1
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Lord T, Oatley JM. Spermatogenic Stem Cells: Core Biology, Defining Features, and Utilities. Mol Reprod Dev 2024; 91:e23777. [PMID: 39392153 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23777] [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: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
The actions of spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs) provide the foundation for continual spermatogenesis and regeneration of the cognate lineage following cytotoxic insult or transplantation. Several decades of research with rodent models have yielded knowledge about the core biology, morphological features, and molecular profiles of mammalian SSCs. Translation of these discoveries to utilities for human fertility preservation, improving animal agriculture, and wildlife conservation are actively being pursued. Here, we provide overviews of these aspects covering both historical and current states of understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lord
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jon M Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
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2
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Wang Y, Hu S, Han C. A Simple and Efficient Procedure for Developing Mouse Germline Stem Cell Lines with Gene Knock-in via CRISPR/Cas9 Technology. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e70002. [PMID: 39264143 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.70002] [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: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Cultured mammalian spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), also known as germline stem cells (GSCs), hold great promise for applications such as fertility preservation, gene therapy, and animal breeding, particularly in conjunction with accurate gene editing. Although the in vitro development of mouse GSC (mGSC) lines, and gene-targeting procedures for such lines, were initially established about two decades ago, it remains challenging for beginners to efficiently accomplish these tasks, partly because mGSCs proliferate more slowly and are more resistant to lipid-mediated gene transfection than pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Meanwhile, methods for mGSC culture and gene editing have been evolving constantly to become simpler and more efficient. Here, we describe how to develop mGSC lines from small mouse testis samples and how to carry out gene knock-in in these cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, detailing three basic protocols that constitute a streamlined procedure. Using these simple and efficient procedures, site-specific knock-in mGSC lines can be obtained in 3 months. We hope that these protocols will help researchers use genetically modified GSCs to explore scientific questions of interest and to accumulate experience for application to GSC research in other mammalian species. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Establishment of mouse GSCs lines from small testicular samples Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of plasmids for gene knock-in using the CRISPR/Cas9 system Basic Protocol 3: Establishment of gene knock-in mGSC lines by electroporation gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaitao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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3
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Nicotra R, Lutz C, Messal HA, Jonkers J. Rat Models of Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2024; 29:12. [PMID: 38913216 PMCID: PMC11196369 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-024-09566-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of breast cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 70-80% of all invasive cases. Patients with HR+ BC are commonly treated with endocrine therapy, but intrinsic or acquired resistance is a frequent problem, making HR+ BC a focal point of intense research. Despite this, the malignancy still lacks adequate in vitro and in vivo models for the study of its initiation and progression as well as response and resistance to endocrine therapy. No mouse models that fully mimic the human disease are available, however rat mammary tumor models pose a promising alternative to overcome this limitation. Compared to mice, rats are more similar to humans in terms of mammary gland architecture, ductal origin of neoplastic lesions and hormone dependency status. Moreover, rats can develop spontaneous or induced mammary tumors that resemble human HR+ BC. To date, six different types of rat models of HR+ BC have been established. These include the spontaneous, carcinogen-induced, transplantation, hormone-induced, radiation-induced and genetically engineered rat mammary tumor models. Each model has distinct advantages, disadvantages and utility for studying HR+ BC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of all published models to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Nicotra
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Catrin Lutz
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Hendrik A Messal
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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4
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Bu W, Li Y. Advances in Immunocompetent Mouse and Rat Models. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041328. [PMID: 37217281 PMCID: PMC10810718 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041328] [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] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Rodent models of breast cancer have played critical roles in our understanding of breast cancer development and progression as well as preclinical testing of cancer prevention and therapeutics. In this article, we first review the values and challenges of conventional genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models and newer iterations of these models, especially those with inducible or conditional regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Then, we discuss nongermline (somatic) GEM models of breast cancer with temporospatial control, made possible by intraductal injection of viral vectors to deliver oncogenes or to manipulate the genome of mammary epithelial cells. Next, we introduce the latest development in precision editing of endogenous genes using in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We conclude with the recent development in generating somatic rat models for modeling estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, something that has been difficult to accomplish in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Bu
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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5
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Obermeier M, Rogiers V, Vanhaecke T, Baert Y. Lipofection-Based Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoprotein for Gene Editing in Male Germline Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2770:123-134. [PMID: 38351451 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3698-5_10] [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
Gene editing in the murine germline is a valuable approach to investigate germ cell maturation and generate mouse models. Several studies demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9 alters the genome of cultured male mouse germline stem cells delivered by electroporation of plasmids. Recently, we showed proof-of-principle that gene knockout can be effectively targeted in mouse germline stem cells by lipofecting Cas9:gRNA ribonucleoproteins. In this protocol, we describe a simple, fast, and cheap workflow for gene editing via the lipofection of non-integrative ribonucleoproteins in murine male germline stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Obermeier
- Biology of the Testis Lab (BITE) Research Group, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vera Rogiers
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yoni Baert
- Biology of the Testis Lab (BITE) Research Group, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
- In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
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6
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Oback B, Cossey DA. Chimaeras, complementation, and controlling the male germline. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1237-1247. [PMID: 37173191 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Animal breeding drives genetic progress mainly through the male germline. This process is slow to respond to rapidly mounting environmental pressures that threaten sustainable food security from animal protein production. New approaches promise to accelerate breeding by producing chimaeras, which comprise sterile host and fertile donor genotypes, to exclusively transmit elite male germlines. Following gene editing to generate sterile host cells, the missing germline can be restored by transplanting either: (i) spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) into the testis; or (ii) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into early embryos. Here we compare these alternative germline complementation strategies and their impact on agribiotechnology and species conservation. We propose a novel breeding platform that integrates embryo-based complementation with genomic selection, multiplication, and gene modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Oback
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Daniel A Cossey
- AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton, New Zealand; School of Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
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7
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Shen Y, Kim IM, Tang Y. Decoding the Gene Regulatory Network of Muscle Stem Cells in Mouse Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Revelations from Single-Nuclei RNA Sequencing Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12463. [PMID: 37569835 PMCID: PMC10419276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512463] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The gene dystrophin is responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a grave X-linked recessive ailment that results in respiratory and cardiac failure. As the expression of dystrophin in muscle stem cells (MuSCs) is a topic of debate, there exists a limited understanding of its influence on the gene network of MuSCs. This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the effects of dystrophin on the regulatory network of genes in MuSCs. To comprehend the function of dystrophin in MuSCs from DMD, this investigation employed single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to appraise the transcriptomic profile of MuSCs obtained from the skeletal muscles of dystrophin mutant mice (DMDmut) and wild-type control mice. The study revealed that the dystrophin mutation caused the disruption of several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), leading to the inhibition of MEG3 and NEAT1 and the upregulation of GM48099, GM19951, and GM15564. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of biological processes (BP) indicated that the dystrophin mutation activated the cell adhesion pathway in MuSCs, inhibited the circulatory system process, and affected the regulation of binding. The study also revealed that the metabolic pathway activity of MuSCs was altered. The metabolic activities of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis were elevated in MuSCs from DMDmut. In summary, this research offers novel insights into the disrupted gene regulatory program in MuSCs due to dystrophin mutation at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Shen
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
| | - Il-Man Kim
- Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiology, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Yaoliang Tang
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA;
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8
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Wang S, Duan Y, Chen B, Qiu S, Huang T, Si W. Generation of Transgenic Sperm Expressing GFP by Lentivirus Transduction of Spermatogonial Stem Cells In Vivo in Cynomolgus Monkeys. Vet Sci 2023; 10:104. [PMID: 36851408 PMCID: PMC9966439 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been considered as the best models for biomedical research due to their high similarities in genomic, metabolomic, physiological and pathological features to humans. However, generation of genetically modified NHPs through traditional methods, such as microinjection into the pronuclei of one-cell embryos, is prohibitive due to the targeting efficiency and the number of NHPs needed as oocyte/zygote donors. Using spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) as the target of gene editing, producing gene-edited sperm for fertilization, is proven to be an effective way to establish gene editing animal disease models. In this experiment, we used ultrasound to guide the echo dense injection needle into the rete testis space, allowing the EGFP lentivirus to be slowly injected at positive pressure from the rete testis into seminiferous tubules. We found Thy1 can be used as a surface marker of cynomolgus monkey SSCs, confirming that SSCs carry the GFP gene. Finally, we successfully obtained transgenic sperm, with a similar freezing and recovery rate to that of WT animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yanchao Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Bingbing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Shuai Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Tianzhuang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Wei Si
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
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9
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Chapman KM, Pudasaini A, Vanderbeck MN, Hamra FK. Rattus norvegicus Spermatogenesis Colony-Forming Assays. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2677:233-257. [PMID: 37464246 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3259-8_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge gaps persist on signaling pathways and metabolic states in germ cells sufficient to support spermatogenesis independent of a somatic environment. Consequently, methods to culture mammalian stem cells through spermatogenesis in defined systems have not been established. Lack of success at culturing mammalian stem cells through spermatogenesis in defined systems reflects an inability to experimentally recapitulate biochemical events that develop in germ cells within the testis-specific seminiferous epithelium. Complex germ and somatic cell associations that develop each seminiferous epithelial cycle support such a hypothesis, conceivably explaining why highly pure mammalian spermatogonia do not effectively develop into and through meiosis without somatic cells. Here, we outline an in vitro spermatogenesis colony-forming assay to study how differentiating spermatogonial syncytia develop from rat spermatogonial stem cell lines. Robust spermatogonial differentiation under defined culture conditions, once established, is anticipated to facilitate molecular biology studies on pre-meiotic steps in gametogenesis by providing soma-free bioassays to systematically identify spermatogenic factors that promote meiotic progression in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Chapman
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | | | - F Kent Hamra
- Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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10
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Obermeier M, Vadolas J, Verhulst S, Goossens E, Baert Y. Lipofection of Non-integrative CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins in Male Germline Stem Cells: A Simple and Effective Knockout Tool for Germline Genome Engineering. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:891173. [PMID: 35774227 PMCID: PMC9237505 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.891173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene editing in male germline stem (GS) cells is a potent tool to study spermatogenesis and to create transgenic mice. Various engineered nucleases already demonstrated the ability to modify the genome of GS cells. However, current systems are limited by technical complexity diminishing application options. To establish an easier method to mediate gene editing, we tested the lipofection of site-specific Cas9:gRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes to knockout the enhanced green fluorescent protein (Egfp) in mouse EGFP-GS cells via non-homologous end joining. To monitor whether gene conversion through homology-directed repair events occurred, single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides were co-lipofected to deliver a Bfp donor sequence. Results showed Egfp knockout in up to 22% of GS cells, which retained their undifferentiated status following transfection, while only less than 0.7% EGFP to BFP conversion was detected in gated GS cells. These data show that CRISPR/Cas9 RNP-based lipofection is a promising system to simply and effectively knock out genes in mouse GS cells. Understanding the genes involved in spermatogenesis could expand therapeutic opportunities for men suffering from infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Obermeier
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jim Vadolas
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Stefaan Verhulst
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yoni Baert
- Biology of the Testis Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Yoni Baert,
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11
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Li L, Yuan Y, Sha J. Potential clinical value of in vitro spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:95-100. [PMID: 35478246 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility has become the third most common disease threatening human health, immediately after tumors and cardiovascular diseases. Male infertility is primarily caused by spermatogenesis disorders which may be classified as either genetic or non-genetic. For part of non-genetic disorders, in vitro spermatogenesis can be induced by adjusting the microenvironment of the testis culture. Establishing the in vitro spermatogenic induction system helps to clarify the critical molecular mechanisms in spermatogonia self-renewal, spermatocyte meiosis, and sperm formation during spermatogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the field of in vitro sperm cells induction. Therefore, we hope to provide ideas and solutions for the clinical treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.,Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211103, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jiahao Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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12
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Zhang W, Nie R, Cai Y, Xie W, Zou K. Progress in germline stem cell transplantation in mammals and the potential usage. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:59. [PMID: 35361229 PMCID: PMC8969385 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00930-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are germ cells with the capacities of self-renewal and differentiation into functional gametes, and are able to migrate to their niche and reconstitute the fertility of recipients after transplantation. Therefore, GSCs transplantation is a promising technique for fertility recovery in the clinic, protection of rare animals and livestock breeding. Though this novel technique faces tremendous challenges, numerous achievements have been made after several decades' endeavor. This review summarizes the current knowledge of GSCs transplantation and its utilization in mammals, and discusses the application prospect in reproductive medicine and animal science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruotian Nie
- College of Life Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yihui Cai
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Wenhai Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, NO. 266 Xincun Road, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China.
| | - Kang Zou
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Sato M, Nakamura S, Inada E, Takabayashi S. Recent Advances in the Production of Genome-Edited Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052548. [PMID: 35269691 PMCID: PMC8910656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat is an important animal model for understanding gene function and developing human disease models. Knocking out a gene function in rats was difficult until recently, when a series of genome editing (GE) technologies, including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the type II bacterial clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) systems were successfully applied for gene modification (as exemplified by gene-specific knockout and knock-in) in the endogenous target genes of various organisms including rats. Owing to its simple application for gene modification and its ease of use, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is now commonly used worldwide. The most important aspect of this process is the selection of the method used to deliver GE components to rat embryos. In earlier stages, the microinjection (MI) of GE components into the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of a zygote was frequently employed. However, this method is associated with the use of an expensive manipulator system, the skills required to operate it, and the egg transfer (ET) of MI-treated embryos to recipient females for further development. In vitro electroporation (EP) of zygotes is next recognized as a simple and rapid method to introduce GE components to produce GE animals. Furthermore, in vitro transduction of rat embryos with adeno-associated viruses is potentially effective for obtaining GE rats. However, these two approaches also require ET. The use of gene-engineered embryonic stem cells or spermatogonial stem cells appears to be of interest to obtain GE rats; however, the procedure itself is difficult and laborious. Genome-editing via oviductal nucleic acids delivery (GONAD) (or improved GONAD (i-GONAD)) is a novel method allowing for the in situ production of GE zygotes existing within the oviductal lumen. This can be performed by the simple intraoviductal injection of GE components and subsequent in vivo EP toward the injected oviducts and does not require ET. In this review, we describe the development of various approaches for producing GE rats together with an assessment of their technical advantages and limitations, and present new GE-related technologies and current achievements using those rats in relation to human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.T.); Tel.: +81-3-3416-0181 (M.S.); +81-53-435-2001 (S.T.)
| | - Shingo Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama 359-8513, Japan;
| | - Emi Inada
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Shuji Takabayashi
- Laboratory Animal Facilities & Services, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.T.); Tel.: +81-3-3416-0181 (M.S.); +81-53-435-2001 (S.T.)
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14
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Goldsmith T, Bondareva A, Webster D, Voigt AL, Su L, Carlson DF, Dobrinski I. Targeted Gene Editing in Porcine Germ Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2495:245-258. [PMID: 35696037 PMCID: PMC9733455 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2301-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As the genetic mutations driving human disease are identified, there is an increasing need for a biomedical model that can accurately represent the disease of interest and provide a platform for potential therapeutic testing. Pigs are a better model for human disease than rodents because of their genetic and physiological similarities to humans. However, current methods to generate porcine models are both technically challenging and expensive. Germline genetic modification through gene edited spermatogonia provides an effective alternative to how these models are developed. Here, we report an improved technique of gene editing in spermatogonia of pigs using CRISPR-Cas9 to generate different edits that reflect the genotypes of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alla Bondareva
- Dept. of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Anna Laura Voigt
- Dept. of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lin Su
- Dept. of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Ina Dobrinski
- Dept. of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; and Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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15
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Xu M, Weng Q, Ji J. Applications and advances of CRISPR/Cas9 in animal cancer model. Brief Funct Genomics 2021; 19:235-241. [PMID: 32124927 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent developments of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/-associate protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) have got scientific interests due to the straightforward, efficient and versatile talents of it. Furthermore, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has democratized access to gene editing in many biological fields, including cancer. Cancer development is a multistep process caused by innate and acquired mutations and leads to the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. It is obvious that establishing appropriate animal cancer models which can simulate human cancers is crucial for cancer research currently. Since the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9, considerable efforts have been taken by researchers to apply this technology in generating animal cancer models. Although there is still a long way to go we are happy to see the achievements we have made and the promising future we have.
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16
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Pediatric and Adolescent Oncofertility in Male Patients-From Alpha to Omega. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050701. [PMID: 34066795 PMCID: PMC8150386 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the latest information about preserving reproductive potential that can offer enhanced prospects for future conception in the pediatric male population with cancer, whose fertility is threatened because of the gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation. An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0–19 years will be diagnosed with cancer each year. Fertility is compromised in one-third of adult male survivors of childhood cancer. We present the latest approaches and techniques for fertility preservation, starting with fertility preservation counselling, a clinical practice guideline used around the world and finishing with recent advances in basic science and translational research. Improving strategies for the maturation of germ cells in vitro combined with new molecular techniques for gene editing could be the next scientific keystone to eradicate genetic diseases such as cancer related mutations in the offspring of cancer survivors.
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17
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Lin JC, Van Eenennaam AL. Electroporation-Mediated Genome Editing of Livestock Zygotes. Front Genet 2021; 12:648482. [PMID: 33927751 PMCID: PMC8078910 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.648482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of genome editing reagents into mammalian zygotes has traditionally been accomplished by cytoplasmic or pronuclear microinjection. This time-consuming procedure requires expensive equipment and a high level of skill. Electroporation of zygotes offers a simplified and more streamlined approach to transfect mammalian zygotes. There are a number of studies examining the parameters used in electroporation of mouse and rat zygotes. Here, we review the electroporation conditions, timing, and success rates that have been reported for mice and rats, in addition to the few reports about livestock zygotes, specifically pigs and cattle. The introduction of editing reagents at, or soon after, fertilization can help reduce the rate of mosaicism, the presence of two of more genotypes in the cells of an individual; as can the introduction of nuclease proteins rather than mRNA encoding nucleases. Mosaicism is particularly problematic in large livestock species with long generation intervals as it can take years to obtain non-mosaic, homozygous offspring through breeding. Gene knockouts accomplished via the non-homologous end joining pathway have been more widely reported and successfully accomplished using electroporation than have gene knock-ins. Delivering large DNA plasmids into the zygote is hindered by the zona pellucida (ZP), and the majority of gene knock-ins accomplished by electroporation have been using short single stranded DNA (ssDNA) repair templates, typically less than 1 kb. The most promising approach to deliver larger donor repair templates of up to 4.9 kb along with genome editing reagents into zygotes, without using cytoplasmic injection, is to use recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) in combination with electroporation. However, similar to other methods used to deliver clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR) genome-editing reagents, this approach is also associated with high levels of mosaicism. Recent developments complementing germline ablated individuals with edited germline-competent cells offer an approach to avoid mosaicism in the germline of genome edited founder lines. Even with electroporation-mediated delivery of genome editing reagents to mammalian zygotes, there remain additional chokepoints in the genome editing pipeline that currently hinder the scalable production of non-mosaic genome edited livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason C Lin
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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18
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Azizi H, NiaziTabar A, Mohammadi A, Skutella T. Characterization of DDX4 Gene Expression in Human Cases with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia and in Sterile and Fertile Mice. J Reprod Infertil 2021; 22:85-91. [PMID: 34041004 PMCID: PMC8143011 DOI: 10.18502/jri.v22i2.5793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mammals, spermatogenesis is the main process for male fertility that is initiated by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) proliferation. SSCs are unipotent progenitor cells accountable for transferring the genetic information to the following generation by differentiating to haploid cells during spermato-and spermiogenesis. DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) is a specific germ cell marker and its expression pattern is localized to, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The expression in the SSCs on the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules is low. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Fluidigm reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the expression of DDX4 in testis tissue of fertile and sterile mice and human cases with non-obstructive azoospermia. Results Our immunohistochemical findings of fertile and busulfan-treated mice showed expression of DDX4 in the basal and luminal compartment of seminiferous tubules of fertile mice whereas no expression was detected in busulfan-treated mice. The immunohistochemical analysis of two human cases with different levels of non-obstructive azoospermia revealed more luminal DDX4 positive cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that DDX4 might be a valuable germ cell marker for analyzing the pathology of germ cell tumors and infertility as global urological problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Azizi
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Amirreza NiaziTabar
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Mohammadi
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Thomas Skutella
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Webster D, Bondareva A, Solin S, Goldsmith T, Su L, Lara NDLEM, Carlson DF, Dobrinski I. Targeted Gene Editing in Porcine Spermatogonia. Front Genet 2021; 11:627673. [PMID: 33584819 PMCID: PMC7876475 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.627673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To study the pathophysiology of human diseases, develop innovative treatments, and refine approaches for regenerative medicine require appropriate preclinical models. Pigs share physiologic and anatomic characteristics with humans and are genetically more similar to humans than are mice. Genetically modified pigs are essential where rodent models do not mimic the human disease phenotype. The male germline stem cell or spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) is unique; it is the only cell type in an adult male that divides and contributes genes to future generations, making it an ideal target for genetic modification. Here we report that CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-mediated gene editing in porcine spermatogonia that include SSCs is significantly more efficient than previously reported editing with TALENs and allows precise gene editing by homology directed repair (HDR). We also established homology-mediated end joining (HMEJ) as a second approach to targeted gene editing to enable introduction of larger transgenes and/or humanizing parts of the pig genome for disease modeling or regenerative medicine. In summary, the approaches established in the current study result in efficient targeted genome editing in porcine germ cells for precise replication of human disease alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alla Bondareva
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Staci Solin
- Recombinetics, Inc., St. Paul, MN, United States
| | | | - Lin Su
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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20
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Prokai D, Pudasaini A, Kanchwala M, Moehlman AT, Waits AE, Chapman KM, Chaudhary J, Acevedo J, Keller P, Chao X, Carr BR, Hamra FK. Spermatogonial Gene Networks Selectively Couple to Glutathione and Pentose Phosphate Metabolism but Not Cysteine Biosynthesis. iScience 2021; 24:101880. [PMID: 33458605 PMCID: PMC7797946 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In adult males, spermatogonia maintain lifelong spermatozoa production for oocyte fertilization. To understand spermatogonial metabolism we compared gene profiles in rat spermatogonia to publicly available mouse, monkey, and human spermatogonial gene profiles. Interestingly, rat spermatogonia expressed metabolic control factors Foxa1, Foxa2, and Foxa3. Germline Foxa2 was enriched in Gfra1Hi and Gfra1Low undifferentiated A-single spermatogonia. Foxa2-bound loci in spermatogonial chromatin were overrepresented by conserved stemness genes (Dusp6, Gfra1, Etv5, Rest, Nanos2, Foxp1) that intersect bioinformatically with conserved glutathione/pentose phosphate metabolism genes (Tkt, Gss, Gc l c , Gc l m, Gpx1, Gpx4, Fth), marking elevated spermatogonial GSH:GSSG. Cystine-uptake and intracellular conversion to cysteine typically couple glutathione biosynthesis to pentose phosphate metabolism. Rat spermatogonia, curiously, displayed poor germline stem cell viability in cystine-containing media, and, like primate spermatogonia, exhibited reduced transsulfuration pathway markers. Exogenous cysteine, cysteine-like mercaptans, somatic testis cells, and ferroptosis inhibitors counteracted the cysteine-starvation-induced spermatogonial death and stimulated spermatogonial growth factor activity in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Prokai
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ashutosh Pudasaini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- GenomeDesigns Laboratory, LLC, 314 Stonebridge Drive, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Andrew T. Moehlman
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Alexandrea E. Waits
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Karen M. Chapman
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jaideep Chaudhary
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jesus Acevedo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Patrick Keller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xing Chao
- McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Bruce R. Carr
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - F. Kent Hamra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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21
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Gul M, Hildorf S, Dong L, Thorup J, Hoffmann ER, Jensen CFS, Sønksen J, Cortes D, Fedder J, Andersen CY, Goossens E. Review of injection techniques for spermatogonial stem cell transplantation. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:368-391. [PMID: 32163572 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the prognosis of childhood cancer survivors has increased dramatically during recent years, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer and other conditions may lead to permanent infertility in prepubertal boys. Recent developments have shown that spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation may be a hope for restoring fertility in adult survivors of childhood cancers. For this reason, several centres around the world are collecting and cryopreserving testicular tissue or cells anticipating that, in the near future, some patients will return for SSC transplantation. This review summarizes the current knowledge and utility of SSC transplantation techniques. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the currently used experimental injection techniques for SSC transplantation in animal and human testes. This is crucial in understanding and determining the role of the different techniques necessary for successful transplantation. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications on this topic was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search was limited to English language work and studies between 1994 (from the first study on SSC transplantation) and April 2019. Key search terms included mouse, rat, boar, ram, dog, sheep, goat, cattle, monkey, human, cadaver, testes, SSC transplantation, injection and technique. OUTCOMES This review provides an extensive clinical overview of the current research in the field of human SSC transplantation. Rete testis injection with ultrasonography guidance currently seems the most promising injection technique thus far; however, the ability to draw clear conclusions is limited due to long ischemia time of cadaver testis, the relatively decreased volume of the testis, the diminishing size of seminiferous tubules, a lack of intratesticular pressure and leakage into the interstitium during the injection on human cadaver testis. Current evidence does not support improved outcomes from multiple infusions through the rete testes. Overall, further optimization is required to increase the efficiency and safety of the infusion method. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Identifying a favourable injection method for SSC transplantation will provide insight into the mechanisms of successful assisted human reproduction. Future research could focus on reducing leakage and establishing the optimal infusion cell concentrations and pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Gul
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250 Konya, Turkey
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lihua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorgen Thorup
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jens Sønksen
- Department of Urology, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, 2930 Herlev, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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22
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A noncanonical role of NOD-like receptor NLRP14 in PGCLC differentiation and spermatogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22237-22248. [PMID: 32839316 PMCID: PMC7486727 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005533117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are traditionally recognized as key surveillance pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) during innate immune regulation. Several NLRs exhibit highly restricted expression in mammalian germline, where their physiological functions are largely unknown. Here we report that Nlrp14, an NLR specifically expressed in testis and ovary, plays a critical role in regulating germ cell differentiation and reproduction. Nlrp14 deficiency led to decreased primordial germ cell-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in vitro and reproduction failure in both male and female mice in vivo. In the male mice, Nlrp14 knockout strongly compromised differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells and meiosis. Mechanistically, NLRP14 protected HSPA2 from proteasome-mediated degradation by recruiting BAG2, loss of which was further confirmed in a human mutation associated with male sterility. NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are traditionally recognized as major inflammasome components. The role of NLRs in germ cell differentiation and reproduction is not known. Here, we identified the gonad-specific Nlrp14 as a pivotal regulator in primordial germ cell-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in vitro. Physiologically, knock out of Nlrp14 resulted in reproductive failure in both female and male mice. In adult male mice, Nlrp14 knockout (KO) inhibited differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and meiosis, resulting in trapped SSCs in early stages, severe oligozoospermia, and sperm abnormality. Mechanistically, NLRP14 promoted spermatogenesis by recruiting a chaperone cofactor, BAG2, to bind with HSPA2 and form the NLRP14−HSPA2−BAG2 complex, which strongly inhibited ChIP-mediated HSPA2 polyubiquitination and promoted its nuclear translocation. Finally, loss of HSPA2 protection and BAG2 recruitment by NLRP14 was confirmed in a human nonsense germline variant associated with male sterility. Together, our data highlight a unique proteasome-mediated, noncanonical function of NLRP14 in PGCLC differentiation and spermatogenesis, providing mechanistic insights of gonad-specific NLRs in mammalian germline development.
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23
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Robertson MJ, Kent K, Tharp N, Nozawa K, Dean L, Mathew M, Grimm SL, Yu Z, Légaré C, Fujihara Y, Ikawa M, Sullivan R, Coarfa C, Matzuk MM, Garcia TX. Large-scale discovery of male reproductive tract-specific genes through analysis of RNA-seq datasets. BMC Biol 2020; 18:103. [PMID: 32814578 PMCID: PMC7436996 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00826-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of a safe, effective, reversible, non-hormonal contraceptive method for men has been an ongoing effort for the past few decades. However, despite significant progress on elucidating the function of key proteins involved in reproduction, understanding male reproductive physiology is limited by incomplete information on the genes expressed in reproductive tissues, and no contraceptive targets have so far reached clinical trials. To advance product development, further identification of novel reproductive tract-specific genes leading to potentially druggable protein targets is imperative. Results In this study, we expand on previous single tissue, single species studies by integrating analysis of publicly available human and mouse RNA-seq datasets whose initial published purpose was not focused on identifying male reproductive tract-specific targets. We also incorporate analysis of additional newly acquired human and mouse testis and epididymis samples to increase the number of targets identified. We detected a combined total of 1178 genes for which no previous evidence of male reproductive tract-specific expression was annotated, many of which are potentially druggable targets. Through RT-PCR, we confirmed the reproductive tract-specific expression of 51 novel orthologous human and mouse genes without a reported mouse model. Of these, we ablated four epididymis-specific genes (Spint3, Spint4, Spint5, and Ces5a) and two testis-specific genes (Pp2d1 and Saxo1) in individual or double knockout mice generated through the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Our results validate a functional requirement for Spint4/5 and Ces5a in male mouse fertility, while demonstrating that Spint3, Pp2d1, and Saxo1 are each individually dispensable for male mouse fertility. Conclusions Our work provides a plethora of novel testis- and epididymis-specific genes and elucidates the functional requirement of several of these genes, which is essential towards understanding the etiology of male infertility and the development of male contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Robertson
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Katarzyna Kent
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nathan Tharp
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Laura Dean
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michelle Mathew
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sandra L Grimm
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Christine Légaré
- Department Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705 boul Laurier, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Department of Bioscience and Genetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibeshinmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Robert Sullivan
- Department Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health Division, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 2705 boul Laurier, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Center for Precision Environmental Health, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX, 77058, USA. .,Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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24
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The study and manipulation of spermatogonial stem cells using animal models. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:393-414. [PMID: 32337615 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03212-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are a rare group of cells in the testis that undergo self-renewal and complex sequences of differentiation to initiate and sustain spermatogenesis, to ensure the continuity of sperm production throughout adulthood. The difficulty of unequivocal identification of SSCs and complexity of replicating their differentiation properties in vitro have prompted the introduction of novel in vivo models such as germ cell transplantation (GCT), testis tissue xenografting (TTX), and testis cell aggregate implantation (TCAI). Owing to these unique animal models, our ability to study and manipulate SSCs has dramatically increased, which complements the availability of other advanced assisted reproductive technologies and various genome editing tools. These animal models can advance our knowledge of SSCs, testis tissue morphogenesis and development, germ-somatic cell interactions, and mechanisms that control spermatogenesis. Equally important, these animal models can have a wide range of experimental and potential clinical applications in fertility preservation of prepubertal cancer patients, and genetic conservation of endangered species. Moreover, these models allow experimentations that are otherwise difficult or impossible to be performed directly in the target species. Examples include proof-of-principle manipulation of germ cells for correction of genetic disorders or investigation of potential toxicants or new drugs on human testis formation or function. The primary focus of this review is to highlight the importance, methodology, current and potential future applications, as well as limitations of using these novel animal models in the study and manipulation of male germline stem cells.
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Sandoval A, Elahi H, Ploski JE. Genetically Engineering the Nervous System with CRISPR-Cas. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0419-19.2020. [PMID: 32098761 PMCID: PMC7096538 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0419-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The multitude of neuronal subtypes and extensive interconnectivity of the mammalian brain presents a substantial challenge to those seeking to decipher its functions. While the molecular mechanisms of several neuronal functions remain poorly characterized, advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and gene-editing technology have begun to close this gap. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein (CRISPR-Cas) system has emerged as a powerful genetic tool capable of manipulating the genome of essentially any organism and cell type. This technology has advanced our understanding of complex neurologic diseases by enabling the rapid generation of novel, disease-relevant in vitro and transgenic animal models. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the rapidly accelerating field of CRISPR-mediated genome engineering. We begin with an overview of the canonical function of the CRISPR platform, followed by a functional review of its many adaptations, with an emphasis on its applications for genetic interrogation of the normal and diseased nervous system. Additionally, we discuss limitations of the CRISPR editing system and suggest how future modifications to existing platforms may advance our understanding of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Sandoval
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Hajira Elahi
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Jonathan E Ploski
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences and the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
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Shinohara T, Kanatsu-Shinohara M. Transgenesis and Genome Editing of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells by Lentivirus Pseudotyped with Sendai Virus F Protein. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:447-461. [PMID: 32160520 PMCID: PMC7066332 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) serve as a resource for producing genetically modified animals. However, genetic manipulation of SSCs has met with limited success. Here, we show efficient gene transfer into SSCs via a lentivirus (FV-LV) using a fusion protein (F), a Sendai virus (SV) envelope protein involved in virion/cell membrane fusion. FV-LVs transduced cultured SSCs more efficiently than conventional LVs. Although SSCs infected with SV failed to produce offspring, those transduced with FV-LVs were fertile. In vivo microinjection showed that FV-LVs could penetrate not only the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules but also the blood-testis barrier, which resulted in successful transduction of both spermatogenic cells and testicular somatic cells. Cultured SSCs transfected with FV-LVs that express drug-inducible CRISPR/Cas9 against Kit or Sycp3 showed impaired spermatogenesis upon transplantation and drug treatment in vivo. Thus, FV-LVs provide an efficient method for functional analysis of genes involved in SSCs and spermatogenesis. Sendai virus-derived F protein enhances lentiviral infection of male germ cells Transfected spermatogonial stem cells undergo germline transmission Lentivirus pseudotyped with F protein penetrates the blood-testis barrier This method is compatible with in vivo conditional gene editing
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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27
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Li X, Sun T, Wang X, Tang J, Liu Y. Restore natural fertility of Kit w/Kit wv mouse with nonobstructive azoospermia through gene editing on SSCs mediated by CRISPR-Cas9. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:271. [PMID: 31445521 PMCID: PMC6708192 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1386-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Male infertility is a serious social problem in modern society. Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) caused by germ cell gene defects is an important reason for male infertility, but effective clinical treatment for this disease has not been established. Methods We choose Kitw/Kitwv mouse as a research model and try to develop a new treatment strategy and “cure” its infertility. Mutant spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were isolated from one single unilateral testis of a 14-day-old Kitw/Kitwv mouse and propagated in vitro. The C to T point mutation on Kitwv site of these SSCs was corrected through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) in vitro. Then, the repaired SSCs were screened out, proliferated, and transplanted into the remaining testis, and complete spermatogenesis was established in the recipient testis. Results Healthy offsprings with wild type Kit gene or Kitw mutation were obtained through natural mating 4 months after SSC transplantation. Conclusion In this study, we established an effective new treatment strategy for NOA caused by germ cell gene defects through a combination of SSC isolation, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, and SSC transplantation, which brought hope for these NOA patients to restore their natural fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Li
- Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tiecheng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xiuxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jixin Tang
- Institute of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yixun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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28
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Kubota H, Brinster RL. Spermatogonial stem cells. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:52-74. [PMID: 29617903 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the most primitive spermatogonia in the testis and have an essential role to maintain highly productive spermatogenesis by self-renewal and continuous generation of daughter spermatogonia that differentiate into spermatozoa, transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Since the 1950s, many experimental methods, including histology, immunostaining, whole-mount analyses, and pulse-chase labeling, had been used in attempts to identify SSCs, but without success. In 1994, a spermatogonial transplantation method was reported that established a quantitative functional assay to identify SSCs by evaluating their ability to both self-renew and differentiate to spermatozoa. The system was originally developed using mice and subsequently extended to nonrodents, including domestic animals and humans. Availability of the functional assay for SSCs has made it possible to develop culture systems for their ex vivo expansion, which dramatically advanced germ cell biology and allowed medical and agricultural applications. In coming years, SSCs will be increasingly used to understand their regulation, as well as in germline modification, including gene correction, enhancement of male fertility, and conversion of somatic cells to biologically competent male germline cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kubota
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Animal Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ralph L Brinster
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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29
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Bolcun-Filas E, Handel MA. Meiosis: the chromosomal foundation of reproduction. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:112-126. [PMID: 29385397 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is the chromosomal foundation of reproduction, with errors in this important process leading to aneuploidy and/or infertility. In this review celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the important chromosomal structures and dynamics contributing to genomic integrity across generations are highlighted. Critical unsolved biological problems are identified, and the advances that will lead to their ultimate resolution are predicted.
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Savvulidi F, Ptacek M, Savvulidi Vargova K, Stadnik L. Manipulation of spermatogonial stem cells in livestock species. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:46. [PMID: 31205688 PMCID: PMC6560896 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0355-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We are entering an exciting epoch in livestock biotechnology during which the fundamental approaches (such as transgenesis, spermatozoa cryopreservation and artificial insemination) will be enhanced based on the modern understanding of the biology of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) combined with the outstanding recent advances in genomic editing technologies and in vitro cell culture systems. The general aim of this review is to outline comprehensively the promising applications of SSC manipulation that could in the nearest future find practical application in livestock breeding. Here, we will focus on 1) the basics of mammalian SSC biology; 2) the approaches for SSC isolation and purification; 3) the available in vitro systems for the stable expansion of isolated SSCs; 4) a discussion of how the manipulation of SSCs can accelerate livestock transgenesis; 5) a thorough overview of the techniques of SSC transplantation in livestock species (including the preparation of recipients for SSC transplantation, the ultrasonographic-guided SSC transplantation technique in large farm animals, and the perspectives to improve further the SSC transplantation efficiency), and finally, 6) why SSC transplantation is valuable to extend the techniques of spermatozoa cryopreservation and/or artificial insemination. For situations where no reliable data have yet been obtained for a particular livestock species, we will rely on the data obtained from studies conducted in rodents because the knowledge gained from rodent research is translatable to livestock species to a great extent. On the other hand, we will draw special attention to situations where such translation is not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipp Savvulidi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol Czech Republic
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, U Nemocnice 5, 128 53 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ptacek
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol Czech Republic
| | - Karina Savvulidi Vargova
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, U Nemocnice 5, 128 53 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Stadnik
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Suchdol Czech Republic
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31
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Zhou H, Zeng Z, Koentgen F, Khan M, Mombaerts P. The testicular soma of Tsc22d3 knockout mice supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from spermatogonial stem cell lines upon transplantation. Genesis 2019; 57:e23295. [PMID: 31001916 PMCID: PMC6617806 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are adult stem cells that are slowly cycling and self-renewing. The pool of SSCs generates very large numbers of male gametes throughout the life of the individual. SSCs can be cultured in vitro for long periods of time, and established SSC lines can be manipulated genetically. Upon transplantation into the testes of infertile mice, long-term cultured mouse SSCs can differentiate into fertile spermatozoa, which can give rise to live offspring. Here, we show that the testicular soma of mice with a conditional knockout (conKO) in the X-linked gene Tsc22d3 supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from cultured mouse SSCs upon transplantation. Infertile males were produced by crossing homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. We obtained 96 live offspring from six long-term cultured SSC lines with the aid of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We advocate the further optimization of Tsc22d3-conKO males as recipients for testis transplantation of SSC lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhou
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
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32
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Bäck S, Necarsulmer J, Whitaker LR, Coke LM, Koivula P, Heathward EJ, Fortuno LV, Zhang Y, Yeh CG, Baldwin HA, Spencer MD, Mejias-Aponte CA, Pickel J, Hoffman AF, Spivak CE, Lupica CR, Underhill SM, Amara SG, Domanskyi A, Anttila JE, Airavaara M, Hope BT, Hamra FK, Richie CT, Harvey BK. Neuron-Specific Genome Modification in the Adult Rat Brain Using CRISPR-Cas9 Transgenic Rats. Neuron 2019; 102:105-119.e8. [PMID: 30792150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Historically, the rat has been the preferred animal model for behavioral studies. Limitations in genome modification have, however, caused a lag in their use compared to the bevy of available transgenic mice. Here, we have developed several transgenic tools, including viral vectors and transgenic rats, for targeted genome modification in specific adult rat neurons using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Starting from wild-type rats, knockout of tyrosine hydroxylase was achieved with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors expressing Cas9 or guide RNAs (gRNAs). We subsequently created an AAV vector for Cre-dependent gRNA expression as well as three new transgenic rat lines to specifically target CRISPR-Cas9 components to dopaminergic neurons. One rat represents the first knockin rat model made by germline gene targeting in spermatogonial stem cells. The rats described herein serve as a versatile platform for making cell-specific and sequence-specific genome modifications in the adult brain and potentially other Cre-expressing tissues of the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Bäck
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Julie Necarsulmer
- Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Leslie R Whitaker
- Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Lamarque M Coke
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Pyry Koivula
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Emily J Heathward
- Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Lowella V Fortuno
- Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - C Grace Yeh
- Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Heather A Baldwin
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Morgan D Spencer
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Carlos A Mejias-Aponte
- Histology Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - James Pickel
- Transgenic Technology Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alexander F Hoffman
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Charles E Spivak
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Carl R Lupica
- Electrophysiology Research Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Suzanne M Underhill
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Susan G Amara
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrii Domanskyi
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni E Anttila
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Airavaara
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bruce T Hope
- Neuronal Ensembles in Drug Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - F Kent Hamra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 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 75390, USA
| | - Christopher T Richie
- Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Brandon K Harvey
- Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Stress and Inflammation Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Optogenetics and Transgenic Technology Core/Genetic Engineering and Viral Vector Core, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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33
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Zarei A, Razban V, Hosseini SE, Tabei SMB. Creating cell and animal models of human disease by genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9. J Gene Med 2019; 21:e3082. [DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Zarei
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Marvdasht BranchIslamic Azad University Marvdasht Iran
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Science and Research BranchIslamic Azad University Fars Iran
| | - Vahid Razban
- Department of Molecular medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies Shiraz Iran
- Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research CenterShiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
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Establishment of an electroporation-mediated gene delivery system in porcine spermatogonial stem cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2019; 55:177-188. [PMID: 30725355 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-019-00326-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are a useful tool for the generation of genetically modified transgenic sperm. As a result, the transfer of specific genes into the cytoplasm of SSCs is crucial for the successful generation of transgenic sperm. Here, we report electroporation conditions optimized for SSCs derived from the porcine testis. The highest transfection efficiency and cell viability were observed in porcine SSCs transfected with 1 μg transgenic vector with a single electric pulse from an electroporator at a voltage of 100 V and a capacitor setting of 250 μF. The transfection efficiency and cell viability were constant regardless of the size of the transgenic vector. Furthermore, we did not detect loss of spermatozoa differentiation potential in the transfected porcine SSCs. From these results, we confirm that this electroporation-based gene delivery system can effectively introduce foreign DNA into the genome of porcine SSCs without any loss of the original porcine SSC characteristics, which will be important in the generation of mosaicism-free transgenic pigs produced from transgenic porcine sperm.
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35
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Ghanbari L, Rynes ML, Hu J, Schulman DS, Johnson GW, Laroque M, Shull GM, Kodandaramaiah SB. Craniobot: A computer numerical controlled robot for cranial microsurgeries. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1023. [PMID: 30705287 PMCID: PMC6355931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37073-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, a plethora of tools has been developed for neuroscientists to interface with the brain. Implementing these tools requires precisely removing sections of the skull to access the brain. These delicate cranial microsurgical procedures need to be performed on the sub-millimeter thick bone without damaging the underlying tissue and therefore, require significant training. Automating some of these procedures would not only enable more precise microsurgical operations, but also facilitate widespread use of advanced neurotechnologies. Here, we introduce the "Craniobot", a cranial microsurgery platform that combines automated skull surface profiling with a computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling machine to perform a variety of cranial microsurgical procedures on mice. The Craniobot utilizes a low-force contact sensor to profile the skull surface and uses this information to perform precise milling operations within minutes. We have used the Craniobot to perform intact skull thinning and open small to large craniotomies over the dorsal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Ghanbari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mathew L Rynes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jia Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel S Schulman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gregory W Johnson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael Laroque
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Gabriella M Shull
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
| | - Suhasa B Kodandaramaiah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA.
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36
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Alcantar TM, Rairdan XY. Microinjection and Oviduct Transfer Procedures for Rat Model Generation with CRISPR-Cas9 Technology. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1874:273-294. [PMID: 30353520 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8831-0_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the first knockout rat model was generated with zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) by Geurt's group in 2009, the demand for making targeted rat models has increased tremendously. The advent of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system provides researchers with a more efficient method for producing modified animals, which has since then been developed and applied in rat. Since we established a rat model production system at our facility in 2014, we have consistently generated rat models. Due to differences in physiology and embryology between mouse and rat, species-specific protocols for superovulation conditions, microinjection, and embryo transfer (among others) are required. There are over 100 rat strains, and Sprague Dawley is one of the commonly used outbred strains in biomedical research. In this chapter, we describe in detail a range of topics including donor and recipient preparation, microinjection setup, CRISPR reagent preparation, and oviduct transfer procedures for making rat models in the Sprague Dawley background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija M Alcantar
- Embryo Technology Group, gRED Animal Resources, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xin Y Rairdan
- Embryo Technology Group, gRED Animal Resources, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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37
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Mehravar M, Shirazi A, Nazari M, Banan M. Mosaicism in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Dev Biol 2019; 445:156-162. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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38
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Sato T, Ogawa T. Generating Genetically Engineered Mice Using a Spermatogonial Stem Cell-Mediated Method. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1874:87-98. [PMID: 30353509 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8831-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) can be grown in culture for long periods. Cultured SSCs, also called germline stem (GS) cells, maintain themselves by self-renewing proliferation while retaining the ability to differentiate into sperm. Thus, when transplanted into the seminiferous tubules of a host mouse testis, they settle in the basal compartment of the tubules and establish spermatogenenic colonies. The sperm produced in the host are competent to produce offspring. This can be exploited for the generation of genetically modified mice, through the transplantation of genetically modified GS cells. In this section, we describe a method of genome editing-mediated GS cell modification and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.,Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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39
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Takashima S. Biology and manipulation technologies of male germline stem cells in mammals. Reprod Med Biol 2018; 17:398-406. [PMID: 30377393 PMCID: PMC6194257 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the origin of sperm and defined by their functions of "colonization in the testis" and "spermatogenesis". In vitro manipulation techniques of SSCs contribute to a wide variety of fields including reproductive medicine and molecular breeding. This review presents the recent progress of the biology and manipulation technologies of SSCs. METHODS Research articles regarding SSC biology and technologies were collected and summarized. MAIN FINDINGS Dr. Ralph Brinster developed the spermatogonial transplantation technique that enables SSC detection by functional markers. Using this technique, cultured SSCs, termed germline stem (GS) cells, were established from the mouse. GS cells provide the opportunity to produce genome-edited animals without using zygotes. In vitro spermatogenesis allows production of haploid germ cells from GS cells without spermatogonial transplantation. The recent advancement of pluripotent stem cell culture techniques has also achieved production of functional GS-like cells in addition to male/female germ cells. CONCLUSION Although in vitro manipulation techniques of GS cells have been developed for the mouse, it appears to be difficult to apply these techniques to other species. Understanding and control of interspecies barriers are required to extend this technology to nonrodent mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Takashima
- Faculty of Textile Science and TechnologyShinshu UniversityUedaJapan
- Graduate school of Science and TechnologyShinshu UniversityUedaJapan
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40
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Katz G, Pitts PJ. Implications of CRISPR-Based Germline Engineering for Cancer Survivors. Ther Innov Regul Sci 2018; 51:672-682. [PMID: 30227096 DOI: 10.1177/2168479017723401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer survivors can carry germline mutations that will be transmitted to their progeny. Today, many of these mutations have been identified and can be tracked. With the recent development of genome-editing technologies and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), the possibility of genetically modifying the human germline-gametes and embryos-has never been closer. This perspective has sparked a controversy within the scientific community with reactions ranging from calls for a ban on germline modification to cautious approval of further research. This Editorial analyzes the possible adoption of CRISPR-based germline engineering to prevent the spread of cancer predispositions in the human population. We discuss whether the genomic edition of human sperm and eggs would contribute to rectifying or altering the heritable genome. We anticipate the emergence of a new form of liberal eugenics fueled by a logic of offer and demand from stakeholders such as cancer survivors and their relatives and offspring, but also from fertility clinics, biotech firms, insurers, and clinicians. From a regulatory perspective, validating the clinical safety and utility of CRISPR-based germline engineering is an essential step. However, with time, gradually perfecting the technology and assessing the economic benefits for stakeholders could soften society's resistance and align opinions in support of genomic decontamination of human germlines. This progressive shift would be justified in the name of cancer prevention as well as a moral obligation to facilitate the conception of cancer-free children at a cost that is acceptable to individuals and health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Katz
- 1 Chaired Professor of Innovation Management & Healthcare Performance, School of Medicine, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Peter J Pitts
- 2 President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, Former Associate Commissioner, United States Food and Drug Administration, New York, NY, USA
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Noto FK, Adjan-Steffey V, Tong M, Ravichandran K, Zhang W, Arey A, McClain CB, Ostertag E, Mazhar S, Sangodkar J, DiFeo A, Crawford J, Narla G, Jamling TY. Sprague Dawley Rag2-Null Rats Created from Engineered Spermatogonial Stem Cells Are Immunodeficient and Permissive to Human Xenografts. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2481-2489. [PMID: 30206106 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The rat is the preferred model for toxicology studies, and it offers distinctive advantages over the mouse as a preclinical research model including larger sample size collection, lower rates of drug clearance, and relative ease of surgical manipulation. An immunodeficient rat would allow for larger tumor size development, prolonged dosing and drug efficacy studies, and preliminary toxicologic testing and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in the same model animal. Here, we created an immunodeficient rat with a functional deletion of the Recombination Activating Gene 2 (Rag2) gene, using genetically modified spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). We targeted the Rag2 gene in rat SSCs with TALENs and transplanted these Rag2-deficient SSCs into sterile recipients. Offspring were genotyped, and a founder with a 27 bp deletion mutation was identified and bred to homozygosity to produce the Sprague-Dawley Rag2 - Rag2 tm1Hera (SDR) knockout rat. We demonstrated that SDR rat lacks mature B and T cells. Furthermore, the SDR rat model was permissive to growth of human glioblastoma cell line subcutaneously resulting in successful growth of tumors. In addition, a human KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer cell line (H358), a patient-derived high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell line (OV81), and a patient-derived recurrent endometrial cancer cell line (OV185) were transplanted subcutaneously to test the ability of the SDR rat to accommodate human xenografts from multiple tissue types. All human cancer cell lines showed efficient tumor uptake and growth kinetics indicating that the SDR rat is a viable host for a range of xenograft studies. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(11); 2481-9. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Min Tong
- Poseida Therapeutics Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | - Wei Zhang
- Hera BioLabs Inc., Lexington, Kentucky
| | | | | | - Eric Ostertag
- Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Sahar Mazhar
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | | | - Jack Crawford
- Hera BioLabs Inc., Lexington, Kentucky.,Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Goutham Narla
- Hera BioLabs Inc., Lexington, Kentucky.,The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Tseten Y Jamling
- Hera BioLabs Inc., Lexington, Kentucky. .,Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, Kentucky
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42
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Darbey A, Smith LB. Deliverable transgenics & gene therapy possibilities for the testes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 468:81-94. [PMID: 29191697 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility and hypogonadism are clinically prevalent conditions with a high socioeconomic burden and are both linked to an increased risk in cardiovascular-metabolic diseases and earlier mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the causes and develop new treatments for these conditions that affect millions of men. The accelerating advancement in gene editing and delivery technologies promises improvements in both diagnosis as well as affording the opportunity to develop bespoke treatment options which would both prove beneficial for the millions of individuals afflicted with these reproductive disorders. In this review, we summarise the systems developed and utilised for the delivery of gene therapy and discuss how each of these systems could be applied for the development of a gene therapy system in the testis and how they could be of use for the future diagnosis and repair of common male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalucia Darbey
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lee B Smith
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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43
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Chen Y, Spitzer S, Agathou S, Karadottir RT, Smith A. Gene Editing in Rat Embryonic Stem Cells to Produce In Vitro Models and In Vivo Reporters. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 9:1262-1274. [PMID: 29020614 PMCID: PMC5639479 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rat embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offer the potential for sophisticated genome engineering in this valuable biomedical model species. However, germline transmission has been rare following conventional homologous recombination and clonal selection. Here, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to target genomic mutations and insertions. We first evaluated utility for directed mutagenesis and recovered clones with biallelic deletions in Lef1. Mutant cells exhibited reduced sensitivity to glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibition during self-renewal. We then generated a non-disruptive knockin of dsRed at the Sox10 locus. Two clones produced germline chimeras. Comparative expression of dsRed and SOX10 validated the fidelity of the reporter. To illustrate utility, live imaging of dsRed in neonatal brain slices was employed to visualize oligodendrocyte lineage cells for patch-clamp recording. Overall, these results show that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in germline-competent rat ESCs is enabling for in vitro studies and for generating genetically modified rats. Gene mutation and homologous recombination in rat ESCs using CRISPR/Cas9 Lef1 mutants exhibit predicted loss of hypersensitivity to GSK3 inhibition Sox10 knockin rat provides a vital reporter of neural crest and oligodendroglia Sox10::dsRed facilitates patch-clamp recording from oligodendroglial lineage cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Chen
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Sonia Spitzer
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Sylvia Agathou
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Ragnhildur Thora Karadottir
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
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44
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Takashima S, Shinohara T. Culture and transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2018; 29:46-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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45
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Tang L, Bondareva A, González R, Rodriguez-Sosa JR, Carlson DF, Webster D, Fahrenkrug S, Dobrinski I. TALEN-mediated gene targeting in porcine spermatogonia. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:250-261. [PMID: 29393557 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonia represent a diploid germ cell population that includes spermatogonial stem cells. In this report, we describe new methods for isolation of highly enriched porcine spermatogonia based on light scatter properties, and for targeted mutagenesis in porcine spermatogonia using nucleofection and TALENs. We optimized a nucleofection protocol to deliver TALENs specifically targeting the DMD locus in porcine spermatogonia. We also validated specific sorting of porcine spermatogonia based on light scatter properties. We were able to obtain a highly enriched germ cell population with over 90% of cells being UCH-L1 positive undifferentiated spermatogonia. After gene targeting in porcine spermatogonia, indel (insertion or deletion) mutations as a result of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) were detected in up to 18% of transfected cells. Our report demonstrates for the first time an approach to obtain a live cell population highly enriched in undifferentiated spermatogonia from immature porcine testes, and that gene targeting can be achieved in porcine spermatogonia which will enable germ line modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Tang
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Alla Bondareva
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Raquel González
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jose R Rodriguez-Sosa
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
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46
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Abstract
The performance of the molecular tool using CRISPR-Cas9, which makes it possible to induce targeted modifications of the DNA, has found numerous applications in research and open promising prospects in human clinic. CRISPR-Cas9 has been widely used to generate transgenic animals after targeted modification of the genome at the zygotic stage. It was also tested on human embryos on an experimental basis. Although there are potential medical indications that may justify a targeted modification of the embryo or germ cell genome, the uncertainties regarding the efficacy and safety of the method do not allow us to consider implementing such germline gene therapy in the short-term. However, it is necessary to weigh the scientific and ethical issues involved in this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Jouannet
- Université Paris Descartes, 12 Rue de l'École de Médecine, 75006 Paris, France
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47
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Medrano JV, Andrés MDM, García S, Herraiz S, Vilanova-Pérez T, Goossens E, Pellicer A. Basic and Clinical Approaches for Fertility Preservation and Restoration in Cancer Patients. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 36:199-215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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48
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Tálas A, Kulcsár PI, Weinhardt N, Borsy A, Tóth E, Szebényi K, Krausz SL, Huszár K, Vida I, Sturm Á, Gordos B, Hoffmann OI, Bencsura P, Nyeste A, Ligeti Z, Fodor E, Welker E. A convenient method to pre-screen candidate guide RNAs for CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing by NHEJ-mediated integration of a 'self-cleaving' GFP-expression plasmid. DNA Res 2017; 24:609-621. [PMID: 28679166 PMCID: PMC5726473 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsx029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacies of guide RNAs (gRNAs), the short RNA molecules that bind to and determine the sequence specificity of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nuclease, to mediate DNA cleavage vary dramatically. Thus, the selection of appropriate target sites, and hence spacer sequence, is critical for most applications. Here, we describe a simple, unparalleled method for experimentally pre-testing the efficiencies of various gRNAs targeting a gene. The method explores NHEJ-cloning, genomic integration of a GFP-expressing plasmid without homologous arms and linearized in-cell. The use of 'self-cleaving' GFP-plasmids containing universal gRNAs and corresponding targets alleviates cloning burdens when this method is applied. These universal gRNAs mediate efficient plasmid cleavage and are designed to avoid genomic targets in several model species. The method combines the advantages of the straightforward FACS detection provided by applying fluorescent reporter systems and of the PCR-based approaches being capable of testing targets in their genomic context, without necessitating any extra cloning steps. Additionally, we show that NHEJ-cloning can also be used in mammalian cells for targeted integration of donor plasmids up to 10 kb in size, with up to 30% efficiency, without any selection or enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Tálas
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter István Kulcsár
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Nóra Weinhardt
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Adrienn Borsy
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Tóth
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kornélia Szebényi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sarah Laura Krausz
- School of Ph.D. Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Huszár
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Vida
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Sturm
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bianka Gordos
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Ivett Hoffmann
- Animal Biotechnology Section, Ruminant Genome Biology Group, NARIC Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Petra Bencsura
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Antal Nyeste
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Ligeti
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Elfrieda Fodor
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ervin Welker
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
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49
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Gassei K, Sheng Y, Fayomi A, Mital P, Sukhwani M, Lin CC, Peters KA, Althouse A, Valli H, Orwig KE. DDX4-EGFP transgenic rat model for the study of germline development and spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:707-719. [PMID: 28339678 PMCID: PMC5803776 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.142828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. In addition, these adult tissue stem cells can be used as vehicles for germline modification in animal models and may have application for treating male infertility. To facilitate the investigation of SSCs and germ lineage development in rats, we generated a DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) (VASA) promoter-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter transgenic rat. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence confirmed that EGFP was expressed in the germ cells of the ovaries and testes and was absent in somatic cells and tissues. Germ cell transplantation demonstrated that the EGFP-positive germ cell population from DDX4-EGFP rat testes contained SSCs capable of establishing spermatogenesis in experimentally infertile mouse recipient testes. EGFP-positive germ cells could be easily isolated by fluorescence-activated cells sorting, while simultaneously removing testicular somatic cells from DDX4-EGFP rat pup testes. The EGFP-positive fraction provided an optimal cell suspension to establish rat SSC cultures that maintained long-term expression of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16) and spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4), two markers of mouse SSCs that are conserved in rats. The novel DDX4-EGFP germ cell reporter rat described here combined with previously described GCS-EGFP rats, rat SSC culture and gene editing tools will improve the utility of the rat model for studying stem cells and germ lineage development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gassei
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Yi Sheng
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - Payal Mital
- Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Meena Sukhwani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Chih-Cheng Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen A Peters
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Althouse
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hanna Valli
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
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50
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Nagamatsu G, Hayashi K. Stem cells, in vitro gametogenesis and male fertility. Reproduction 2017; 154:F79-F91. [PMID: 29133304 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Reconstitution in culture of biological processes, such as differentiation and organization, is a key challenge in regenerative medicine, and one in which stem cell technology plays a central role. Pluripotent stem cells and spermatogonial stem cells are useful materials for reconstitution of germ cell development in vitro, as they are capable of differentiating into gametes. Reconstitution of germ cell development, termed in vitro gametogenesis, will provide an experimental platform for a better understanding of germ cell development, as well as an alternative source of gametes for reproduction, with the potential to cure infertility. Since germ cells are the cells for 'the next generation', both the culture system and its products must be carefully evaluated. In this issue, we summarize the progress in in vitro gametogenesis, most of which has been made using mouse models, as well as the future challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Nagamatsu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and MedicineGraduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and MedicineGraduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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