Histone hyperacetylation may improve the preimplantation development and epigenetic status of cloned embryos

The Relative Abundances of Human Leukocyte Antigen-E, α-Galactosidase A and α-Gal Antigenic Determinants Are Biased by Trichostatin A-Dependent Epigenetic Transformation of Triple-Transgenic Pig-Derived Dermal Fibroblast Cells

The present study sought to establish the mitotically stable adult cutaneous fibroblast cell (ACFC) lines stemming from hFUT2×hGLA×HLA-E triple-transgenic pigs followed by trichostatin A (TSA)-assisted epigenetically modulating the reprogrammability of the transgenes permanently incorporated into the host genome and subsequent comprehensive analysis of molecular signatures related to proteomically profiling the generated ACFC lines. The results of Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses have proved that the profiles of relative abundance (RA) noticed for both recombinant human α-galactosidase A (rhα-Gal A) and human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) underwent significant upregulations in tri-transgenic (3×TG) ACFCs subjected to TSA-mediated epigenetic transformation as compared to not only their TSA-unexposed counterparts but also TSA-treated and untreated non-transgenic (nTG) cells. The RT-qPCR-based analysis of porcine tri-genetically engineered ACFCs revealed stable expression of mRNA fractions transcribed from hFUT2, hGLA and HLA-E transgenes as compared to a lack of such transcriptional activities in non-transgenic ACFC variants. Furthermore, although TSA-based epigenomic modulation has given rise to a remarkable increase in the expression levels of Galα1→3Gal (α-Gal) epitopes that have been determined by lectin blotting analysis, their semi-quantitative profiles have dwindled profoundly in both TSA-exposed and unexposed 3×TG ACFCs as compared to their nTG counterparts. In conclusion, thoroughly exploring proteomic signatures in such epigenetically modulated ex vivo models devised on hFUT2×hGLA×HLA-E triple-transgenic ACFCs that display augmented reprogrammability of translational activities of two mRNA transcripts coding for rhα-Gal A and HLA-E proteins might provide a completely novel and powerful research tool for the panel of further studies. The objective of these future studies should be to multiply the tri-transgenic pigs with the aid of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-based cloning for the purposes of both xenografting the porcine cutaneous bioprostheses and dermoplasty-mediated surgical treatments in human patients.

Enhancement of Chromatin and Epigenetic Reprogramming in Porcine SCNT Embryos—Progresses and Perspectives

Over the last 25 years, cloned animals have been produced by transferring somatic cell nuclei into enucleated oocytes (SCNT) in more than 20 mammalian species. Among domestic animals, pigs are likely the leading species in the number of clones produced by SCNT. The greater interest in pig cloning has two main reasons, its relevance for food production and as its use as a suitable model in biomedical applications. Recognized progress in animal cloning has been attained over time, but the overall efficiency of SCNT in pigs remains very low, based on the rate of healthy, live born piglets following embryo transfer. Accumulating evidence from studies in mice and other species indicate that new strategies for promoting chromatin and epigenetic reprogramming may represent the beginning of a new era for pig cloning.

Metformin improves epigenetic modification involved in oocyte growth and embryo development in polycystic ovary syndrome mice model

The possible relationship between dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and epigenetic changes (ECs) leading to the impaired oocyte quality, has not been investigated yet. So, this study aimed to provide an insight into the relationship of the impaired oocyte quality with ECs in a mice DHEA-induced PCOS model and to further reveal the effect of metformin treatment. For this purpose, 80 female BALB/C mice were randomly divided into four equal groups, named as the control, sham, (DHEA) and DHEA + Metformin groups. The alterations in acetylation of H4K5 and H4K16, and in methylation of DNA (5MeC) and H3K9 were evaluated using immunocytochemical. Moreover, the expression of Hdac1, Hdac2, Dnmt1, and Dnmt3a genes involved in ECs were analyzed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. As well, the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), oxidative stress (OS), embryo development, ovarian morphology, sexual hormone, ovulatory function, and AMPKα phosphorylation activity were compared in all the studied groups. Metformin attenuated the damages induced by DHEA as indicated by the normalized the estrous cycle, the improved ovarian morphology, the decreased sexual hormone and OS levels, and the increased MMP and AMPKα phosphorylation levels. In the metformin group, the Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Hdac2 genes have significantly upregulated compared to the DHEA group. However, metformin was found to have no effect on the expression level of Hdac1. In this regard, significant decrease and increase were observed in both the acetylated H4K16 and methylated H3K9 within MII oocytes in the DHEA + Metformin group compared with the DHEA group. Our results show that metformin could enhance the developmental competence of PCOS oocytes via reducing OS and ECs.

Ex Situ Conservation and Genetic Rescue of Endangered Polish Cattle and Pig Breeds with the Aid of Modern Reproductive Biotechnology – A Review

The development and optimization of reproductive biotechnology – specifically semen cryopreservation, spermatological diagnostics, and intraspecies cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) – have become essential techniques to conserve the genetic resources and establish genetic reserves of endangered or vanishing native Polish livestock breeds. Moreover, this biotechnology is necessary for perpetuating biological diversity and enhancing genetic variability as well as for restoring and reintroducing breeds into anthropogenic agricultural ecosystems. On the one hand, the purpose of our paper is to interpret recent efforts aimed at the ex situ conservation of native cattle and pig breeds. On the other, it emphasizes the prominent role played by the National Research Institute of Animal Production (NRIAP) in maintaining biodiversity in agricultural environmental niches. Furthermore, our paper provides an overview of the conventional and modern strategies of the banking and cryopreservation of germplasm-carrier biological materials and somatic cell lines, spermatological diagnostics, and semen-based and SCNT-mediated assisted reproductive technologies (ART s). These are the most reliable and powerful tools for ex situ protection of the genetic resources of endangered breeds of livestock, especially cattle and pigs.

HDAC6 Is Involved in the Histone Deacetylation of In Vitro Maturation Oocytes and the Reprogramming of Nuclear Transplantation in Pig

It remained unknown whether HDAC6 affected the histone deacetylation of in vitro maturation oocytes and the reprogramming of nuclear transplantation in pig. Our results indicated that HDAC6 specific inhibition did not affect overall HDAC activity and meiosis process, which increased histone H3K9/K14 and H4K8 acetylation of porcine in vitro maturation oocytes and pseudo-pronucleus embryos. HDAC6 inhibition also significantly enhanced the cleavage and blastocyst of nuclear transfer embryos (0.81 ± 0.12 vs. 0.68 ± 0.12 and 0.46 ± 0.19; 0.73 ± 0.13 vs. 0.63 ± 0.18 and 0.40 ± 0.16, P<0.05). The inhibition of HDAC6 significantly enhanced histone H3K9/K14 and H4K8 acetylation, and upregulated the OCT4 and CDX2 expressions (1.83 ± 0.16 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00 %; 2.07 ± 0.09 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00; P<0.05) in porcine SCNT blastocysts. Interestingly, HDAC6 inhibition significantly increased the pseudo-pronucleus volume during somatic cell reprogramming. Thus, HDAC6 was required for porcine histone deacetylation during the in vitro maturation and pseudo-pronucleus stages. HDAC6 inhibition improved the in vitro development of nuclear transfer embryos. HDAC6 may restrict the reprogramming of somatic nuclear transfer by regulating pseudo-pronucleus expansion. We need further research to confirm this in the future.