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Jiang L, Liang J, Huang W, Ma J, Park KH, Wu Z, Chen P, Zhu H, Ma JJ, Cai W, Paul C, Niu L, Fan GC, Wang HS, Kanisicak O, Xu M, Wang Y. CRISPR activation of endogenous genes reprograms fibroblasts into cardiovascular progenitor cells for myocardial infarction therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:54-74. [PMID: 34678511 PMCID: PMC8753567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) using transgenic approaches, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We determined whether activation of endogenous genes such as Gata4, Nkx2.5, and Tbx5 can rapidly establish autoregulatory loops and initiate CPC generation in adult extracardiac fibroblasts using a CRISPR activation system. The induced fibroblasts (>80%) showed phenotypic changes as indicated by an Nkx2.5 cardiac enhancer reporter. The progenitor characteristics were confirmed by colony formation and expression of cardiovascular genes. Cardiac sphere induction segregated the early and late reprogrammed cells that can generate functional cardiomyocytes and vascular cells in vitro. Therefore, they were termed CRISPR-induced CPCs (ciCPCs). Transcriptomic analysis showed that cell cycle and heart development pathways were important to accelerate CPC formation during the early reprogramming stage. The CRISPR system opened the silenced chromatin locus, thereby allowing transcriptional factors to access their own promoters and eventually forming a positive feedback loop. The regenerative potential of ciCPCs was assessed after implantation in mouse myocardial infarction models. The engrafted ciCPCs differentiated into cardiovascular cells in vivo but also significantly improved contractile function and scar formation. In conclusion, multiplex gene activation was sufficient to drive CPC reprogramming, providing a new cell source for regenerative therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jialiang Liang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jianyong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ki Ho Park
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhichao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian-Jie Ma
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Wenfeng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Christian Paul
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Liang Niu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Guo-Chang Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Meifeng Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yigang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Mennen RH, de Leeuw VC, Piersma AH. Cell differentiation in the cardiac embryonic stem cell test (ESTc) is influenced by the oxygen tension in its underlying embryonic stem cell culture. Toxicol In Vitro 2021; 77:105247. [PMID: 34537371 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2021.105247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen (O2) levels in the mammalian embryo range between 2.4% and 8%. The cardiac embryonic stem cell test (ESTc) is a model for developmental toxicity predictions, which is usually performed under atmospheric O2 levels of 20%. We investigated the chemical sensitivity of the ESTc carried out under 20% O2, using embryonic stem cells (ESC) cultured under either 20% O2 or 5% O2. ESC viability was more sensitive to valproic acid (VPA) but less sensitive to flusilazole (FLU) when cultured under 5% versus 20% O2. For beating cardiomyocyte differentiation, lower ID50 values were found for FLU and VPA when the ESCs had been cultured under 5% versus 20% O2. At differentiation day 4, gene expression values were primarily driven by the level of O2 during ESC culture instead of exposure to FLU. In addition, using ESCs cultured under 5% O2 tension, VPA enhanced Nes (ectoderm) expression. Bmp4 (mesoderm) was enhanced by VPA when using ESCs cultured under 20% O2. At differentiation day 10, using ESCs cultured under 5% instead of 20% O2, Nkx2.5 and Myh6 (cardiomyocytes) were less affected after exposure to FLU or VPA. These results show that O2 tension in ESC culture influences chemical sensitivity in the ESTc. This enhances awareness of the standard culture conditions, which may impact the application of the ESTc in quantitative hazard assessment of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Mennen
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - V C de Leeuw
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A H Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Garbern JC, Lee RT. Mitochondria and metabolic transitions in cardiomyocytes: lessons from development for stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:177. [PMID: 33712058 PMCID: PMC7953594 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02252-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current methods to differentiate cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) inadequately recapitulate complete development and result in PSC-derived cardiomyocytes (PSC-CMs) with an immature or fetal-like phenotype. Embryonic and fetal development are highly dynamic periods during which the developing embryo or fetus is exposed to changing nutrient, oxygen, and hormone levels until birth. It is becoming increasingly apparent that these metabolic changes initiate developmental processes to mature cardiomyocytes. Mitochondria are central to these changes, responding to these metabolic changes and transitioning from small, fragmented mitochondria to large organelles capable of producing enough ATP to support the contractile function of the heart. These changes in mitochondria may not simply be a response to cardiomyocyte maturation; the metabolic signals that occur throughout development may actually be central to the maturation process in cardiomyocytes. Here, we review methods to enhance maturation of PSC-CMs and highlight evidence from development indicating the key roles that mitochondria play during cardiomyocyte maturation. We evaluate metabolic transitions that occur during development and how these affect molecular nutrient sensors, discuss how regulation of nutrient sensing pathways affect mitochondrial dynamics and function, and explore how changes in mitochondrial function can affect metabolite production, the cell cycle, and epigenetics to influence maturation of cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Garbern
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Richard T Lee
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cardiac Differentiation, Reprogramming, and Regenerative Therapies. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:2102841. [PMID: 32908625 PMCID: PMC7475763 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2102841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in mechanisms of heart development and regenerative therapies such as the use of pluripotent stem cells. The roles of ROS mediating cell fate are dependent on the intensity of stimuli, cellular context, and metabolic status. ROS mainly act through several targets (such as kinases and transcription factors) and have diverse roles in different stages of cardiac differentiation, proliferation, and maturation. Therefore, further detailed investigation and characterization of redox signaling will help the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ROS during different cellular processes and enable the design of targeted strategies to foster cardiac regeneration and functional recovery. In this review, we focus on the roles of ROS in cardiac differentiation as well as transdifferentiation (direct reprogramming). The potential mechanisms are discussed in regard to ROS generation pathways and regulation of downstream targets. Further methodological optimization is required for translational research in order to robustly enhance the generation efficiency of cardiac myocytes through metabolic modulations. Additionally, we highlight the deleterious effect of the host's ROS on graft (donor) cells in a paracrine manner during stem cell-based implantation. This knowledge is important for the development of antioxidant strategies to enhance cell survival and engraftment of tissue engineering-based technologies. Thus, proper timing and level of ROS generation after a myocardial injury need to be tailored to ensure the maximal efficacy of regenerative therapies and avoid undesired damage.
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The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in In Vitro Cardiac Maturation. Trends Mol Med 2019; 25:482-493. [PMID: 31080142 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in developmental biology and biomedical engineering have significantly improved the efficiency and purity of cardiomyocytes (CMs) generated from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Regardless of the protocol used to derive CMs, these cells exhibit hallmarks of functional immaturity. In this Opinion, we focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS), signaling molecules that can potentially modulate cardiac maturation. We outline how ROS impacts nearly every aspect associated with cardiac maturation, including contractility, calcium handling, metabolism, and hypertrophy. Though the precise role of ROS in cardiac maturation has yet to be elucidated, ROS may provide a valuable perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms for cardiac maturation under various conditions.
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