial germ cell (PGC) specification during early human development establishes an epigenetic programme and competence for gametogenesis. Here we follow the progression of nascent PGC-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in vitro. We show that switching from BMP signalling for PGC specification to Activin A and retinoic acid resulted in DMRT1 and CDH5 expression, the indicators of migratory PGCs in vivo. Moreover, the induction of DMRT1 and SOX17 in PGC-like cells promoted epigenetic resetting with striking global enrichment of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and locus-specific loss of 5-methylcytosine at DMRT1 binding sites and the expression of DAZL representing DNA methylation-sensitive genes, a hallmark of the germline commitment programme. We provide insight into the unique role of DMRT1 in germline development for advances in human germ cell biology and in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Irie
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK.
- Metabolic Systems Laboratory, Live Imaging Center, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Sun-Min Lee
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physics, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Valentina Lorenzi
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Haiqi Xu
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jinfeng Chen
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Masato Inoue
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Toshihiro Kobayashi
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Elena Drousioti
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology and Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Chun-Xiao Song
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Henry Wellcome Building of Cancer and Developmental Biology, Cambridge, UK.
- Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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43
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Lu Y, Yuan P, Qiao J. DMRT1 drives the human germline forward. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1408-1410. [PMID: 37709821 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01196-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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44
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Salvatore G, Dolci S, Camaioni A, Klinger FG, De Felici M. Reprogramming Human Female Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2274-2283. [PMID: 37338786 PMCID: PMC10579115 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10561-x] [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] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
In the last two decades, considerable progress has been made in the derivation of mammalian germ cells from pluripotent stem cells such as Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) and induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs). The pluripotent stem cells are generally first induced into pre-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status and then specified into putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) termed PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) which possess the potential to generate oocytes and sperms. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) are multipotent cells, having the capacity to differentiate into cell types such as adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Since no information is available about the capability of female human ASCs (hASCs) to generate PGCLCs, we compared protocols to produce such cells from hASCs themselves or from hASC-derived iPSCs. The results showed that, providing pre-induction into a peri-gastrulating endoderm/mesoderm-like status, hASCs can generate PGCLCs. This process, however, shows a lower efficiency than when hASC-derived iPSCs are used as starting cells. Although hASCs possess multipotency and express mesodermal genes, direct induction into PGCLCs resulted less efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Salvatore
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Saint Camillus International University Of Health Sciences, Via di Sant'Alessandro 8, Rome, 00131, Italy.
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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45
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Telfer EE, Grosbois J, Odey YL, Rosario R, Anderson RA. Making a good egg: human oocyte health, aging, and in vitro development. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:2623-2677. [PMID: 37171807 PMCID: PMC10625843 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00032.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian eggs (oocytes) are formed during fetal life and establish associations with somatic cells to form primordial follicles that create a store of germ cells (the primordial pool). The size of this pool is influenced by key events during the formation of germ cells and by factors that influence the subsequent activation of follicle growth. These regulatory pathways must ensure that the reserve of oocytes within primordial follicles in humans lasts for up to 50 years, yet only approximately 0.1% will ever be ovulated with the rest undergoing degeneration. This review outlines the mechanisms and regulatory pathways that govern the processes of oocyte and follicle formation and later growth, within the ovarian stroma, through to ovulation with particular reference to human oocytes/follicles. In addition, the effects of aging on female reproductive capacity through changes in oocyte number and quality are emphasized, with both the cellular mechanisms and clinical implications discussed. Finally, the details of current developments in culture systems that support all stages of follicle growth to generate mature oocytes in vitro and emerging prospects for making new oocytes from stem cells are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn E Telfer
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Johanne Grosbois
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne L Odey
- Institute of Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Roseanne Rosario
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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46
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Oldak B, Wildschutz E, Bondarenko V, Comar MY, Zhao C, Aguilera-Castrejon A, Tarazi S, Viukov S, Pham TXA, Ashouokhi S, Lokshtanov D, Roncato F, Ariel E, Rose M, Livnat N, Shani T, Joubran C, Cohen R, Addadi Y, Chemla M, Kedmi M, Keren-Shaul H, Pasque V, Petropoulos S, Lanner F, Novershtern N, Hanna JH. Complete human day 14 post-implantation embryo models from naive ES cells. Nature 2023; 622:562-573. [PMID: 37673118 PMCID: PMC10584686 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06604-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The ability to study human post-implantation development remains limited owing to ethical and technical challenges associated with intrauterine development after implantation1. Embryo-like models with spatially organized morphogenesis and structure of all defining embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues of the post-implantation human conceptus (that is, the embryonic disc, the bilaminar disc, the yolk sac, the chorionic sac and the surrounding trophoblast layer) remain lacking1,2. Mouse naive embryonic stem cells have recently been shown to give rise to embryonic and extra-embryonic stem cells capable of self-assembling into post-gastrulation structured stem-cell-based embryo models with spatially organized morphogenesis (called SEMs)3. Here we extend those findings to humans using only genetically unmodified human naive embryonic stem cells (cultured in human enhanced naive stem cell medium conditions)4. Such human fully integrated and complete SEMs recapitulate the organization of nearly all known lineages and compartments of post-implantation human embryos, including the epiblast, the hypoblast, the extra-embryonic mesoderm and the trophoblast layer surrounding the latter compartments. These human complete SEMs demonstrated developmental growth dynamics that resemble key hallmarks of post-implantation stage embryogenesis up to 13-14 days after fertilization (Carnegie stage 6a). These include embryonic disc and bilaminar disc formation, epiblast lumenogenesis, polarized amniogenesis, anterior-posterior symmetry breaking, primordial germ-cell specification, polarized yolk sac with visceral and parietal endoderm formation, extra-embryonic mesoderm expansion that defines a chorionic cavity and a connecting stalk, and a trophoblast-surrounding compartment demonstrating syncytium and lacunae formation. This SEM platform will probably enable the experimental investigation of previously inaccessible windows of human early post implantation up to peri-gastrulation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Oldak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Emilie Wildschutz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vladyslav Bondarenko
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mehmet-Yunus Comar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Cheng Zhao
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Shadi Tarazi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Thi Xuan Ai Pham
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Shahd Ashouokhi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dmitry Lokshtanov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Francesco Roncato
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eitan Ariel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Max Rose
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nir Livnat
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tom Shani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Carine Joubran
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Roni Cohen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoseph Addadi
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Muriel Chemla
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Merav Kedmi
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Hadas Keren-Shaul
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sophie Petropoulos
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre, Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Axe Immunopathologie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fredrik Lanner
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Center for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm Node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Noa Novershtern
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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47
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Mizuta K, Saitou M. Key mechanisms and in vitro reconstitution of fetal oocyte development in mammals. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102091. [PMID: 37556984 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
During fetal oocyte development in mammals, germ cells progress through meiotic prophase I to form primordial follicles with pregranulosa cells. The primordial follicles remain dormant until oogenesis resumes during puberty. Studies in mice have elucidated mechanisms governing oogenesis, leading to the successful induction of functional oocytes from mouse pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Based on the in vivo/in vitro knowledge in mice and the histological and transcriptomic evidence for fetal oocyte development in humans and primates, human/primate oocyte-like cells corresponding to the early stage of oocytes in vivo have been successfully induced in vitro. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of fetal oocyte development in mammals, as well as in in vitro oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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48
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Hu H, Ho D, Tan DS, MacCarthy C, Yu CH, Weng M, Schöler H, Jauch R. Evaluation of the determinants for improved pluripotency induction and maintenance by engineered SOX17. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8934-8956. [PMID: 37607832 PMCID: PMC10516664 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
An engineered SOX17 variant with point mutations within its DNA binding domain termed SOX17FNV is a more potent pluripotency inducer than SOX2, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Although wild-type SOX17 was incapable of inducing pluripotency, SOX17FNV outperformed SOX2 in mouse and human pluripotency reprogramming. In embryonic stem cells, SOX17FNV could replace SOX2 to maintain pluripotency despite considerable sequence differences and upregulated genes expressed in cleavage-stage embryos. Mechanistically, SOX17FNV co-bound OCT4 more cooperatively than SOX2 in the context of the canonical SoxOct DNA element. SOX2, SOX17, and SOX17FNV were all able to bind nucleosome core particles in vitro, which is a prerequisite for pioneer transcription factors. Experiments using purified proteins and in cellular contexts showed that SOX17 variants phase-separated more efficiently than SOX2, suggesting an enhanced ability to self-organise. Systematic deletion analyses showed that the N-terminus of SOX17FNV was dispensable for its reprogramming activity. However, the C-terminus encodes essential domains indicating multivalent interactions that drive transactivation and reprogramming. We defined a minimal SOX17FNV (miniSOX) that can support reprogramming with high activity, reducing the payload of reprogramming cassettes. This study uncovers the mechanisms behind SOX17FNV-induced pluripotency and establishes engineered SOX factors as powerful cell engineering tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Cheng-han Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | | | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
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Horer S, Feichtinger M, Rosner M, Hengstschläger M. Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived In Vitro Gametogenesis and Synthetic Embryos-It Is Never Too Early for an Ethical Debate. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:569-575. [PMID: 37471266 PMCID: PMC10502567 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, 2 branches of the wide area of synthetic biology-in vitro gametogenesis and synthetic embryo development-have gained considerable attention. Rodent induced pluripotent stem cells derived via reprogramming of somatic cells can in vitro be differentiated into gametes to produce fertile offspring. And even synthetic embryos with organ progenitors were generated ex utero entirely from murine pluripotent stem cells. The use of these approaches in basic research, which is rightfully accompanied by an ethical discussion, will allow hitherto unattainable insights into the processes of the beginning of life. There is a broad international consensus that currently the application of these technologies in human-assisted reproduction must be considered to be unsafe and unethical. However, newspaper headlines also addressed the putatively resulting paradigm shift in human reproduction and thereby raised expectations in patients. Due to unsolved biological and technological obstacles, most scientists do not anticipate translation of any of these approaches into human reproductive medicine, if ever, for the next 10 years. Still, whereas the usage of synthetic embryos for reproductive purposes should be banned, in the context of in vitro-derived human gametes it is not too early to initiate the evaluation of the ethical implications, which could still remain assuming all technological hurdles can ever be cleared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Horer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Margit Rosner
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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50
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Vijayakumar S, Sala R, Kang G, Chen A, Pablo MA, Adebayo AI, Cipriano A, Fowler JL, Gomes DL, Ang LT, Loh KM, Sebastiano V. Monolayer platform to generate and purify primordial germ-like cells in vitro provides insights into human germline specification. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5690. [PMID: 37709760 PMCID: PMC10502105 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41302-w] [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: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Generating primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) advances studies of human reproduction and development of infertility treatments, but often entails complex 3D aggregates. Here we develop a simplified, monolayer method to differentiate hPSCs into PGCs within 3.5 days. We use our simplified differentiation platform and single-cell RNA-sequencing to achieve further insights into PGCLC specification. Transient WNT activation for 12 h followed by WNT inhibition specified PGCLCs; by contrast, sustained WNT induced primitive streak. Thus, somatic cells (primitive streak) and PGCLCs are related-yet distinct-lineages segregated by temporally-dynamic signaling. Pluripotency factors including NANOG are continuously expressed during the transition from pluripotency to posterior epiblast to PGCs, thus bridging pluripotent and germline states. Finally, hPSC-derived PGCLCs can be easily purified by virtue of their CXCR4+PDGFRA-GARP- surface-marker profile and single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals that they harbor transcriptional similarities with fetal PGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivakamasundari Vijayakumar
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Roberta Sala
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Gugene Kang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Angela Chen
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Michelle Ann Pablo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Abidemi Ismail Adebayo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrea Cipriano
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jonas L Fowler
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Danielle L Gomes
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lay Teng Ang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kyle M Loh
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Vittorio Sebastiano
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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