1
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Lau HH, Amirruddin NS, Loo LSW, Chan JW, Iich E, Krishnan VG, Hoon S, Teo AKK. FGFR-mediated ERK1/2 signaling contributes to mesendoderm and definitive endoderm formation in vitro. iScience 2023; 26:107265. [PMID: 37502260 PMCID: PMC10368912 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into the SOX17+ definitive endoderm (DE) germ layer is important for generating tissues for regenerative medicine. Multiple developmental and stem cell studies have demonstrated that Activin/Nodal signaling is the primary driver of definitive endoderm formation. Here, we uncover that the FGF2-FGFR-ERK1/2 signaling contributes to mesendoderm and SOX17+ DE formation. Without ERK1/2 signaling, the Activin/Nodal signaling is insufficient to drive mesendoderm and DE formation. Besides FGF2-FGFR-mediated signaling, IGF1R signaling possibly contributes to the ERK1/2 signaling for DE formation. We identified a temporal relationship between Activin/Nodal-SMAD2 and FGF2-FGFR-ERK1/2 signaling in which Activin/Nodal-SMAD2 participates in the initiation of mesendoderm and DE specification that is followed by increasing activity of FGF2-FGFR-ERK1/2 to facilitate and permit the successful generation of SOX17+ DE. Overall, besides the role of Activin/Nodal signaling for DE formation, our findings shed light on the contribution of ERK1/2 signaling for mesendoderm and DE formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwee Hui Lau
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nur Shabrina Amirruddin
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Larry Sai Weng Loo
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jun Wei Chan
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Elhadi Iich
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Shawn Hoon
- Molecular Engineering Lab, IMCB, Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adrian Kee Keong Teo
- Stem Cells and Diabetes Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Proteos, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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2
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Jackson JT, Nutt SL, McCormack MP. The Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox transcription factor: roles in development, physiology and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197490. [PMID: 37398663 PMCID: PMC10313424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Haematopoietically expressed homeobox transcription factor (Hhex) is a transcriptional repressor that is of fundamental importance across species, as evident by its evolutionary conservation spanning fish, amphibians, birds, mice and humans. Indeed, Hhex maintains its vital functions throughout the lifespan of the organism, beginning in the oocyte, through fundamental stages of embryogenesis in the foregut endoderm. The endodermal development driven by Hhex gives rise to endocrine organs such as the pancreas in a process which is likely linked to its role as a risk factor in diabetes and pancreatic disorders. Hhex is also required for the normal development of the bile duct and liver, the latter also importantly being the initial site of haematopoiesis. These haematopoietic origins are governed by Hhex, leading to its crucial later roles in definitive haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, lymphopoiesis and haematological malignancy. Hhex is also necessary for the developing forebrain and thyroid gland, with this reliance on Hhex evident in its role in endocrine disorders later in life including a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the roles of Hhex in embryological development throughout evolution appear to be linked to its later roles in a variety of disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Jackson
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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3
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Ietto G, Iori V, Gritti M, Inversini D, Costantino A, Izunza Barba S, Jiang ZG, Carcano G, Dalla Gasperina D, Pettinato G. Multicellular Liver Organoids: Generation and Importance of Diverse Specialized Cellular Components. Cells 2023; 12:1429. [PMID: 37408262 PMCID: PMC10217024 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101429] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 40,000 patients in the United States are estimated to suffer from end-stage liver disease and acute hepatic failure, for which liver transplantation is the only available therapy. Human primary hepatocytes (HPH) have not been employed as a therapeutic tool due to the difficulty in growing and expanding them in vitro, their sensitivity to cold temperatures, and tendency to dedifferentiate following two-dimensional culture. The differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into liver organoids (LO) has emerged as a potential alternative to orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT). However, several factors limit the efficiency of liver differentiation from hiPSCs, including a low proportion of differentiated cells capable of reaching a mature phenotype, the poor reproducibility of existing differentiation protocols, and insufficient long-term viability in vitro and in vivo. This review will analyze various methodologies being developed to improve hepatic differentiation from hiPSCs into liver organoids, paying particular attention to the use of endothelial cells as supportive cells for their further maturation. Here, we demonstrate why differentiated liver organoids can be used as a research tool for drug testing and disease modeling, or employed as a bridge for liver transplantation following liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ietto
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Iori
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Mattia Gritti
- Department of General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Inversini
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Angelita Costantino
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Sofia Izunza Barba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Z. Gordon Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Giulio Carcano
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Daniela Dalla Gasperina
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pettinato
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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4
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Al Mahbuba D, Masuko S, Wang S, Syangtan D, Kang JS, Song Y, Shin TW, Xia K, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ, Boyden ES, Kiessling LL. Dynamic Changes in Heparan Sulfate Nanostructure in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7207-7218. [PMID: 37042659 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a heterogeneous, cell-surface polysaccharide critical for transducing signals essential for mammalian development. Imaging of signaling proteins has revealed how their localization influences their information transfer. In contrast, the contribution of the spatial distribution and nanostructure of information-rich, signaling polysaccharides like HS is not known. Using expansion microscopy (ExM), we found striking changes in HS nanostructure occur as human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells differentiate, and these changes correlate with growth factor signaling. Our imaging studies show that undifferentiated hPS cells are densely coated with HS displayed as hair-like protrusions. This ultrastructure can recruit fibroblast growth factor for signaling. When the hPS cells differentiate into the ectoderm lineage, HS is localized into dispersed puncta. This striking change in HS distribution coincides with a decrease in fibroblast growth factor binding to neural cells. While developmental variations in HS sequence were thought to be the primary driver of alterations in HS-mediated growth factor signaling, our high-resolution images indicate a role for the HS nanostructure. Our study highlights the utility of high-resolution glycan imaging using ExM. In the case of HS, we found that changes in how the polysaccharide is displayed link to profound differences in growth factor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deena Al Mahbuba
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sayaka Masuko
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shiwei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Deepsing Syangtan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jeong Seuk Kang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yuefan Song
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Tay Won Shin
- Media Arts and Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ke Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Robert J Linhardt
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, United States
| | - Edward S Boyden
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Media Arts and Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Koch Institute, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Centers for Neurobiological Engineering and Extreme Bionics, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Laura L Kiessling
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Koch Institute, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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5
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Wong YF, Kumar Y, Proks M, Herrera JAR, Rothová MM, Monteiro RS, Pozzi S, Jennings RE, Hanley NA, Bickmore WA, Brickman JM. Expansion of ventral foregut is linked to changes in the enhancer landscape for organ-specific differentiation. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:481-492. [PMID: 36690849 PMCID: PMC10014581 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01075-8] [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: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cell proliferation is fundamental for almost all stages of development and differentiation that require an increase in cell number. Although cell cycle phase has been associated with differentiation, the actual process of proliferation has not been considered as having a specific role. Here we exploit human embryonic stem cell-derived endodermal progenitors that we find are an in vitro model for the ventral foregut. These cells exhibit expansion-dependent increases in differentiation efficiency to pancreatic progenitors that are linked to organ-specific enhancer priming at the level of chromatin accessibility and the decommissioning of lineage-inappropriate enhancers. Our findings suggest that cell proliferation in embryonic development is about more than tissue expansion; it is required to ensure equilibration of gene regulatory networks allowing cells to become primed for future differentiation. Expansion of lineage-specific intermediates may therefore be an important step in achieving high-fidelity in vitro differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Fung Wong
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yatendra Kumar
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Martin Proks
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jose Alejandro Romero Herrera
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Health Data Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michaela Mrugala Rothová
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rita S Monteiro
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara Pozzi
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rachel E Jennings
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Neil A Hanley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Wendy A Bickmore
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Medina-Cano D, Corrigan EK, Glenn RA, Islam MT, Lin Y, Kim J, Cho H, Vierbuchen T. Rapid and robust directed differentiation of mouse epiblast stem cells into definitive endoderm and forebrain organoids. Development 2022; 149:dev200561. [PMID: 35899604 PMCID: PMC10655922 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200561] [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] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a powerful model system for deconstructing embryonic development. Although mice are the most advanced mammalian model system for genetic studies of embryonic development, state-of-the-art protocols for directed differentiation of mouse PSCs into defined lineages require additional steps and generates target cell types with lower purity than analogous protocols for human PSCs, limiting their application as models for mechanistic studies of development. Here, we examine the potential of mouse epiblast stem cells cultured in media containing Wnt pathway inhibitors as a starting point for directed differentiation. As a proof of concept, we focused our efforts on two specific cell/tissue types that have proven difficult to generate efficiently and reproducibly from mouse embryonic stem cells: definitive endoderm and neural organoids. We present new protocols for rapid generation of nearly pure definitive endoderm and forebrain-patterned neural organoids that model the development of prethalamic and hippocampal neurons. These differentiation models present new possibilities for combining mouse genetic tools with in vitro differentiation to characterize molecular and cellular mechanisms of embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Medina-Cano
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Emily K. Corrigan
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Rachel A. Glenn
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Cell and Developmental Biology Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mohammed T. Islam
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yuan Lin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Juliet Kim
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hyunwoo Cho
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thomas Vierbuchen
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, NY 10065, USA
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7
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Identification of the central intermediate in the extra-embryonic to embryonic endoderm transition through single-cell transcriptomics. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:833-844. [PMID: 35681011 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution maps of embryonic development suggest that acquisition of cell identity is not limited to canonical germ layers but proceeds via alternative routes. Despite evidence that visceral organs are formed via embryonic and extra-embryonic trajectories, the production of organ-specific cell types in vitro focuses on the embryonic one. Here we resolve these differentiation routes using massively parallel single-cell RNA sequencing to generate datasets from FOXA2Venus reporter mouse embryos and embryonic stem cell differentiation towards endoderm. To relate cell types in these datasets, we develop a single-parameter computational approach and identify an intermediate en route from extra-embryonic identity to embryonic endoderm, which we localize spatially in embryos at embryonic day 7.5. While there is little evidence for this cell type in embryonic stem cell differentiation, by following the extra-embryonic trajectory starting with naïve extra-embryonic endoderm stem cells we can generate embryonic gut spheroids. Exploiting developmental plasticity therefore offers alternatives to pluripotent cells and opens alternative avenues for in vitro differentiation.
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8
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Nakamura A, Wong YF, Venturato A, Michaut M, Venkateswaran S, Santra M, Gonçalves C, Larsen M, Leuschner M, Kim YH, Brickman J, Bradley M, Grapin-Botton A. Long-term feeder-free culture of human pancreatic progenitors on fibronectin or matrix-free polymer potentiates β cell differentiation. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1215-1228. [PMID: 35452596 PMCID: PMC9133655 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With the aim of producing β cells for replacement therapies to treat diabetes, several protocols have been developed to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells to β cells via pancreatic progenitors. While in vivo pancreatic progenitors expand throughout development, the in vitro protocols have been designed to make these cells progress as fast as possible to β cells. Here, we report on a protocol enabling a long-term expansion of human pancreatic progenitors in a defined medium on fibronectin, in the absence of feeder layers. Moreover, through a screening of a polymer library we identify a polymer that can replace fibronectin. Our experiments, comparing expanded progenitors to directly differentiated progenitors, show that the expanded progenitors differentiate more efficiently into glucose-responsive β cells and produce fewer glucagon-expressing cells. The ability to expand progenitors under defined conditions and cryopreserve them will provide flexibility in research and therapeutic production. hPSC-derived pancreatic progenitors can be expanded long term without feeders Expansion can be achieved on fibronectin or on a polymer identified by screening Expansion enables increased NKX6-1 expression, which is crucial for β cell generation Expansion potentiates glucose-responsive β-like cells and decreases α cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Nakamura
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yan Fung Wong
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Magali Michaut
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mithun Santra
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carla Gonçalves
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Larsen
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Leuschner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Yung Hae Kim
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Joshua Brickman
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Bradley
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anne Grapin-Botton
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; The Paul Langerhans Institute of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and The Medical Faculty of TU Dresden (PLID), Dresden, Germany.
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9
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Zhang L, Pu K, Liu X, Bae SDW, Nguyen R, Bai S, Li Y, Qiao L. The Application of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Against Liver Diseases: An Update and a Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:644594. [PMID: 34277651 PMCID: PMC8280311 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.644594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases are a major health concern globally, and are associated with poor survival and prognosis of patients. This creates the need for patients to accept the main alternative treatment of liver transplantation to prevent progression to end-stage liver disease. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms underpinning complex liver diseases and their pathology is an emerging goal of stem cell scope. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived from somatic cells are a promising alternative approach to the treatment of liver disease, and a prospective model for studying complex liver diseases. Here, we review hiPSC technology of cell reprogramming and differentiation, and discuss the potential application of hiPSC-derived liver cells, such as hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, in refractory liver-disease modeling and treatment, and drug screening and toxicity testing. We also consider hiPSC safety in clinical applications, based on genomic and epigenetic alterations, tumorigenicity, and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Biological Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Transformation Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ke Pu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sarah Da Won Bae
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney at Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Romario Nguyen
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney at Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Suyang Bai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liang Qiao
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney at Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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10
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Mandal P, De D, Yun K, Kim KK. Improved differentiation of human adipose stem cells to insulin-producing β-like cells using PDFGR kinase inhibitor Tyrphostin9. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:132-138. [PMID: 32933751 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.090] [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: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome where insulin secretion or the response to insulin produced by the body is compromised. The only available long-term treatment is the transplantation of pancreas or islet for procuring β-cells. However, due to the shortage of β-cell sources from the tissues, differentiation of pluripotent stem cells or terminally differentiated cells into β-cell is proposed as an alternative strategy. Previously, human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were reported to be converted into β-like cells by a stepwise treatment of chemicals and growth factors. However, due to the low conversion efficiency, the clinical application was not feasible. In this study, we developed a modified conversion protocol with improved yield and functionality, which is achieved by changing the culture method and addition of Tyrphostin9, a platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) kinase inhibitor. Tyrphostin9 was identified from a cell-based chemical screening using the mCherry reporter under the control of the Pdx1 promoter. The β-like cells differentiated under the new protocol showed a 3.6-fold increase in the expression of Pdx1, a marker for pancreatic differentiation, as compared to the previous protocol. We propose that Tyrphostin9 contributes to the β-like cell differentiation by playing a dual role; enhancing the definitive endoderm generation by inhibiting the PI3K signaling and suppressing the taurine-mediated proliferation of definitive endoderm. Importantly, these differentiated cells responded well to low and high glucose stimulations compared to cells differentiated by the previous protocol, as confirmed by the 2.0-fold increase in the C-peptide release. As ADSCs are abundant, easily isolated, and autologous in nature, improved differentiation approaches to generate β-like cells from ADSCs would provide a better opportunity for treating diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulami Mandal
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Debojyoti De
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Durgapur, 713209, India
| | - Kyunghee Yun
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong Kyu Kim
- Department of Precision Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Oss-Ronen L, Redden RA, Lelkes PI. Enhanced Induction of Definitive Endoderm Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Simulated Microgravity. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1275-1284. [PMID: 32731794 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward definitive endoderm (DE) offers great research and therapeutic potential since these cells can further differentiate into cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as associated organs such as pancreas, liver, and thyroid. We hypothesized that culturing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) under simulated microgravity (SMG) conditions in rotary bioreactors (BRs) will enhance the induction of directed DE differentiation. To test our hypothesis, we cultured the cells for 6 days in two-dimensional monolayer colony cultures or as embryoid bodies (EBs) in either static conditions or, dynamically, in the rotary BRs. We used flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression of marker proteins and genes, respectively, for pluripotency (Oct3/4) and mesendodermal (Brachyury T), endodermal (FoxA2, Sox17, CxCr4), and mesodermal (Vimentin, Meox1) lineages. Culture in the form of EBs in maintenance media in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor, in static or SMG conditions, induced expression of some of the differentiation markers, suggesting heterogeneity of the cells. This is in line with previous studies showing that differentiation is initiated as cells are aggregated into EBs even without supplementing differentiation factors to the media. Culturing EBs in static conditions in differentiation media (DM) in the presence of activin A reduced Oct3/4 expression and significantly increased Brachyury T and CxCr4 expression, but downregulated FoxA2 and Sox17. However, culturing in SMG BRs in DM upregulated Brachyury T and all of the DE markers and reduced Oct3/4 expression, indicating the advantage of dynamic cultures in BRs to specifically enhance directed DE differentiation. Given the potential discrepancies between the SMG conditions on earth and actual microgravity conditions, as observed in other studies, future experiments in space flight are required to validate the effects of reduced gravity on mESC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Oss-Ronen
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert A Redden
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter I Lelkes
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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12
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Mahaddalkar PU, Scheibner K, Pfluger S, Ansarullah, Sterr M, Beckenbauer J, Irmler M, Beckers J, Knöbel S, Lickert H. Generation of pancreatic β cells from CD177 + anterior definitive endoderm. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:1061-1072. [PMID: 32341565 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0492-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Methods for differentiating human pluripotent stem cells to pancreatic and liver lineages in vitro have been limited by the inability to identify and isolate distinct endodermal subpopulations specific to these two organs. Here we report that pancreatic and hepatic progenitors can be isolated using the surface markers CD177/NB1 glycoprotein and inducible T-cell costimulatory ligand CD275/ICOSL, respectively, from seemingly homogeneous definitive endoderm derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Anterior definitive endoderm (ADE) subpopulations identified by CD177 and CD275 show inverse activation of canonical and noncanonical WNT signaling. CD177+ ADE expresses and synthesizes the secreted WNT, NODAL and BMP antagonist CERBERUS1 and is specified toward the pancreatic fate. CD275+ ADE receives canonical Wnt signaling and is specified toward the liver fate. Isolated CD177+ ADE differentiates more homogeneously into pancreatic progenitors and into more functionally mature and glucose-responsive β-like cells in vitro compared with cells from unsorted differentiation cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi U Mahaddalkar
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Scheibner
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sandra Pfluger
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ansarullah
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Sterr
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Julia Beckenbauer
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair of Experimental Genetics, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany. .,Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany. .,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany. .,β-Cell Biology, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany.
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13
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Ko ME, Williams CM, Fread KI, Goggin SM, Rustagi RS, Fragiadakis GK, Nolan GP, Zunder ER. FLOW-MAP: a graph-based, force-directed layout algorithm for trajectory mapping in single-cell time course datasets. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:398-420. [PMID: 31932774 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
High-dimensional single-cell technologies present new opportunities for biological discovery, but the complex nature of the resulting datasets makes it challenging to perform comprehensive analysis. One particular challenge is the analysis of single-cell time course datasets: how to identify unique cell populations and track how they change across time points. To facilitate this analysis, we developed FLOW-MAP, a graphical user interface (GUI)-based software tool that uses graph layout analysis with sequential time ordering to visualize cellular trajectories in high-dimensional single-cell datasets obtained from flow cytometry, mass cytometry or single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) experiments. Here we provide a detailed description of the FLOW-MAP algorithm and how to use the open-source R package FLOWMAPR via its GUI or with text-based commands. This approach can be applied to many dynamic processes, including in vitro stem cell differentiation, in vivo development, oncogenesis, the emergence of drug resistance and cell signaling dynamics. To demonstrate our approach, we perform a step-by-step analysis of a single-cell mass cytometry time course dataset from mouse embryonic stem cells differentiating into the three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. In addition, we demonstrate FLOW-MAP analysis of a previously published scRNAseq dataset. Using both synthetic and experimental datasets for comparison, we perform FLOW-MAP analysis side by side with other single-cell analysis methods, to illustrate when it is advantageous to use the FLOW-MAP approach. The protocol takes between 30 min and 1.5 h to complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Ko
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Corey M Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kristen I Fread
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sarah M Goggin
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rohit S Rustagi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Garry P Nolan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eli R Zunder
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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14
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Linneberg-Agerholm M, Wong YF, Romero Herrera JA, Monteiro RS, Anderson KGV, Brickman JM. Naïve human pluripotent stem cells respond to Wnt, Nodal and LIF signalling to produce expandable naïve extra-embryonic endoderm. Development 2019; 146:dev.180620. [PMID: 31740534 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exist in at least two states that transcriptionally resemble different stages of embryonic development. Naïve ESCs resemble peri-implantation stages and primed ESCs the pre-gastrulation epiblast. In mouse, primed ESCs give rise to definitive endoderm in response to the pathways downstream of Nodal and Wnt signalling. However, when these pathways are activated in naïve ESCs, they differentiate to a cell type resembling early primitive endoderm (PrE), the blastocyst-stage progenitor of the extra-embryonic endoderm. Here, we apply this context dependency to human ESCs, showing that activation of Nodal and Wnt signalling drives the differentiation of naïve pluripotent cells toward extra-embryonic PrE, or hypoblast, and these can be expanded as an in vitro model for naïve extra-embryonic endoderm (nEnd). Consistent with observations made in mouse, human PrE differentiation is dependent on FGF signalling in vitro, and we show that, by inhibiting FGF receptor signalling, we can simplify naïve pluripotent culture conditions, such that the inhibitor requirements closer resemble those used in mouse. The expandable nEnd cultures reported here represent stable extra-embryonic endoderm, or human hypoblast, cell lines.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Linneberg-Agerholm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Yan Fung Wong
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jose Alejandro Romero Herrera
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Rita S Monteiro
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kathryn G V Anderson
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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15
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Kuo YC, Lee IH, Rajesh R. Self-assembled ternary poly(vinyl alcohol)-alginate-gelatin hydrogel with controlled-release nanoparticles for pancreatic differentiation of iPS cells. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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16
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Rothová M, Hölzenspies JJ, Livigni A, Villegas SN, Brickman JM. Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Ventral Foregut Precursors. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 36:1G.3.1-1G.3.12. [DOI: 10.1002/9780470151808.sc01g03s36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessandra Livigni
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh United Kingdom
| | - Santiago Nahuel Villegas
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh United Kingdom
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche Alicante Spain
| | - Joshua M. Brickman
- Centre (DanStem), University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh Edinburgh United Kingdom
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17
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Current Perspectives Regarding Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 2018:4197857. [PMID: 29670867 PMCID: PMC5833156 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4197857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality and a common end of various progressive liver diseases. Since the effective treatment is currently limited to liver transplantation, stem cell-based therapy as an alternative has attracted interest due to promising results from preclinical and clinical studies. However, there is still much to be understood regarding the precise mechanisms of action. A number of stem cells from different origins have been employed for hepatic regeneration with different degrees of success. The present review presents a synopsis of stem cell research for the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis according to the stem cell type. Clinical trials to date are summarized briefly. Finally, issues to be resolved and future perspectives are discussed with regard to clinical applications.
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18
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Anderson KGV, Hamilton WB, Roske FV, Azad A, Knudsen TE, Canham M, Forrester LM, Brickman JM. Insulin fine-tunes self-renewal pathways governing naive pluripotency and extra-embryonic endoderm. Nat Cell Biol 2017; 19:1164-1177. [DOI: 10.1038/ncb3617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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19
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Human embryoid bodies to hepatocyte-like clusters: Preparing for translation. LIVER RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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20
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Mulas C, Kalkan T, Smith A. NODAL Secures Pluripotency upon Embryonic Stem Cell Progression from the Ground State. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:77-91. [PMID: 28669603 PMCID: PMC5511111 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Naive mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can develop multiple fates, but the cellular and molecular processes that enable lineage competence are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated progression from the ESC ground state in defined culture. We utilized downregulation of Rex1::GFPd2 to track the loss of ESC identity. We found that cells that have newly downregulated this reporter have acquired capacity for germline induction. They can also be efficiently specified for different somatic lineages, responding more rapidly than naive cells to inductive cues. Inhibition of autocrine NODAL signaling did not alter kinetics of exit from the ESC state but compromised both germline and somatic lineage specification. Transient inhibition prior to loss of ESC identity was sufficient for this effect. Genetic ablation of Nodal reduced viability during early differentiation, consistent with defective lineage specification. These results suggest that NODAL promotes acquisition of multi-lineage competence in cells departing naive pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mulas
- Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK,Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Tüzer Kalkan
- Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK,Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK,Corresponding author
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21
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Al-Khawaga S, Memon B, Butler AE, Taheri S, Abou-Samra AB, Abdelalim EM. Pathways governing development of stem cell-derived pancreatic β cells: lessons from embryogenesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Al-Khawaga
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
| | - Bushra Memon
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
| | - Alexandra E. Butler
- Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095 U.S.A
| | - Shahrad Taheri
- Department of Medicine; Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO BOX 24144; Doha Qatar
- Department of Medicine; Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation; Doha Qatar
| | - Abdul B. Abou-Samra
- Department of Medicine; Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO BOX 24144; Doha Qatar
- Department of Medicine; Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation; Doha Qatar
| | - Essam M. Abdelalim
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
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22
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Wu T, Hadjantonakis AK, Nowotschin S. Visualizing endoderm cell populations and their dynamics in the mouse embryo with a Hex-tdTomato reporter. Biol Open 2017; 6:678-687. [PMID: 28288969 PMCID: PMC5450328 DOI: 10.1242/bio.024638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Live imaging is the requisite tool for studying cell behaviors driving embryonic development and tissue formation. Genetically encoded reporters expressed under cell type-specific cis-regulatory elements that drive fluorescent protein expression at sufficient levels for visualization in living specimens have become indispensable for these studies. Increasingly dual-color (red-green) imaging is used for studying the coordinate behaviors of two cell populations of interest, identifying and characterizing subsets within broader cell populations or subcellular features. Many reporters have been generated using green fluorescent protein (GFP) due to its brightness and developmental neutrality. To compliment the large cohort of available GFP reporters that label cellular populations in early mouse embryos, we have generated a red fluorescent protein (RFP)-based transgenic reporter using the red fluorescent tdTomato protein driven by cis-regulatory elements from the mouse Hex locus. The Hex-tdTomato reporter predominantly labels endodermal cells. It is a bright RFP-based reporter of the distal visceral endoderm (DVE)/anterior visceral endoderm (AVE), a migratory population within the early post-implantation embryo. It also labels cells of the definitive endoderm (DE), which emerges at gastrulation. Dual-color visualization of these different early endodermal populations will provide a detailed understanding of the cellular behaviors driving key morphogenetic events involving the endoderm. Summary: A red fluorescent reporter under the regulatory control of the mouse Hex gene permits identification of different endodermal populations and visualization of dynamic cellular behaviors driving endoderm specification and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sonja Nowotschin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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23
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Migueles RP, Shaw L, Rodrigues NP, May G, Henseleit K, Anderson KGV, Goker H, Jones CM, de Bruijn MFTR, Brickman JM, Enver T. Transcriptional regulation of Hhex in hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell ontogeny. Dev Biol 2017; 424:236-245. [PMID: 28189604 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge during development via an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition from hemogenic endothelium of the dorsal aorta (DA). Using in situ hybridization and analysis of a knock-in RedStar reporter, we show that the transcriptional regulator Hhex is expressed in endothelium of the dorsal aorta (DA) and in clusters of putative HSCs as they are specified during murine development. We exploited this observation, using the Hhex locus to define cis regulatory elements, enhancers and interacting transcription factors that are both necessary and sufficient to support gene expression in the emerging HSC. We identify an evolutionarily conserved non-coding region (ECR) in the Hhex locus with the capacity to bind the hematopoietic-affiliated transcriptional regulators Gata2, SCL, Fli1, Pu.1 and Ets1/2. This region is sufficient to drive the expression of a transgenic GFP reporter in the DA endothelium and intra-aortic hematopoietic clusters. GFP-positive AGM cells co-expressed HSC-associated markers c-Kit, CD34, VE-Cadherin, and CD45, and were capable of multipotential differentiation and long term engraftment when transplanted into myelo-ablated recipients. The Hhex ECR was also sufficient to drive expression at additional blood sites including the yolk sac blood islands, fetal liver, vitelline and umbilical arteries and the adult bone marrow, suggesting a common mechanism for Hhex regulation throughout ontogenesis of the blood system. To explore the physiological requirement for the Hhex ECR region during hematoendothelial development, we deleted the ECR element from the endogenous locus in the context of a targeted Hhex-RedStar reporter allele. Results indicate a specific requirement for the ECR in blood-associated Hhex expression during development and further demonstrate a requirement for this region in the adult HSC compartment. Taken together, our results identified the ECR region as an enhancer both necessary and sufficient for gene expression in HSC development and homeostasis. The Hhex ECR thus appears to be a core node for the convergence of the transcription factor network that governs the emergence of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Portero Migueles
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine - Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Louise Shaw
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Neil P Rodrigues
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Gillian May
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Stem Cell Laboratory, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Korinna Henseleit
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine - Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kathryn G V Anderson
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine - Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK; The Danish Stem Cell Centre - DanStem, University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hakan Goker
- Institute for Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - C Michael Jones
- Institute for Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Marella F T R de Bruijn
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine - Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, EH16 4UU Edinburgh, UK; The Danish Stem Cell Centre - DanStem, University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Tariq Enver
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; Stem Cell Laboratory, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.
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24
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Qu S, Yan L, Fang B, Ye S, Li P, Ge S, Wu J, Qu D, Song H. Generation of enhanced definitive endoderm from human embryonic stem cells under an albumin/insulin-free and chemically defined condition. Life Sci 2017; 175:37-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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25
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Simon CS, Downes DJ, Gosden ME, Telenius J, Higgs DR, Hughes JR, Costello I, Bikoff EK, Robertson EJ. Functional characterisation of cis-regulatory elements governing dynamic Eomes expression in the early mouse embryo. Development 2017; 144:1249-1260. [PMID: 28174238 PMCID: PMC5399628 DOI: 10.1242/dev.147322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The T-box transcription factor (TF) Eomes is a key regulator of cell fate decisions during early mouse development. The cis-acting regulatory elements that direct expression in the anterior visceral endoderm (AVE), primitive streak (PS) and definitive endoderm (DE) have yet to be defined. Here, we identified three gene-proximal enhancer-like sequences (PSE_a, PSE_b and VPE) that faithfully activate tissue-specific expression in transgenic embryos. However, targeted deletion experiments demonstrate that PSE_a and PSE_b are dispensable, and only VPE is required for optimal Eomes expression in vivo. Embryos lacking this enhancer display variably penetrant defects in anterior-posterior axis orientation and DE formation. Chromosome conformation capture experiments reveal VPE-promoter interactions in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), prior to gene activation. The locus resides in a large (500 kb) pre-formed compartment in ESCs and activation during DE differentiation occurs in the absence of 3D structural changes. ATAC-seq analysis reveals that VPE, PSE_a and four additional putative enhancers display increased chromatin accessibility in DE that is associated with Smad2/3 binding coincident with transcriptional activation. By contrast, activation of the Eomes target genes Foxa2 and Lhx1 is associated with higher order chromatin reorganisation. Thus, diverse regulatory mechanisms govern activation of lineage specifying TFs during early development. Summary: Expression of the mouse T-box factor Eomes is controlled by a key gene-proximal enhancer-like element, with changes in chromatin accessibility influencing its activity in definitive endoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S Simon
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Damien J Downes
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Matthew E Gosden
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Jelena Telenius
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Douglas R Higgs
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Jim R Hughes
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Ita Costello
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Elizabeth K Bikoff
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
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26
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Activin A Modulates CRIPTO-1/HNF4 α+ Cells to Guide Cardiac Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:4651238. [PMID: 28163723 PMCID: PMC5253508 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4651238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of human pluripotent stem cells in basic and translational cardiac research requires efficient differentiation protocols towards cardiomyocytes. In vitro differentiation yields heterogeneous populations of ventricular-, atrial-, and nodal-like cells hindering their potential applications in regenerative therapies. We described the effect of the growth factor Activin A during early human embryonic stem cell fate determination in cardiac differentiation. Addition of high levels of Activin A during embryoid body cardiac differentiation augmented the generation of endoderm derivatives, which in turn promoted cardiomyocyte differentiation. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in the coreceptor expression of the TGF-β superfamily member CRIPTO-1 was observed in response to Activin A. We hypothesized that interactions between cells derived from meso- and endodermal lineages in embryoid bodies contributed to improved cell maturation in early stages of cardiac differentiation, improving the beating frequency and the percentage of contracting embryoid bodies. Activin A did not seem to affect the properties of cardiomyocytes at later stages of differentiation, measuring action potentials, and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. These findings are relevant for improving our understanding on human heart development, and the proposed protocol could be further explored to obtain cardiomyocytes with functional phenotypes, similar to those observed in adult cardiac myocytes.
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27
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Walczak MP, Drozd AM, Stoczynska-Fidelus E, Rieske P, Grzela DP. Directed differentiation of human iPSC into insulin producing cells is improved by induced expression of PDX1 and NKX6.1 factors in IPC progenitors. J Transl Med 2016; 14:341. [PMID: 27998294 PMCID: PMC5168869 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1097-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) possess an enormous potential as both, scientific and therapeutic tools. Their application in the regenerative medicine provides new treatment opportunities for numerous diseases, including type 1 diabetes. In this work we aimed to derive insulin producing cells (IPC) from iPS cells established in defined conditions. Methods We optimized iPSC generation protocol and created pluripotent cell lines with stably integrated PDX1 and NKX6.1 transgenes under the transcriptional control of doxycycline-inducible promoter. These cells were differentiated using small chemical molecules and recombinant Activin A in the sequential process through the definitive endoderm, pancreatic progenitor cells and insulin producing cells. Efficiency of the procedure was assessed by quantitative gene expression measurements, immunocytochemical stainings and functional assays for insulin secretion. Results Generated cells displayed molecular markers characteristic for respective steps of the differentiation. The obtained IPC secreted insulin and produced C-peptide with significantly higher hormone release level in case of the combined expression of PDX1 and NKX6.1 induced at the last stage of the differentiation. Conclusions Efficiency of differentiation of iPSC to IPC can be increased by concurrent expression of PDX1 and NKX6.1 during progenitor cells maturation. Protocols established in our study allow for iPSC generation and derivation of IPC in chemically defined conditions free from animal-derived components, which is of the utmost importance in the light of their prospective applications in the field of regenerative medicine. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-1097-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej P Walczak
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland
| | - Anna M Drozd
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland
| | - Ewelina Stoczynska-Fidelus
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland.,Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Łódź, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752, Łódź, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland.,Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Łódź, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752, Łódź, Poland.,Research and Development Unit, Personather Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland
| | - Dawid P Grzela
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska Ltd., Milionowa 23, 93-193, Łódź, Poland.
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28
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Brickman JM, Serup P. Properties of embryoid bodies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2016; 6. [PMID: 27911036 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Embryoid bodies (EBs) have been popular in vitro differentiation models for pluripotent stem cells for more than five decades. Initially, defined as aggregates formed by embryonal carcinoma cells, EBs gained more prominence after the derivation of karyotypically normal embryonic stem cells from early mouse blastocysts. In many cases, formation of EBs constitutes an important initial step in directed differentiation protocols aimed at generated specific cell types from undifferentiated stem cells. Indeed state-of-the-art protocols for directed differentiation of cardiomyocytes still rely on this initial EB step. Analyses of spontaneous differentiation of embryonic stem cells in EBs have yielded important insights into the molecules that direct primitive endoderm differentiation and many of the lessons we have learned about the signals and transcription factors governing this differentiation event is owed to EB models, which later were extensively validated in studies of early mouse embryos. EBs show a degree of self-organization that mimics some aspects of early embryonic development, but with important exceptions. Recent studies that employ modern signaling reporters and tracers of lineage commitment have revealed both the strengths and the weaknesses of EBs as a model of embryonic axis formation. In this review, we discuss the history, application, and future potential of EBs as an experimental model. WIREs Dev Biol 2017, 6:e259. doi: 10.1002/wdev.259 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Brickman
- DanStem, The Danish Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Palle Serup
- DanStem, The Danish Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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29
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Miller A, Ralser M, Kloet SL, Loos R, Nishinakamura R, Bertone P, Vermeulen M, Hendrich B. Sall4 controls differentiation of pluripotent cells independently of the Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex. Development 2016; 143:3074-84. [PMID: 27471257 PMCID: PMC5047675 DOI: 10.1242/dev.139113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sall4 is an essential transcription factor for early mammalian development and is frequently overexpressed in cancer. Although it is reported to play an important role in embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal, whether it is an essential pluripotency factor has been disputed. Here, we show that Sall4 is dispensable for mouse ESC pluripotency. Sall4 is an enhancer-binding protein that prevents precocious activation of the neural gene expression programme in ESCs but is not required for maintenance of the pluripotency gene regulatory network. Although a proportion of Sall4 protein physically associates with the Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, Sall4 neither recruits NuRD to chromatin nor influences transcription via NuRD; rather, free Sall4 protein regulates transcription independently of NuRD. We propose a model whereby enhancer binding by Sall4 and other pluripotency-associated transcription factors is responsible for maintaining the balance between transcriptional programmes in pluripotent cells. Highlighted article: Sall4 and Sall1 inhibit neural differentiation in ESCs by acting at enhancer sequences independently of the NuRD complex, and are dispensable for the maintenance of pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzy Miller
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Meryem Ralser
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Susan L Kloet
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Loos
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Ryuichi Nishinakamura
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Paul Bertone
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Brian Hendrich
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
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30
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Kim E, Hwang SU, Yoo H, Yoon JD, Jeon Y, Kim H, Jeung EB, Lee CK, Hyun SH. Putative embryonic stem cells derived from porcine cloned blastocysts using induced pluripotent stem cells as donors. Theriogenology 2016; 85:601-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.09.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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31
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Morrison G, Scognamiglio R, Trumpp A, Smith A. Convergence of cMyc and β-catenin on Tcf7l1 enables endoderm specification. EMBO J 2016; 35:356-68. [PMID: 26675138 PMCID: PMC4741304 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201592116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular machinery that directs formation of definitive endoderm from pluripotent stem cells is not well understood. Wnt/β-catenin and Nodal signalling have been implicated, but the requirements for lineage specification remain incompletely defined. Here, we demonstrate a potent effect of inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) on definitive endoderm production. We find that downstream of GSK3 inhibition, elevated cMyc and β-catenin act in parallel to reduce transcription and DNA binding, respectively, of the transcriptional repressor Tcf7l1. Tcf7l1 represses FoxA2, a pioneer factor for endoderm specification. Deletion of Tcf7l1 is sufficient to allow upregulation of FoxA2 in the presence of Activin. In wild-type cells, cMyc contributes by reducing Tcf7l1 mRNA, while β-catenin acts on Tcf7l1 protein. GSK3 inhibition is further required for consolidation of endodermal fate via upregulation of Sox17, highlighting sequential roles for Wnt signalling. The identification of a cMyc/β-catenin-Tcf7l1-FoxA2 axis reveals a de-repression mechanism underlying endoderm induction that may be recapitulated in other developmental and patho-logical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Morrison
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Roberta Scognamiglio
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Trumpp
- Division of Stem Cells and Cancer, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Austin Smith
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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32
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Hansel MC, Davila JC, Vosough M, Gramignoli R, Skvorak KJ, Dorko K, Marongiu F, Blake W, Strom SC. The Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Study and Treatment of Liver Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 67:14.13.1-14.13.27. [PMID: 26828329 DOI: 10.1002/0471140856.tx1413s67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease is a major global health concern. Liver cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of death in the world and currently the only therapeutic option for end-stage liver disease (e.g., acute liver failure, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, cholestatic diseases, metabolic diseases, and malignant neoplasms) is orthotropic liver transplantation. Transplantation of hepatocytes has been proposed and used as an alternative to whole organ transplant to stabilize and prolong the lives of patients in some clinical cases. Although these experimental therapies have demonstrated promising and beneficial results, their routine use remains a challenge due to the shortage of donor livers available for cell isolation, variable quality of those tissues, the potential need for lifelong immunosuppression in the transplant recipient, and high costs. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies and more reliable clinical treatments are urgently needed. Recent and continuous technological advances in the development of stem cells suggest they may be beneficial in this respect. In this review, we summarize the history of stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology in the context of hepatic differentiation and discuss the potential applications the technology may offer for human liver disease modeling and treatment. This includes developing safer drugs and cell-based therapies to improve the outcomes of patients with currently incurable health illnesses. We also review promising advances in other disease areas to highlight how the stem cell technology could be applied to liver diseases in the future. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc C Hansel
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Julio C Davila
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roberto Gramignoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristen J Skvorak
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kenneth Dorko
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Fabio Marongiu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental Pathology, Unit of Experimental Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - William Blake
- Genetically Modified Models Center of Emphasis, Pfizer, Groton, Connecticut
| | - Stephen C Strom
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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33
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Costello I, Nowotschin S, Sun X, Mould AW, Hadjantonakis AK, Bikoff EK, Robertson EJ. Lhx1 functions together with Otx2, Foxa2, and Ldb1 to govern anterior mesendoderm, node, and midline development. Genes Dev 2016; 29:2108-22. [PMID: 26494787 PMCID: PMC4617976 DOI: 10.1101/gad.268979.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Costello et al. demonstrate that Smad4/Eomes-dependent Lhx1 expression in the epiblast marks the entire definitive endoderm lineage, the anterior mesendoderm, and midline progenitors. In proteomic experiments, they characterize a complex comprised of Lhx1, Otx2, and Foxa2 as well as the chromatin-looping protein Ldb1. Gene regulatory networks controlling functional activities of spatially and temporally distinct endodermal cell populations in the early mouse embryo remain ill defined. The T-box transcription factor Eomes, acting downstream from Nodal/Smad signals, directly activates the LIM domain homeobox transcription factor Lhx1 in the visceral endoderm. Here we demonstrate Smad4/Eomes-dependent Lhx1 expression in the epiblast marks the entire definitive endoderm lineage, the anterior mesendoderm, and midline progenitors. Conditional inactivation of Lhx1 disrupts anterior definitive endoderm development and impedes node and midline morphogenesis in part due to severe disturbances in visceral endoderm displacement. Transcriptional profiling and ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation [ChIP] followed by high-throughput sequencing) experiments identified Lhx1 target genes, including numerous anterior definitive endoderm markers and components of the Wnt signaling pathway. Interestingly, Lhx1-binding sites were enriched at enhancers, including the Nodal-proximal epiblast enhancer element and enhancer regions controlling Otx2 and Foxa2 expression. Moreover, in proteomic experiments, we characterized a complex comprised of Lhx1, Otx2, and Foxa2 as well as the chromatin-looping protein Ldb1. These partnerships cooperatively regulate development of the anterior mesendoderm, node, and midline cell populations responsible for establishment of the left–right body axis and head formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ita Costello
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Sonja Nowotschin
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Xin Sun
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Arne W Mould
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | | | - Elizabeth K Bikoff
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J Robertson
- The Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, United Kingdom
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34
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Mohammadnia A, Yaqubi M, Pourasgari F, Neely E, Fallahi H, Massumi M. Signaling and Gene Regulatory Networks Governing Definitive Endoderm Derivation From Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Cell Physiol 2016; 231:1994-2006. [PMID: 26755186 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The generation of definitive endoderm (DE) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a fundamental stage in the formation of highly organized visceral organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Currently, there is a need for a comprehensive study that illustrates the involvement of different signaling pathways and their interactions in the derivation of DE cells from PSCs. This study aimed to identify signaling pathways that have the greatest influence on DE formation using analyses of transcriptional profiles, protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA interactions, and protein localization data. Using this approach, signaling networks involved in DE formation were constructed using systems biology and data mining tools, and the validity of the predicted networks was confirmed experimentally by measuring the mRNA levels of hub genes in several PSCs-derived DE cell lines. Based on our analyses, seven signaling pathways, including the BMP, ERK1-ERK2, FGF, TGF-beta, MAPK, Wnt, and PIP signaling pathways and their interactions, were found to play a role in the derivation of DE cells from PSCs. Lastly, the core gene regulatory network governing this differentiation process was constructed. The results of this study could improve our understanding surrounding the efficient generation of DE cells for the regeneration of visceral organs. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1994-2006, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulshakour Mohammadnia
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Yaqubi
- Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.,Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Farzaneh Pourasgari
- Department of Biotechnology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Neely
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hossein Fallahi
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.,Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammad Massumi
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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35
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Bredenkamp N, Jin X, Liu D, O'Neill KE, Manley NR, Blackburn CC. Construction of a functional thymic microenvironment from pluripotent stem cells for the induction of central tolerance. Regen Med 2016; 10:317-29. [PMID: 25933240 DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is required for generation of a self-tolerant, self-restricted T-cell repertoire. The capacity to manipulate or replace thymus function therapeutically would be beneficial in a variety of clinical settings, including for improving recovery following bone marrow transplantation, restoring immune system function in the elderly and promoting tolerance to transplanted organs or cells. An attractive strategy would be transplantation of thymus organoids generated from cells produced in vitro, for instance from pluripotent stem cells. Here, we review recent progress toward this goal, focusing on advances in directing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to thymic epithelial cells, a key cell type of the thymic stroma, and related direct reprogramming strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bredenkamp
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
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36
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Hhex Is Necessary for the Hepatic Differentiation of Mouse ES Cells and Acts via Vegf Signaling. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146806. [PMID: 26784346 PMCID: PMC4718667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the differentiation of stem cells to hepatic cells is critical for both understanding normal developmental processes as well as for optimizing the generation of functional hepatic cells for therapy. We performed in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with a null mutation in the homeobox gene Hhex and show that Hhex-/- mESCs fail to differentiate from definitive endoderm (Sox17+/Foxa2+) to hepatic endoderm (Alb+/Dlk+). In addition, hepatic culture elicited a >7-fold increase in Vegfa mRNA expression in Hhex-/- cells compared to Hhex+/+ cells. Furthermore, we identified VEGFR2+/ALB+/CD34- in early Hhex+/+ hepatic cultures. These cells were absent in Hhex-/- cultures. Finally, through manipulation of Hhex and Vegfa expression, gain and loss of expression experiments revealed that Hhex shares an inverse relationship with the activity of the Vegf signaling pathway in supporting hepatic differentiation. In summary, our results suggest that Hhex represses Vegf signaling during hepatic differentiation of mouse ESCs allowing for cell-type autonomous regulation of Vegfr2 activity independent of endothelial cells.
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37
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Wang Y, Hai T, Liu L, Liu Z, Zhou Q. Cell therapy in diabetes: current progress and future prospects. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-015-0844-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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38
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Cabral-Teixeira J, Martinez-Fernandez A, Cai W, Terzic A, Mercola M, Willems E. Cholesterol-derived glucocorticoids control early fate specification in embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2015; 15:88-95. [PMID: 26024790 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2015.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aside from its role in cell membrane integrity, cholesterol is a key component in steroid hormone production. The vital functions of steroid hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, glucocorticoids (Gcrts) and mineralocorticoids (Mnrts) in perinatal and adult life are well understood; however, their role during early embryonic development remains largely unexplored. Here we show that siRNA-mediated perturbation of steroid hormone production during mesoderm formation has important consequences on cardiac differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). Both Gcrts and Mnrts are capable of driving cardiac differentiation in mESC. Interestingly, the Gcrt receptor is widely expressed during gastrulation in the mouse, and is exclusively localized in the nuclei-and thus active-in visceral endoderm cells, suggesting that it functions much earlier than previously anticipated. We therefore studied Gcrt signaling in mESC as a model of the gastrulating embryo, and found that Gcrt signaling regulates expression of the transcription factor Hnf4a and the secreted Nodal and BMP inhibitor Cer1 in the early visceral endoderm. RNAi-mediated knockdown of Gcrt function blocked cardiomyocyte differentiation, with limited effects on other cardiovascular cell types including vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle. Furthermore, the cardiogenic effect of Gcrts required Hnf4a and paracrine Cer1. These results establish a novel function for cholesterol-derived steroid hormones and identify Gcrt signaling in visceral endoderm cells as a regulator of Cer1 and cardiac fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Cabral-Teixeira
- Muscle Development and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Graduate Program in Molecular Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Wenqing Cai
- Muscle Development and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andre Terzic
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mark Mercola
- Muscle Development and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Erik Willems
- Muscle Development and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Histone deacetylation promotes mouse neural induction by restricting Nodal-dependent mesendoderm fate. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6830. [PMID: 25904100 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell fate determination requires the cooperation between extrinsic signals and intrinsic molecules including transcription factors as well as epigenetic regulators. Nevertheless, how neural fate commitment is regulated by epigenetic modifications remains largely unclear. Here we show that transient histone deacetylation at epiblast stage promotes neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) deficiency in mESCs partially phenocopies the inhibition of histone deacetylation in vitro, and displays reduced incorporation into neural tissues in chimeric mouse embryos in vivo. Mechanistic studies show that Nodal, which is repressed by histone deacetylation, is a direct target of HDAC1. Furthermore, the inhibition of histone deacetylation in the anterior explant of mouse embryos at E7.0 leads to Nodal activation and neural development repression. Thus, our study reveals an intrinsic mechanism that epigenetic histone deacetylation ensures neural fate commitment by restricting Nodal signalling in murine anterior epiblast ex vivo and mESC in vitro.
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Ikonomou L, Kotton DN. Derivation of Endodermal Progenitors From Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:246-58. [PMID: 25160562 PMCID: PMC4344429 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells play important roles in organogenesis during development and in tissue homeostasis and response to injury postnatally. As the regenerative capacity of many human tissues is limited, cell replacement therapies hold great promise for human disease management. Pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are prime candidates for the derivation of unlimited quantities of clinically relevant cell types through development of directed differentiation protocols, that is, the recapitulation of developmental milestones in in vitro cell culture. Tissue-specific progenitors, including progenitors of endodermal origin, are important intermediates in such protocols since they give rise to all mature parenchymal cells. In this review, we focus on the in vivo biology of embryonic endodermal progenitors in terms of key transcription factors and signaling pathways. We critically review the emerging literature aiming to apply this basic knowledge to achieve the efficient and reproducible in vitro derivation of endodermal progenitors such as pancreas, liver and lung precursor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laertis Ikonomou
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston
Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of
Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston
Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of
Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Ninomiya H, Mizuno K, Terada R, Miura T, Ohnuma K, Takahashi S, Asashima M, Michiue T. Improved efficiency of definitive endoderm induction from human induced pluripotent stem cells in feeder and serum-free culture system. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2014; 51:1-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11626-014-9801-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Xu H, Tsang KS, Wang Y, Chan JC, Xu G, Gao WQ. Unfolded protein response is required for the definitive endodermal specification of mouse embryonic stem cells via Smad2 and β-catenin signaling. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:26290-26301. [PMID: 25092289 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.572560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tremendous efforts have been made to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control the specification of definitive endoderm cell fate in gene knockout mouse models and ES cell (ESC) differentiation models. However, the impact of the unfolded protein response (UPR), because of the stress of the endoplasmic reticulum on endodermal specification, is not well addressed. We employed UPR-inducing agents, thapsigargin and tunicamycin, in vitro to induce endodermal differentiation of mouse ESCs. Apart from the endodermal specification of ESCs, Western blotting demonstrated the enhanced phosphorylation of Smad2 and nuclear translocation of β-catenin in ESC-derived cells. The inclusion of the endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid to the induction cultures prevented the differentiation of ESCs into definitive endodermal cells even when Activin A was supplemented. Also, the addition of the TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 and the Wnt/β-catenin antagonist IWP-2 negated the endodermal differentiation of ESCs mediated by thapsigargin and tunicamycin. These data suggest that the activation of the UPR appears to orchestrate the induction of the definitive endodermal cell fate of ESCs via both the Smad2 and β-catenin signaling pathways. The prospective regulatory machinery may be helpful for directing ESCs to differentiate into definitive endodermal cells for cellular therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and
| | - Kam Sze Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and
| | - Juliana Cn Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and.
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Goh HN, Rathjen PD, Familari M, Rathjen J. Endoderm complexity in the mouse gastrula is revealed through the expression of spink3. Biores Open Access 2014; 3:98-109. [PMID: 24940561 PMCID: PMC4048981 DOI: 10.1089/biores.2014.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoderm formation in the mammalian embryo occurs first in the blastocyst, when the primitive endoderm and pluripotent cells resolve into separate lineages, and again during gastrulation, when the definitive endoderm progenitor population emerges from the primitive streak. The formation of the definitive endoderm can be modeled using pluripotent cell differentiation in culture. The differentiation of early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cells, a pluripotent cell population formed from embryonic stem (ES) cells, was used to identify and characterize definitive endoderm formation. Expression of serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 3 (Spink3) was detected in EPL cell–derived endoderm, and in a band of endoderm immediately distal to the embryonic–extra-embryonic boundary in pregastrula and gastrulating embryos. Later expression marked a region of endoderm separating the yolk sac from the developing gut. In the embryo, Spink3 expression marked a region of endoderm comprising the distal visceral endoderm, as determined by an endocytosis assay, and the proximal region of the definitive endoderm. This region was distinct from the more distal definitive endoderm population, marked by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh). Endoderm expressing either Spink3 or Trh could be formed during EPL cell differentiation, and the prevalence of these populations could be influenced by culture medium and growth factor addition. Moreover, further differentiation suggested that the potential of these populations differed. These approaches have revealed an unexpected complexity in the definitive endoderm lineage, a complexity that will need to be accommodated in differentiation protocols to ensure the formation of the appropriate definitive endoderm progenitor in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwee Ngee Goh
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne , Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter D Rathjen
- The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania , Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mary Familari
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne , Victoria, Australia
| | - Joy Rathjen
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne , Victoria, Australia . ; The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania , Tasmania, Australia
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Chmielowiec J, Borowiak M. In vitro differentiation and expansion of human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitors. Rev Diabet Stud 2014; 11:19-34. [PMID: 25148365 DOI: 10.1900/rds.2014.11.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent progress in understanding stem cell biology has been remarkable, especially in deciphering signals that support differentiation towards tissue-specific lineages. This achievement positions us firmly at the beginning of an era of patient-specific regenerative medicine and human disease modeling. It will be necessary to equip the progress in this era with a reliable source of self-renewing progenitor cells that differentiate into functional target cells. The generation of pancreatic progenitors that mature in vivo into functional beta-cells has raised the hope for new therapeutic options in diabetes, but key challenges still remain including the production of sufficient numbers of cells for research and transplantation. Recent approaches to this problem have shown that the presence of organ- and stage-specific mesenchyme improves the generation of progenitors, from endoderm to endocrine cells. Alternatively, utilization of three-dimensional culture may improve the efficiency and yield of directed differentiation. Here, we review the current knowledge of pancreatic directed differentiation and ex vivo expansion of pancreatic progenitors, including recent advances in differentiation strategies for the generation of pancreatic progenitors, and we discuss persistent challenges which will need to be overcome before personalized cell-based therapy becomes a practical strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Chmielowiec
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Malgorzata Borowiak
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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HHEX promotes hepatic-lineage specification through the negative regulation of eomesodermin. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90791. [PMID: 24651531 PMCID: PMC3961246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090791] [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: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) could provide a major window into human developmental biology, because the differentiation methods from hESCs mimic human embryogenesis. We previously reported that the overexpression of hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) in the hESC-derived definitive endoderm (DE) cells markedly promotes hepatic specification. However, it remains unclear how HHEX functions in this process. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of hepatic specification by HHEX, we tried to identify the genes directly targeted by HHEX. We found that HHEX knockdown considerably enhanced the expression level of eomesodermin (EOMES). In addition, HHEX bound to the HHEX response element located in the first intron of EOMES. Loss-of-function assays of EOMES showed that the gene expression levels of hepatoblast markers were significantly upregulated, suggesting that EOMES has a negative role in hepatic specification from the DE cells. Furthermore, EOMES exerts its effects downstream of HHEX in hepatic specification from the DE cells. In conclusion, the present results suggest that HHEX promotes hepatic specification by repressing EOMES expression.
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46
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Li X, Yuan J, Li W, Liu S, Hua M, Lu X, Zhang H. Direct Differentiation of Homogeneous Human Adipose Stem Cells Into Functional Hepatocytes by Mimicking Liver Embryogenesis. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:801-12. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Li
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Jie Yuan
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Weihong Li
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Sicheng Liu
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Mingxi Hua
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology; Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration; Capital Medical University; Beijing China
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Yap C, Goh HN, Familari M, Rathjen PD, Rathjen J. The formation of proximal and distal definitive endoderm populations in culture requires p38 MAPK activity. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:2204-16. [PMID: 24481813 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.134502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoderm formation in the mammal is a complex process with two lineages forming during the first weeks of development, the primitive (or extraembryonic) endoderm, which is specified in the blastocyst, and the definitive endoderm that forms later, at gastrulation, as one of the germ layers of the embryo proper. Fate mapping evidence suggests that the definitive endoderm arises as two waves, which potentially reflect two distinct cell populations. Early primitive ectoderm-like (EPL) cell differentiation has been used successfully to identify and characterise mechanisms regulating molecular gastrulation and lineage choice during differentiation. The roles of the p38 MAPK family in the formation of definitive endoderm were investigated using EPL cells and chemical inhibitors of p38 MAPK activity. These approaches define a role for p38 MAPK activity in the formation of the primitive streak and a second role in the formation of the definitive endoderm. Characterisation of the definitive endoderm populations formed from EPL cells demonstrates the formation of two distinct populations, defined by gene expression and ontogeny, that were analogous to the proximal and distal definitive endoderm populations of the embryo. Formation of the proximal definitive endoderm was found to require p38 MAPK activity and is correlated with molecular gastrulation, defined by the expression of brachyury (T). Distal definitive endoderm formation also requires p38 MAPK activity but can form when T expression is inhibited. Understanding lineage complexity will be a prerequisite for the generation of endoderm derivatives for commercial and clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Yap
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Hwee Ngee Goh
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Mary Familari
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Peter David Rathjen
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Joy Rathjen
- Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia The Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
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Villegas SN, Rothová M, Barrios-Llerena ME, Pulina M, Hadjantonakis AK, Le Bihan T, Astrof S, Brickman JM. PI3K/Akt1 signalling specifies foregut precursors by generating regionalized extra-cellular matrix. eLife 2013; 2:e00806. [PMID: 24368729 PMCID: PMC3871052 DOI: 10.7554/elife.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development signalling pathways act repeatedly in different contexts to pattern the emerging germ layers. Understanding how these different responses are regulated is a central question for developmental biology. In this study, we used mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) differentiation to uncover a new mechanism for PI3K signalling that is required for endoderm specification. We found that PI3K signalling promotes the transition from naïve endoderm precursors into committed anterior endoderm. PI3K promoted commitment via an atypical activity that delimited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Akt1 transduced this activity via modifications to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and appropriate ECM could itself induce anterior endodermal identity in the absence of PI3K signalling. PI3K/Akt1-modified ECM contained low levels of Fibronectin (Fn1) and we found that Fn1 dose was key to specifying anterior endodermal identity in vivo and in vitro. Thus, localized PI3K activity affects ECM composition and ECM in turn patterns the endoderm. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00806.001 From conception to birth, a single fertilised egg will multiply into trillions of cells, with each cell becoming one of the 200 or so different types of cell that are found in the human body. The development of an embryo is complex and dynamic, with cells giving up their ability to become any cell type and committing to becoming a specific cell type within a given tissue. At the same time, different groups of cells migrate to the appropriate locations within the developing embryo. Although it is challenging to decipher the roles of the individual signalling pathways that control an embryo’s development, several important components have been found. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a protein that regulates the formation of the endoderm: this is the innermost of the three layers of cells that form in the early embryo, and it gives rise to internal organs such as the gut, liver and pancreas. As well as ‘telling’ cells to become the front part, or anterior, of the endoderm, FGF also controls the migration of these cells within the embryo. However, uncoupling these two roles has been a major challenge, and the molecular mechanisms behind them are unclear. Now, Villegas et al. have discovered that FGF activates a signalling cascade involving two enzymes called PI3K and Akt1. In lab-grown embryonic stem cells—cells that can be coaxed to become any of the cell types formed during development—this signalling cascade is essential for FGF to trigger differentiation of the cell types found in the anterior endoderm. The PI3K/Akt1 signalling cascade achieves this by reducing the level of a protein called fibronectin in the ‘extracellular matrix’ that surrounds the cells. This low level of fibronectin will in turn induce cells to stick together in an organized layer; and this rearrangement of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions appears linked to triggering the differentiation of anterior endoderm cell types. Villegas et al. showed that the PI3K/Akt1 pathway was also essential for endoderm formation in living mouse embryos. As a normal embryo develops, the anterior endoderm cells move into a ‘groove’ at the front the embryo, where the level of fibronectin is lower than it is at the posterior end of the embryo. These findings highlight the importance of the extracellular matrix in the regulation of embryonic development, and should assist in the effort to turn lab-grown stem cells into the useful cell types found in internal organs. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00806.002
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nahuel Villegas
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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49
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Cai W, Albini S, Wei K, Willems E, Guzzo RM, Tsuda M, Giordani L, Spiering S, Kurian L, Yeo GW, Puri PL, Mercola M. Coordinate Nodal and BMP inhibition directs Baf60c-dependent cardiomyocyte commitment. Genes Dev 2013; 27:2332-44. [PMID: 24186978 PMCID: PMC3828519 DOI: 10.1101/gad.225144.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Heart formation and regeneration require cardiomyocyte commitment. Cai et al. show that the dual Nodal/BMP antagonist Cerberus-1 (Cer1) directs the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex to cardiomyogenic loci in multipotent progenitors. Blocking Nodal and BMP induces Baf60c and lineage-specific transcription factors that interact with Baf60c. Knockdown of Cer1, Baf60c, or the catalytic SWI/SNF subunit Brg1 prevented cardiomyocyte differentiation. These results demonstrate how external signals from the progenitor cell environment can direct lineage-specific chromatin remodeling in order to commit cell fate. A critical but molecularly uncharacterized step in heart formation and regeneration is the process that commits progenitor cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Here, we show that the endoderm-derived dual Nodal/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Cerberus-1 (Cer1) in embryonic stem cell cultures orchestrates two signaling pathways that direct the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex to cardiomyogenic loci in multipotent (KDR/Flk1+) progenitors, activating lineage-specific transcription. Transient inhibition of Nodal by Cer1 induces Brahma-associated factor 60c (Baf60c), one of three Baf60 variants (a, b, and c) that are mutually exclusively assembled into SWI/SNF. Blocking Nodal and BMP also induces lineage-specific transcription factors Gata4 and Tbx5, which interact with Baf60c. siRNA to Cer1, Baf60c, or the catalytic SWI/SNF subunit Brg1 prevented the developmental opening of chromatin surrounding the Nkx2.5 early cardiac enhancer and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Overexpression of Baf60c fully rescued these deficits, positioning Baf60c and SWI/SNF function downstream from Cer1. Thus, antagonism of Nodal and BMP coordinates induction of the myogenic Baf60c variant and interacting transcription factors to program the developmental opening of cardiomyocyte-specific loci in chromatin. This is the first demonstration that cues from the progenitor cell environment direct the subunit variant composition of SWI/SNF to remodel the transcriptional landscape for lineage-specific differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqing Cai
- Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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50
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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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