1
|
Vales JP, Barbaric I. Culture-acquired genetic variation in human pluripotent stem cells: Twenty years on. Bioessays 2024:e2400062. [PMID: 38873900 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Genetic changes arising in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) upon culture may bestow unwanted or detrimental phenotypes to cells, thus potentially impacting on the applications of hPSCs for clinical use and basic research. In the 20 years since the first report of culture-acquired genetic aberrations in hPSCs, a characteristic spectrum of recurrent aberrations has emerged. The preponderance of such aberrations implies that they provide a selective growth advantage to hPSCs upon expansion. However, understanding the consequences of culture-acquired variants for specific applications in cell therapy or research has been more elusive. The rapid progress of hPSC-based therapies to clinics is galvanizing the field to address this uncertainty and provide definitive ways both for risk assessment of variants and reducing their prevalence in culture. Here, we aim to provide a timely update on almost 20 years of research on this fascinating, but a still unresolved and concerning, phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John P Vales
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim J, Kwon EJ, Kim YJ, Kim D, Shin YZ, Gil D, Kim JH, Shin HD, Kim LH, Lee MO, Go YH, Cha HJ. Epigenetic repression of CHCHD2 enhances survival from single cell dissociation through attenuated Rho A kinase activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:38. [PMID: 38214772 PMCID: PMC10787008 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
During in vitro culture, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) often acquire survival advantages characterized by decreased susceptibility to mitochondrial cell death, known as "culture adaptation." This adaptation is associated with genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, including TP53 mutations, copy number variations, trisomy, and methylation changes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this acquired survival advantage is crucial for safe hPSC-based cell therapies. Through transcriptome and methylome analysis, we discovered that the epigenetic repression of CHCHD2, a mitochondrial protein, is a common occurrence during in vitro culture using enzymatic dissociation. We confirmed this finding through genetic perturbation and reconstitution experiments in normal human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Loss of CHCHD2 expression conferred resistance to single cell dissociation-induced cell death, a common stress encountered during in vitro culture. Importantly, we found that the downregulation of CHCHD2 significantly attenuates the activity of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), which is responsible for inducing single cell death in hESCs. This suggests that hESCs may survive routine enzyme-based cell dissociation by downregulating CHCHD2 and thereby attenuating ROCK activity. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which hPSCs acquire survival advantages and adapt to in vitro culture conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jumee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Ze Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayeon Gil
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Kim
- Korea National Stem Cell Bank, Osong, Republic of Korea
- Division of Intractable Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex 202, Osong, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Basic Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lyoung Hyo Kim
- Research Institute for Life Science, GW Vitek, Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Ok Lee
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Go
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
TPX2 Amplification-Driven Aberrant Mitosis in Culture Adapted Human Embryonic Stem Cells with gain of 20q11.21. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10514-4. [PMID: 36862329 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10514-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite highly effective machinery for the maintenance of genome integrity in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), the frequency of genetic aberrations during in-vitro culture has been a serious issue for future clinical applications. METHOD By passaging hESCs over a broad range of timepoints (up to 6 years), the isogenic hESC lines with different passage numbers with distinct cellular characteristics, were established. RESULT We found that mitotic aberrations, such as the delay of mitosis, multipolar centrosomes, and chromosome mis-segregation, were increased in parallel with polyploidy compared to early-passaged hESCs (EP-hESCs) with normal copy number. Through high-resolution genome-wide approaches and transcriptome analysis, we found that culture adapted-hESCs with a minimal amplicon in chromosome 20q11.21 highly expressed TPX2, a key protein for governing spindle assembly and cancer malignancy. Consistent with these findings, the inducible expression of TPX2 in EP-hESCs reproduced aberrant mitotic events, such as the delay of mitotic progression, spindle stabilization, misaligned chromosomes, and polyploidy. CONCLUSION These studies suggest that the increased transcription of TPX2 in culture adapted hESCs could contribute to an increase in aberrant mitosis due to altered spindle dynamics.
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim YJ, Go YH, Jeong HC, Kwon EJ, Kim SM, Cheong HS, Kim W, Shin HD, Lee H, Cha HJ. TPX2 prompts mitotic survival via the induction of BCL2L1 through YAP1 protein stabilization in human embryonic stem cells. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:32-42. [PMID: 36596852 PMCID: PMC9898288 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00907-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations have been reported for decades in most human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Survival advantage, a typical trait acquired during long-term in vitro culture, results from the induction of BCL2L1 upon frequent copy number variation (CNV) at locus 20q11.21 and is one of the strongest candidates associated with genetic alterations that occur via escape from mitotic stress. However, the underlying mechanisms for BCL2L1 induction remain unknown. Furthermore, abnormal mitosis and the survival advantage that frequently occur in late passage are associated with the expression of BCL2L1, which is in locus 20q11.21. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of TPX2, a gene located in 20q11.21, led to BCL2L1 induction and consequent survival traits under mitotic stress in isogenic pairs of hESCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with normal and 20q11.21 CNVs. High Aurora A kinase activity by TPX2 stabilized the YAP1 protein to induce YAP1-dependent BCL2L1 expression. A chemical inhibitor of Aurora A kinase and knockdown of YAP/TAZ significantly abrogated the high tolerance to mitotic stress through BCL2L1 suppression. These results suggest that the collective expression of TPX2 and BCL2L1 from CNV at loci 20q11.21 and a consequent increase in YAP1 signaling promote genome instability during long-term in vitro hESC culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Jeong Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Go
- grid.263736.50000 0001 0286 5954Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Chang Jeong
- grid.263736.50000 0001 0286 5954Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ji Kwon
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Min Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Sub Cheong
- grid.412670.60000 0001 0729 3748Drug Information Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, 04310 Republic of Korea
| | - Wantae Kim
- grid.254230.20000 0001 0722 6377Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Doo Shin
- grid.263736.50000 0001 0286 5954Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107 Republic of Korea
| | - Haeseung Lee
- grid.262229.f0000 0001 0719 8572College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241 Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Keller A, Spits C. The Impact of Acquired Genetic Abnormalities on the Clinical Translation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113246. [PMID: 34831467 PMCID: PMC8625075 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) are known to acquire chromosomal abnormalities, which range from point mutations to large copy number changes, including full chromosome aneuploidy. These aberrations have a wide-ranging influence on the state of cells, in both the undifferentiated and differentiated state. Currently, very little is known on how these abnormalities will impact the clinical translation of hPSC, and particularly their potential to prime cells for oncogenic transformation. A further complication is that many of these abnormalities exist in a mosaic state in culture, which complicates their detection with conventional karyotyping methods. In this review we discuss current knowledge on how these aberrations influence the cell state and how this may impact the future of research and the cells’ clinical potential.
Collapse
|
6
|
Salicylic diamines selectively eliminate residual undifferentiated cells from pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte preparations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2391. [PMID: 33504837 PMCID: PMC7841182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81351-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical translation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC) derivatives is hindered by the tumorigenic risk from residual undifferentiated cells. Here, we identified salicylic diamines as potent agents exhibiting toxicity to murine and human PSCs but not to cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from them. Half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of small molecules SM2 and SM6 were, respectively, 9- and 18-fold higher for human than murine PSCs, while the IC50 of SM8 was comparable for both PSC groups. Treatment of murine embryoid bodies in suspension differentiation cultures with the most effective small molecule SM6 significantly reduced PSC and non-PSC contamination and enriched CM populations that would otherwise be eliminated in genetic selection approaches. All tested salicylic diamines exerted their toxicity by inhibiting the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in PSCs. No or only minimal and reversible effects on OCR, sarcomeric integrity, DNA stability, apoptosis rate, ROS levels or beating frequency were observed in PSC-CMs, although effects on human PSC-CMs seemed to be more deleterious at higher SM-concentrations. Teratoma formation from SM6-treated murine PSC-CMs was abolished or delayed compared to untreated cells. We conclude that salicylic diamines represent promising compounds for PSC removal and enrichment of CMs without the need for other selection strategies.
Collapse
|
7
|
Go YH, Kim J, Jeong HC, Kim SM, Kim YJ, Park SJ, Moon SH, Cha HJ. Luteolin Induces Selective Cell Death of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8110453. [PMID: 33121085 PMCID: PMC7692041 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8110453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in clinical stem cell therapy applications based on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), potential teratoma formation due to the presence of residual undifferentiated hPSCs remains a serious risk factor that challenges widespread clinical application. To overcome this risk, a variety of approaches have been developed to eliminate the remaining undifferentiated hPSCs via selective cell death induction. Our study seeks to identify natural flavonoids that are more potent than quercetin (QC), to selectively induce hPSC death. Upon screening in-house flavonoids, luteolin (LUT) is found to be more potent than QC to eliminate hPSCs in a p53-dependent manner, but not hPSC-derived smooth muscle cells or perivascular progenitor cells. Particularly, treating human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cardiomyocytes with LUT efficiently eliminates the residual hESCs and only results in marginal effects on cardiomyocyte (CM) functions, as determined by calcium influx. Considering the technical limitations of isolating CMs due to a lack of exclusive surface markers at the end of differentiation, LUT treatment is a promising approach to minimize teratoma formation risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young-Hyun Go
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea; (Y.-H.G.); (H.-C.J.)
| | - Jumee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (J.K.); (S.-M.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Ho-Chang Jeong
- Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea; (Y.-H.G.); (H.-C.J.)
| | - Seong-Min Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (J.K.); (S.-M.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Yun-Jeong Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (J.K.); (S.-M.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Soon-Jung Park
- Stem Cell Research Institute, T&R Biofab Co., Ltd., Siheung 15073, Korea; (S.-J.P.); (S.-H.M.)
| | - Sung-Hwan Moon
- Stem Cell Research Institute, T&R Biofab Co., Ltd., Siheung 15073, Korea; (S.-J.P.); (S.-H.M.)
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea; (J.K.); (S.-M.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-880-7825; Fax: +82-2-880-9122
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
In silico drug repositioning: from large-scale transcriptome data to therapeutics. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 42:879-889. [PMID: 31482491 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01176-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug repositioning is an attractive alternative to conventional drug development when new beneficial effects of old drugs are clinically validated because pharmacokinetic and safety profiles are generally already available. Since ~ 30% of drugs newly approved by the US food and drug administration (FDA) are developed through drug repositioning, identifying novel usage for existing drugs is an emerging strategy for developing disease treatments. With advances in next-generation sequencing technologies, available transcriptome data related to diseases have expanded rapidly. Harnessing these resources enables a better understanding of disease mechanisms and drug mode of action (MOA), and moves toward personalized pharmacotherapy. In this review, we briefly outline publicly available large-scale transcriptome databases and tools for drug repositioning. We also highlight recent approaches leading to the discovery of novel drug targets, drug response biomarkers, drug indications, and drug MOA.
Collapse
|
9
|
Go YH, Lim C, Jeong HC, Kwon OS, Chung S, Lee H, Kim W, Suh YG, Son WS, Lee MO, Cha HJ, Kim SH. Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of YM155 for Inducing Selective Cell Death of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Front Chem 2019; 7:298. [PMID: 31157201 PMCID: PMC6532689 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite great potential for regenerative medicine, the high tumorigenic potential of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to form undesirable teratoma is an important technical hurdle preventing safe cell therapy. Various small molecules that induce the complete elimination of undifferentiated hPSCs, referred to as "stemotoxics," have been developed to facilitate tumor-free cell therapy, including the Survivin inhibitor YM155. In the present work, based on the chemical structure of YM155, total 26 analogs were synthesized and tested for stemotoxic activity toward human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced PSCs (iPSCs). We found that a hydrogen bond acceptor in the pyrazine ring of YM155 derivatives is critical for stemotoxic activity, which is completely lost in hESCs lacking SLC35F2, which encodes a solute carrier protein. These results suggest that hydrogen bonding interactions between the nitrogens of the pyrazine ring and the SLC35F2 protein are critical for entry of YM155 into hPSCs, and hence stemotoxic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young-Hyun Go
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Changjin Lim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Pochen-si, South Korea
| | - Ho-Chang Jeong
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ok-Seon Kwon
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sungkyun Chung
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Pochen-si, South Korea
| | - Haeseung Lee
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wankyu Kim
- Department of Life Science, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Ger Suh
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Pochen-si, South Korea
| | - Woo Sung Son
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Pochen-si, South Korea
| | - Mi-Ok Lee
- Stem Cell Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyuk-Jin Cha
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seok-Ho Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Pochen-si, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|