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Kim JK, Villa-Diaz LG, Saunders TL, Saul RP, Timilsina S, Liu F, Mishina Y, Krebsbach PH. Selective Inhibition of mTORC1 Signaling Supports the Development and Maintenance of Pluripotency. Stem Cells 2024; 42:13-28. [PMID: 37931173 PMCID: PMC10787279 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Insight into the molecular mechanisms governing the development and maintenance of pluripotency is important for understanding early development and the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. We demonstrate the selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling is important for developing the inner cell mass (ICM) and the self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells. S6K suppressed the expression and function of pluripotency-related transcription factors (PTFs) OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 through phosphorylation and ubiquitin proteasome-mediated protein degradation, indicating that S6K inhibition is required for pluripotency. PTFs inhibited mTOR signaling. The phosphorylation of S6 was decreased in PTF-positive cells of the ICM in embryos. Activation of mTORC1 signaling blocked ICM formation and the selective inhibition of S6K by rapamycin increased the ICM size in mouse blastocysts. Thus, selective inhibition of mTORC1 signaling supports the development and maintenance of pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Koo Kim
- Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Luis G Villa-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Thomas L Saunders
- Transgenic Animal Model Core, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ruiz P Saul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | | | - Fei Liu
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yuji Mishina
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Paul H Krebsbach
- Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Adi YK, Boonprakob R, Kirkwood RN, Tummaruk P. Factors affecting birth weight and stillbirth in sows housed in a tropical environment. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14500. [PMID: 37909804 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
This study analysed data from a commercial swine herd in Thailand equipped with a free-farrowing housing system, comprising 17,196 piglets from 1318 litters, to explore the impact of sow and litter characteristics on the piglet birth weight and the incidence of stillbirth. The piglets were classified into four groups based on the total number of piglets born per litter (TB): ≤9 (n = 1434), 10-12 (n = 3232), 13-15 (n = 6537) and ≥16 (n = 5993). Sows were classified into four groups based on parity number: 1, 2-4, 5-7 and ≥8. The piglets were categorized into quartiles based on their birth order ranking: Q1 (n = 4786), Q2 (n = 4143), Q3 (n = 3808) and Q4 (n = 4456). Piglet birth weight was individually measured before colostrum ingestion. On average, TB, the number of live-born piglets and the incidence of stillbirth were 13.1 ± 3.7, 11.5 ± 3.8 and 6.3%, respectively. Among these litters, 26.6% had TB numbers ≥16. The average piglet birth weight was 1.37 ± 0.36 kg, with 18.3% of piglets weighing ≤1.0 kg at birth. Piglet birth weight was influenced by birth order ranking, as Q4 piglets were found to be heavier than piglets born in Q1-Q3 (p < .001). Moreover, the percentage of piglets with a birth weight of ≤1.0 kg increased from 5.9% in litters with TB of ≤9-25.3% in litters with TB of ≥16 (p < .001). Additionally, primiparous sows had lower piglet birth weights compared to sows with parity numbers 2-4, 5-7 and ≥8 (p < .001). Piglets born in the fourth quartile (Q4) had a higher risk of stillbirth compared to those born in the first (Q1), second (Q2) and third (Q3) quartiles (12.5% vs. 2.2%, 4.1% and 6.6%, respectively, p < .001). The incidence of stillbirth in litters with TB ≥16 was also higher than that in litters with TB ≤9 and 10-12 (p < .05). Furthermore, sows with parity numbers ≥8 had a higher incidence of stillbirth (9.7%) compared to primiparous sows (4.0%, p < .001), sows with 2-4 parity (5.2%, p < .001) and sows with 5-7 parity (7.6%, p = .003). In summary, a high incidence of stillbirth was found in piglets born in the last quartile of litters, in litters with >16 piglets and for sows with parity numbers ≥8. Piglets born in the last quartile of litters were heavier than those born in the first to third quartiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosua Kristian Adi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rafa Boonprakob
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roy N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Bowdridge EC, Thompson J, Bourque S, Stapleton P. Editorial: Getting to the heart of developmental toxicities. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1138470. [PMID: 36726487 PMCID: PMC9886310 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1138470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Bowdridge
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Jennifer Thompson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Stephane Bourque
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Phoebe Stapleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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Shukla V, Soares MJ. Modeling Trophoblast Cell-Guided Uterine Spiral Artery Transformation in the Rat. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062947. [PMID: 35328368 PMCID: PMC8950824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The rat possesses hemochorial placentation with deep intrauterine trophoblast cell invasion and trophoblast-guided uterine spiral artery remodeling, which resembles human placentation. Uterine spiral arteries are extensively remodeled to deliver sufficient supply of maternal blood and nutrients to the developing fetus. Inadequacies in these key processes negatively impact fetal growth and development. Recent innovations in genome editing combined with effective phenotyping strategies have provided new insights into placental development. Application of these research approaches has highlighted both conserved and species-specific features of hemochorial placentation. The review provides foundational information on rat hemochorial placental development and function during physiological and pathological states, especially as related to the invasive trophoblast cell-guided transformation of uterine spiral arteries. Our goal is to showcase the utility of the rat as a model for in vivo mechanistic investigations targeting regulatory events within the uterine-placental interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Shukla
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Correspondence: (V.S.); (M.J.S.)
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
- Correspondence: (V.S.); (M.J.S.)
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D'Errico JN, Fournier SB, Stapleton PA. Considering intrauterine location in a model of fetal growth restriction after maternal titanium dioxide nanoparticle inhalation. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2021; 3:643804. [PMID: 33997857 PMCID: PMC8121264 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2021.643804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition with several underlying etiologies including gestational disease (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes) and xenobiotic exposure (e.g., environmental contaminants, pharmaceuticals, recreational drugs). Rodent models allow study of FGR pathogenesis. However, given the multiparous rodent pregnancy, fetal growth variability within uterine horns may arise. To ascertain whether intrauterine position is a determinant of fetal growth, we redesigned fetal weight analysis to include litter size and maternal weight. Our FGR model is produced by exposing pregnant Sprague Dawley rats to aerosolized titanium dioxide nanoparticles at 9.44 ± 0.26 mg/m3 on gestational day (GD) 4, GD 12 or GD 17 or 9.53 ± 1.01 mg/m3 between GD 4-GD 19. In this study fetal weight data was reorganized by intrauterine location [i.e., right/left uterine horn and ovarian/middle/vaginal position] and normalized by maternal weight and number of feti per uterine horn. A significant difference in fetal weight in the middle location in controls (0.061g ± 0.001 vs. 0.055g ± 0.002), GD 4 (0.033g ± 0.003 vs. 0.049g ± 0.004), and GD 17 (0.047g ± 0.002 vs. 0.038g ± 0.002) exposed animals was identified. Additionally, GD 4 exposure produced significantly smaller feti in the right uterine horn at the ovarian end (0.052g ± 0.003 vs. 0.029g ± 0.003) and middle of the right uterine horn (0.060g ± 0.001 vs. 0.033g ± 0.003). GD 17 exposure produced significantly smaller feti in the left uterine horn middle location (0.055g ± 0.002 vs. 0.033 ± 0.002). Placental weights were unaffected, and placental efficiency was reduced in the right uterine horn middle location after GD 17 exposure (5.74g ± 0.16 vs. 5.09g ± 0.14). These findings identified: 1) differences in fetal weight of controls between the right and left horns in the middle position, and 2) differential effects of single whole-body pulmonary exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles on fetal weight by position and window of maternal exposure. In conclusion, these results indicate that consideration for intrauterine position, maternal weight, and number of feti per horn provides a more sensitive assessment of FGR from rodent reproductive and developmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. N. D'Errico
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - S. B. Fournier
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - P. A. Stapleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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Hernández A, Olvera-Hernández S, Fernández-Guasti A. Lack of interaction between prenatal stress and prenatal letrozole to induce same-sex preference in male rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 224:113042. [PMID: 32619527 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Same-sex partner preference between males has been observed in all species in which this behavior has been studied. Disruption of brain estradiol synthesis during development has been proposed as one of the biological causes underlying this behavior in some mammals. In support of this possibility, perinatal administration of aromatase inhibitors (such as letrozole) to male rat pups, induces around half of them to have same-sex preference and female sexual behavior in adulthood. Another putative factor that modifies sex preference is prenatal stress. Several stress protocols, applied to the pregnant dam, cause some of the adult male progeny to have an increased male preference, a decreased preference for the female, and lordosis behavior. Interestingly, these effects of stress might be mediated by its inhibitory action on brain aromatase. The aim of the present study was to analyze a possible interaction between these two factors in male rats. Pregnant dams were exposed to one of the four treatments across gestation days 10-22 (G10-G22): 1) vehicle-treated non-stressed controls; 2) letrozole (0.56 µg/kg); 3) 30 min immobilization stress); 4) both letrozole and stress combined. The male offspring were tested in adulthood for partner preference in a three-chambered arena, where we also recorded the masculine and feminine sexual behaviors. One week later males were tested for masculine and feminine sexual behavior in cylindrical arenas where they interacted for 30 min with a receptive female and thereafter with a sexually active male for another 30 min. Letrozole, stress and their combination resulted in same-sex preference in 40, 31 and 50% of males, respectively, compared to 5% in the control group. In the sexual behavior tests, prenatal stress reduced the percentage of males displaying intromissions and ejaculation (impaired masculinization), while letrozole mainly increased lordosis (impaired defeminization). The males prenatally submitted to stress and treated with letrozole presented these behavioral features but did not differ from both treatments given independently. The results indicate that the changes induced by stress or the aromatase inhibition produced by letrozole only accounts for a shift in partner preference in around half of the males and that there was no interaction between these two factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Hernández
- Pharmacobiology Department. Center of Research and Advanced Studies of IPN (CINVESTAV), México
| | - Sandra Olvera-Hernández
- Medical and Psychology School, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, B.C., México
| | - Alonso Fernández-Guasti
- Pharmacobiology Department. Center of Research and Advanced Studies of IPN (CINVESTAV), México..
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Golub MS, Sobin CA. Statistical modeling with litter as a random effect in mixed models to manage "intralitter likeness". Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 77:106841. [PMID: 31863841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.106841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
"Intralitter likeness," the possibility that the shared genetics and/or maternal environment in multiparous species causes strong similarity for outcome variables in littermates, violates a core statistical assumption, that of observation independence, when littermate outcomes are analyzed. Intralitter likeness has been of major concern to investigators for several decades. Despite consensus and guidance, many research reports in the rodent literature continue to ignore intralitter likeness. A historical review of the literature revealed that the long-preferred solution was to include litter as an effect in statistical models. Limitations in software development and computing capacity prior to 1990, however, appear to have led researchers and guidance authorities to endorse instead the method of using one value per litter. Here, the history of discussions regarding intralitter likeness in developmental neurotoxicological research is reviewed; growing knowledge regarding the biological bases and significance of intralitter likeness is discussed; principles underlying the use of litter as a random effect in mixed models are presented; statistical examples are provided illustrating the advantages and critical importance of including litter as a random effect in mixed models; and results using all data points (all pups from all litters) with litter as a random effect, are compared to results based on random selections of representative littermates. Mixed models with litter included as a random effect have distinct advantages for the analysis of clustered data. Modern computing capacity provides ready accessibility to mixed models for all researchers. Accessibility however does not preclude the need for appropriate expertise and consultation in the use of mixed (hierarchical) models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari S Golub
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Christina A Sobin
- College of Health Sciences, University of Texas EL Paso, El Paso, TX, United States of America; Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States of America.
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Chattergoon NN. Thyroid hormone signaling and consequences for cardiac development. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T145-T160. [PMID: 31117055 PMCID: PMC6613780 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fetal heart undergoes its own growth and maturation stages all while supplying blood and nutrients to the growing fetus and its organs. Immature contractile cardiomyocytes proliferate to rapidly increase and establish cardiomyocyte endowment in the perinatal period. Maturational changes in cellular maturation, size and biochemical capabilities occur, and require, a changing hormonal environment as the fetus prepares itself for the transition to extrauterine life. Thyroid hormone has long been known to be important for neuronal development, but also for fetal size and survival. Fetal circulating 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) levels surge near term in mammals and are responsible for maturation of several organ systems, including the heart. Growth factors like insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulate proliferation of fetal cardiomyocytes, while thyroid hormone has been shown to inhibit proliferation and drive maturation of the cells. Several cell signaling pathways appear to be involved in this complicated and coordinated process. The aim of this review was to discuss the foundational studies of thyroid hormone physiology and the mechanisms responsible for its actions as we speculate on potential fetal programming effects for cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N Chattergoon
- Center for Developmental Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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