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Kidder BL, Ruden X, Singh A, Marben TA, Rass L, Chakravarty A, Xie Y, Puscheck EE, Awonuga AO, Harris S, Ruden DM, Rappolee DA. Novel high throughput screen reports that benzo(a)pyrene overrides mouse trophoblast stem cell multipotency, inducing SAPK activity, HAND1 and differentiated trophoblast giant cells. Placenta 2024; 152:72-85. [PMID: 38245404 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cultured mouse trophoblast stem cells (mTSC) maintain proliferation/normal stemness (NS) under FGF4, which when removed, causes normal differentiation (ND). Hypoxic, or hyperosmotic stress forces trophoblast giant cells (TGC) differentiate. Hypoxic, hyperosmotic, and genotoxic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), which is found in tobacco smoke, force down-regulation of inhibitor of differentiation (Id)2, enabling TGC differentiation. Hypoxic and hyperosmotic stress induce TGC by SAPK-dependent HAND1 increase. Here we test whether BaP forces mTSC-to-TGC while inducing SAPK and HAND1. METHODS Hand1 and SAPK activity were assayed by immunoblot, mTSC-to-TGC growth and differentiation were assayed at Tfinal after 72hr exposure of BaP, NS, ND, Retinoic acid (RA), or sorbitol. Nuclear-stained cells were micrographed automatically by a live imager, and assayed by ImageJ/FIJI, Biotek Gen 5, AIVIA proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) software or open source, CellPose artificial intelligence/AI software. RESULTS BaP (0.05-1μM) activated SAPK and HAND1 without diminishing growth. TSC-to-TGC differentiation was assayed with increasingly accuracy for 2-4 N cycling nuclei and >4 N differentiating TGC nuclei, using ImageJ/FIJI, Gen 5, AIVIA, or CellPose AI software. The AIVIA and Cellpose AI software matches human accuracy. The lowest BaP effects on SAPK activation/HAND1 increase are >10-fold more sensitive than similar effects for mESC. RA induces 44-47% 1st lineage TGC differentiation, but the same RA dose induces only 1% 1st lineage mESC differentiation. DISCUSSION First, these pilot data suggest that mTSC can be used in high throughput screens (HTS) to predict toxicant exposures that force TGC differentiation. Second, mTSC differentiated more cells than mESC for similar stress exposures, Third, open source AI can replace human micrograph quantitation and enable a miscarriage-predicting HTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Kidder
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - X Ruden
- CS Mott Center/WSU Ob/gyn Department, USA; Reproductive Stress Inc, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, USA
| | - A Singh
- CS Mott Center/WSU Ob/gyn Department, USA; WSU CMMG, USA
| | - T A Marben
- University of Detroit, Mercy (NIH Build Fellow), USA
| | - L Rass
- Barber Foundation Fellows/WSU, USA
| | | | - Y Xie
- Western Fertility, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - E E Puscheck
- CS Mott Center/WSU Ob/gyn Department, USA; Invia Infertility, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - S Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - D M Ruden
- CS Mott Center/WSU Ob/gyn Department, USA; IEHS, WSU, USA
| | - D A Rappolee
- CS Mott Center/WSU Ob/gyn Department, USA; Reproductive Stress Inc, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, USA; Dept of Physiology, WSU, USA.
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Wang J, Zhou X, Han T, Zhang H. Epigenetic signatures of trophoblast lineage and their biological functions. Cells Dev 2024:203934. [PMID: 38942294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2024.203934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Trophoblasts play a crucial role in embryo implantation and in interacting with the maternal uterus. The trophoblast lineage develops into a substantial part of the placenta, a temporary extra-embryonic organ, capable of undergoing distinctive epigenetic events during development. The critical role of trophoblast-specific epigenetic signatures in regulating placental development has become known, significantly advancing our understanding of trophoblast identity and lineage development. Scientific efforts are revealing how trophoblast-specific epigenetic signatures mediate stage-specific gene regulatory programming during the development of the trophoblast lineage. These epigenetic signatures have a significant impact on blastocyst formation, placental development, as well as the growth and survival of embryos and fetuses. In evolution, DNA hypomethylation in the trophoblast lineage is conserved, and there is a significant disparity in the control of epigenetic dynamics and the landscape of genomic imprinting. Scientists have used murine and human multipotent trophoblast cells as in vitro models to recapitulate the essential epigenetic processes of placental development. Here, we review the epigenetic signatures of the trophoblast lineage and their biological functions to enhance our understanding of placental evolution, development, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqi Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Reproductive Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tingli Han
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China; The Center for Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, China.
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3
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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. The trophoblast surface becomes refractory to adhesion by congenitally transmitted Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenes during cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast development. mSphere 2024; 9:e0074823. [PMID: 38771057 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00748-23] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance of understanding these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast-pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell-derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TSCT) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TSSYN) or cytotrophoblast (TSCYT) and infected them with T. gondii. We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TSSYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TSSYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TSCYTs were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TSSC-derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. We demonstrate that TSSYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes, while TSCYTs are not. Like T. gondii, TSSYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell-derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.IMPORTANCECongenital toxoplasmosis can cause a devastating consequence to the fetus. To reach the fetus's tissues, Toxoplasma gondii must cross the placenta barrier. However, how this parasite crosses the placenta and the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance to this parasite are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to characterize a new cellular model of human trophoblast stem cells to determine their resistance, susceptibility, and response to T. gondii. Syncytiotrophoblast derived from trophoblast stem cells recapitulate the resistance profile similarly to placenta cells. We also showed that these cells are highly resistant to Listeria monocytogenes, at the level of bacterial adhesion. Our results suggest that resisting pathogen adhesion/attachment may be a generalized mechanism of syncytiotrophoblast resistance, and trophoblast stem cells represent a promising model to investigate cell-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to pathogen adhesion and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela J da Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leah F Cabo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jada L George
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laty A Cahoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jon P Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Onfray C, Chevolleau S, Moinard E, Girard O, Mahadik K, Allsop R, Georgolopoulos G, Lavigne R, Renoult O, Aksoy I, Lemaitre E, Hulin P, Ouimette JF, Fréour T, Pecqueur C, Pineau C, Pasque V, Rougeulle C, David L. Unraveling hallmark suitability for staging pre- and post-implantation stem cell models. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114232. [PMID: 38761378 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114232] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of novel 2D and 3D models for human development, including trophoblast stem cells and blastoids, has expanded opportunities for investigating early developmental events, gradually illuminating the enigmatic realm of human development. While these innovations have ushered in new prospects, it has become essential to establish well-defined benchmarks for the cell sources of these models. We aimed to propose a comprehensive characterization of pluripotent and trophoblastic stem cell models by employing a combination of transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenetic, and metabolic approaches. Our findings reveal that extended pluripotent stem cells share many characteristics with primed pluripotent stem cells, with the exception of metabolic activity. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that DNA hypomethylation and high metabolic activity define trophoblast stem cells. These results underscore the necessity of considering multiple hallmarks of pluripotency rather than relying on a single criterion. Multiplying hallmarks alleviate stage-matching bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance Onfray
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Simon Chevolleau
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Eva Moinard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Océane Girard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Kasturi Mahadik
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Ryan Allsop
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Grigorios Georgolopoulos
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Régis Lavigne
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; University Rennes, CNRS, Inserm, Biosit UAR 3480 US_S 018, Protim Core Facility, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Ophélie Renoult
- Nantes Université, CNRS, Inserm, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Irene Aksoy
- University Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Elsa Lemaitre
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Hulin
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Thomas Fréour
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Dexeus University Hospital, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; CHU Nantes, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Claire Pecqueur
- Nantes Université, CNRS, Inserm, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Charles Pineau
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; University Rennes, CNRS, Inserm, Biosit UAR 3480 US_S 018, Protim Core Facility, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Pasque
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Claire Rougeulle
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France.
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5
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Winston T, Song Y, Shi H, Yang J, Alsudais M, Kontaridis MI, Wu Y, Gaborski TR, Meng Q, Cooney RN, Ma Z. Lineage-Specific Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Human iPSCs Showed Distinct Patterns in Transcriptomic Profile and Extracellular Vesicle Production. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2308975. [PMID: 38757640 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decades, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively investigated as a potential therapeutic cell source for the treatment of various disorders. Differentiation of MSCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iMSCs) has provided a scalable approach for the biomanufacturing of MSCs and related biological products. Although iMSCs shared typical MSC markers and functions as primary MSCs (pMSCs), there is a lack of lineage specificity in many iMSC differentiation protocols. Here, a stepwise hiPSC-to-iMSC differentiation method is employed via intermediate cell stages of neural crest and cytotrophoblast to generate lineage-specific MSCs with varying differentiation efficiencies and gene expression. Through a comprehensive comparison between early developmental cell types (hiPSCs, neural crest, and cytotrophoblast), two lineage-specific iMSCs, and six source-specific pMSCs, are able to not only distinguish the transcriptomic differences between MSCs and early developmental cells, but also determine the transcriptomic similarities of iMSC subtypes to postnatal or perinatal pMSCs. Additionally, it is demonstrated that different iMSC subtypes and priming conditions affected EV production, exosomal protein expression, and cytokine cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tackla Winston
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Yuanhui Song
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Huaiyu Shi
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Junhui Yang
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - Munther Alsudais
- Departments of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Maria I Kontaridis
- Department of Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, Masonic Medical Research Institute, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY, 13501, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Building C, 240 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yaoying Wu
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Thomas R Gaborski
- Departments of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, One Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Qinghe Meng
- Department of Surgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
- Sepsis Interdisciplinary Research Center, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Robert N Cooney
- Department of Surgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
- Sepsis Interdisciplinary Research Center, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Zhen Ma
- Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, 329 Link Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Syracuse University, 318 Bowne Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 107 College Pl, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
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6
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Karakis V, Britt JW, Jabeen M, Miguel AS, Rao BM. Derivation of human trophoblast stem cells from placentas at birth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592064. [PMID: 38746283 PMCID: PMC11092656 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) have emerged as a powerful tool for modeling the placental cytotrophoblast (CTB) in vitro. hTSCs were originally derived from CTBs of the first trimester placenta or blastocyst-stage embryos in trophoblast stem cell medium (TSCM) that contains epidermal growth factor (EGF), the glycogen synthase kinase-beta (GSK3β) inhibitor CHIR99021, the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) inhibitors A83-01 and SB431542, valproic acid (VPA), and the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. Here we show that hTSCs can be derived from CTBs isolated from the term placenta, using TSCM supplemented with a low concentration of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake inhibitor UK5099 and lipid-rich albumin (TUA medium). Notably, hTSCs could not be derived from term CTBs using TSCM alone, or in the absence of either UK5099 or lipid-rich albumin. Strikingly, hTSCs cultured in TUA medium for a few passages could be transitioned into TSCM and cultured thereafter in TSCM. hTSCs from term CTBs cultured in TUA medium as well as those transitioned into and cultured in TSCM thereafter could be differentiated to the extravillous trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast lineages and exhibited high transcriptome similarity with hTSCs derived from first trimester CTBs. We anticipate that these results will enable facile derivation of hTSCs from normal and pathological placentas at birth with diverse genetic backgrounds and facilitate in vitro mechanistic studies in trophoblast biology.
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Chen Y, Ye Z, Lin M, Zhu L, Xu L, Wang X. Deciphering the Epigenetic Landscape: Placental Development and Its Role in Pregnancy Outcomes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:996-1014. [PMID: 38457061 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-024-10699-2] [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] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The placenta stands out as a unique, transitory, and multifaceted organ, essential to the optimal growth and maturation of the fetus. Functioning as a vital nexus between the maternal and fetal circulatory systems, it oversees the critical exchange of nutrients and waste. This exchange is facilitated by placental cells, known as trophoblasts, which adeptly invade and remodel uterine blood vessels. Deviations in placental development underpin a slew of pregnancy complications, notably fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia (PE), recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), and preterm birth. Central to placental function and development is epigenetic regulation. Despite its importance, the intricate mechanisms by which epigenetics influence the placenta are not entirely elucidated. Recently, the scientific community has turned its focus to parsing out the epigenetic alterations during placental development, such as variations in promoter DNA methylation, genomic imprints, and shifts in non-coding RNA expression. By establishing correlations between epigenetic shifts in the placenta and pregnancy complications, researchers are unearthing invaluable insights into the biology and pathophysiology of these conditions. This review seeks to synthesize the latest findings on placental epigenetic regulation, spotlighting its crucial role in shaping fetal growth trajectories and development. Through this lens, we underscore the overarching significance of the placenta in the larger narrative of gestational health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Chen
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhoujie Ye
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meijia Lin
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liping Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
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Azagury M, Buganim Y. Unlocking trophectoderm mysteries: In vivo and in vitro perspectives on human and mouse trophoblast fate induction. Dev Cell 2024; 59:941-960. [PMID: 38653193 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.029] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the pursuit of inducing the trophoblast stem cell (TSC) state has gained prominence as a compelling research objective, illuminating the establishment of the trophoblast lineage and unlocking insights into early embryogenesis. In this review, we examine how advancements in diverse technologies, including in vivo time course transcriptomics, cellular reprogramming to TSC state, chemical induction of totipotent stem-cell-like state, and stem-cell-based embryo-like structures, have enriched our insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that define the mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC states. We delve into disparities between mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC fate establishment, with a special emphasis on the intriguing role of pluripotency in this context. Additionally, we re-evaluate recent findings concerning the potential of totipotent-stem-like cells and embryo-like structures to fully manifest the trophectoderm/trophoblast lineage's capabilities. Lastly, we briefly discuss the potential applications of induced TSCs in pregnancy-related disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Azagury
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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Morey R, Bui T, Cheung VC, Dong C, Zemke JE, Requena D, Arora H, Jackson MG, Pizzo D, Theunissen TW, Horii M. iPSC-based modeling of preeclampsia identifies epigenetic defects in extravillous trophoblast differentiation. iScience 2024; 27:109569. [PMID: 38623329 PMCID: PMC11016801 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive pregnancy disorder with increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Abnormal extravillous trophoblast (EVT) development and function is considered to be the underlying cause of PE, but has not been previously modeled in vitro. We previously derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from placentas of PE patients and characterized abnormalities in formation of syncytiotrophoblast and responses to changes in oxygen tension. In this study, we converted these primed iPSC to naïve iPSC, and then derived trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and EVT to evaluate molecular mechanisms underlying PE. We found that primed (but not naïve) iPSC-derived PE-EVT have reduced surface HLA-G, blunted invasive capacity, and altered EVT-specific gene expression. These abnormalities correlated with promoter hypermethylation of genes associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway, specifically in primed-iPSC derived PE-EVT. Our findings indicate that abnormal epigenetic regulation might play a role in PE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Virginia Chu Cheung
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph E. Zemke
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniela Requena
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Harneet Arora
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Madeline G. Jackson
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Donald Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Thorold W. Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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10
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Shirasawa A, Hayashi M, Shono M, Ideta A, Yoshino T, Hayashi K. Efficient derivation of embryonic stem cells and primordial germ cell-like cells in cattle. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:82-95. [PMID: 38355134 PMCID: PMC11017101 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-087] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The induction of the germ cell lineage from pluripotent stem cells (in vitro gametogenesis) will help understand the mechanisms underlying germ cell differentiation and provide an alternative source of gametes for reproduction. This technology is especially important for cattle, which are among the most important livestock species for milk and meat production. Here, we developed a new method for robust induction of primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from newly established bovine embryonic stem (bES) cells. First, we refined the pluripotent culture conditions for pre-implantation embryos and ES cells. Inhibition of RHO increased the number of epiblast cells in the pre-implantation embryos and dramatically improved the efficiency of ES cell establishment. We then determined suitable culture conditions for PGCLC differentiation using bES cells harboring BLIMP1-tdTomato and TFAP2C-mNeonGreen (BTTN) reporter constructs. After a 24-h culture with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), followed by three-dimensional culture with BMP4 and a chemical agonist and WNT signaling chemical antagonist, bES cells became positive for the reporters. A set of primordial germ cells (PGC) marker genes, including PRDM1/BLIMP1, TFAP2C, SOX17, and NANOS3, were expressed in BTTN-positive cells. These bovine PGCLCs (bPGCLCs) were isolated as KIT/CD117-positive and CD44-negative cell populations. We anticipate that this method for the efficient establishment of bES cells and induction of PGCLCs will be useful for stem cell-based reproductive technologies in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Shirasawa
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Fukuoka 810-0001, Japan
| | - Masafumi Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Mayumi Shono
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ideta
- Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Fukuoka 810-0001, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoshino
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Premium Research Institute for Human Metaverse Medicine (WPI-PRIMe), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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11
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Oke A, Manohar SM. Dynamic Roles of Signaling Pathways in Maintaining Pluripotency of Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Cell Reprogram 2024; 26:46-56. [PMID: 38635924 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2024.0002] [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] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Culturing of mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro was a major breakthrough in the field of stem cell biology. These models gained popularity very soon mainly due to their pluripotency. Evidently, the ESCs of mouse and human origin share typical phenotypic responses due to their pluripotent nature, such as self-renewal capacity and potency. The conserved network of core transcription factors regulates these responses. However, significantly different signaling pathways and upstream transcriptional networks regulate expression and activity of these core pluripotency factors in ESCs of both the species. In fact, ample evidence shows that a pathway, which maintains pluripotency in mouse ESCs, promotes differentiation in human ESCs. In this review, we discuss the role of canonical signaling pathways implicated in regulation of pluripotency and differentiation particularly in mouse and human ESCs. We believe that understanding these distinct and at times-opposite mechanisms-is critical for the progress in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anagha Oke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, NMIMS (Deemed-to-Be) University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sonal M Manohar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, NMIMS (Deemed-to-Be) University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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12
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Du P, Wu J. Hallmarks of totipotent and pluripotent stem cell states. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:312-333. [PMID: 38382531 PMCID: PMC10939785 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.01.009] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Though totipotency and pluripotency are transient during early embryogenesis, they establish the foundation for the development of all mammals. Studying these in vivo has been challenging due to limited access and ethical constraints, particularly in humans. Recent progress has led to diverse culture adaptations of epiblast cells in vitro in the form of totipotent and pluripotent stem cells, which not only deepen our understanding of embryonic development but also serve as invaluable resources for animal reproduction and regenerative medicine. This review delves into the hallmarks of totipotent and pluripotent stem cells, shedding light on their key molecular and functional features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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13
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Tietze E, Barbosa AR, Araujo B, Euclydes V, Spiegelberg B, Cho HJ, Lee YK, Wang Y, McCord A, Lorenzetti A, Feltrin A, van de Leemput J, Di Carlo P, Ursini G, Benjamin KJ, Brentani H, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, McKay R, Shin JH, Sawada T, Paquola ACM, Erwin JA. Human archetypal pluripotent stem cells differentiate into trophoblast stem cells via endogenous BMP5/7 induction without transitioning through naive state. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3291. [PMID: 38332235 PMCID: PMC10853519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53381-w] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and TSCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can potentially model placental processes in vitro. Yet, the pluripotent states and factors involved in the differentiation of hPSCs to TSCs remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the primed pluripotent state can generate TSCs by activating pathways such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Wingless-related integration site (WNT), and by suppressing tumor growth factor beta (TGFβ), histone deacetylases (HDAC), and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathways, all without the addition of exogenous Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-a condition we refer to as the TS condition. We characterized this process using temporal single-cell RNA sequencing to compare TS conditions with differentiation protocols involving BMP4 activation alone or BMP4 activation in conjunction with WNT inhibition. The TS condition consistently produced a stable, proliferative cell type that closely mimics first-trimester placental cytotrophoblasts, marked by the activation of endogenous retroviral genes and the absence of amnion expression. This was observed across multiple cell lines, including various primed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. Primed-derived TSCs can proliferate for over 30 passages and further specify into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblast cells. Our research establishes that the differentiation of primed hPSCs to TSC under TS conditions triggers the induction of TMSB4X, BMP5/7, GATA3, and TFAP2A without progressing through a naive state. These findings propose that the primed hPSC state is part of a continuum of potency with the capacity to differentiate into TSCs through multiple routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Tietze
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andre Rocha Barbosa
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Araujo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Euclydes
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bailey Spiegelberg
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyeon Jin Cho
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Arthur Feltrin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Joyce van de Leemput
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Pasquale Di Carlo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ursini
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kynon J Benjamin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helena Brentani
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald McKay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tomoyo Sawada
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Apua C M Paquola
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Erwin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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14
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Yang Y, Jia W, Luo Z, Li Y, Liu H, Fu L, Li J, Jiang Y, Lai J, Li H, Saeed BJ, Zou Y, Lv Y, Wu L, Zhou T, Shan Y, Liu C, Lai Y, Liu L, Hutchins AP, Esteban MA, Mazid MA, Li W. VGLL1 cooperates with TEAD4 to control human trophectoderm lineage specification. Nat Commun 2024; 15:583. [PMID: 38233381 PMCID: PMC10794710 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44780-8] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to rodents, the mechanisms underlying human trophectoderm and early placenta specification are understudied due to ethical barriers and the scarcity of embryos. Recent reports have shown that human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into trophectoderm (TE)-like cells (TELCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), offering a valuable in vitro model to study early placenta specification. Here, we demonstrate that the VGLL1 (vestigial-like family member 1), which is highly expressed during human and non-human primate TE specification in vivo but is negligibly expressed in mouse, is a critical regulator of cell fate determination and self-renewal in human TELCs and TSCs derived from naïve PSCs. Mechanistically, VGLL1 partners with the transcription factor TEAD4 (TEA domain transcription factor 4) to regulate chromatin accessibility at target gene loci through histone acetylation and acts in cooperation with GATA3 and TFAP2C. Our work is relevant to understand primate early embryogenesis and how it differs from other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueli Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenqi Jia
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunpan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixin Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinxiu Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junjian Lai
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiwei Li
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Babangida Jabir Saeed
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zou
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Lv
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Stem Cell Research Facility, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yongli Shan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Yiwei Lai
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longqi Liu
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Md Abdul Mazid
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
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15
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Karvas RM, Theunissen TW. Generation of 3D Trophoblast Organoids from Human Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:85-103. [PMID: 37402094 PMCID: PMC10766861 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
The human placenta is a transient organ that functions to support the needs of the fetus throughout gestation. Trophoblasts are the major epithelial cells found within the placenta and comprise a variety of distinct cell types with specialized roles in fetal-maternal communication. Our understanding of human trophoblast development remains limited due to ethical and legal restrictions on accessing first-trimester placental tissues, as well as the inability of common animal models to replicate primate placental development. It is therefore important to advance in vitro models of human trophoblast development as a basis for studying pregnancy-associated complications and diseases. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for generating 3D trophoblast organoids from naïve human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). The resulting stem-cell-derived trophoblast organoids (SC-TOs) contain distinct cytotrophoblast (CTB), syncytiotrophoblast (STB), and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell types, which closely correspond to trophoblast identities in the human post-implantation embryo. We discuss methods for characterizing SC-TOs by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, mRNA and microRNA expression profiling, and placental hormone secretion. Furthermore, SC-TOs can undergo differentiation into specialized 3D EVT organoids, which display robust invasion when co-cultured with human endometrial cells. Thus, the protocol described herein offers an accessible 3D model system of human placental development and trophoblast invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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16
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Panda A, Pham TXA, Khodeer S, Pasque V. Induction of Human Extraembryonic Mesoderm Cells from Naive Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:105-113. [PMID: 37243859 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_483] [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] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The human extraembryonic mesoderm (EXM) is an important tissue in the postimplantation embryo which is specified before gastrulation in primates but not in rodents. EXM is mesenchymal and plays an important role in embryogenesis, including early erythropoiesis, and provides mechanical support to the developing embryo. Recently, it has been shown that self-renewing extraembryonic mesoderm cells (EXMCs) can be modeled in vitro by using human naive pluripotent stem cells. Here, we present a detailed step-by-step protocol to induce EXMCs from naive pluripotent stem cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitesh Panda
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (LISCO), Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thi Xuan Ai Pham
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (LISCO), Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sherif Khodeer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (LISCO), Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (LISCO), Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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17
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David L, Bruneau A, Fréour T, Rivron N, Van de Velde H. An update on human pre- and peri-implantation development: a blueprint for blastoids. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102125. [PMID: 37801801 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite over 40 years following the first birth from medically assisted reproduction (MAR) technologies, mechanisms underlying the key developmental events during the first 7 days of human development, such as signaling pathway contribution, are remaining a mystery. An in-depth mechanistic understanding of how the human preimplantation embryo develops would support the optimization of embryo quality assessment methods and culturing conditions, thereby increasing the success rate of MAR. However, the limited availability of human embryos, legitimate ethical concerns, and regulations still present an obstacle toward our advancement of knowledge. Stem cell-based embryonic models, including blastoids than model blastocysts, offer unprecedented opportunities to fill knowledge gaps and complement animal models. Blastoids' predictive power depends on how faithfully they recapitulate the blastocyst. Here, we review the state of the art of human pre- and peri-implantation development and outline the specificities of human embryo research to clarify the framework for blastoid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent David
- Nantes Université, Inserm, CR2TI, F44000 Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, Inserm, BioCore, F44000 Nantes, France.
| | | | - Thomas Fréour
- Nantes Université, Inserm, CR2TI, F44000 Nantes, France; CHU Nantes, service biologie de la reproduction, F44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Research Group Reproduction and Immunology, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; UZ Brussel, Brussels IVF, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Suzuki D, Lan KC, Takashima Y. Using human pluripotent stem cells to dissect trophoblast development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102126. [PMID: 37812907 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
In 2021, we showed that naive human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into trophoblasts via trophectoderm (TE)-like cells. Since TE is a pre-implantation stage of trophoblasts constituting blastocysts, naive human PSCs are an invaluable tool for understanding the entire process of trophoblast development. It has been reported for many years that primed human PSCs can also differentiate into the trophoblast lineage. The in vitro differentiation of naive and primed human PSCs hints at the possibility that human pre- and even post-implantation epiblasts retain the differentiation potential into the trophoblast lineages in vivo. Here, we review the in vitro specification of trophoblasts from human PSCs. Moreover, we discuss the different trophoblast differentiation pathways from naive and primed PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Suzuki
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kuan-Chun Lan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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19
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Liu X, Wang G, Huang H, Lv X, Si Y, Bai L, Wang G, Li Q, Yang W. Exploring maternal-fetal interface with in vitro placental and trophoblastic models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1279227. [PMID: 38033854 PMCID: PMC10682727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1279227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta, being a temporary organ, plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Any abnormalities in the development of this vital organ not only lead to various pregnancy-related disorders that can result in fetal injury or death, but also have long-term effects on maternal health. In vitro models have been employed to study the physiological features and molecular regulatory mechanisms of placental development, aiming to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related diseases. Among these models, trophoblast stem cell culture and organoids show great promise. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current mature trophoblast stem cell models and emerging organoid models, while also discussing other models in a systematic manner. We believe that this knowledge will be valuable in guiding further exploration of the complex maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqin Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yanru Si
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Bai
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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20
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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. Human trophoblast stem cells can be used to model placental susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii and highlight the critical importance of the trophoblast cell surface in pathogen resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.10.566663. [PMID: 37986837 PMCID: PMC10659356 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.566663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance to understand these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast- pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii . We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TS CT ) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TS SYN ) or cytotrophoblast (TS CYT ) and infected them with T. gondii . We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TS SYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by TEM and SEM, a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TS SYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TS CYT were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TS SC -derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes . We demonstrate that TS SYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes , while TS CYTs are not. Like T. gondii , TS SYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.
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21
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Ishiuchi T, Sakamoto M. Molecular mechanisms underlying totipotency. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302225. [PMID: 37666667 PMCID: PMC10480501 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous efforts to understand pluripotency in mammals, using pluripotent stem cells in culture, have enabled the generation of artificially induced pluripotent stem cells, which serve as a valuable source for regenerative medicine and the creation of disease models. In contrast to these tremendous successes in the pluripotency field in the past few decades, our understanding of totipotency, which is highlighted by its broader plasticity than pluripotency, is still limited. This is largely attributable to the scarcity of available materials and the lack of in vitro models. However, recent technological advances have unveiled molecular features that characterize totipotent cells. Single-cell or low-input sequencing technologies allow the dissection of pre- and post-fertilization developmental processes at the molecular level with high resolution. In this review, we describe some of the key findings in understanding totipotency and discuss how totipotency is acquired at the beginning of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ishiuchi
- https://ror.org/059x21724 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Mizuki Sakamoto
- https://ror.org/059x21724 Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
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22
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Li X, Li ZH, Wang YX, Liu TH. A comprehensive review of human trophoblast fusion models: recent developments and challenges. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:372. [PMID: 37816723 PMCID: PMC10564767 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01670-0] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential component of the maternal-fetal interface, the placental syncytiotrophoblast layer contributes to a successful pregnancy by secreting hormones necessary for pregnancy, transporting nutrients, mediating gas exchange, balancing immune tolerance, and resisting pathogen infection. Notably, the deficiency in mononuclear trophoblast cells fusing into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Despite the availability of many models for the study of trophoblast fusion, there exists a notable disparity from the ideal model, limiting the deeper exploration into the placental development. Here, we reviewed the existing models employed for the investigation of human trophoblast fusion from several aspects, including the development history, latest progress, advantages, disadvantages, scope of application, and challenges. The literature searched covers the monolayer cell lines, primary human trophoblast, placental explants, human trophoblast stem cells, human pluripotent stem cells, three-dimensional cell spheres, organoids, and placenta-on-a-chip from 1938 to 2023. These diverse models have significantly enhanced our comprehension of placental development regulation and the underlying mechanisms of placental-related disorders. Through this review, our objective is to provide readers with a thorough understanding of the existing trophoblast fusion models, making it easier to select most suitable models to address specific experimental requirements or scientific inquiries. Establishment and application of the existing human placental trophoblast fusion models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo-Hang Li
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
- Medical Laboratory Department, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Yaan, 625099, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China.
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
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23
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Amini H, Namjoo AR, Narmi MT, Mardi N, Narimani S, Naturi O, Khosrowshahi ND, Rahbarghazi R, Saghebasl S, Hashemzadeh S, Nouri M. Exosome-bearing hydrogels and cardiac tissue regeneration. Biomater Res 2023; 27:99. [PMID: 37803483 PMCID: PMC10559618 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00433-3] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, cardiovascular disease in particular myocardial infarction (MI) has become the predominant cause of human disability and mortality in the clinical setting. The restricted capacity of adult cardiomyocytes to proliferate and restore the function of infarcted sites is a challenging issue after the occurrence of MI. The application of stem cells and byproducts such as exosomes (Exos) has paved the way for the alleviation of cardiac tissue injury along with conventional medications in clinics. However, the short lifespan and activation of alloreactive immune cells in response to Exos and stem cells are the main issues in patients with MI. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to develop therapeutic approaches with minimum invasion for the restoration of cardiac function. MAIN BODY Here, we focused on recent data associated with the application of Exo-loaded hydrogels in ischemic cardiac tissue. Whether and how the advances in tissue engineering modalities have increased the efficiency of whole-based and byproducts (Exos) therapies under ischemic conditions. The integration of nanotechnology and nanobiology for designing novel smart biomaterials with therapeutic outcomes was highlighted. CONCLUSION Hydrogels can provide suitable platforms for the transfer of Exos, small molecules, drugs, and other bioactive factors for direct injection into the damaged myocardium. Future studies should focus on the improvement of physicochemical properties of Exo-bearing hydrogel to translate for the standard treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Amini
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51548/53431, Iran
| | - Atieh Rezaei Namjoo
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Taghavi Narmi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Narges Mardi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Samaneh Narimani
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ozra Naturi
- Department of Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Didar Khosrowshahi
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, 51335-1996, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51548/53431, Iran.
| | - Solmaz Saghebasl
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51548/53431, Iran.
| | - Shahriar Hashemzadeh
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 51548/53431, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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24
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Khan SA, Theunissen TW. Modeling X-chromosome inactivation and reactivation during human development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102096. [PMID: 37597506 PMCID: PMC10588740 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Stem-cell-based embryo models generate much excitement as they offer a window into an early phase of human development that has remained largely inaccessible to scientific investigation. An important epigenetic phenomenon during early embryogenesis is the epigenetic silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female embryos, which ensures an equal output of X-linked gene expression between the sexes. X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is thought to be established within the first three weeks of human development, although the inactive X-chromosome is reactivated in primordial germ cells (PGCs) that migrate to the embryonic gonads. Here, we summarize our current understanding of X-chromosome dynamics during human development and comment on the potential of recently established stem-cell-based models to reveal the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafqat A Khan
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. https://twitter.com/@sakhan2019
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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25
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Cheung VC, Bui T, Soncin F, Bai T, Kessler JA, Parast MM, Horii M. Current Strategies of Modeling Human Trophoblast Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in vitro. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e875. [PMID: 37787612 PMCID: PMC10558083 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.875] [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] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously established a trophoblast differentiation protocol from primed human pluripotent stem cells (PSC). To induce this lineage, we use a combination of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (BMP4) and the WNT inhibitor IWP2. This protocol has enabled us to obtain a pure population of trophectoderm (TE)-like cells that could subsequently be terminally differentiated into syncytiotrophoblasts (STB) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVT). However, the resulting TE-like cells could only be terminally differentiated to a variable mixture of STB and EVT, with a bias toward the STB lineage. Recently, methods have been developed for derivation and culture of self-renewing human trophoblast stem cells (TSC) from human embryos and early gestation placental tissues. These primary TSCs were further able to differentiate into either STB or EVT with high efficiency using the lineage specific differentiation protocols. Based partly on these protocols, we have developed methods for establishing self-renewing TSC-like cells from PSC, and for efficient lineage-specific terminal differentiation. Here, we describe in detail the protocols to derive and maintain PSC-TSC, from both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and their subsequent terminal differentiation to STB and EVT. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Trophoblast Differentiation into TE-like Cells Basic Protocol 2: Conversion of PSC-Derived TE-like Cells to TSC Basic Protocol 3: Passaging PSC-Derived TSC in iCTB Complete Medium Basic Protocol 4: STB Differentiation from PSC-derived TSC Basic Protocol 5: EVT Differentiation from PSC-derived TSC Support Protocol 1: Geltrex-coated tissue culture plate preparation Support Protocol 2: Collagen IV-coated tissue culture plate preparation Support Protocol 3: Fibronectin-coated tissue culture plate preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Chu Cheung
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Francesca Soncin
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tao Bai
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John A. Kessler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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26
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Morey R, Bui T, Fisch KM, Horii M. Modeling placental development and disease using human pluripotent stem cells. Placenta 2023; 141:18-25. [PMID: 36333266 PMCID: PMC10148925 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of placental epithelial cells, trophoblast, primarily came from the use of mouse trophoblast stem cells and tumor-derived or immortalized human trophoblast cell lines. This was mainly due to the difficulties in maintaining primary trophoblast in culture and establishing human trophoblast stem cell (hTSC) lines. However, in-depth characterization of these cellular models and in vivo human trophoblast have revealed significant discrepancies. For the past two decades, multiple groups have shown that human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be differentiated into trophoblast, and thus could be used as a model for normal and disease trophoblast differentiation. During this time, trophoblast differentiation protocols have evolved, enabling researchers to study cellular characteristics at trophectoderm (TE), trophoblast stem cells (TSC), syncytiotrophoblast (STB), and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) stages. Recently, several groups reported methods to derive hTSC from pre-implantation blastocyst or early gestation placenta, and trophoblast organoids from early gestation placenta, drastically changing the landscape of trophoblast research. These culture conditions have been rapidly applied to generate hPSC-derived TSC and trophoblast organoids. As a result of these technological advancements, the field's capacity to better understand trophoblast differentiation and their involvement in pregnancy related disease has greatly expanded. Here, we present in vitro models of human trophoblast differentiation, describing both primary and hPSC-derived TSC, maintained as monolayers and 3-dimensional trophoblast organoids, as a tool to study early placental development and disease in multiple settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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27
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Karvas RM, Zemke JE, Ali SS, Upton E, Sane E, Fischer LA, Dong C, Park KM, Wang F, Park K, Hao S, Chew B, Meyer B, Zhou C, Dietmann S, Theunissen TW. 3D-cultured blastoids model human embryogenesis from pre-implantation to early gastrulation stages. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1148-1165.e7. [PMID: 37683602 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Naive human pluripotent stem cells have the remarkable ability to self-organize into blastocyst-like structures ("blastoids") that model lineage segregation in the pre-implantation embryo. However, the extent to which blastoids can recapitulate the defining features of human post-implantation development remains unexplored. Here, we report that blastoids cultured on thick three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices capture hallmarks of early post-implantation development, including epiblast lumenogenesis, rapid expansion and diversification of trophoblast lineages, and robust invasion of extravillous trophoblast cells by day 14. Extended blastoid culture results in the localized activation of primitive streak marker TBXT and the emergence of embryonic germ layers by day 21. We also show that the modulation of WNT signaling alters the balance between epiblast and trophoblast fates in post-implantation blastoids. This work demonstrates that 3D-cultured blastoids offer a continuous and integrated in vitro model system of human embryonic and extraembryonic development from pre-implantation to early gastrulation stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph E Zemke
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Syed Shahzaib Ali
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Eric Upton
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Eshan Sane
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Laura A Fischer
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kyoung-Mi Park
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Kibeom Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Senyue Hao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Brian Chew
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brittany Meyer
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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28
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Huang L, Tu Z, Wei L, Sun W, Wang Y, Bi S, He F, Du L, Chen J, Kzhyshkowska J, Wang H, Chen D, Zhang S. Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301565. [PMID: 37438660 PMCID: PMC10502861 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301565] [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] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Liudan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and ImmunologyMedical Faculty MannheimUniversity of Heidelberg68167MannheimGermany
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health ResearchDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversitySchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
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29
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Shum IO, Merkert S, Malysheva S, Jahn K, Lachmann N, Verboom M, Frieling H, Hallensleben M, Martin U. An Improved Protocol for Targeted Differentiation of Primed Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into HLA-G-Expressing Trophoblasts to Enable the Modeling of Placenta-Related Disorders. Cells 2023; 12:2070. [PMID: 37626882 PMCID: PMC10453333 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162070] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormalities at any stage of trophoblast development may result in pregnancy-related complications. Many of these adverse outcomes are discovered later in pregnancy, but the underlying pathomechanisms are constituted during the first trimester. Acquiring developmentally relevant material to elucidate the disease mechanisms is difficult. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology can provide a renewable source of relevant cells. BMP4, A83-01, and PD173074 (BAP) treatment drives trophoblast commitment of hPSCs toward syncytiotrophoblast (STB), but lacks extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. EVTs mediate key functions during placentation, remodeling of uterine spiral arteries, and maintenance of immunological tolerance. We optimized the protocol for a more efficient generation of HLA-Gpos EVT-like trophoblasts from primed hiPSCs. Increasing the concentrations of A83-01 and PD173074, while decreasing bulk cell density resulted in an increase in HLA-G of up to 71%. Gene expression profiling supports the advancements of our treatment regarding the generation of trophoblast cells. The reported differentiation protocol will allow for an on-demand access to human trophoblast cells enriched for HLA-Gpos EVT-like cells, allowing for the elucidation of placenta-related disorders and investigating the immunological tolerance toward the fetus, overcoming the difficulties in obtaining primary EVTs without the need for a complex differentiation pathway via naïve pluripotent or trophoblast stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian O. Shum
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sylvia Merkert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Svitlana Malysheva
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jahn
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Nico Lachmann
- REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Murielle Verboom
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Hallensleben
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Transplant Engineering, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- REBIRTH-Research Center for Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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30
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Varberg KM, Dominguez EM, Koseva B, Varberg JM, McNally RP, Moreno-Irusta A, Wesley ER, Iqbal K, Cheung WA, Schwendinger-Schreck C, Smail C, Okae H, Arima T, Lydic M, Holoch K, Marsh C, Soares MJ, Grundberg E. Extravillous trophoblast cell lineage development is associated with active remodeling of the chromatin landscape. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4826. [PMID: 37563143 PMCID: PMC10415281 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40424-5] [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: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The extravillous trophoblast cell lineage is a key feature of placentation and successful pregnancy. Knowledge of transcriptional regulation driving extravillous trophoblast cell development is limited. Here, we map the transcriptome and epigenome landscape as well as chromatin interactions of human trophoblast stem cells and their transition into extravillous trophoblast cells. We show that integrating chromatin accessibility, long-range chromatin interactions, transcriptomic, and transcription factor binding motif enrichment enables identification of transcription factors and regulatory mechanisms critical for extravillous trophoblast cell development. We elucidate functional roles for TFAP2C, SNAI1, and EPAS1 in the regulation of extravillous trophoblast cell development. EPAS1 is identified as an upstream regulator of key extravillous trophoblast cell transcription factors, including ASCL2 and SNAI1 and together with its target genes, is linked to pregnancy loss and birth weight. Collectively, we reveal activation of a dynamic regulatory network and provide a framework for understanding extravillous trophoblast cell specification in trophoblast cell lineage development and human placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela M Varberg
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA.
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
| | - Esteban M Dominguez
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Boryana Koseva
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Joseph M Varberg
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Ross P McNally
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Ayelen Moreno-Irusta
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Emily R Wesley
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Warren A Cheung
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Carl Schwendinger-Schreck
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Craig Smail
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Michael Lydic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Kristin Holoch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Courtney Marsh
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Michael J Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA.
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
| | - Elin Grundberg
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, USA.
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA.
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31
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Naama M, Buganim Y. Human trophoblast stem cell-state acquisition from pluripotent stem cells and somatic cells. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 81:102084. [PMID: 37451165 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
For an extended period of time, research on human embryo implantation and early placentation was hindered by ethical limitation and lack of appropriate in vitro models. Recently, an explosion of new research has significantly expanded our knowledge of early human trophoblast development and facilitated the derivation and culture of self-renewing human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs). Multiple approaches have been undertaken in efforts to derive and understand hTSCs, including from blastocysts, early trophoblast tissue, and, more recently, from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and somatic cells. In this concise review, we summarize recent advances in derivation of hTSCs, with a focus on derivation from naive and primed hPSCs, as well as via reprogramming of somatic cells into induced hTSCs. Each of these methods harbors distinct advantages and setbacks, which are discussed. Finally, we briefly explore the possibility of the existence of trophectoderm-like hTSCs corresponding to earlier, preimplantation trophoblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriyah Naama
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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32
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Ping W, Sheng Y, Hu G, Zhong H, Li Y, Liu Y, Luo W, Yan C, Wen Y, Wang X, Li Q, Guo R, Zhang J, Liu A, Pan G, Yao H. RBBP4 is an epigenetic barrier for the induced transition of pluripotent stem cells into totipotent 2C-like cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5414-5431. [PMID: 37021556 PMCID: PMC10287929 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular totipotency is critical for whole-organism generation, yet how totipotency is established remains poorly illustrated. Abundant transposable elements (TEs) are activated in totipotent cells, which is critical for embryonic totipotency. Here, we show that the histone chaperone RBBP4, but not its homolog RBBP7, is indispensable for maintaining the identity of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Auxin-induced degradation of RBBP4, but not RBBP7, reprograms mESCs to the totipotent 2C-like cells. Also, loss of RBBP4 enhances transition from mESCs to trophoblast cells. Mechanistically, RBBP4 binds to the endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and functions as an upstream regulator by recruiting G9a to deposit H3K9me2 on ERVL elements, and recruiting KAP1 to deposit H3K9me3 on ERV1/ERVK elements, respectively. Moreover, RBBP4 facilitates the maintenance of nucleosome occupancy at the ERVK and ERVL sites within heterochromatin regions through the chromatin remodeler CHD4. RBBP4 depletion leads to the loss of the heterochromatin marks and activation of TEs and 2C genes. Together, our findings illustrate that RBBP4 is required for heterochromatin assembly and is a critical barrier for inducing cell fate transition from pluripotency to totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangfang Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingliang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Gongcheng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongxin Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - YanJiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenghong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinxiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ake Liu
- Department of Life Sciences, Changzhi University, Changzhi, China
| | - Guangjin Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjie Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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33
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Naama M, Rahamim M, Zayat V, Sebban S, Radwan A, Orzech D, Lasry R, Ifrah A, Jaber M, Sabag O, Yassen H, Khatib A, Epsztejn-Litman S, Novoselsky-Persky M, Makedonski K, Deri N, Goldman-Wohl D, Cedar H, Yagel S, Eiges R, Buganim Y. Pluripotency-independent induction of human trophoblast stem cells from fibroblasts. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3359. [PMID: 37291192 PMCID: PMC10250329 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39104-1] [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: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) can be derived from embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or be induced from somatic cells by OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and MYC (OSKM). Here we explore whether the hTSC state can be induced independently of pluripotency, and what are the mechanisms underlying its acquisition. We identify GATA3, OCT4, KLF4 and MYC (GOKM) as a combination of factors that can generate functional hiTSCs from fibroblasts. Transcriptomic analysis of stable GOKM- and OSKM-hiTSCs reveals 94 hTSC-specific genes that are aberrant specifically in OSKM-derived hiTSCs. Through time-course-RNA-seq analysis, H3K4me2 deposition and chromatin accessibility, we demonstrate that GOKM exert greater chromatin opening activity than OSKM. While GOKM primarily target hTSC-specific loci, OSKM mainly induce the hTSC state via targeting hESC and hTSC shared loci. Finally, we show that GOKM efficiently generate hiTSCs from fibroblasts that harbor knockout for pluripotency genes, further emphasizing that pluripotency is dispensable for hTSC state acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriyah Naama
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moran Rahamim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Valery Zayat
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, 02-106, Poland
| | - Shulamit Sebban
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ahmed Radwan
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dana Orzech
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rachel Lasry
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Annael Ifrah
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mohammad Jaber
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofra Sabag
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hazar Yassen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Areej Khatib
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Silvina Epsztejn-Litman
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Hebrew University School of Medicine, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Novoselsky-Persky
- The Magda and Richard Hoffman Laboratory of Human Placental Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Kirill Makedonski
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noy Deri
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Debra Goldman-Wohl
- The Magda and Richard Hoffman Laboratory of Human Placental Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Howard Cedar
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Simcha Yagel
- The Magda and Richard Hoffman Laboratory of Human Placental Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rachel Eiges
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Hebrew University School of Medicine, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel.
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34
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Zhang M, Reis AH, Simunovic M. Human embryoids: A new strategy of recreating the first steps of embryonic development in vitro. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:14-22. [PMID: 35871155 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms surrounding early human embryonic events such as blastocyst formation, implantation, and the specification of the body axes are some of the most attractive research questions of developmental biology today. A knowledge on the detailed signaling landscape underlying these critical events in the human could impact the way we treat early pregnancy disorders and infertility, and considerably advance our abilities to make precise human tissues in a lab. However, owing to ethical, technical, and policy restrictions, research on early human embryo development historically stalled behind animal models. The rapid progress in 3D culture of human embryonic stem cells over the past years created an opportunity to overcome this critical challenge. We review recently developed strategies of making 3D models of the human embryo built from embryonic stem cells, which we refer to as embryoids. We focus on models aimed at reconstituting the 3D epithelial characteristics of the early human embryo, namely the intra/extraembryonic signaling crosstalk, tissue polarity, and embryonic cavities. We identify distinct classes of embryoids based on whether they explicitly include extraembryonic tissues and we argue for the merit of compromising on certain aspects of embryo mimicry in balancing the experimental feasibility with ethical considerations. Human embryoids open gates toward a new field of synthetic human embryology, allowing to study the long inaccessible stages of early human development at unprecedented detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoci Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA
| | - Alice H Reis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA
| | - Mijo Simunovic
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA.
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35
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Karakis V, Jabeen M, Britt JW, Cordiner A, Mischler A, Li F, San Miguel A, Rao BM. Laminin switches terminal differentiation fate of human trophoblast stem cells under chemically defined culture conditions. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104650. [PMID: 36972789 PMCID: PMC10176266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104650] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) have emerged as a powerful tool to model early placental development in vitro. Analogous to the epithelial cytotrophoblast in the placenta, hTSCs can differentiate into cells of the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) lineage or the multinucleate syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Here we present a chemically defined culture system for STB and EVT differentiation of hTSCs. Notably, in contrast to current approaches, we neither utilize forskolin for STB formation nor transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) inhibitors or a passage step for EVT differentiation. Strikingly, the presence of a single additional extracellular cue-laminin-111-switched the terminal differentiation of hTSCs from STB to the EVT lineage under these conditions. In the absence of laminin-111, STB formation occurred, with cell fusion comparable to that obtained with differentiation mediated by forskolin; however, in the presence of laminin-111, hTSCs differentiated to the EVT lineage. Protein expression of nuclear hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1α and HIF2α) was upregulated during EVT differentiation mediated by laminin-111 exposure. A heterogeneous mixture of Notch1+ EVTs in colonies and HLA-G+ single-cell EVTs were obtained without a passage step, reminiscent of heterogeneity in vivo. Further analysis showed that inhibition of TGFβ signaling affected both STB and EVT differentiation mediated by laminin-111 exposure. TGFβ inhibition during EVT differentiation resulted in decreased HLA-G expression and increased Notch1 expression. On the other hand, TGFβ inhibition prevented STB formation. The chemically defined culture system for hTSC differentiation established herein facilitates quantitative analysis of heterogeneity that arises during hTSC differentiation and will enable mechanistic studies in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Karakis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mahe Jabeen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - John W Britt
- Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Abigail Cordiner
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adam Mischler
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Adriana San Miguel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Balaji M Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
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36
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Zhou J, Hu J, Wang Y, Gao S. Induction and application of human naive pluripotency. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112379. [PMID: 37043354 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112379] [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: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, many attempts have been made to capture different states of pluripotency in vitro. Naive and primed pluripotent stem cells, corresponding to the pluripotency states of pre- and post-implantation epiblasts, respectively, have been well characterized in mice and can be interconverted in vitro. Here, we summarize the recently reported strategies to generate human naive pluripotent stem cells in vitro. We discuss their applications in studies of regulatory mechanisms involved in early developmental processes, including identification of molecular features, X chromosome inactivation modeling, transposable elements regulation, metabolic characteristics, and cell fate regulation, as well as potential for extraembryonic differentiation and blastoid construction for embryogenesis modeling. We further discuss the naive pluripotency-related research, including 8C-like cell establishment and disease modeling. We also highlight limitations of current naive pluripotency studies, such as imperfect culture conditions and inadequate responsiveness to differentiation signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Zhou
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jindian Hu
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixuan Wang
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Translational Medical Center for Stem Cell Therapy & Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Chen ACH, Lee YL, Ruan H, Huang W, Fong SW, Tian S, Lee KC, Wu GM, Tan Y, Wong TCH, Wu J, Zhang W, Cao D, Chow JFC, Liu P, Yeung WSB. Expanded Potential Stem Cells from Human Embryos Have an Open Chromatin Configuration with Enhanced Trophoblast Differentiation Ability. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204797. [PMID: 36775869 PMCID: PMC10104645 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Human expanded potential stem cells (hEPSC) have been derived from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Here direct derivation of hEPSC from human pre-implantation embryos is reported. Like the reported hEPSC, the embryo-derived hEPSC (hEPSC-em) exhibit a transcriptome similar to morula, comparable differentiation potency, and high genome editing efficiency. Interestingly, the hEPSC-em show a unique H3 lysine-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) open chromatin conformation; they possess a higher proportion of H3K4me3 bound broad domain (>5 kb) than the reported hEPSC, naive, and primed embryonic stem cells. The open conformation is associated with enhanced trophoblast differentiation potency with increased trophoblast gene expression upon induction of differentiation and success in derivation of trophoblast stem cells with bona fide characteristics. Hippo signaling is specifically enriched in the H3K4me3 broad domains of the hEPSC-. Knockout of the Hippo signaling gene, YAP1 abolishes the ability of the embryo-derived EPSC to form trophoblast stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Chun Hang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility RegulationReproductive Medicine CenterThe University of Hong Kong ‐ Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518000China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Yin Lau Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility RegulationReproductive Medicine CenterThe University of Hong Kong ‐ Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518000China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Hanzhang Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Sze Wan Fong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Siyu Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Kai Chuen Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Genie Minju Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Yongqi Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Timothy Chun Hin Wong
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Jian Wu
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
| | - Dandan Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility RegulationReproductive Medicine CenterThe University of Hong Kong ‐ Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518000China
| | - Judy Fung Cheung Chow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
| | - Pengtao Liu
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
- School of Biomedical SciencesLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongStem Cell and Regenerative Medicine ConsortiumHong KongHong Kong
| | - William Shu Biu Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical MedicineLi Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong KongHong Kong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility RegulationReproductive Medicine CenterThe University of Hong Kong ‐ Shenzhen HospitalShenzhen518000China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell BiologyBuilding 17 WThe Hong Kong Science and Technology ParkHong KongHong Kong
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Zhou J, Tian Y, Qu Y, Williams M, Yuan Y, Karvas RM, Sheridan MA, Schulz LC, Ezashi T, Roberts MR, Schust DJ. The immune checkpoint molecule, VTCN1/B7-H4, guides differentiation and suppresses proinflammatory responses and MHC class I expression in an embryonic stem cell-derived model of human trophoblast. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1069395. [PMID: 37008954 PMCID: PMC10062451 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1069395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta acts as a protective barrier to pathogens and other harmful substances present in the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy. Disruption of placental development can lead to complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and preterm birth. In previous work, we have shown that expression of the immune checkpoint regulator, B7-H4/VTCN1, is increased upon differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to an in vitro model of primitive trophoblast (TB), that VTCN1/B7-H4 is expressed in first trimester but not term human placenta and that primitive trophoblast may be uniquely susceptible to certain pathogens. Here we report on the role of VTCN1 in trophoblast lineage development and anti-viral responses and the effects of changes in these processes on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression and peripheral NK cell phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Madyson Williams
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Ye Yuan
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Rowan M. Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Megan A. Sheridan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Laura C. Schulz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Research Department, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, United States
| | - Michael R. Roberts
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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39
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Branco MA, Nunes TC, Cabral JMS, Diogo MM. Developmental Toxicity Studies: The Path towards Humanized 3D Stem Cell-Based Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054857. [PMID: 36902285 PMCID: PMC10002991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, it is recognized that medicines will eventually be needed during pregnancy to help prevent to, ameliorate or treat an illness, either due to gestation-related medical conditions or pre-existing diseases. Adding to that, the rate of drug prescription to pregnant women has increased over the past few years, in accordance with the increasing trend to postpone childbirth to a later age. However, in spite of these trends, information regarding teratogenic risk in humans is often missing for most of the purchased drugs. So far, animal models have been the gold standard to obtain teratogenic data, but inter-species differences have limited the suitability of those models to predict human-specific outcomes, contributing to misidentified human teratogenicity. Therefore, the development of physiologically relevant in vitro humanized models can be the key to surpassing this limitation. In this context, this review describes the pathway towards the introduction of human pluripotent stem cell-derived models in developmental toxicity studies. Moreover, as an illustration of their relevance, a particular emphasis will be placed on those models that recapitulate two very important early developmental stages, namely gastrulation and cardiac specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana A. Branco
- Collaborative Laboratory to Foster Translation and Drug Discovery, Accelbio, 3030-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tiago C. Nunes
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joaquim M. S. Cabral
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Margarida Diogo
- IBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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40
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Zorzan I, Betto RM, Rossignoli G, Arboit M, Drusin A, Corridori C, Martini P, Martello G. Chemical conversion of human conventional PSCs to TSCs following transient naive gene activation. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e55235. [PMID: 36847616 PMCID: PMC10074076 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In human embryos, naive pluripotent cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) generate epiblast, primitive endoderm and trophectoderm (TE) lineages, whence trophoblast cells derive. In vitro, naive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) retain this potential and efficiently generate trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), while conventional PSCs form TSCs at low efficiency. Transient histone deacetylase and MEK inhibition combined with LIF stimulation is used to chemically reset conventional to naive PSCs. Here, we report that chemical resetting induces the expression of both naive and TSC markers and of placental imprinted genes. A modified chemical resetting protocol allows for the fast and efficient conversion of conventional PSCs into TSCs, entailing shutdown of pluripotency genes and full activation of the trophoblast master regulators, without induction of amnion markers. Chemical resetting generates a plastic intermediate state, characterised by co-expression of naive and TSC markers, after which cells steer towards one of the two fates in response to the signalling environment. The efficiency and rapidity of our system will be useful to study cell fate transitions and to generate models of placental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Zorzan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Mattia Arboit
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Andrea Drusin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Martini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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41
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Heidari Khoei H, Javali A, Kagawa H, Sommer TM, Sestini G, David L, Slovakova J, Novatchkova M, Scholte Op Reimer Y, Rivron N. Generating human blastoids modeling blastocyst-stage embryos and implantation. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:1584-1620. [PMID: 36792779 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00802-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Human early development sets the stage for embryonic and adult life but remains difficult to investigate. A solution came from the ability of stem cells to organize into structures resembling preimplantation embryos-blastocysts-that we termed blastoids. This embryo model is available in unlimited numbers and could thus support scientific and medical advances. However, its predictive power depends on how faithfully it recapitulates the blastocyst. Here, we describe how we formed human blastoids that (1) efficiently achieve the morphology of the blastocyst and (2) form lineages according to the pace and sequence of blastocyst development, (3) ultimately forming cells that transcriptionally reflect the blastocyst (preimplantation stage). We employ three different commercially available 96- and 24-well microwell plates with results similar to our custom-made ones, and show that blastoids form in clinical in vitro fertilization medium and can be cryopreserved for shipping. Finally, we explain how blastoids replicate the directional process of implantation into endometrial organoids, specifically when these are hormonally stimulated. It takes 4 d for human blastoids to form and 10 d to prepare the endometrial implantation assay, and we have cultured blastoids up to 6 d (time-equivalent of day 13). On the basis of our experience, we anticipate that a person with ~1 year of human pluripotent stem cell culture experience and of organoid culture should be able to perform the protocol. Altogether, blastoids offer an opportunity to establish scientific and biomedical discovery programs for early pregnancy, and an ethical alternative to the use of embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Heidari Khoei
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Alok Javali
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Harunobu Kagawa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Maria Sommer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Giovanni Sestini
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Laurent David
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, UMR 1064, Nantes, France.,Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, Nantes, France
| | - Jana Slovakova
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), IMBA Stem Cell Core Facility (ISCCF), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Novatchkova
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Yvonne Scholte Op Reimer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
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42
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Burgaud M, Bretin B, Reignier A, De Vos J, David L. [New models to study human embryonic development]. Med Sci (Paris) 2023; 39:129-136. [PMID: 36799747 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2023018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since 2021, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are available to infertile couples, but also to single women and female couples. The process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has allowed to cross the threshold of 5 million births worldwide, between 1978 and 2013. However, the failure rate per each IVF cycle is estimated to be around 75%. Therefore, there is a need to better understand human embryonic development in order to improve the success rate of IVF. Study models have evolved significantly in recent years: development of embryo culture, sequencing of the transcriptome of individualized cells, discovery of culture conditions for naive pluripotent stem cells and generation of blastoids. Here, we review these recent advances in human embryo modeling that establish a new knowledge base for improving ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Burgaud
- Nantes université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Betty Bretin
- Nantes université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Arnaud Reignier
- Nantes université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, F-44000 Nantes, France - CHU Nantes, Service de biologie de la reproduction, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - John De Vos
- IRMB, Univ Montpellier, Inserm, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, F-44000 Nantes, France - Nantes université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, F-44000 Nantes, France
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43
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Maskalenka K, Alagöz G, Krueger F, Wright J, Rostovskaya M, Nakhuda A, Bendall A, Krueger C, Walker S, Scally A, Rugg-Gunn PJ. NANOGP1, a tandem duplicate of NANOG, exhibits partial functional conservation in human naïve pluripotent stem cells. Development 2023; 150:286291. [PMID: 36621005 PMCID: PMC10110494 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201155] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Gene duplication events can drive evolution by providing genetic material for new gene functions, and they create opportunities for diverse developmental strategies to emerge between species. To study the contribution of duplicated genes to human early development, we examined the evolution and function of NANOGP1, a tandem duplicate of the transcription factor NANOG. We found that NANOGP1 and NANOG have overlapping but distinct expression profiles, with high NANOGP1 expression restricted to early epiblast cells and naïve-state pluripotent stem cells. Sequence analysis and epitope-tagging revealed that NANOGP1 is protein coding with an intact homeobox domain. The duplication that created NANOGP1 occurred earlier in primate evolution than previously thought and has been retained only in great apes, whereas Old World monkeys have disabled the gene in different ways, including homeodomain point mutations. NANOGP1 is a strong inducer of naïve pluripotency; however, unlike NANOG, it is not required to maintain the undifferentiated status of human naïve pluripotent cells. By retaining expression, sequence and partial functional conservation with its ancestral copy, NANOGP1 exemplifies how gene duplication and subfunctionalisation can contribute to transcription factor activity in human pluripotency and development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gökberk Alagöz
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Felix Krueger
- Bioinformatics Group, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Joshua Wright
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | | | - Asif Nakhuda
- Gene Targeting Facility, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Adam Bendall
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Christel Krueger
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Simon Walker
- Imaging Facility, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Aylwyn Scally
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Peter J Rugg-Gunn
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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44
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Moya-Jódar M, Ullate-Agote A, Barlabé P, Rodríguez-Madoz JR, Abizanda G, Barreda C, Carvajal-Vergara X, Vilas-Zornoza A, Romero JP, Garate L, Agirre X, Coppiello G, Prósper F, Aranguren XL. Revealing cell populations catching the early stages of human embryo development in naive pluripotent stem cell cultures. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 18:64-80. [PMID: 36563688 PMCID: PMC9860119 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Naive human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are defined as the in vitro counterpart of the human preimplantation embryo's epiblast and are used as a model system to study developmental processes. In this study, we report the discovery and characterization of distinct cell populations coexisting with epiblast-like cells in 5iLAF naive human induced PSC (hiPSC) cultures. It is noteworthy that these populations closely resemble different cell types of the human embryo at early developmental stages. While epiblast-like cells represent the main cell population, interestingly we detect a cell population with gene and transposable element expression profile closely resembling the totipotent eight-cell (8C)-stage human embryo, and three cell populations analogous to trophectoderm cells at different stages of their maturation process: transition, early, and mature stages. Moreover, we reveal the presence of cells resembling primitive endoderm. Thus, 5iLAF naive hiPSC cultures provide an excellent opportunity to model the earliest events of human embryogenesis, from the 8C stage to the peri-implantation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Moya-Jódar
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Asier Ullate-Agote
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Paula Barlabé
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Juan Roberto Rodríguez-Madoz
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gloria Abizanda
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Carolina Barreda
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Xonia Carvajal-Vergara
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Amaia Vilas-Zornoza
- Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan Pablo Romero
- Advanced Genomics Laboratory, Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,10x Genomics, 6230 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA
| | - Leire Garate
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Giulia Coppiello
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain; Hemato-Oncology Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), IDISNA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Hematology Department, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Xabier L. Aranguren
- Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona 31008, Spain,Corresponding author
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45
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Cesare E, Urciuolo A, Stuart HT, Torchio E, Gesualdo A, Laterza C, Gagliano O, Martewicz S, Cui M, Manfredi A, Di Filippo L, Sabatelli P, Squarzoni S, Zorzan I, Betto RM, Martello G, Cacchiarelli D, Luni C, Elvassore N. 3D ECM-rich environment sustains the identity of naive human iPSCs. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1703-1717.e7. [PMID: 36459970 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of in vitro naive human pluripotent stem cell cultures opened new perspectives for the study of early events in human development. The role of several transcription factors and signaling pathways have been characterized during maintenance of human naive pluripotency. However, little is known about the role exerted by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its three-dimensional (3D) organization. Here, using an unbiased and integrated approach combining microfluidic cultures with transcriptional, proteomic, and secretome analyses, we found that naive, but not primed, hiPSC colonies are characterized by a self-organized ECM-rich microenvironment. Based on this, we developed a 3D culture system that supports robust long-term feeder-free self-renewal of naive hiPSCs and also allows direct and timely developmental morphogenesis simply by modulating the signaling environment. Our study opens new perspectives for future applications of naive hiPSCs to study critical stages of human development in 3D starting from a single cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cesare
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Anna Urciuolo
- University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK; Institute of Pediatric Research IRP, Corso Stati Uniti, Padova 35127, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Hannah T Stuart
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy; The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Campus-Vienna-BioCenter 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Erika Torchio
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Alessia Gesualdo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Cecilia Laterza
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Sebastian Martewicz
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Meihua Cui
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Anna Manfredi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy; Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Lucio Di Filippo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy; Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sabatelli
- CNR - Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS-Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Squarzoni
- CNR - Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza" - Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS-Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Irene Zorzan
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, CB22 3AT Cambridge, UK
| | - Riccardo M Betto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Graziano Martello
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via G. Colombo 3, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Davide Cacchiarelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy; Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy; School for Advanced Studies, Genomics and Experimental Medicine Program, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Luni
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201210, China; Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, Bologna 40131, Italy
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 6/a Via Gradenigo, Padova 35131, Italy; Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, 2 Via Orus, Padova 35131, Italy; University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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46
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Karvas RM, David L, Theunissen TW. Accessing the human trophoblast stem cell state from pluripotent and somatic cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:604. [PMID: 36434136 PMCID: PMC9702929 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04549-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblasts are specialized epithelial cells that perform critical functions during blastocyst implantation and mediate maternal-fetal communication during pregnancy. However, our understanding of human trophoblast biology remains limited since access to first-trimester placental tissue is scarce, especially between the first and fourth weeks of development. Moreover, animal models inadequately recapitulate unique aspects of human placental physiology. In the mouse system, the isolation of self-renewing trophoblast stem cells has provided a valuable in vitro model system of placental development, but the derivation of analogous human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) has remained elusive until recently. Building on a landmark study reporting the isolation of bona fide hTSCs from blastocysts and first-trimester placental tissues in 2018, several groups have developed methods to derive hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cell sources. Here we review the biological and molecular properties that define authentic hTSCs, the trophoblast potential of distinct pluripotent states, and methods for inducing hTSCs in somatic cells by direct reprogramming. The generation of hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cells presents exciting opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of human placental development and the etiology of pregnancy-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CR2TI, UMR 1064, 44000, Nantes, France.
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, Biocore, US 016, UAR 3556, 44000, Nantes, France.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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47
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Ruan D, Ye ZW, Yuan S, Li Z, Zhang W, Ong CP, Tang K, Ka Ki Tam TT, Guo J, Xuan Y, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Lee CL, Lu L, Chiu PCN, Yeung WSB, Liu F, Jin DY, Liu P. Human early syncytiotrophoblasts are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cell Rep Med 2022; 3:100849. [PMID: 36495872 PMCID: PMC9671691 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Direct in vivo investigation of human placenta trophoblast's susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is challenging. Here we report that human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) and their derivatives are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, which reveals heterogeneity in hTSC cultures. Early syncytiotrophoblasts (eSTBs) generated from hTSCs have enriched transcriptomic features of peri-implantation trophoblasts, express high levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and are productively infected by SARS-CoV-2 and its Delta and Omicron variants to produce virions. Antiviral drugs suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication in eSTBs and antagonize the virus-induced blockage of STB maturation. Although less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, trophoblast organoids originating from hTSCs show detectable viral replication reminiscent of the uncommon placental infection. These findings implicate possible risk of COVID-19 infection in peri-implantation embryos, which may go unnoticed. Stem cell-derived human trophoblasts such as eSTBs can potentially provide unlimited amounts of normal and genome-edited cells and facilitate coronavirus research and antiviral discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Degong Ruan
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zi-Wei Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Shuofeng Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Zhuoxuan Li
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Weiyu Zhang
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chon Phin Ong
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kaiming Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Timothy Theodore Ka Ki Tam
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Jilong Guo
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yiyi Xuan
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yunying Huang
- Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Cheuk-Lun Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Liming Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Philip C N Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - William S B Yeung
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Foshan Stomatology Hospital, School of Medicine, Foshan University, No. 5 Hebing Road, Foshan, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Dong-Yan Jin
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Pentao Liu
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
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48
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Cox BJ, Naismith K. Here and there a trophoblast, a transcriptional evaluation of trophoblast cell models. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:584. [PMID: 36346530 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04589-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A recent explosion of methods to produce human trophoblast and stem cells (hTSCs) is fuelling a renewed interest in this tissue. The trophoblast is critical to reproduction by facilitating implantation, maternal physiological adaptations to pregnancy and the growth of the fetus through transport of nutrients between the mother and fetus. More broadly, the trophoblast has phenotypic properties that make it of interest to other fields. Its angiogenic and invasive properties are similar to tumours and could identify novel drug targets, and its ability to regulate immunological tolerance of the allogenic fetus could lead to improvements in transplantations. Within this review, we integrate and assess transcriptomic data of cell-based models of hTSC alongside in vivo samples to identify the utility and applicability of these models. We also integrate single-cell RNA sequencing data sets of human blastoids, stem cells and embryos to identify how these models may recapitulate early trophoblast development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Cox
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, MS 3360, Toronto, ON, M6J2J2, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Kendra Naismith
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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49
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Cindrova-Davies T, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Human placental development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:66-77. [PMID: 35393235 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient fetal organ that plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of both the fetus and its mother. Functionally, the placenta sustains the growth of the fetus as it facilitates delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Not surprisingly, defective early placental development is the primary cause of common disorders of pregnancy, including recurrent miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. Adverse pregnancy conditions will also affect the life-long health of the fetus via developmental programming[1]. Despite its critical importance in reproductive success and life-long health, our understanding of placental development is not extensive, largely due to ethical limitations to studying early or chronological placental development, lack of long-term in vitro models, or comparative animal models. In this review, we examine current knowledge of early human placental development, discuss the critical role of the maternal endometrium and of the fetal-maternal dialogue in pregnancy success, and we explore the latest models of trophoblast and endometrial stem cells. In addition, we discuss the role of oxygen in placental formation and function, how nutrient delivery is mediated during the periods of histotrophic nutrition (uptake of uterine secretions) and haemotrophic nutrition (exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations), and how placental endocrine function facilitates fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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50
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Viukov S, Shani T, Bayerl J, Aguilera-Castrejon A, Oldak B, Sheban D, Tarazi S, Stelzer Y, Hanna JH, Novershtern N. Human primed and naïve PSCs are both able to differentiate into trophoblast stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2484-2500. [PMID: 36270280 PMCID: PMC9669397 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent derivation of human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) from placental cytotrophoblasts and blastocysts opened opportunities for studying the development and function of the human placenta. Recent reports have suggested that human naïve, but not primed, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) retain an exclusive potential to generate TSCs. Here we report that, in the absence of WNT stimulation, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway inhibition leads to direct and robust conversion of primed human PSCs into TSCs. The resulting primed PSC-derived TSC lines exhibit self-renewal, can differentiate into the main trophoblast lineages, and present RNA and epigenetic profiles that are indistinguishable from recently established TSC lines derived from human placenta, blastocysts, or isogenic human naïve PSCs expanded under human enhanced naïve stem cell medium (HENSM) conditions. Activation of nuclear Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling is sufficient for this conversion and necessary for human TSC maintenance. Our findings underscore a residual plasticity in primed human PSCs that allows their in vitro conversion into extra-embryonic trophoblast lineages. Primed human PSCs readily convert into TSCs upon inhibition of TGF-β pathway Human primed PSC-derived TSCs are similar to embryo- or naïve PSC-derived TSCs WNT activation inhibits conversion to TSC in primed but not in naïve hPSCs YAP is sufficient for TSC induction from hPSCs and necessary for TSC maintenance
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tom Shani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jonathan Bayerl
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | | | - Bernardo Oldak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Daoud Sheban
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shadi Tarazi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yonatan Stelzer
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| | - Noa Novershtern
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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