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Murase Y, Yokogawa R, Yabuta Y, Nagano M, Katou Y, Mizuyama M, Kitamura A, Puangsricharoen P, Yamashiro C, Hu B, Mizuta K, Tsujimura T, Yamamoto T, Ogata K, Ishihama Y, Saitou M. In vitro reconstitution of epigenetic reprogramming in the human germ line. Nature 2024; 631:170-178. [PMID: 38768632 PMCID: PMC11222161 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07526-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic reprogramming resets parental epigenetic memories and differentiates primordial germ cells (PGCs) into mitotic pro-spermatogonia or oogonia. This process ensures sexually dimorphic germ cell development for totipotency1. In vitro reconstitution of epigenetic reprogramming in humans remains a fundamental challenge. Here we establish a strategy for inducing epigenetic reprogramming and differentiation of pluripotent stem-cell-derived human PGC-like cells (hPGCLCs) into mitotic pro-spermatogonia or oogonia, coupled with their extensive amplification (about >1010-fold). Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling is a key driver of these processes. BMP-driven hPGCLC differentiation involves attenuation of the MAPK (ERK) pathway and both de novo and maintenance DNA methyltransferase activities, which probably promote replication-coupled, passive DNA demethylation. hPGCLCs deficient in TET1, an active DNA demethylase abundant in human germ cells2,3, differentiate into extraembryonic cells, including amnion, with de-repression of key genes that bear bivalent promoters. These cells fail to fully activate genes vital for spermatogenesis and oogenesis, and their promoters remain methylated. Our study provides a framework for epigenetic reprogramming in humans and an important advance in human biology. Through the generation of abundant mitotic pro-spermatogonia and oogonia-like cells, our results also represent a milestone for human in vitro gametogenesis research and its potential translation into reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Murase
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryuta Yokogawa
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Nagano
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Katou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Manami Mizuyama
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ayaka Kitamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Pimpitcha Puangsricharoen
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chika Yamashiro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Bo Hu
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Mizuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taro Tsujimura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Medical-Risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kosuke Ogata
- Department of Molecular Systems BioAnalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasushi Ishihama
- Department of Molecular Systems BioAnalysis, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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2
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Matlosz S, Franzdóttir SR, Pálsson A, Jónsson ZO. DNA methylation reprogramming in teleosts. Evol Dev 2024:e12486. [PMID: 38783650 DOI: 10.1111/ede.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Early embryonic development is crucially important but also remarkably diverse among animal taxa. Axis formation and cell lineage specification occur due to both spatial and temporal control of gene expression. This complex system involves various signaling pathways and developmental genes such as transcription factors as well as other molecular interactants that maintain cellular states, including several types of epigenetic marks. 5mC DNA methylation, the chemical modification of cytosines in eukaryotes, represents one such mark. By influencing the compaction of chromatin (a high-order DNA structure), DNA methylation can either repress or induce transcriptional activity. Mammals exhibit a reprogramming of DNA methylation from the parental genomes in the zygote following fertilization, and later in primordial germ cells (PGCs). Whether these periods of methylation reprogramming are evolutionarily conserved, or an innovation in mammals, is an emerging question. Looking into these processes in other vertebrate lineages is thus important, and teleost fish, with their extensive species richness, phenotypic diversity, and multiple rounds of whole genome duplication, provide the perfect research playground for answering such a question. This review aims to present a concise state of the art of DNA methylation reprogramming in early development in fish by summarizing findings from different research groups investigating methylation reprogramming patterns in teleosts, while keeping in mind the ramifications of the methodology used, then comparing those patterns to reprogramming patterns in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Matlosz
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Arnar Pálsson
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Zophonías O Jónsson
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
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3
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Gong W, Zhao J, Yao Z, Zhang Y, Niu Y, Jin K, Li B, Zuo Q. The Establishment and Optimization of a Chicken Primordial Germ Cell Induction Model Using Small-Molecule Compounds. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:302. [PMID: 38254471 PMCID: PMC10812757 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, inducing pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into functional primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro has become an important method of obtaining a large number of PGCs. However, the instability and low induction efficiency of the in vitro PGC induction system restrict the application of PGCs in transgenic animal production, germplasm resource conservation and other fields. In this study, we successfully established a two-step induction model of chicken PGCs in vitro, which significantly improved the formation efficiency of PGC-like cells (PGCLCs). To further improve the PGC formation efficiency in vitro, 5025 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained between embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and PGCs through RNA-seq. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that signaling pathways such as BMP4, Wnt and Notch were significantly activated during PGC formation, similar to other species. In addition, we noted that cAMP was activated during PGC formation, while MAPK was suppressed. Based on the results of our analysis, we found that the PGC formation efficiency was significantly improved after activating Wnt and inhibiting MAPK, and was lower than after activating cAMP. To sum up, in this study, we successfully established a two-step induction model of chicken PGCs in vitro with high PGC formation efficiency, which lays a theoretical foundation for further demonstrating the regulatory mechanism of PGCs and realizing their specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gong
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zeling Yao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yani Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yingjie Niu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Kai Jin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Qisheng Zuo
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; (W.G.); (J.Z.); (Z.Y.); (Y.Z.); (Y.N.); (K.J.); (B.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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4
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Khan SA, Theunissen TW. Modeling X-chromosome inactivation and reactivation during human development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102096. [PMID: 37597506 PMCID: PMC10588740 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Stem-cell-based embryo models generate much excitement as they offer a window into an early phase of human development that has remained largely inaccessible to scientific investigation. An important epigenetic phenomenon during early embryogenesis is the epigenetic silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female embryos, which ensures an equal output of X-linked gene expression between the sexes. X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is thought to be established within the first three weeks of human development, although the inactive X-chromosome is reactivated in primordial germ cells (PGCs) that migrate to the embryonic gonads. Here, we summarize our current understanding of X-chromosome dynamics during human development and comment on the potential of recently established stem-cell-based models to reveal the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafqat A Khan
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. https://twitter.com/@sakhan2019
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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5
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Zhang G, Mao Y, Zhang Y, Huang H, Pan J. Assisted reproductive technology and imprinting errors: analyzing underlying mechanisms from epigenetic regulation. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:864-878. [PMID: 37929309 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2023.2261628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing maturity and widespread application of assisted reproductive technology (ART), more attention has been paid to the health outcomes of offspring following ART. It is well established that children born from ART treatment are at an increased risk of imprinting errors and imprinting disorders. The disturbances of genetic imprinting are attributed to the overlap of ART procedures and important epigenetic reprogramming events during the development of gametes and early embryos, but the detailed mechanisms are hitherto obscure. In this review, we summarized the DNA methylation-dependent and independent mechanisms that control the dynamic epigenetic regulation of imprinted genes throughout the life cycle of a mammal, including erasure, establishment, and maintenance. In addition, we systematically described the dysregulation of imprinted genes in embryos conceived through ART and discussed the corresponding underlying mechanisms according to findings in animal models. This work is conducive to evaluating and improving the safety of ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaochen Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China
| | - Yiting Mao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiexue Pan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU056), Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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6
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Agostinho de Sousa J, Wong CW, Dunkel I, Owens T, Voigt P, Hodgson A, Baker D, Schulz EG, Reik W, Smith A, Rostovskaya M, von Meyenn F. Epigenetic dynamics during capacitation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg1936. [PMID: 37774033 PMCID: PMC10541016 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg1936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are of fundamental relevance in regenerative medicine. Naïve hPSCs hold promise to overcome some of the limitations of conventional (primed) hPSCs, including recurrent epigenetic anomalies. Naïve-to-primed transition (capacitation) follows transcriptional dynamics of human embryonic epiblast and is necessary for somatic differentiation from naïve hPSCs. We found that capacitated hPSCs are transcriptionally closer to postimplantation epiblast than conventional hPSCs. This prompted us to comprehensively study epigenetic and related transcriptional changes during capacitation. Our results show that CpG islands, gene regulatory elements, and retrotransposons are hotspots of epigenetic dynamics during capacitation and indicate possible distinct roles of specific epigenetic modifications in gene expression control between naïve and primed hPSCs. Unexpectedly, PRC2 activity appeared to be dispensable for the capacitation. We find that capacitated hPSCs acquire an epigenetic state similar to conventional hPSCs. Significantly, however, the X chromosome erosion frequently observed in conventional female hPSCs is reversed by resetting and subsequent capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Agostinho de Sousa
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Chee-Wai Wong
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Ilona Dunkel
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Owens
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Philipp Voigt
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Adam Hodgson
- School of Biosciences, The Julia Garnham Centre, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN Sheffield, UK
| | - Duncan Baker
- Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Services, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, S5 7AU Sheffield, UK
| | - Edda G. Schulz
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1QR, UK
- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, EX4 4QD Exeter, UK
| | - Maria Rostovskaya
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, SE1 9RT London, UK
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St John JC, Okada T, Andreas E, Penn A. The role of mtDNA in oocyte quality and embryo development. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:621-633. [PMID: 35986715 PMCID: PMC10952685 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome resides in the mitochondria present in nearly all cell types. The porcine (Sus scrofa) mitochondrial genome is circa 16.7 kb in size and exists in the multimeric format in cells. Individual cell types have different numbers of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number based on their requirements for ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation. The oocyte has the largest number of mtDNA of any cell type. During oogenesis, the oocyte sets mtDNA copy number in order that sufficient copies are available to support subsequent developmental events. It also initiates a program of epigenetic patterning that regulates, for example, DNA methylation levels of the nuclear genome. Once fertilized, the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes establish synchrony to ensure that the embryo and fetus can complete each developmental milestone. However, altering the oocyte's mtDNA copy number by mitochondrial supplementation can affect the programming and gene expression profiles of the developing embryo and, in oocytes deficient of mtDNA, it appears to have a positive impact on the embryo development rates and gene expression profiles. Furthermore, mtDNA haplotypes, which define common maternal origins, appear to affect developmental outcomes and certain reproductive traits. Nevertheless, the manipulation of the mitochondrial content of an oocyte might have a developmental advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C. St John
- The Mitochondrial Genetics Group, The School of Biomedicine and The Robinson Research InstituteThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Takashi Okada
- The Mitochondrial Genetics Group, The School of Biomedicine and The Robinson Research InstituteThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Eryk Andreas
- The Mitochondrial Genetics Group, The School of Biomedicine and The Robinson Research InstituteThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Alexander Penn
- The Mitochondrial Genetics Group, The School of Biomedicine and The Robinson Research InstituteThe University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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8
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Wu GMJ, Chen ACH, Yeung WSB, Lee YL. Current progress on in vitro differentiation of ovarian follicles from pluripotent stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1166351. [PMID: 37325555 PMCID: PMC10267358 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1166351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian female reproduction requires a functional ovary. Competence of the ovary is determined by the quality of its basic unit-ovarian follicles. A normal follicle consists of an oocyte enclosed within ovarian follicular cells. In humans and mice, the ovarian follicles are formed at the foetal and the early neonatal stage respectively, and their renewal at the adult stage is controversial. Extensive research emerges recently to produce ovarian follicles in-vitro from different species. Previous reports demonstrated the differentiation of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells into germline cells, termed primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). The germ cell-specific gene expressions and epigenetic features including global DNA demethylation and histone modifications of the pluripotent stem cells-derived PGCLCs were extensively characterized. The PGCLCs hold potential for forming ovarian follicles or organoids upon cocultured with ovarian somatic cells. Intriguingly, the oocytes isolated from the organoids could be fertilized in-vitro. Based on the knowledge of in-vivo derived pre-granulosa cells, the generation of these cells from pluripotent stem cells termed foetal ovarian somatic cell-like cells was also reported recently. Despite successful in-vitro folliculogenesis from pluripotent stem cells, the efficiency remains low, mainly due to the lack of information on the interaction between PGCLCs and pre-granulosa cells. The establishment of in-vitro pluripotent stem cell-based models paves the way for understanding the critical signalling pathways and molecules during folliculogenesis. This article aims to review the developmental events during in-vivo follicular development and discuss the current progress of generation of PGCLCs, pre-granulosa and theca cells in-vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genie Min Ju Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Andy Chun Hang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - William Shu Biu Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin Lau Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Reproductive Medicine Center, The University of Hong Kong—Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
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9
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Zhou J, Hu J, Wang Y, Gao S. Induction and application of human naive pluripotency. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112379. [PMID: 37043354 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, many attempts have been made to capture different states of pluripotency in vitro. Naive and primed pluripotent stem cells, corresponding to the pluripotency states of pre- and post-implantation epiblasts, respectively, have been well characterized in mice and can be interconverted in vitro. Here, we summarize the recently reported strategies to generate human naive pluripotent stem cells in vitro. We discuss their applications in studies of regulatory mechanisms involved in early developmental processes, including identification of molecular features, X chromosome inactivation modeling, transposable elements regulation, metabolic characteristics, and cell fate regulation, as well as potential for extraembryonic differentiation and blastoid construction for embryogenesis modeling. We further discuss the naive pluripotency-related research, including 8C-like cell establishment and disease modeling. We also highlight limitations of current naive pluripotency studies, such as imperfect culture conditions and inadequate responsiveness to differentiation signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jindian Hu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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10
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Ramakrishna NB, Battistoni G, Surani MA, Hannon GJ, Miska EA. Mouse primordial germ-cell-like cells lack piRNAs. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2661-2668.e5. [PMID: 36473462 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.11.004] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small RNAs bound by PIWI-clade Argonaute proteins that function to silence transposable elements (TEs). Following mouse primordial germ cell (mPGC) specification around E6.25, fetal piRNAs emerge in male gonocytes from E13.5 onward. The in vitro differentiation of mPGC-like cells (mPGCLCs) has raised the possibility of studying the fetal piRNA pathway in greater depth. However, using single-cell RNA-seq and RT-qPCR along mPGCLC differentiation, we find that piRNA pathway factors are not fully expressed in Day 6 mPGCLCs. Moreover, we do not detect piRNAs across a panel of Day 6 mPGCLC lines using small RNA-seq. Our combined efforts highlight that in vitro differentiated Day 6 mPGCLCs do not yet resemble E13.5 or later mouse gonocytes where the piRNA pathway is active. This Matters Arising paper is in response to von Meyenn et al. (2016), published in Developmental Cell. See also the correction by von Meyenn et al. published in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navin B Ramakrishna
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK
| | - Giorgia Battistoni
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK; Wellcome/MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK.
| | - Gregory J Hannon
- CRUK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
| | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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11
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Verdikt R, Armstrong AA, Allard P. Transgenerational inheritance and its modulation by environmental cues. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 152:31-76. [PMID: 36707214 PMCID: PMC9940302 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epigenome plays an important role in shaping phenotypes. However, whether the environment can alter an organism's phenotype across several generations through epigenetic remodeling in the germline is still a highly debated topic. In this chapter, we briefly review the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and their connection with germline development before highlighting specific developmental windows of susceptibility to environmental cues. We further discuss the evidence of transgenerational inheritance to a range of different environmental cues, both epidemiological in humans and experimental in rodent models. Doing so, we pinpoint the current challenges in demonstrating transgenerational inheritance to environmental cues and offer insight in how recent technological advances may help deciphering the epigenetic mechanisms at play. Together, we draw a detailed picture of how our environment can influence our epigenomes, ultimately reshaping our phenotypes, in an extended theory of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Verdikt
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Abigail A Armstrong
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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12
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Fetal germ cell development in humans, a link with infertility. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:58-65. [PMID: 35431137 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gametes are cells that have the unique ability to give rise to new individuals as well as transmit (epi)genetic information across generations. Generation of functionally competent gametes, oocytes and sperm cells, depends to some extent on several fundamental processes that occur during fetal development. Direct studies on human fetal germ cells remain hindered by ethical considerations and inaccessibility to human fetal material. Therefore, the majority of our current knowledge of germ cell development still comes from an invaluable body of research performed using different mammalian species. During the last decade, our understanding of human fetal germ cells has increased due to the successful use of human pluripotent stem cells to model aspects of human early gametogenesis and advancements on single-cell omics. Together, this has contributed to determine the cell types and associated molecular signatures in the developing human gonads. In this review, we will put in perspective the knowledge obtained from several mammalian models (mouse, monkey, pig). Moreover, we will discuss the main events during human fetal (female) early gametogenesis and how the dysregulation of this highly complex and lengthy process can link to infertility later in life.
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13
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Voigt AL, Dardari R, Su L, Lara NLM, Sinha S, Jaffer A, Munyoki SK, Alpaugh W, Dufour A, Biernaskie J, Orwig KE, Dobrinski I. Metabolic transitions define spermatogonial stem cell maturation. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2095-2112. [PMID: 35856882 PMCID: PMC9614685 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do spermatogonia, including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), undergo metabolic changes during prepubertal development? SUMMARY ANSWER Here, we show that the metabolic phenotype of prepubertal human spermatogonia is distinct from that of adult spermatogonia and that SSC development is characterized by distinct metabolic transitions from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to anaerobic metabolism. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Maintenance of both mouse and human adult SSCs relies on glycolysis, while embryonic SSC precursors, primordial germ cells (PGCs), exhibit an elevated dependence on OXPHOS. Neonatal porcine SSC precursors reportedly initiate a transition to an adult SSC metabolic phenotype at 2 months of development. However, when and if such a metabolic transition occurs in humans is ambiguous. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION To address our research questions: (i) we performed a meta-analysis of publicly available and newly generated (current study) single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) datasets in order to establish a roadmap of SSC metabolic development from embryonic stages (embryonic week 6) to adulthood in humans (25 years of age) with a total of ten groups; (ii) in parallel, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of isolated pup (n = 3) and adult (n = 2) murine spermatogonia to determine whether a similar metabolic switch occurs; and (iii) we characterized the mechanisms that regulate these metabolic transitions during SSC maturation by conducting quantitative proteomic analysis using two different ages of prepubertal pig spermatogonia as a model, each with four independently collected cell populations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Single testicular cells collected from 1-year, 2-year and 7-year-old human males and sorted spermatogonia isolated from 6- to 8-day (n = 3) and 4-month (n = 2) old mice were subjected to scRNA-Seq. The human sequences were individually processed and then merged with the publicly available datasets for a meta-analysis using Seurat V4 package. We then performed a pairwise differential gene expression analysis between groups of age, followed by pathways enrichment analysis using gene set enrichment analysis (cutoff of false discovery rate < 0.05). The sequences from mice were subjected to a similar workflow as described for humans. Early (1-week-old) and late (8-week-old) prepubertal pig spermatogonia were analyzed to reveal underlying cellular mechanisms of the metabolic shift using immunohistochemistry, western blot, qRT-PCR, quantitative proteomics, and culture experiments. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Human PGCs and prepubertal human spermatogonia show an enrichment of OXPHOS-associated genes, which is downregulated at the onset of puberty (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, we demonstrate that similar metabolic changes between pup and adult spermatogonia are detectable in the mouse (P < 0.0001). In humans, the metabolic transition at puberty is also preceded by a drastic change in SSC shape at 11 years of age (P < 0.0001). Using a pig model, we reveal that this metabolic shift could be regulated by an insulin growth factor-1 dependent signaling pathway via mammalian target of rapamycin and proteasome inhibition. LARGE SCALE DATA New single-cell RNA sequencing datasets obtained from this study are freely available through NCBI GEO with accession number GSE196819. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Human prepubertal tissue samples are scarce, which led to the investigation of a low number of samples per age. Gene enrichment analysis gives only an indication about the functional state of the cells. Due to limited numbers of prepubertal human spermatogonia, porcine spermatogonia were used for further proteomic and in vitro analyses. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We show that prepubertal human spermatogonia exhibit high OXHPOS and switch to an adult-like metabolism only after 11 years of age. Prepubescent cancer survivors often suffer from infertility in adulthood. SSC transplantation could provide a powerful tool for the treatment of infertility; however, it requires high cell numbers. This work provides key insight into the dynamic metabolic requirements of human SSCs across development that would be critical in establishing ex vivo systems to support expansion and sustained function of SSCs toward clinical use. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by the NIH/NICHD R01 HD091068 and NIH/ORIP R01 OD016575 to I.D. K.E.O. was supported by R01 HD100197. S.K.M. was supported by T32 HD087194 and F31 HD101323. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Voigt
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - R Dardari
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - L Su
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - N L M Lara
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Jaffer
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S K Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - W Alpaugh
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - A Dufour
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - J Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - K E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - I Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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14
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Turpin M, Salbert G. 5-methylcytosine turnover: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications in cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:976862. [PMID: 36060265 PMCID: PMC9428128 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.976862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at the fifth position of cytosine (5mC) is one of the most studied epigenetic mechanisms essential for the control of gene expression and for many other biological processes including genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation and genome stability. Over the last years, accumulating evidence suggest that DNA methylation is a highly dynamic mechanism driven by a balance between methylation by DNMTs and TET-mediated demethylation processes. However, one of the main challenges is to understand the dynamics underlying steady state DNA methylation levels. In this review article, we give an overview of the latest advances highlighting DNA methylation as a dynamic cycling process with a continuous turnover of cytosine modifications. We describe the cooperative actions of DNMT and TET enzymes which combine with many additional parameters including chromatin environment and protein partners to govern 5mC turnover. We also discuss how mathematical models can be used to address variable methylation levels during development and explain cell-type epigenetic heterogeneity locally but also at the genome scale. Finally, we review the therapeutic implications of these discoveries with the use of both epigenetic clocks as predictors and the development of epidrugs that target the DNA methylation/demethylation machinery. Together, these discoveries unveil with unprecedented detail how dynamic is DNA methylation during development, underlying the establishment of heterogeneous DNA methylation landscapes which could be altered in aging, diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Turpin
- Sp@rte Team, UMR6290 CNRS, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, Rennes, France
- University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Gilles Salbert
- Sp@rte Team, UMR6290 CNRS, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, Rennes, France
- University of Rennes 1, Rennes, France
- *Correspondence: Gilles Salbert,
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15
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Dvoran M, Nemcova L, Kalous J. An Interplay between Epigenetics and Translation in Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development: Assisted Reproduction Perspective. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071689. [PMID: 35884994 PMCID: PMC9313063 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cell quality is a key prerequisite for successful fertilization and early embryo development. The quality is determined by the fine regulation of transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, which are prone to alteration by assisted reproduction technology (ART)-introduced in vitro methods. Gaining evidence shows the ART can influence preset epigenetic modifications within cultured oocytes or early embryos and affect their developmental competency. The aim of this review is to describe ART-determined epigenetic changes related to the oogenesis, early embryogenesis, and further in utero development. We confront the latest epigenetic, related epitranscriptomic, and translational regulation findings with the processes of meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early embryogenesis that impact the developmental competency and embryo quality. Post-ART embryo transfer, in utero implantation, and development (placentation, fetal development) are influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. The review is emphasizing their epigenetic and ART contribution to fetal development. An epigenetic parallel among mouse, porcine, and bovine animal models and human ART is drawn to illustrate possible future mechanisms of infertility management as well as increase the awareness of the underlying mechanisms governing oocyte and embryo developmental complexity under ART conditions.
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16
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BMP4 drives primed to naïve transition through PGC-like state. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2756. [PMID: 35589713 PMCID: PMC9120449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30325-4] [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: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple pluripotent states have been described in mouse and human stem cells. Here, we apply single-cell RNA-seq to a newly established BMP4 induced mouse primed to naïve transition (BiPNT) system and show that the reset is not a direct reversal of cell fate but goes through a primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) state. We first show that epiblast stem cells bifurcate into c-Kit+ naïve and c-Kit- trophoblast-like cells, among which, the naïve branch undergoes further transition through a PGCLCs intermediate capable of spermatogenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that DOT1L inhibition permits the transition from primed pluripotency to PGCLCs in part by facilitating the loss of H3K79me2 from Gata3/6. In addition, Prdm1/Blimp1 is required for PGCLCs and naïve cells, while Gata2 inhibits PGC-like state by promoting trophoblast-like fate. Our work not only reveals an alternative route for primed to naïve transition, but also gains insight into germ cell development.
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17
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Ito J, Seita Y, Kojima S, Parrish NF, Sasaki K, Sato K. A hominoid-specific endogenous retrovirus may have rewired the gene regulatory network shared between primordial germ cells and naïve pluripotent cells. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009846. [PMID: 35551519 PMCID: PMC9128956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian germ cells stem from primordial germ cells (PGCs). Although the gene regulatory network controlling the development of germ cells such as PGCs is critical for ensuring gamete integrity, substantial differences exist in this network among mammalian species, suggesting that this network has been modified during mammalian evolution. Here, we show that a hominoid-specific group of endogenous retroviruses, LTR5_Hs, discloses enhancer-like signatures in human in vitro-induced PGCs, PGC-like cells (PGCLCs). Human PGCLCs exhibit a transcriptome signature similar to that of naïve-state pluripotent cells. LTR5_Hs are epigenetically activated in both PGCLCs and naïve pluripotent cells, and the expression of genes in the vicinity of LTR5_Hs is coordinately upregulated in these cell types, contributing to the establishment of the transcriptome similarity between these cell types. LTR5_Hs are preferentially bound by transcription factors that are highly expressed in both PGCLCs and naïve pluripotent cells (KLF4, TFAP2C, NANOG, and CBFA2T2), suggesting that these transcription factors contribute to the epigenetic activation of LTR5_Hs in these cells. Comparative transcriptome analysis between humans and macaques suggests that the expression of many genes in PGCLCs and naïve pluripotent cells is upregulated by LTR5_Hs insertions in the hominoid lineage. Together, this study suggests that LTR5_Hs insertions may have finetuned the gene regulatory network shared between PGCLCs and naïve pluripotent cells and coordinately altered the gene expression in these cells during hominoid evolution. To ensure the health of the next generation and the continuation of a species, the development of germ cells, including primordial germ cells (PGCs), is strictly controlled by a complex gene regulatory network. Nevertheless, the gene regulatory network controlling the germ cell development has been substantially diversified during mammalian or even primate evolution. Here, our integrated analyses using multiomics and comparative genomics resources suggest that hominoid-specific insertions of endogenous retroviruses are epigenetically activated in both in vitro-induced PGCs and naïve pluripotent cells and may have coordinately altered the expression of the adjacent genes in these cells. This study provides evidence suggesting that the gene regulatory network shared between PGCs and naïve pluripotent cells may have been rewired by ERV insertions during hominoid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumpei Ito
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunari Seita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Bell Research Center for Reproductive Health and Cancer, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shohei Kojima
- Genome Immunobiology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nicholas F. Parrish
- Genome Immunobiology RIKEN Hakubi Research Team, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kotaro Sasaki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail: (KS); (KS)
| | - Kei Sato
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- International Vaccine Design Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama, Japan
- * E-mail: (KS); (KS)
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18
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Fukuda K, Makino Y, Kaneko S, Shimura C, Okada Y, Ichiyanagi K, Shinkai Y. Transcriptional states of retroelement-inserted regions and specific KRAB zinc finger protein association are correlated with DNA methylation of retroelements in human male germ cells. eLife 2022; 11:76822. [PMID: 35315771 PMCID: PMC8967385 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, repressive histone modifications, and PIWI-interacting RNAs are essential for controlling retroelement silencing in mammalian germ lines. Dysregulation of retroelement silencing is associated with male sterility. Although retroelement silencing mechanisms have been extensively studied in mouse germ cells, little progress has been made in humans. Here, we show that the Krüppel-associated box domain zinc finger proteins are associated with DNA methylation of retroelements in human primordial germ cells. Further, we show that the hominoid-specific retroelement SINE-VNTR-Alus (SVA) is subjected to transcription-directed de novo DNA methylation during human spermatogenesis. The degree of de novo DNA methylation in SVAs varies among human individuals, which confers significant inter-individual epigenetic variation in sperm. Collectively, our results highlight potential molecular mechanisms for the regulation of retroelements in human male germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Fukuda
- Cellular Memory Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Makino
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Kaneko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Okada
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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Balsalobre A, Drouin J. Pioneer factors as master regulators of the epigenome and cell fate. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:449-464. [PMID: 35264768 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00464-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Pioneer factors are transcription factors with the unique ability to initiate opening of closed chromatin. The stability of cell identity relies on robust mechanisms that maintain the epigenome and chromatin accessibility to transcription factors. Pioneer factors counter these mechanisms to implement new cell fates through binding of DNA target sites in closed chromatin and introduction of active-chromatin histone modifications, primarily at enhancers. As master regulators of enhancer activation, pioneers are thus crucial for the implementation of correct cell fate decisions in development, and as such, they hold tremendous potential for therapy through cellular reprogramming. The power of pioneer factors to reshape the epigenome also presents an Achilles heel, as their misexpression has major pathological consequences, such as in cancer. In this Review, we discuss the emerging mechanisms of pioneer factor functions and their roles in cell fate specification, cellular reprogramming and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Balsalobre
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques Drouin
- Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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20
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Janssen SM, Lorincz MC. Interplay between chromatin marks in development and disease. Nat Rev Genet 2022; 23:137-153. [PMID: 34608297 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-021-00416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation (DNAme) and histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) have important roles in transcriptional regulation. Although many reports have characterized the functions of such chromatin marks in isolation, recent genome-wide studies reveal surprisingly complex interactions between them. Here, we focus on the interplay between DNAme and methylation of specific lysine residues on the histone H3 tail. We describe the impact of genetic perturbation of the relevant methyltransferases in the mouse on the landscape of chromatin marks as well as the transcriptome. In addition, we discuss the specific neurodevelopmental growth syndromes and cancers resulting from pathogenic mutations in the human orthologues of these genes. Integrating these observations underscores the fundamental importance of crosstalk between DNA and histone H3 methylation in development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne M Janssen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Matthew C Lorincz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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21
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Oliver C, Annacondia ML, Wang Z, Jullien PE, Slotkin RK, Köhler C, Martinez G. The miRNome function transitions from regulating developmental genes to transposable elements during pollen maturation. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:784-801. [PMID: 34755870 PMCID: PMC8824631 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koab280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Animal and plant microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for the spatio-temporal regulation of development. Together with this role, plant miRNAs have been proposed to target transposable elements (TEs) and stimulate the production of epigenetically active small interfering RNAs. This activity is evident in the plant male gamete containing structure, the male gametophyte or pollen grain. How the dual role of plant miRNAs, regulating both genes and TEs, is integrated during pollen development and which mRNAs are regulated by miRNAs in this cell type at a genome-wide scale are unknown. Here, we provide a detailed analysis of miRNA dynamics and activity during pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana using small RNA and degradome parallel analysis of RNA end high-throughput sequencing. Furthermore, we uncover miRNAs loaded into the two main active Argonaute (AGO) proteins in the uninuclear and mature pollen grain, AGO1 and AGO5. Our results indicate that the developmental progression from microspore to mature pollen grain is characterized by a transition from miRNAs targeting developmental genes to miRNAs regulating TE activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Oliver
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Maria Luz Annacondia
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
- College of Horticulture and State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Key Laboratory of Landscaping, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Pauline E Jullien
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern 3013, Switzerland
| | - R Keith Slotkin
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63132, USA
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65201, USA
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala 75007, Sweden
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany
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22
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Long HS, Greenaway S, Powell G, Mallon AM, Lindgren CM, Simon MM. Making sense of the linear genome, gene function and TADs. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:4. [PMID: 35090532 PMCID: PMC8800309 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00436-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Topologically associating domains (TADs) are thought to act as functional units in the genome. TADs co-localise genes and their regulatory elements as well as forming the unit of genome switching between active and inactive compartments. This has led to the speculation that genes which are required for similar processes may fall within the same TADs, allowing them to share regulatory programs and efficiently switch between chromatin compartments. However, evidence to link genes within TADs to the same regulatory program is limited. RESULTS We investigated the functional similarity of genes which fall within the same TAD. To do this we developed a TAD randomisation algorithm to generate sets of "random TADs" to act as null distributions. We found that while pairs of paralogous genes are enriched in TADs overall, they are largely depleted in TADs with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) ChIP-seq peaks at both boundaries. By assessing gene constraint as a proxy for functional importance we found that genes which singly occupy a TAD have greater functional importance than genes which share a TAD, and these genes are enriched for developmental processes. We found little evidence that pairs of genes in CTCF bound TADs are more likely to be co-expressed or share functional annotations than can be explained by their linear proximity alone. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that algorithmically defined TADs consist of two functionally different groups, those which are bound by CTCF and those which are not. We detected no association between genes sharing the same CTCF TADs and increased co-expression or functional similarity, other than that explained by linear genome proximity. We do, however, find that functionally important genes are more likely to fall within a TAD on their own suggesting that TADs play an important role in the insulation of these genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen S Long
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Institute, Didcot, UK.
| | | | - George Powell
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, Harwell Institute, Didcot, UK
| | | | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Medical and Population Genetics Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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23
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Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) form early in embryo development and are crucial precursors to functioning gamete cells. Considerable research has focussed on identifying the transcriptional characteristics and signalling pathway requirements that confer PGC specification and development, enabling the derivation of PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) in vitro using specific signalling cocktails. However, full maturation to germ cells still relies on co-culture with supporting cell types, implicating an additional requirement for cellular- and tissue-level regulation. Here, we discuss the experimental evidence that highlights the nature of intercellular interactions between PGCs and neighbouring cell populations during mouse PGC development. We posit that the role that tissue interactions play on PGCs is not limited solely to signalling-based induction but extends to coordination of development by robust regulation of the proportions and position of the cells and tissues within the embryo, which is crucial for functional germ cell maturation. Such tissue co-development provides a dynamic, contextual niche for PGC development. We argue that there is evidence for a clear role for inter-tissue dependence of mouse PGCs, with potential implications for generating mammalian PGCLCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Cooke
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.,Abcam Plc, Discovery Drive, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0AX, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Somers Town, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Naomi Moris
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Somers Town, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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24
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Generation of developmentally competent oocytes and fertile mice from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells. Protein Cell 2021; 12:947-964. [PMID: 34845589 PMCID: PMC8674391 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00865-4] [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] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parthenogenetic embryos, created by activation and diploidization of oocytes, arrest at mid-gestation for defective paternal imprints, which impair placental development. Also, viable offspring has not been obtained without genetic manipulation from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (pESCs) derived from parthenogenetic embryos, presumably attributable to their aberrant imprinting. We show that an unlimited number of oocytes can be derived from pESCs and produce healthy offspring. Moreover, normal expression of imprinted genes is found in the germ cells and the mice. pESCs exhibited imprinting consistent with exclusively maternal lineage, and higher X-chromosome activation compared to female ESCs derived from the same mouse genetic background. pESCs differentiated into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) and formed oocytes following in vivo transplantation into kidney capsule that produced fertile pups and reconstituted ovarian endocrine function. The transcriptome and methylation of imprinted and X-linked genes in pESC-PGCLCs closely resembled those of in vivo produced PGCs, consistent with efficient reprogramming of methylation and genomic imprinting. These results demonstrate that amplification of germ cells through parthenogenesis faithfully maintains maternal imprinting, offering a promising route for deriving functional oocytes and having potential in rebuilding ovarian endocrine function.
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25
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Zhao J, Lu P, Wan C, Huang Y, Cui M, Yang X, Hu Y, Zheng Y, Dong J, Wang M, Zhang S, Liu Z, Bian S, Wang X, Wang R, Ren S, Wang D, Yao Z, Chang G, Tang F, Zhao XY. Cell-fate transition and determination analysis of mouse male germ cells throughout development. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6839. [PMID: 34824237 PMCID: PMC8617176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian male germ cell development is a stepwise cell-fate transition process; however, the full-term developmental profile of male germ cells remains undefined. Here, by interrogating the high-precision transcriptome atlas of 11,598 cells covering 28 critical time-points, we demonstrate that cell-fate transition from mitotic to post-mitotic primordial germ cells is accompanied by transcriptome-scale reconfiguration and a transitional cell state. Notch signaling pathway is essential for initiating mitotic arrest and the maintenance of male germ cells' identities. Ablation of HELQ induces developmental arrest and abnormal transcriptome reprogramming of male germ cells, indicating the importance of cell cycle regulation for proper cell-fate transition. Finally, systematic human-mouse comparison reveals potential regulators whose deficiency contributed to human male infertility via mitotic arrest regulation. Collectively, our study provides an accurate and comprehensive transcriptome atlas of the male germline cycle and allows for an in-depth understanding of the cell-fate transition and determination underlying male germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ping Lu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Cong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yaping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Manman Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xinyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Yuqiong Hu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Ji Dong
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Shuhui Bian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoman Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shaofang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Dazhuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zhaokai Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518060, Shenzhen, Guangdong, P. R. China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China.
| | - Xiao-Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), 510700, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China.
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26
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de Souza AF, Bressan FF, Pieri NCG, Botigelli RC, Revay T, Haddad SK, Covas DT, Ramos ES, King WA, Meirelles FV. Generation of Primordial Germ Cell-like Cells from iPSCs Derived from Turner Syndrome Patients. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113099. [PMID: 34831322 PMCID: PMC8624672 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder in females with X Chromosome monosomy associated with highly variable clinical features, including premature primary gonadal failure leading to ovarian dysfunction and infertility. The mechanism of development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and their connection with ovarian failure in TS is poorly understood. An in vitro model of PGCs from TS would be beneficial for investigating genetic and epigenetic factors that influence germ cell specification. Here we investigated the potential of reprogramming peripheral mononuclear blood cells from TS women (PBMCs-TS) into iPSCs following in vitro differentiation in hPGCLCs. All hiPSCs-TS lines demonstrated pluripotency state and were capable of differentiation into three embryonic layers (ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm). The PGCLCs-TS recapitulated the initial germline development period regarding transcripts and protein marks, including the epigenetic profile. Overall, our results highlighted the feasibility of producing in vitro models to help the understanding of the mechanisms associated with germ cell formation in TS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Fernanda de Souza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (N.C.G.P.); (R.C.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
- Correspondence: (A.F.d.S.); (F.V.M.)
| | - Fabiana Fernandes Bressan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (N.C.G.P.); (R.C.B.)
| | - Naira Caroline Godoy Pieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (N.C.G.P.); (R.C.B.)
| | - Ramon Cesar Botigelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (N.C.G.P.); (R.C.B.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences (IBB), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Tamas Revay
- Department Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada;
| | - Simone Kashima Haddad
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-060, Brazil; (S.K.H.); (D.T.C.)
| | - Dimas Tadeu Covas
- Center for Cell-Based Therapy, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-060, Brazil; (S.K.H.); (D.T.C.)
| | - Ester Silveira Ramos
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil;
| | - Willian Allan King
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Flavio Vieira Meirelles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (N.C.G.P.); (R.C.B.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.d.S.); (F.V.M.)
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27
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Bend family proteins mark chromatin boundaries and synergistically promote early germ cell differentiation. Protein Cell 2021; 13:721-741. [PMID: 34731408 PMCID: PMC9233729 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00884-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the regulatory networks for germ cell fate specification is necessary to developing strategies for improving the efficiency of germ cell production in vitro. In this study, we developed a coupled screening strategy that took advantage of an arrayed bi-molecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) platform for protein-protein interaction screens and epiblast-like cell (EpiLC)-induction assays using reporter mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Investigation of candidate interaction partners of core human pluripotent factors OCT4, NANOG, KLF4 and SOX2 in EpiLC differentiation assays identified novel primordial germ cell (PGC)-inducing factors including BEN-domain (BEND/Bend) family members. Through RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and ATAC-seq analyses, we showed that Bend5 worked together with Bend4 and helped mark chromatin boundaries to promote EpiLC induction in vitro. Our findings suggest that BEND/Bend proteins represent a new family of transcriptional modulators and chromatin boundary factors that participate in gene expression regulation during early germline development.
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28
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Enhancer-associated H3K4 methylation safeguards in vitro germline competence. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5771. [PMID: 34599190 PMCID: PMC8486853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline specification in mammals occurs through an inductive process whereby competent cells in the post-implantation epiblast differentiate into primordial germ cells (PGC). The intrinsic factors that endow epiblast cells with the competence to respond to germline inductive signals remain unknown. Single-cell RNA sequencing across multiple stages of an in vitro PGC-like cells (PGCLC) differentiation system shows that PGCLC genes initially expressed in the naïve pluripotent stage become homogeneously dismantled in germline competent epiblast like-cells (EpiLC). In contrast, the decommissioning of enhancers associated with these germline genes is incomplete. Namely, a subset of these enhancers partly retain H3K4me1, accumulate less heterochromatic marks and remain accessible and responsive to transcriptional activators. Subsequently, as in vitro germline competence is lost, these enhancers get further decommissioned and lose their responsiveness to transcriptional activators. Importantly, using H3K4me1-deficient cells, we show that the loss of this histone modification reduces the germline competence of EpiLC and decreases PGCLC differentiation efficiency. Our work suggests that, although H3K4me1 might not be essential for enhancer function, it can facilitate the (re)activation of enhancers and the establishment of gene expression programs during specific developmental transitions.
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29
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Verdikt R, Allard P. Metabolo-epigenetics: the interplay of metabolism and epigenetics during early germ cells development. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:616-624. [PMID: 34132770 PMCID: PMC8444669 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolites control epigenetic mechanisms, and conversly, cell metabolism is regulated at the epigenetic level in response to changes in the cellular environment. In recent years, this metabolo-epigenetic control of gene expression has been implicated in the regulation of multiple stages of embryonic development. The developmental potency of stem cells and their embryonic counterparts is directly determined by metabolic rewiring. Here, we review the current knowledge on the interplay between epigenetics and metabolism in the specific context of early germ cell development. We explore the implications of metabolic rewiring in primordial germ cells in light of their epigenetic remodeling during cell fate determination. Finally, we discuss the relevance of concerted metabolic and epigenetic regulation of primordial germ cells in the context of mammalian transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Verdikt
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Allard
- Institute for Society and Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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30
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Ben Maamar M, Nilsson EE, Skinner MK. Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance, gametogenesis and germline development†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:570-592. [PMID: 33929020 PMCID: PMC8444706 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important developing cell types in any biological system is the gamete (sperm and egg). The transmission of phenotypes and optimally adapted physiology to subsequent generations is in large part controlled by gametogenesis. In contrast to genetics, the environment actively regulates epigenetics to impact the physiology and phenotype of cellular and biological systems. The integration of epigenetics and genetics is critical for all developmental biology systems at the cellular and organism level. The current review is focused on the role of epigenetics during gametogenesis for both the spermatogenesis system in the male and oogenesis system in the female. The developmental stages from the initial primordial germ cell through gametogenesis to the mature sperm and egg are presented. How environmental factors can influence the epigenetics of gametogenesis to impact the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of phenotypic and physiological change in subsequent generations is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Eric E Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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31
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Tissue of Origin, but Not XCI State, Influences Germ Cell Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092400. [PMID: 34572048 PMCID: PMC8466594 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092400] [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] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are not only a promising tool to investigate differentiation to many cell types, including the germline, but are also a potential source of cells to use for regenerative medicine purposes in the future. However, current in vitro models to generate human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) have revealed high variability regarding differentiation efficiency depending on the hPSC lines used. Here, we investigated whether differences in X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female hPSCs could contribute to the variability of hPGCLC differentiation efficiency during embryoid body (EB) formation. For this, we first characterized the XCI state in different hPSC lines by investigating the expression of XIST and H3K27me3, followed by differentiation and quantification of hPGCLCs. We observed that the XCI state did not influence the efficiency to differentiate to hPGCLCs; rather, hPSCs derived from cells isolated from urine showed an increased trend towards hPGCLCs differentiation compared to skin-derived hPSCs. In addition, we also characterized the XCI state in the generated hPGCLCs. Interestingly, we observed that independent of the XCI state of the hPSCs used, both hPGCLCs and soma cells in the EBs acquired XIST expression, indicative of an inactive X chromosome. In fact, culture conditions for EB formation seemed to promote XIST expression. Together, our results contribute to understanding how epigenetic properties of hPSCs influence differentiation and to optimize differentiation methods to obtain higher numbers of hPGCLCs, the first step to achieve human in vitro gametogenesis.
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32
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St John JC. Epigenetic Regulation of the Nuclear and Mitochondrial Genomes: Involvement in Metabolism, Development, and Disease. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2021; 9:203-224. [PMID: 33592161 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-080520-083353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the interactions between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes is becoming increasingly important as they are extensively involved in establishing early development and developmental progression. Evidence from various biological systems indicates the interdependency between the genomes, which requires a high degree of compatibility and synchrony to ensure effective cellular function throughout development and in the resultant offspring. During development, waves of DNA demethylation, de novo methylation, and maintenance methylation act on the nuclear genome and typify oogenesis and pre- and postimplantation development. At the same time, significant changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number influence the metabolic status of the developing organism in a typically cell-type-specific manner. Collectively, at any given stage in development, these actions establish genomic balance that ensures each developmental milestone is met and that the organism's program for life is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C St John
- Mitochondrial Genetics Group, Robinson Research Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia;
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33
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Hong TK, Song JH, Lee SB, Do JT. Germ Cell Derivation from Pluripotent Stem Cells for Understanding In Vitro Gametogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081889. [PMID: 34440657 PMCID: PMC8394365 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have developed considerably in recent years; however, they cannot rectify germ cell aplasia, such as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oocyte maturation failure syndrome. In vitro gametogenesis is a promising technology to overcome infertility, particularly germ cell aplasia. Early germ cells, such as primordial germ cells, can be relatively easily derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs); however, further progression to post-meiotic germ cells usually requires a gonadal niche and signals from gonadal somatic cells. Here, we review the recent advances in in vitro male and female germ cell derivation from PSCs and discuss how this technique is used to understand the biological mechanism of gamete development and gain insight into its application in infertility.
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34
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Rossetti MF, Canesini G, Lorenz V, Milesi MM, Varayoud J, Ramos JG. Epigenetic Changes Associated With Exposure to Glyphosate-Based Herbicides in Mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:671991. [PMID: 34093442 PMCID: PMC8177816 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.671991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate is a phosphonomethyl amino acid derivative present in a number of non-selective and systemic herbicides. During the last years the use of glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) has been increasing exponentially around the world, including Argentina. This fact added to the detection of glyphosate, and its main metabolite, amino methylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in environmental matrices such as soil, sediments, and food, has generated great concern about its risks for humans, animals, and environment. During the last years, there were controversy and intense debate regarding the toxicological effects of these compounds associated with the endocrine system, cancer, reproduction, and development. The mechanisms of action of GBH and their metabolites are still under investigation, although recent findings have shown that they could comprise epigenetic modifications. These are reversible mechanisms linked to tissue-specific silencing of gene expression, genomic imprinting, and tumor growth. Particularly, glyphosate, GBH, and AMPA have been reported to produce changes in global DNA methylation, methylation of specific genes, histone modification, and differential expression of non-coding RNAs in human cells and rodents. Importantly, the epigenome could be heritable and could lead to disease long after the exposure has ended. This mini-review summarizes the epigenetic changes produced by glyphosate, GBHs, and AMPA in humans and rodents and proposes it as a potential mechanism of action through which these chemical compounds could alter body functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Florencia Rossetti
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Guillermina Canesini
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Patología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Virginia Lorenz
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Jorge Guillermo Ramos
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL)- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica y Cuantitativa, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
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35
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Mishra S, Taelman J, Chang YW, Boel A, De Sutter P, Heindryckx B, Chuva De Sousa Lopes SM. Sex-Specific Isolation and Propagation of Human Premeiotic Fetal Germ Cells and Germ Cell-Like Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10051214. [PMID: 34065661 PMCID: PMC8156680 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The second trimester of human development is marked by asynchronous gonadal development hampering the isolation of homogenous populations of early and late fetal germ cells (FGCs). We evaluated the feasibility of using surface markers TNAP, PDPN, EPCAM and ITGA6 to isolate FGCs as well as human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) derived from embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from both sexes by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Our results suggest that a combination of TNAP and PDPN was sufficient to separate populations of premeiotic FGCs and hPGCLCs in both sexes. This combination of antibodies also proved efficient in separating 'mitotic' from 'retinoic-acid responsive' female FGCs. Furthermore, we report that the differentiation efficiency of TNAP+PDPN+ hPGCLCs from hESCs was sex-independent, but the ability to propagate differed considerably between the sexes. In contrast to male, female hPGCLCs retained their characteristics and exhibited robust colony-forming ability when cultured for five days in medium containing LIF, forskolin and FGF2. We conclude that marked sex differences exist in the isolation and propagation of human FGCs and hPGCLCs. Our study provides novel insights relevant for the optimization of in vitro gametogenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Mishra
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
| | - Jasin Taelman
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
| | - Yolanda W. Chang
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Annekatrien Boel
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
| | - Petra De Sutter
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
- Correspondence: (B.H.); (S.M.C.D.S.L.); Tel.: +32-9332-4748 (B.H.); +31-71-526-9350 (S.M.C.D.S.L.)
| | - Susana M. Chuva De Sousa Lopes
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem Cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.M.); (J.T.); (A.B.); (P.D.S.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: (B.H.); (S.M.C.D.S.L.); Tel.: +32-9332-4748 (B.H.); +31-71-526-9350 (S.M.C.D.S.L.)
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36
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LncRNAs induce oxidative stress and spermatogenesis by regulating endoplasmic reticulum genes and pathways. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:13764-13787. [PMID: 34001678 PMCID: PMC8202879 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202971] [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: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Oligozoospermia or low sperm count is a leading cause of male infertility worldwide. Despite decades of work on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as regulators of spermatogenesis, fertilization, and male fertility, the literature on the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human oligozoospermia is scarce. We integrated lncRNA and mRNA sequencing data from 12 human normozoospermic and oligozoospermic samples and comprehensively analyzed the function of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) and mRNAs (DE mRNAs) in male infertility. The target genes of DE lncRNAs were identified using a Gaussian graphical model. Gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were primarily enriched in protein transport and localization to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The lncRNA–mRNA co-expression network revealed cis- and trans-regulated target genes of lncRNAs. The transcriptome data implicated DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs and their target genes in the accumulation of unfolded proteins in sperm ER, PERK-EIF2 pathway-induced ER stress, oxidative stress, and sperm cell apoptosis in individuals with oligozoospermia. These findings suggest that the identified lncRNAs and pathways could serve as effective therapeutic targets for male infertility.
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37
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Wang X, Xiang Y, Yu Y, Wang R, Zhang Y, Xu Q, Sun H, Zhao ZA, Jiang X, Wang X, Lu X, Qin D, Quan Y, Zhang J, Shyh-Chang N, Wang H, Jing N, Xie W, Li L. Formative pluripotent stem cells show features of epiblast cells poised for gastrulation. Cell Res 2021; 31:526-541. [PMID: 33608671 PMCID: PMC8089102 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00477-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The pluripotency of mammalian early and late epiblast could be recapitulated by naïve embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and primed epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs), respectively. However, these two states of pluripotency may not be sufficient to reflect the full complexity and developmental potency of the epiblast during mammalian early development. Here we report the establishment of self-renewing formative pluripotent stem cells (fPSCs) which manifest features of epiblast cells poised for gastrulation. fPSCs can be established from different mouse ESCs, pre-/early-gastrula epiblasts and induced PSCs. Similar to pre-/early-gastrula epiblasts, fPSCs show the transcriptomic features of formative pluripotency, which are distinct from naïve ESCs and primed EpiSCs. fPSCs show the unique epigenetic states of E6.5 epiblast, including the super-bivalency of a large set of developmental genes. Just like epiblast cells immediately before gastrulation, fPSCs can efficiently differentiate into three germ layers and primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro. Thus, fPSCs highlight the feasibility of using PSCs to explore the development of mammalian epiblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Yunlong Xiang
- grid.203458.80000 0000 8653 0555Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016 China
| | - Yang Yu
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Ran Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China
| | - Yu Zhang
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, THU-PKU Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Qianhua Xu
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, THU-PKU Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Hao Sun
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Zhen-Ao Zhao
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xiangxiang Jiang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xukun Lu
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Dandan Qin
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Yujun Quan
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Ng Shyh-Chang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Naihe Jing
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031 China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530 China
| | - Wei Xie
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, THU-PKU Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084 China
| | - Lei Li
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Innovation Academy for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
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38
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Production and Analysis of Human Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 32852762 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0860-9_10] [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: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are common ancestors of all germline cells. In mammals, PGCs emerge in early-stage embryos around the timing of gastrulation at or near epiblast, and specification of PGCs from their precursor cells involves multiple growth factors secreted by adjacent cells. Recent advancements in germline stem cell biology have made it possible to generate PGC-like cell culture models (PGCLCs for PGC-like cells) from human and mouse pluripotent stem cells by mimicking the embryonic growth factor environment in vitro. Here we describe a method of producing human PGCLCs from primed-pluripotency induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) via temporal conversion to naive pluripotency followed by formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) using the spin-EB method.
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39
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Hancock GV, Wamaitha SE, Peretz L, Clark AT. Mammalian primordial germ cell specification. Development 2021; 148:148/6/dev189217. [PMID: 33722957 DOI: 10.1242/dev.189217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The peri-implantation window of mammalian development is the crucial window for primordial germ cell (PGC) specification. Whereas pre-implantation dynamics are relatively conserved between species, the implantation window marks a stage of developmental divergence between key model organisms, and thus potential variance in the cell and molecular mechanisms for PGC specification. In humans, PGC specification is very difficult to study in vivo To address this, the combined use of human and nonhuman primate embryos, and stem cell-based embryo models are essential for determining the origin of PGCs, as are comparative analyses to the equivalent stages of mouse development. Understanding the origin of PGCs in the peri-implantation embryo is crucial not only for accurate modeling of this essential process using stem cells, but also in determining the role of global epigenetic reprogramming upon which sex-specific differentiation into gametes relies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace V Hancock
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sissy E Wamaitha
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lior Peretz
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA .,Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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40
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Yuan W, Yao Z, Veerapandian V, Yang X, Wang X, Chen D, Ma L, Li C, Zheng Y, Luo F, Zhao XY. The histone demethylase KDM2B regulates human primordial germ cell-like cells specification. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:527-538. [PMID: 33613110 PMCID: PMC7893587 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.55873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline specification is a fundamental step for human reproduction and this biological phenomenon possesses technical challenges to study in vivo as it occurs immediately after blastocyst implantation. The establishment of in vitro human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) induction system allows sophisticated characterization of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) development. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of hPGCLC specification are not fully elucidated. Here, we observed particularly high expression of the histone demethylase KDM2B in male fetal germ cells (FGCs) but not in male somatic cells. Besides, KDM2B shared similar expression pattern with hPGC marker genes in hPGCLCs, suggesting an important role of KDM2B in germ cell development. Although deletion of KDM2B had no significant effects on human embryonic stem cell (hESC)'s pluripotency, loss of KDM2B dramatically impaired hPGCLCs differentiation whereas ectopically expressed KDM2B could efficiently rescue such defect, indicating this defect was due to KDM2B's loss in hPGCLC specification. Mechanistically, as revealed by the transcriptional profiling, KDM2B suppressed the expression of somatic genes thus inhibited somatic differentiation during hPGCLC specification. These data collectively indicate that KDM2B is an indispensable epigenetic regulator for hPGCLC specification, shedding lights on how epigenetic regulations orchestrate transcriptional events in hPGC development for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhaokai Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Veeramohan Veerapandian
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shunde, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoman Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dingyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Linzi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chaohui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shunde, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
- Sino-America Joint Research Center for Translational Medicine in Developmental Disabilities
- Department of Gynecology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease, Guangzhou, China
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41
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Yu DCW, Wu FC, Wu CE, Chow LP, Ho HN, Chen HF. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived DDX4 and KRT-8 positive cells participate in ovarian follicle-like structure formation. iScience 2020; 24:102003. [PMID: 33490911 PMCID: PMC7811146 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) specification, development and differentiation to gametes are useful for elucidating the causes of infertility and potential treatment. This study aims to examine whether hPSCs can be induced to DDX4 extracellularly expressing primordial germ cell-like cells (DDX4ec PGCLCs) and further into ovarian follicle stage in a combined in vitro and in vivo model. The transcriptional signatures show that these DDX4ec PGCLCs are characteristic of PGCs and express ovarian folliculogenesis markers. We also verify that keratin (KRT)-8 is highly expressed in the DDX4ec PGCLCs and plays a crucial role in germ cell migration. By co-culturing DDX4ec PGCLCs with human granulosa cells (GCs), these cells are further induced into ovarian follicle-like structures in a xenograft mice model. This approach can in the future design practical strategies for treating germ cell-associated issues of infertility. hPSC-derived DDX4 PGCLCs participate ovarian follicle-like structure formation Human granulosa cells as a niche environment are participating folliculogenesis Keratin 8 plays an essential role in primordial germ cell migration
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny C W Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Immunotherapy, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China.,Aging and Disease Prevention Research Center, and Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Chun Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Eng Wu
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Ping Chow
- Graduate Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Nerng Ho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Fu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and the Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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42
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Li L, Yang R, Yin C, Kee K. Studying human reproductive biology through single-cell analysis and in vitro differentiation of stem cells into germ cell-like cells. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:670-688. [PMID: 32464645 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human reproductive development has been limited by the scarcity of human samples and ethical constraints. Recently, in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into germ cells and single-cell analyses have opened new avenues to directly study human germ cells and identify unique mechanisms in human reproductive development. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The goal of this review is to collate novel findings and insightful discoveries with these new methodologies, aiming at introducing researchers and clinicians to the use of these tools to study human reproductive biology and develop treatments for infertility. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search articles and reviews with the following main keywords: in vitro differentiation, human stem cells, single-cell analysis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, germ cells and other key terms related to these subjects. The search period included all publications from 2000 until now. OUTCOMES Single-cell analyses of human gonads have identified many important gene markers at different developmental stages and in subpopulations of cells. To validate the functional roles of these gene markers, researchers have used the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent cells into germ cells and confirmed that some genetic requirements are unique in human germ cells and are not conserved in mouse models. Moreover, transcriptional regulatory networks and the interaction of germ and somatic cells in gonads were elucidated in these studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Single-cell analyses allow researchers to identify gene markers and potential regulatory networks using limited clinical samples. On the other hand, in vitro differentiation methods provide clinical researchers with tools to examine these newly identify gene markers and study the causative effects of mutations previously associated with infertility. Combining these two methodologies, researchers can identify gene markers and networks which are essential and unique in human reproductive development, thereby producing more accurate diagnostic tools for assessing reproductive disorders and developing treatments for infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Risako Yang
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Kehkooi Kee
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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43
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Abdyyev VK, Sant DW, Kiseleva EV, Spangenberg VE, Kolomiets OL, Andrade NS, Dashinimaev EB, Vorotelyak EA, Vasiliev AV. In vitro derived female hPGCLCs are unable to complete meiosis in embryoid bodies. Exp Cell Res 2020; 397:112358. [PMID: 33160998 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The fundamental question about the functionality of in vitro derived human primordial germ cell-like cells remains unanswered, despite ongoing research in this area. Attempts have been made to imitate the differentiation of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) and meiocytes in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). A defined system for developing human haploid cells in vitro is the challenge that scientists face to advance the knowledge of human germ cell development. To develop human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that are capable of giving rise to haploid cells, we applied a sequential induction protocol via the early mesodermal push of female human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. BMP4-induced early mesoderm-like cells showed significant alterations in their expression profiles toward early (PRDM1 and NANOS3) and late (VASA and DAZL) germ cell markers. Furthermore, using retinoic acid (RA), we induced hPGCLCs in embryoid bodies and identified positive staining for the meiotic initiation marker STRA8. Efforts to find the cells exhibiting progression to meiosis were unsuccessful. The validation by the expression of SCP3 did not correspond to the natural pattern. Regarding the 20-day meiotic induction, the derived hPGCLCs containing two X-chromosomes were unable to complete the meiotic division. We observed the expression of the oocyte marker PIWIL1 and PIWIL4. RNAseq analysis and cluster dendrogram showed a similar clustering of hPGCLC groups and meiotic like cell groups as compared to previously published data. This reproducible in vitro model for deriving hPGCLCs provides opportunities for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the specification of hPGCs. Moreover, our results will support a further elucidation of gametogenesis and meiosis of female hPGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vepa K Abdyyev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - David W Sant
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ekaterina V Kiseleva
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor E Spangenberg
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oksana L Kolomiets
- Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadja S Andrade
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Studies, Center for Therapeutic Innovation, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Erdem B Dashinimaev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU), Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Vorotelyak
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei V Vasiliev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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44
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Murase Y, Yabuta Y, Ohta H, Yamashiro C, Nakamura T, Yamamoto T, Saitou M. Long-term expansion with germline potential of human primordial germ cell-like cells in vitro. EMBO J 2020; 39:e104929. [PMID: 32954504 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020104929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human germ cells perpetuate human genetic and epigenetic information. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive, due to a lack of appropriate experimental systems. Here, we show that human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can be propagated to at least ~106 -fold over a period of 4 months under a defined condition in vitro. During expansion, hPGCLCs maintain an early hPGC-like transcriptome and preserve their genome-wide DNA methylation profiles, most likely due to retention of maintenance DNA methyltransferase activity. These characteristics contrast starkly with those of mouse PGCLCs, which, under an analogous condition, show a limited propagation (up to ~50-fold) and persist only around 1 week, yet undergo cell-autonomous genome-wide DNA demethylation. Importantly, upon aggregation culture with mouse embryonic ovarian somatic cells in xenogeneic-reconstituted ovaries, expanded hPGCLCs initiate genome-wide DNA demethylation and differentiate into oogonia/gonocyte-like cells, demonstrating their germline potential. By creating a paradigm for hPGCLC expansion, our study uncovers critical divergences in expansion potential and the mechanism for epigenetic reprogramming between the human and mouse germ cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Murase
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chika Yamashiro
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Tokyo, Japan.,Medical-risk Avoidance Based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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45
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Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells harbor the capacity to differentiate into cells from the three embryonic germ layers, and this ability grants them a central role in modeling human disorders and in the field of regenerative medicine. Here, we review pluripotency in human cells with respect to four different aspects: (1) embryonic development, (2) transcriptomes of pluripotent cell stages, (3) genes and pathways that reprogram somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, and finally (4) the recent identification of the human pluripotent stem cell essentialome. These four aspects of pluripotency collectively culminate in a broader understanding of what makes a cell pluripotent.
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46
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Thompson O, von Meyenn F, Hewitt Z, Alexander J, Wood A, Weightman R, Gregory S, Krueger F, Andrews S, Barbaric I, Gokhale PJ, Moore HD, Reik W, Milo M, Nik-Zainal S, Yusa K, Andrews PW. Low rates of mutation in clinical grade human pluripotent stem cells under different culture conditions. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1528. [PMID: 32251294 PMCID: PMC7089967 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of repetitive genomic changes that provide a selective growth advantage in pluripotent stem cells is of concern for their clinical application. However, the effect of different culture conditions on the underlying mutation rate is unknown. Here we show that the mutation rate in two human embryonic stem cell lines derived and banked for clinical application is low and not substantially affected by culture with Rho Kinase inhibitor, commonly used in their routine maintenance. However, the mutation rate is reduced by >50% in cells cultured under 5% oxygen, when we also found alterations in imprint methylation and reversible DNA hypomethylation. Mutations are evenly distributed across the chromosomes, except for a slight increase on the X-chromosome, and an elevation in intergenic regions suggesting that chromatin structure may affect mutation rate. Overall the results suggest that pluripotent stem cells are not subject to unusually high rates of genetic or epigenetic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Thompson
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, 8603, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Zoe Hewitt
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - John Alexander
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Andrew Wood
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Richard Weightman
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Sian Gregory
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Felix Krueger
- Bioinformatics Group, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Simon Andrews
- Bioinformatics Group, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Paul J Gokhale
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Harry D Moore
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Marta Milo
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Serena Nik-Zainal
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Academic Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Box 238, Lv6 Addenbrooke' Treatment Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Research Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hutchinson/MRC Research Centre, Box 1297, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Kosuke Yusa
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Peter W Andrews
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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47
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Grosser K, Metzler D. Modeling methylation dynamics with simultaneous changes in CpG islands. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:115. [PMID: 32183713 PMCID: PMC7079395 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-3438-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In vertebrate genomes, CpG sites can be clustered into CpG islands, and the amount of methylation in a CpG island can change due to gene regulation processes. Thus, single regulatory events can simultaneously change the methylation states of many CpG sites within a CpG island. This should be taken into account when quantifying the amount of change in methylation, for example in form of a branch length in a phylogeny of cell types. Results We propose a probabilistic model (the IWE-SSE model) of methylation dynamics that accounts for simultaneous methylation changes in multiple CpG sites belonging to the same CpG island. We further propose a Markov-chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) method to fit this model to methylation data from cell type phylogenies and apply this method to available data from murine haematopoietic cells and from human cell lines. Combined with simulation studies, these analyses show that accounting for CpG island wide methylation changes has a strong effect on the inferred branch lengths and leads to a significantly better model fit for the methylation data from murine haematopoietic cells and human cell lines. Conclusion The MCMC based parameter estimation method for the IWE-SSE model in combination with our MCMC based inference method allows to quantify the amount of methylation changes at single CpG sites as well as on entire CpG islands. Accounting for changes affecting entire islands can lead to more accurate branch length estimation in the presence of simultaneous methylation change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Grosser
- Department of Biology, Ludwigs-Maximilians Universität München, Großhaderner Straße 2, Planegg, 82152, Germany
| | - Dirk Metzler
- Department of Biology, Ludwigs-Maximilians Universität München, Großhaderner Straße 2, Planegg, 82152, Germany.
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48
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Gell JJ, Liu W, Sosa E, Chialastri A, Hancock G, Tao Y, Wamaitha SE, Bower G, Dey SS, Clark AT. An Extended Culture System that Supports Human Primordial Germ Cell-like Cell Survival and Initiation of DNA Methylation Erasure. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:433-446. [PMID: 32059791 PMCID: PMC7066331 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of an in vitro system in which human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) are generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) has been invaluable to further our understanding of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification. However, the means to evaluate the next fundamental steps in germ cell development have not been well established. In this study we describe a two dimensional extended culture system that promotes proliferation of specified hPGCLCs, without reversion to a pluripotent state. We demonstrate that hPGCLCs in extended culture undergo partial epigenetic reprogramming, mirroring events described in hPGCs in vivo, including a genome-wide reduction in DNA methylation and maintenance of depleted H3K9me2. This extended culture system provides a new approach for expanding the number of hPGCLCs for downstream technologies, including transplantation, molecular screening, or possibly the differentiation of hPGCLCs into gametes by in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna J Gell
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Wanlu Liu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Enrique Sosa
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alex Chialastri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Center for Bioengineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Grace Hancock
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yu Tao
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sissy E Wamaitha
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Grace Bower
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Siddharth S Dey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Center for Bioengineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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49
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Kurek M, Albalushi H, Hovatta O, Stukenborg JB. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Reproductive Science-a Comparison of Protocols Used to Generate and Define Male Germ Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031028. [PMID: 32033159 PMCID: PMC7038013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, fertility-related issues affect around 15% of couples. In 20%–30% of cases men are solely responsible, and they contribute in around 50% of all cases. Hence, understanding of in vivo germ-cell specification and exploring different angles of fertility preservation and infertility intervention are considered hot topics nowadays, with special focus on the use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) as a source of in vitro germ-cell generation. However, the generation of male germ cells from hPSCs can currently be considered challenging, making a judgment on the real perspective of these innovative approaches difficult. Ever since the first spontaneous germ-cell differentiation studies, using human embryonic stem cells, various strategies, including specific co-cultures, gene over-expression, and addition of growth factors, have been applied for human germ-cell derivation. In line with the variety of differentiation methods, the outcomes have ranged from early and migratory primordial germ cells up to post-meiotic spermatids. This variety of culture approaches and cell lines makes comparisons between protocols difficult. Considering the diverse strategies and outcomes, we aim in this mini-review to summarize the literature regarding in vitro derivation of human male germ cells from hPSCs, while keeping a particular focus on the culture methods, growth factors, and cell lines used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kurek
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Halima Albalushi
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Muscat, Oman
| | - Outi Hovatta
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden;
| | - Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-8524-82788
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50
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Patrat C, Ouimette JF, Rougeulle C. X chromosome inactivation in human development. Development 2020; 147:147/1/dev183095. [PMID: 31900287 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a key developmental process taking place in female mammals to compensate for the imbalance in the dosage of X-chromosomal genes between sexes. It is a formidable example of concerted gene regulation and a paradigm for epigenetic processes. Although XCI has been substantially deciphered in the mouse model, how this process is initiated in humans has long remained unexplored. However, recent advances in the experimental capacity to access human embryonic-derived material and in the laws governing ethical considerations of human embryonic research have allowed us to enlighten this black box. Here, we will summarize the current knowledge of human XCI, mainly based on the analyses of embryos derived from in vitro fertilization and of pluripotent stem cells, and highlight any unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Patrat
- Université de Paris, UMR 1016, Institut Cochin, 75014 Paris, France .,Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP.centre, 75014 Paris, France
| | | | - Claire Rougeulle
- Université de Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS, F-75013 Paris, France
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