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Rahman N, Brauer PM, Ho L, Usenko T, Tewary M, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC, Zandstra PW. Engineering the haemogenic niche mitigates endogenous inhibitory signals and controls pluripotent stem cell-derived blood emergence. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15380. [PMID: 28541275 PMCID: PMC5477512 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to recapitulate haematopoiesis, a process guided by spatial and temporal inductive signals, to generate haematopoietic progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have focused primarily on exogenous signalling pathway activation or inhibition. Here we show haemogenic niches can be engineered using microfabrication strategies by micropatterning hPSC-derived haemogenic endothelial (HE) cells into spatially-organized, size-controlled colonies. CD34+VECAD+ HE cells were generated with multi-lineage potential in serum-free conditions and cultured as size-specific haemogenic niches that displayed enhanced blood cell induction over non-micropatterned cultures. Intra-colony analysis revealed radial organization of CD34 and VECAD expression levels, with CD45+ blood cells emerging primarily from the colony centroid area. We identify the induced interferon gamma protein (IP-10)/p-38 MAPK signalling pathway as the mechanism for haematopoietic inhibition in our culture system. Our results highlight the role of spatial organization in hPSC-derived blood generation, and provide a quantitative platform for interrogating molecular pathways that regulate human haematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafees Rahman
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3ES
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Patrick M. Brauer
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
| | - Lilian Ho
- Life Sciences (Biochemistry), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Tatiana Usenko
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Mukul Tewary
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E1
| | - Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8
- Medicine by Design, a Canada First Research Excellence Program at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
| | - Peter W. Zandstra
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3ES
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
- Medicine by Design, a Canada First Research Excellence Program at the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E1
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3E1
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2
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Hox6 genes modulate in vitro differentiation of mESCs to insulin-producing cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2016; 52:974-982. [PMID: 27444630 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-016-0066-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The differentiation of glucose-responsive, insulin-producing cells from ESCs in vitro is promising as a cellular therapy for the treatment of diabetes, a devastating and common disease. Pancreatic β-cells are derived from the endoderm in vivo and therefore most current protocols attempt to generate a pure population of first endoderm, then pancreas epithelium, and finally insulin-producing cells. Despite this, differentiation protocols result in mixed populations of cells that are often poorly defined, but also contain mesoderm. Using an in vitro mESC-to-β cell differentiation protocol, we show that expression of region-specific Hox genes is induced. We also show that the loss of function of the Hox6 paralogous group, genes expressed only in the mesenchyme of the pancreas (not epithelium), affect the differentiation of insulin-producing cells in vitro. This work is consistent with the important role for these mesoderm-specific factors in vivo and highlights contribution of supporting mesenchymal cells in in vitro differentiation.
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3
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Zhang Y, Sun H, Liu Y, Chen S, Cai S, Zhu Y, Guo P. The Limbal Epithelial Progenitors in the Limbal Niche Environment. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:835-840. [PMID: 27877075 PMCID: PMC5118754 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.16563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Limbal epithelial progenitors are stem cells located in limbal palisades of vogt. In this review, we present the audience with recent evidence that limbal epithelial progenitors may be a powerful stem cell resource for the cure of human corneal stem cell deficiency. Further understanding of their mechanism may shed lights to the future successful application of stem cell therapy not only to the eye tissue, but also to the other tissues in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Research and Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., 7000 SW 97th Avenue, Suite 212, Miami, FL 33173, USA
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yongsong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yan' An Hospital of Kunming City, Kunming, 650051, China
| | - Shuangling Chen
- Research and Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., 7000 SW 97th Avenue, Suite 212, Miami, FL 33173, USA
| | - Subo Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yingting Zhu
- Research and Development Department, TissueTech, Inc., 7000 SW 97th Avenue, Suite 212, Miami, FL 33173, USA
| | - Ping Guo
- Shenzhen Eye Hospital, School of Optometry & Ophthalmology of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen, 518000, China
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4
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Kokkinopoulos I, Ishida H, Saba R, Coppen S, Suzuki K, Yashiro K. Cardiomyocyte differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells using a simple and defined protocol. Dev Dyn 2015; 245:157-65. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kokkinopoulos
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
| | - Hidekazu Ishida
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
| | - Rie Saba
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
| | - Steven Coppen
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
| | - Ken Suzuki
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
| | - Kenta Yashiro
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square; London United Kingdom
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5
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Kinney MA, Saeed R, McDevitt TC. Mesenchymal morphogenesis of embryonic stem cells dynamically modulates the biophysical microtissue niche. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4290. [PMID: 24598818 PMCID: PMC3944369 DOI: 10.1038/srep04290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell fate and function are dynamically modulated by the interdependent relationships between biochemical and biophysical signals constituting the local 3D microenvironment. While approaches to recapitulate the stem cell niche have been explored for directing stem cell differentiation, a quantitative relationship between embryonic stem cell (ESC) morphogenesis and intrinsic biophysical cues within three-dimensional microtissues has not been established. In this study, we demonstrate that mesenchymal embryonic microtissues induced by BMP4 exhibited increased stiffness and viscosity accompanying differentiation, with cytoskeletal tension significantly contributing to multicellular stiffness. Perturbation of the cytoskeleton during ESC differentiation led to modulation of the biomechanical and gene expression profiles, with the resulting cell phenotype and biophysical properties being highly correlated by multivariate analyses. Together, this study elucidates the dynamics of biophysical and biochemical signatures within embryonic microenvironments, with broad implications for monitoring tissue dynamics, modeling pathophysiological and embryonic morphogenesis and directing stem cell patterning and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Kinney
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rabbia Saeed
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd C McDevitt
- 1] The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA [2] The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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6
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Fisher SA, Tam RY, Shoichet MS. Tissue mimetics: engineered hydrogel matrices provide biomimetic environments for cell growth. Tissue Eng Part A 2014; 20:895-8. [PMID: 24417669 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Fisher
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Suri S, Singh A, Nguyen AH, Bratt-Leal AM, McDevitt TC, Lu H. Microfluidic-based patterning of embryonic stem cells for in vitro development studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:4617-24. [PMID: 24113509 PMCID: PMC3844158 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50663k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
In vitro recapitulation of mammalian embryogenesis and examination of the emerging behaviours of embryonic structures require both the means to engineer complexity and accurately assess phenotypes of multicellular aggregates. Current approaches to study multicellular populations in 3D configurations are limited by the inability to create complex (i.e. spatially heterogeneous) environments in a reproducible manner with high fidelity thus impeding the ability to engineer microenvironments and combinations of cells with similar complexity to that found during morphogenic processes such as development, remodelling and wound healing. Here, we develop a multicellular embryoid body (EB) fusion technique as a higher-throughput in vitro tool, compared to a manual assembly, to generate developmentally relevant embryonic patterns. We describe the physical principles of the EB fusion microfluidic device design; we demonstrate that >60 conjoined EBs can be generated overnight and emulate a development process analogous to mouse gastrulation during early embryogenesis. Using temporal delivery of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) to embryoid bodies, we recapitulate embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) during mouse embryo development with induced mesoderm differentiation in murine embryonic stem cells leading to expression of Brachyury-T-green fluorescent protein (T-GFP), an indicator of primitive streak development and mesoderm differentiation during gastrulation. The proposed microfluidic approach could be used to manipulate hundreds or more of individual embryonic cell aggregates in a rapid fashion, thereby allowing controlled differentiation patterns in fused multicellular assemblies to generate complex yet spatially controlled microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalu Suri
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4200; Tel: 404-894-8473
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4243; Tel: 404-385-6647
| | - Ankur Singh
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Anh H. Nguyen
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4243; Tel: 404-385-6647
| | - Andres M. Bratt-Leal
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4243; Tel: 404-385-6647
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4243; Tel: 404-385-6647
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Hang Lu
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Fax: 404-894-4200; Tel: 404-894-8473
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
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8
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A microparticle approach to morphogen delivery within pluripotent stem cell aggregates. Biomaterials 2013; 34:7227-35. [PMID: 23827184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.05.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell fate and specification is largely controlled by extrinsic cues that comprise the 3D microenvironment. Biomaterials can serve to control the spatial and temporal presentation of morphogenic molecules in order to direct stem cell fate decisions. Here we describe a microparticle (MP)-based approach to deliver growth factors within multicellular aggregates to direct pluripotent stem cell differentiation. Compared to conventional soluble delivery methods, gelatin MPs laden with BMP4 or noggin induced efficient gene expression of mesoderm and ectoderm lineages, respectively, despite using nearly 12-fold less total growth factor. BMP4-laden MPs increased the percentage of cells expressing GFP under the control of the Brachyury-T promoter as visualized by whole-mount confocal imaging and quantified by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the ability to localize MPs laden with different morphogens within a particular hemisphere of stem cell aggregates allowed for spatial control of differentiation within 3D cultures. Overall, localized delivery of growth factors within multicellular aggregates from microparticle delivery vehicles is an important step towards scalable differentiation technologies and the study of morphogen gradients in pluripotent stem cell differentiation.
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9
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Wolfe RP, Ahsan T. Shear stress during early embryonic stem cell differentiation promotes hematopoietic and endothelial phenotypes. Biotechnol Bioeng 2013; 110:1231-42. [PMID: 23138937 DOI: 10.1002/bit.24782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 09/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a potential source for cell-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, but their translation into clinical use will require efficient and robust methods for promoting differentiation. Fluid shear stress, which can be readily incorporated into scalable bioreactors, may be one solution for promoting endothelial and hematopoietic phenotypes from ESCs. Here we applied laminar shear stress to differentiating ESCs using a 2D adherent parallel plate configuration to systematically investigate the effects of several mechanical parameters. Treatment similarly promoted endothelial and hematopoietic differentiation for shear stress magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 15 dyne/cm(2) and for cells seeded on collagen-, fibronectin- or laminin-coated surfaces. Extension of the treatment duration consistently induced an endothelial response, but application at later stages of differentiation was less effective at promoting hematopoietic phenotypes. Furthermore, inhibition of the FLK1 protein (a VEGF receptor) neutralized the effects of shear stress, implicating the membrane protein as a critical mediator of both endothelial and hematopoietic differentiation by applied shear. Using a systematic approach, studies such as these help elucidate the mechanisms involved in force-mediated stem cell differentiation and inform scalable bioprocesses for cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell P Wolfe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, 500 Lindy Boggs Center, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
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10
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Zhu MX, Zhao JY, Chen GA. Mesoderm is committed to hemato-endothelial and cardiac lineages in human embryoid bodies by sequential exposure to cytokines. Exp Cell Res 2013; 319:21-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2012] [Revised: 09/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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11
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Emerging strategies for spatiotemporal control of stem cell fate and morphogenesis. Trends Biotechnol 2012; 31:78-84. [PMID: 23219200 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2012.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Revised: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 11/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell differentiation is regulated by the complex interplay of multiple parameters, including adhesive intercellular interactions, cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix remodeling, and gradients of agonists and antagonists that individually and collectively vary as a function of spatial locale and temporal stages of development. Current approaches to direct stem cell differentiation focus on systematically understanding the relative influences of microenvironmental perturbations and simultaneously engineering platforms aimed at recapitulating physicochemical aspects of tissue morphogenesis. This review focuses on novel approaches to control the spatiotemporal dynamics of stem cell signaling and morphogenic remodeling to direct the differentiation of stem cells and develop functional tissues for in vitro screening and regenerative medicine technologies.
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12
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Naturil-Alfonso C, Vicente JS, Peñaranda DS, Marco-Jiménez F. Up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor I and uteroglobin in in vivo-developed parthenogenetic embryos. Reprod Domest Anim 2012; 48:126-30. [PMID: 22594490 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2012.02047.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Parthenote embryos are being considered as an alternative source of embryonic stem cells. However, as there is still a dearth of knowledge of this kind of embryos, a better understanding of their biology is needed for their application. In this work, we studied the differences and similarities between parthenotes and normal embryos at the blastocyst stage in vivo developed. We analysed the expression of factor OCT-4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and uteroglobin (UG) by real-time PCR. To do so, oocytes were recovered and after activation procedure were transferred by ventral middle laparoscopy to receptive does to undergo completely in vivo development. Does were slaughtered 6 days post-ovulation induction, and parthenote and normal embryos were recovered for mRNA expression analysis. Our results reported that parthenotes and normal embryos showed similar mRNA expression for OCT-4 and VEGF. However, IGF-I and UG showed to be over-expressed in parthenote embryos. Thus, our study highlights that despite the in vivo development of parthenotes, they still seem to have an altered expression and, therefore, to be different to normal embryos. The altered expression pattern of parthenote embryos suggests that these embryos should be studied carefully before future application.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Naturil-Alfonso
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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13
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Purpura KA, Bratt-Leal AM, Hammersmith KA, McDevitt TC, Zandstra PW. Systematic engineering of 3D pluripotent stem cell niches to guide blood development. Biomaterials 2012; 33:1271-80. [PMID: 22079776 PMCID: PMC4280365 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/16/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSC) provide insight into development and may underpin new cell therapies, yet controlling PSC differentiation to generate functional cells remains a significant challenge. In this study we explored the concept that mimicking the local in vivo microenvironment during mesoderm specification could promote the emergence of hematopoietic progenitor cells from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). First, we assessed the expression of early phenotypic markers of mesoderm differentiation (E-cadherin, brachyury (T-GFP), PDGFRα, and Flk1: +/-ETPF) to reveal that E-T+P+F+ cells have the highest capacity for hematopoiesis. Second, we determined how initial aggregate size influences the emergence of mesodermal phenotypes (E-T+P+F+, E-T-P+/-F+, and E-T-P+F-) and discovered that colony forming cell (CFC) output was maximal with ~100 cells per PSC aggregate. Finally, we introduced these 100-cell PSC aggregates into a low oxygen environment (5%; to upregulate endogenous VEGF secretion) and delivered two potent blood-inductive molecules, BMP4 and TPO (bone morphogenetic protein-4 and thrombopoietin), locally from microparticles to obtain a more robust differentiation response than soluble delivery methods alone. Approximately 1.7-fold more CFCs were generated with localized delivery in comparison to exogenous delivery, while combined growth factor use was reduced ~14.2-fold. By systematically engineering the complex and dynamic environmental signals associated with the in vivo blood developmental niche we demonstrate a significant role for inductive endogenous signaling and introduce a tunable platform for enhancing PSC differentiation efficiency to specific lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A. Purpura
- The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrés M. Bratt-Leal
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Katy A. Hammersmith
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology/Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peter W. Zandstra
- The Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Przybyla L, Voldman J. Probing embryonic stem cell autocrine and paracrine signaling using microfluidics. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2012; 5:293-315. [PMID: 22524217 PMCID: PMC4030416 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-062011-143122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Although stem cell fate is traditionally manipulated by exogenously altering the cells' extracellular signaling environment, the endogenous autocrine and paracrine signals produced by the cells also contribute to their two essential processes: self-renewal and differentiation. Autocrine and/or paracrine signals are fundamental to both embryonic stem cell self-renewal and early embryonic development, but the nature and contributions of these signals are often difficult to fully define using conventional methods. Microfluidic techniques have been used to explore the effects of cell-secreted signals by controlling cell organization or by providing precise control over the spatial and temporal cellular microenvironment. Here we review how such techniques have begun to be adapted for use with embryonic stem cells, and we illustrate how many remaining questions in embryonic stem cell biology could be addressed using microfluidic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laralynne Przybyla
- Dept. of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02139
| | - Joel Voldman
- Dept. Of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA, 02139
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15
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Waese EY, Stanford WL. One-step generation of murine embryonic stem cell-derived mesoderm progenitors and chondrocytes in a serum-free monolayer differentiation system. Stem Cell Res 2011; 6:34-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2010.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Revised: 08/23/2010] [Accepted: 08/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
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16
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Gordon-Keylock SAM, Jackson M, Huang C, Samuel K, Axton RA, Oostendorp RAJ, Taylor H, Wilson J, Forrester LM. Induction of hematopoietic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by an AGM-derived stromal cell line is not further enhanced by overexpression of HOXB4. Stem Cells Dev 2010; 19:1687-98. [PMID: 20184433 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2009.0467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells can be enhanced by co-culture with stromal cells derived from hematopoietic tissues and by overexpression of the transcription factor HOXB4. In this study, we compare the hematopoietic inductive effects of stromal cell lines derived from different subregions of the embryonic aorta-gonad-mesonephros tissue with the commonly used OP9 stromal cell line and with HOXB4 activation. We show that stromal cell lines derived from the aorta and surrounding mesenchyme (AM) act at an earlier stage of the differentiation process compared with the commonly used OP9 stromal cells. AM stromal cells were able to promote the further differentiation of isolated brachyury-GFP(+) mesodermal cells into hematopoietic progenitors, whereas the OP9 stromal cells could not support the differentiation of these cells. Co-culture and analyses of individual embryoid bodies support the hypothesis that the AM stromal cell lines could enhance the de novo production of hematopoietic progenitors, lending support to the idea that AM stromal cells might act on prehematopoietic mesoderm. The induction level observed for AM stromal cells was comparable to HOXB4 activation, but no additive effect was observed when these 2 inductive strategies were combined. Addition of a γ-secretase inhibitor reduced the inductive effects of both the stromal cell line and HOXB4, providing clues to possible shared molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A M Gordon-Keylock
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, John Hughes Bennett Laboratory, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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17
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The use of vascular endothelial growth factor functionalized agarose to guide pluripotent stem cell aggregates toward blood progenitor cells. Biomaterials 2010; 31:8262-70. [PMID: 20684984 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The developmental potential of pluripotent stem cells is influenced by their local cellular microenvironment. To better understand the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) in the embryonic cellular microenvironment, we synthesized an artificial stem cell niche wherein VEGFA was immobilized in an agarose hydrogel. Agarose was first modified with coumarin-protected thiols. Upon exposure to ultra-violet excitation, the coumarin groups were cleaved leaving reactive thiols to couple with maleimide-activated VEGFA. Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC) aggregates were encapsulated in VEGFA immobilized agarose and cultured for 7 days as free-floating aggregates under serum-free conditions. Encapsulated aggregates were assessed for their capacity to give rise to blood progenitor cells. In the presence of bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4), cells exposed to immobilized VEGFA upregulated mesodermal markers, brachyury and VEGF receptor 2 (T+VEGFR2+) by day 4, and expressed CD34 and CD41 (CD34+CD41+) on day 7. It was found that immobilized VEGFA treatment was more efficient at inducing blood progenitors (including colony forming cells) on a per molecule basis than soluble VEGFA. This work demonstrates the use of functionalized hydrogels to guide encapsulated ESCs toward blood progenitor cells and introduces a tool capable of recapitulating aspects of the embryonic microenvironment.
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Toh YC, Blagović K, Voldman J. Advancing stem cell research with microtechnologies: opportunities and challenges. Integr Biol (Camb) 2010; 2:305-25. [PMID: 20593104 DOI: 10.1039/c0ib00004c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells provide unique opportunities for understanding basic biology, for developing tissue models for drug testing, and for clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Despite the promise, the field faces significant challenges in identifying stem cell populations, controlling their fate, and characterizing their phenotype. These challenges arise because stem cells are ultimately functionally defined, and thus can often be identified only retrospectively. New technologies are needed that can provide surrogate markers of stem cell identity, can maintain stem cell state in vitro, and can better direct differentiation. In this review, we discuss the opportunities that microtechnologies, in particular, can provide to the unique qualities of stem cell biology. Microtechnology, by allowing organization and manipulation of cells and molecules at biologically relevant length scales, enables control of the cellular environment and assessment of cell functions and phenotypes with cellular resolution. This provides opportunities to, for instance, create more realistic stem cell niches, perform multi-parameter profiling of single cells, and direct the extracellular signals that control cell fate. All these features take place in an environment whose small size naturally conserves reagent and allows for multiplexing of experiments. By appropriately applying micro-scale engineering principles to stem cell research, we believe that significant breakthroughs can be made in stem cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chin Toh
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Zhu S, Wurdak H, Wang J, Lyssiotis CA, Peters EC, Cho CY, Wu X, Schultz PG. A Small Molecule Primes Embryonic Stem Cells for Differentiation. Cell Stem Cell 2009; 4:416-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2009.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2008] [Revised: 02/24/2009] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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