Isolation and initial culture of porcine inner cell masses derived fromin vitro-produced blastocysts

Development of Reproducible and Scalable Culture Conditions for In Vitro Maintenance of Pig Embryonic Stem Cells Using the Sandoz Inbred Swiss Mouse Thioguanine-Resistant Ouabain-Resistant Cell Line as a Feeder Layer

Feeder cells play a crucial role in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by secreting various extrinsic regulators, such as extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and growth factors. Although primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) are the most widely used feeder cell type for the culture of ESCs, they have inevitable disadvantages such as batch-to-batch variation and labor-intensive isolation processes. Here, we revealed that the Sandoz inbred Swiss Mouse (SIM) thioguanine-resistant ouabain-resistant (STO) cell line, an immortalized cell line established from mouse SIM embryonic fibroblasts, can be used as a feeder layer for in vitro culture of authentic pig ESCs instead of primary MEFs. First, the expression of genes encoding ECM proteins and growth factors was analyzed to compare their secretory functions as feeder cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed that the gene expression of these pluripotency-associated factors was downregulated in STO cells compared to primary MEFs of similar density. Therefore, subsequent optimization of the culture conditions was attempted using higher STO cell densities. Notably, pig ESCs cultured on STO cell density of 3 × (187,500 cells/cm2) exhibited the most similar pluripotent state to pig ESCs cultured on primary MEF density of 1 × (62,500 cells/cm2), as determined by alkaline phosphatase staining, qPCR, and immunocytochemistry. In addition, pig ESCs cultured on STO cell density of 3 × formed complex teratoma containing multiple types of tissues derived from all three germ layers. Our culture conditions using optimal STO cell density can be applied to fields requiring reproducible and scalable production of pig ESCs, such as preclinical research and cellular agriculture.

Isolation, characterization, proteome, miRNAome, and the embryotrophic effects of chicken egg yolk nanovesicles (vitellovesicles)

Egg yolk constitutes about a third of the structure of the chicken egg however, the molecular structure and physiological effects of egg yolk-derived lipid membranous vesicles are not clearly understood. In this study, for the first record, the egg yolk nanovesicles (vitellovesicles, VVs) were isolated, characterized, and used as a supplement for porcine embryo culture. Yolks of ten freshly oviposited eggs were filtered and ultracentrifuged at 100,000 × g for 3 h to obtain a pellet. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis of the pellet revealed bilipid membranous vesicles. Protein contents of the pellet were analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry and the miRNA content was also profiled through BGISEQ-500 sequencer. VVs were supplemented with the in vitro culture medium of day-7 hatched parthenogenetic blastocysts. After 2 days of blastocyst culture, the embryonic cell count was increased in VVs supplemented embryos in comparison to the non-supplemented embryos. TUNEL assay showed that apoptotic cells were increased in control groups when compared with the VVs supplemented group. Reduced glutathione was increased by 2.5 folds in the VVs supplemented group while reactive oxygen species were increased by 5.3 folds in control groups. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that VVs significantly increased the expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes (monoglyceride lipase and lipase E), anti-apoptotic gene (BCL2), and superoxide dismutase, while significantly reducing apoptotic gene (BAX). Culturing embryos on Matrigel basement membrane matrix indicated that VVs significantly enhanced embryo attachment and embryonic stem cell outgrowths compared to the non-supplemented group. This considers the first report to characterize the molecular bioactive cargo contents of egg yolk nanovesicles to show their embryotrophic effect on mammalian embryos. This effect might be attributed to the protein and miRNA cargo contents of VVs. VVs can be used for the formulation of in vitro culture medium for mammalian embryos including humans.

Oviduct Epithelial Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Improve Porcine Trophoblast Outgrowth

Porcine species have a great impact on studies on biomaterial production, organ transplantation and the development of biomedical models. The low efficiency of in vitro-produced embryos to derive embryonic stem cells has made achieving this goal a challenge. The fallopian tube plays an important role in the development of embryos. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by oviductal epithelial cells play an important role in the epigenetic regulation of embryo development. We used artificially isolated oviductal epithelial cells and EVs. In this study, oviductal epithelial cell (OEC) EVs were isolated and characterized through transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticles tracking analysis, western blotting and proteomics. We found that embryo development and blastocyst formation rate was significantly increased (14.3% ± 0.6% vs. 6.0% ± 0.6%) after OEC EVs treatment. According to our data, the inner cell mass (ICM)/trophectoderm (TE) ratio of the embryonic cell number increased significantly after OEC EVs treatment (43.7% ± 2.3% vs. 28.4% ± 2.1%). Meanwhile, the attachment ability of embryos treated with OEV EVs was significantly improved (43.5% ± 2.1% vs. 29.2% ± 2.5%, respectively). Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we found that the expression of reprogramming genes (POU5F1, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4 and c-Myc) and implantation-related genes (VIM, KRT8, TEAD4 and CDX2) significantly increased in OEC EV-treated embryos. We report that OEC EV treatment can improve the development and implantation abilities of embryos.

Research progress and application prospects of stable porcine pluripotent stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) harbor the capacity of unlimited self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation potential which are crucial for basic research and biomedical science. Establishment of PSCs with defined features were previously reported from mice and humans, while generation of stable large animal PSCs has experienced a relatively long trial stage and only recently has made breakthroughs. Pigs are regarded as ideal animal models for their similarities in physiology and anatomy to humans. Generation of porcine PSCs would provide cell resources for basic research, genetic engineering, animal breeding and cultured meat. In this review, we summarize the progress on the derivation of porcine PSCs and reprogrammed cells and elucidate the mechanisms of pluripotency changes during pig embryo development. This will be beneficial for understanding the divergence and conservation between different species involved in embryo development and the pluripotent regulated signaling pathways. Finally, we also discuss the promising future applications of stable porcine PSCs.

MicroRNAs and Ascl1 facilitate direct conversion of porcine fibroblasts into induced neurons

Direct neuronal conversion describes the process of generating induced neurons from somatic cells such as fibroblasts by overexpressing cell type-specific transcription factors, microRNAs or by culturing in the presence of small molecules. This was first achieved by expressing Brn2, Ascl1 and Myt1L in mouse fibroblasts, and was later achieved in human cells by the inclusion of additional factors such as NeuroD1. Here, we present the first protocol for directly converting porcine fibroblasts into induced neurons. We used lentivirus-mediated delivery of previously identified neuron-specifying transcription factors and microRNAs and evaluated morphology and neuron marker expression after ten days of conversion. We found that Ascl1 and microRNAs, miR-9/9* and miR-124 together generated more neuronal cells than other conditions tested. The porcine induced neurons expressed common mature markers such as MAP2 and Synaptophysin after four weeks of conversion. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that fibroblast-specific signatures were silenced early in the conversion process, while the neuron-specific genes became more abundant during conversion. We generated a heterogeneous population of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons.

Livestock pluripotency is finally captured in vitro

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have demonstrated great utility in improving our understanding of mammalian development and continue to revolutionise regenerative medicine. Thanks to the improved understanding of pluripotency in mice and humans, it has recently become feasible to generate stable livestock PSCs. Although it is unlikely that livestock PSCs will be used for similar applications as their murine and human counterparts, new exciting applications that could greatly advance animal agriculture are being developed, including the use of PSCs for complex genome editing, cellular agriculture, gamete generation and invitro breeding schemes.

Regulation of Cell Fate Decisions in Early Mammalian Embryos

Early embryogenesis is characterized by the segregation of cell lineages that fulfill critical roles in the establishment of pregnancy and development of the fetus. The formation of the blastocyst marks the emergence of extraembryonic precursors, needed for implantation, and of pluripotent cells, which differentiate toward the major lineages of the adult organism. The coordinated emergence of these cell types shows that these processes are broadly conserved in mammals. However, developmental heterochrony and changes in gene regulatory networks highlight unique evolutionary adaptations that may explain the diversity in placentation and in the mechanisms controlling pluripotency in mammals. The incorporation of new technologies, including single-cell omics, imaging, and gene editing, is instrumental for comparative embryology. Broadening the knowledge of mammalian embryology will provide new insights into the mechanisms driving evolution and development. This knowledge can be readily translated into biomedical and biotechnological applications in humans and livestock, respectively.

A novel chemically defined serum- and feeder-free medium for undifferentiated growth of porcine pluripotent stem cells

Development and improvement of in vitro culture system supporting self-renewal and unlimited proliferation of porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs) is an indispensable process for the naïve pPSCs establishment. In this study, we modified the previous culture system and attempted to develop a novel chemically defined medium (KOFL) for the establishment of pPSCs. It has been cultured >45 passages with flat colony morphology and normal karyotypes in in vitro environment. These cells exhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and expressed pluripotency markers such as OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG, and also possessed differentiation abilities both in vitro and in vivo, proving by the formation of embryonic bodies and teratomas into three germ layers. Then the cells transfected with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the GFP positive cells contribute to the porcine preimplantation embryo development. In addition, these cells maintained long duration under feeder-free condition. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the pPSCs could be derived from preimplantation porcine embryos in serum-free medium and cultured under the feeder-free condition, providing an effective reference for further optimization of the pPSCs culture system.

Derivation of novel naive-like porcine embryonic stem cells by a reprogramming factor-assisted strategy

The establishment of ungulate embryonic stem cells (ESCs) has been notoriously difficult via a conventional approach. We combined a traditional ESC culture method with reprogramming factors to assist the establishment of porcine naive-like ESCs (nESCs). Pig embryonic fibroblasts were transfected with a tetracycline-inducible vector carrying 4 classic mouse reprogramming factors, followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer and culturing to the blastocyst stage. Then, the inner cell mass was isolated and seeded in culture medium. The naive-like ESCs had characteristic verys similar to those of mouse ESCs and showed no signs of altered morphology or differentiation, even after 130 passages. They depended on leukemia inhibitory factor signals for maintenance of pluripotency, and the female cell lines had low expression of the X-inactive specific transcript gene and no histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation spot. Notably, the ESCs differentiated into 3 germ layers in vitro and could be induced to undergo directional neural and kidney precursor differentiation under defined conditions, and the ESCs could keep proliferating after doxycycline was removed. nESCs can be established, and the well-characterized ESC lines will be useful for the research of transgenic pig models for human disease.-Zhang, M., Wang, C., Jiang, H., Liu, M., Yang, N., Zhao, L., Hou, D., Jin, Y., Chen, Q., Chen, Y., Wang, J., Dai, Y., Li, R. Derivation of novel naive-like porcine embryonic stem cells by a reprogramming factor-assisted strategy.

States and Origins of Mammalian Embryonic Pluripotency In Vivo and in a Dish

Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC), derived from preimplantation embryos in 1981, defined mammalian pluripotency for many decades. However, after the derivation of human ESC in 1998, comparative studies showed that different types of pluripotency exist in early embryos and that these can be captured in vitro under various culture conditions. Over the past decade much has been learned about the key signaling pathways, growth factor requirements, and transcription factor profiles of pluripotent cells in embryos, allowing improvement of derivation and culture conditions for novel pluripotent stem cell types. More recently, studies using single-cell transcriptomics of embryos from different species provided an unprecedented level of resolution of cellular interactions and cell fate decisions that are informing new ways to understand the emergence of pluripotency in different organisms. These new approaches enhance knowledge of species differences during early embryogenesis and will be instrumental for improving methodologies for generating intra- and interspecies chimeric animals using pluripotent stem cells. Here, we discuss the recent developments in our understanding of early embryogenesis in different mammalian species.

Derivation of Porcine Embryonic Stem-Like Cells from In Vitro-Produced Blastocyst-Stage Embryos

Efficient isolation of embryonic stem (ES) cells from pre-implantation porcine embryos has remained a challenge. Here, we describe the derivation of porcine embryonic stem-like cells (pESLCs) by seeding the isolated inner cell mass (ICM) from in vitro-produced porcine blastocyst into α-MEM with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The pESL cells kept the normal karyotype and displayed flatten clones, similar in phenotype to human embryonic stem cells (hES cells) and rodent epiblast stem cells. These cells exhibited alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and expressed pluripotency markers such as OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81 as determined by both immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. Additionally, these cells formed embryoid body (EB), teratomas and also differentiated into 3 germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Microarray analysis showed the expression of the pluripotency markers, PODXL, REX1, SOX2, KLF5 and NR6A1, was significantly higher compared with porcine embryonic fibroblasts (PEF), but expression of OCT4, TBX3, REX1, LIN28A and DPPA5, was lower compared to the whole blastocysts or ICM of blastocyst. Our results showed that porcine embryonic stem-like cells can be established from in vitro-produced blastocyst-stage embryos, which promote porcine naive ES cells to be established.

Porcine Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from IVF Embryos Contribute to Chimeric Development In Vivo

Although the pig is considered an important model of human disease and an ideal animal for the preclinical testing of cell transplantation, the utility of this model has been hampered by a lack of genuine porcine embryonic stem cells. Here, we derived a porcine pluripotent stem cell (pPSC) line from day 5.5 blastocysts in a newly developed culture system based on MXV medium and a 5% oxygen atmosphere. The pPSCs had been passaged more than 75 times over two years, and the morphology of the colony was similar to that of human embryonic stem cells. Characterization and assessment showed that the pPSCs were alkaline phosphatase (AKP) positive, possessed normal karyotypes and expressed classic pluripotent markers, including OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG. In vitro differentiation through embryonic body formation and in vivo differentiation via teratoma formation in nude mice demonstrated that the pPSCs could differentiate into cells of the three germ layers. The pPSCs transfected with fuw-DsRed (pPSC-FDs) could be passaged with a stable expression of both DsRed and pluripotent markers. Notably, when pPSC-FDs were used as donor cells for somatic nuclear transfer, 11.52% of the reconstructed embryos developed into blastocysts, which was not significantly different from that of the reconstructed embryos derived from porcine embryonic fibroblasts. When pPSC-FDs were injected into day 4.5 blastocysts, they became involved in the in vitro embryonic development and contributed to the viscera of foetuses at day 50 of pregnancy as well as the developed placenta after the chimeric blastocysts were transferred into recipients. These findings indicated that the pPSCs were porcine pluripotent cells; that this would be a useful cell line for porcine genetic engineering and a valuable cell line for clarifying the molecular mechanism of pluripotency regulation in pigs.

Ultrastructural comparison of porcine putative embryonic stem cells derived by in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transfer

The ultrastructure of porcine putative embryonic stem cells and porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the features of organelles in in vitro fertilization (IVF) derived porcine embryonic stem cells (IVF-pESCs) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) derived pESCs (SCNT-pESCs). Also, the features of organelles in high-passage IVF-pESCs were compared with those in low-passage cells. The ultrastructure of PFFs showed rare microvilli on the cell surfaces, polygonal or irregular nuclei with one to two reticular-shaped nucleoli and euchromatin, low cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratios, rare ribosomes, rare rough endoplasmic reticulum, elongated mitochondria, rich lysosomes and rich phagocytic vacuoles. IVF-pESCs showed rare microvilli on the cell surfaces, round or irregular nuclei with one to two reticular-shaped nucleoli and euchromatin, low cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratios, rich ribosomes, long stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum, elongated mitochondria, rare lysosomes and rare autophagic vacuoles. By contrast, SCNT-pESCs showed rich microvilli with various lengths and frequencies on the cell surfaces, polygonal nuclei with one reticular shaped nucleoli and heterochromatin, high cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratios, rare ribosomes, rare rough endoplasmic reticulum, round mitochondria, rich lysosomes and rich phagocytic vacuoles with clear intercellular junctions. Furthermore, high-passage IVF-pESCs showed irregularly shaped colonies, pyknosis and numerous lysosomes associated with autophagic vacuoles showing signs of apoptosis. In conclusion, this study confirms that the ultrastructural characteristics of pESCs differ depending on their origin. These ultrastructural characteristics might be useful in biomedical research using pESCs, leading to new insights regarding regenerative medicine and tissue repair.

Putative porcine embryonic stem cell lines derived from aggregated four-celled cloned embryos produced by oocyte bisection cloning

We attempted to isolate ES cell lines using inner cell masses from high-quality cloned porcine blastocysts. After being seeded onto feeders, embryos had better (P < 0.05) attachment, outgrowth formation and primary colonization in both 2× and 3× aggregated cloned embryos (62.8, 42.6 and12.8% vs. 76.2, 55.2 and 26.2%, respectively) compared to the non-aggregated group (41.6, 23.4 and 3.9%). Effects of feeder types (STO vs. MEF) and serum sources (FBS vs. KSR) on extraction of cloned embryo-derived porcine ES cells were examined. More (17.1%) ntES cell lines over Passage 3 were generated in the MEF/KSR group. However, ntES cells cultured in KSR-supplemented medium had a low proliferation rate with defective morphology, and eventually underwent differentiation or apoptosis subsequently. Approximately 26.1, 22.7 and 35.7% of primary colonies were formed after plating embryos in DMEM, DMEM/F12 and α-MEM media, respectively. Survival rates of ntES cells cultured in α-MEM, DMEM and DMEM/F12 were 16.7, 4.3 and 6.8%, respectively (P > 0.05). We further examined the beneficial effect of TSA treatment of 3× aggregated cloned embryos on establishment of ntES cell lines. Primary colony numbers and survival rates of ntES cells beyond passage 3 were higher (P < 0.05) in those derived from TSA-treated 3× blastocysts (36.7 and 26.7%) than from the non-treated aggregated group (23.1 and 11.5%). These cells, remaining undifferentiated over 25 passages, had alkaline phosphatase activity and expressed ES specific markers Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex01. Moreover, these ntES cells successfully differentiated into embryoid bodies (EBs) that expressed specific genes of all three germ layers after being cultured in LIF-free medium. In conclusion, we have successfully derived putative porcine ntES cells with high efficiency from quality cloned embryos produced by embryo aggregation, and optimized the ES cell culture system suitable for establishing and maintaining ntES cell lines in undifferentiated state.

Enhancing effects of serum-rich and cytokine-supplemented culture conditions on developing blastocysts and deriving porcine parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells

The present study was conducted to develop an effective method for establishment of porcine parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (ppESCs) from parthenogenetically activated oocyte-derived blastocysts. The addition of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) to the medium on the 3rd day of oocyte culturing improved the development of blastocysts, attachment of inner cell masses (ICMs) onto feeder cells, and formation of primitive ppESC colonies. ICM attachment was further enhanced by basic fibroblast growth factor, stem cell factor, and leukemia inhibitory factor. From these attached ICMs, seven ppESC lines were established. ppESC pluripotency was verified by strong enzymatic alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of pluripotent markers OCT3/4, Nanog, and SSEA4. Moreover, the ppESCs were induced to form an embryoid body and teratoma. Differentiation into three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) was confirmed by the expression of specific markers for the layers and histological analysis. In conclusion, data from the present study suggested that our modified culture conditions using FBS and cytokines are highly useful for improving the generation of pluripotent ppESCs.

Derivation of putative porcine embryonic germ cells and analysis of their multi-lineage differentiation potential

Embryonic germ (EG) cells are cultured pluripotent stem cells derived from the primordial germ cells (PGCs) that migrate from the dorsal mesentery of the hindgut to the developing genital ridge. In this study, the morphology of the porcine genital ridge was assessed in embryos harvested on days 22-30 of pregnancy. PGCs from embryos at these stages were cultured to obtain porcine EG cell lines, and EG-like cells were derived from PGCs from embryos harvested on days 24-28 of pregnancy. The EG-like cells expressed Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, SSEA-3, SSEA-4 and alkaline phosphatase (AP). These cells were able to form embryoid bodies (EBs) in suspension culture and differentiate into cells representative of the three germ layers as verified by a-fetoprotein (AFP), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Nestin expression. Spontaneous differentiation from the porcine EG-like cells of delayed passage in vitro showed that they could differentiate into epithelial-like cells, mesenchymal-like cells and neuron-like cells. In vitro directed differentiation generated osteocytes, adipocytes and a variety of neural lineage cells, as demonstrated by alizarin red staining, oil red O staining, and immunofluorescence for neuronal class Ⅲ β-tubulin (Tuj1), glial fibrillary protein (GFAP) and galactosylceramidase (GALC), respectively. These results indicate that porcine EG-like cells have the potential for multi-lineage differentiation and are useful for basic porcine stem cell research.

Pluripotent cells in farm animals: state of the art and future perspectives

Pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem (ES) cells, embryonic germ cells and embryonic carcinoma cells are a unique type of cell because they remain undifferentiated indefinitely in in vitro culture, show self-renewal and possess the ability to differentiate into derivatives of the three germ layers. These capabilities make them a unique in vitro model for studying development, differentiation and for targeted modification of the genome. True pluripotent ESCs have only been described in the laboratory mouse and rat. However, rodent physiology and anatomy differ substantially from that of humans, detracting from the value of the rodent model for studies of human diseases and the development of cellular therapies in regenerative medicine. Recently, progress in the isolation of pluripotent cells in farm animals has been made and new technologies for reprogramming of somatic cells into a pluripotent state have been developed. Prior to clinical application of therapeutic cells differentiated from pluripotent stem cells in human patients, their survival and the absence of tumourigenic potential must be assessed in suitable preclinical large animal models. The establishment of pluripotent cell lines in farm animals may provide new opportunities for the production of transgenic animals, would facilitate development and validation of large animal models for evaluating ESC-based therapies and would thus contribute to the improvement of human and animal health. This review summarises the recent progress in the derivation of pluripotent and reprogrammed cells from farm animals. We refer to our recent review on this area, to which this article is complementary.

Overexpression Nanog activates pluripotent genes in porcine fetal fibroblasts and nuclear transfer embryos

Nanog as an important transcription factor plays a pivotal role in maintaining pluripotency and in reprogramming the epigenome of somatic cells. Its ability to function on committed somatic cells and embryos has been well defined in mouse and human, but rarely in pig. To better understand Nanog's function on reprogramming in porcine fetal fibroblast (PFF) and nuclear transfer (NT) embryo, we cloned porcine Nanog CDS and constructed pcDNA3.1 (+)/Nanog and pEGFP-C1/Nanog overexpression vectors and transfected them into PFFs. We studied the cell biological changes and the expression of Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, C-myc, and Sall4 in transfected PFFs. We also detected the development potential of the cloned embryos harboring Nanog stably overexpressed fibroblasts and the expression of Oct4, Sox2, and both endogenous and exogenous Nanog in these embryos. The results showed that transient overexpression Nanog in PFF could activate the expression of Oct4 (5-fold), C-myc (2-fold), and Sall4 (5-fold) in somatic cells, but they could not be maintained during G418 selection. In NT embryos, although Nanog overexpression did not have a significant effect on blastocyst development rate and blastocyst cell number, it could significantly activate the expression of endogenous Nanog, Oct4, Sox2 to 160-fold, 93-fold, and 182-fold, respectively (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that Nanog could interact with and activate other pluripotent genes both in PFFs and embryos.

Pluripotent stem cells and reprogrammed cells in farm animals

Pluripotent cells are unique because of their ability to differentiate into the cell lineages forming the entire organism. True pluripotent stem cells with germ line contribution have been reported for mice and rats. Human pluripotent cells share numerous features of pluripotentiality, but confirmation of their in vivo capacity for germ line contribution is impossible due to ethical and legal restrictions. Progress toward derivation of embryonic stem cells from domestic species has been made, but the derived cells were not able to produce germ line chimeras and thus are termed embryonic stem-like cells. However, domestic animals, in particular the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), are excellent large animals models, in which the clinical potential of stem cell therapies can be studied. Reprogramming technologies for somatic cells, including somatic cell nuclear transfer, cell fusion, in vitro culture in the presence of cell extracts, in vitro conversion of adult unipotent spermatogonial stem cells into germ line derived pluripotent stem cells, and transduction with reprogramming factors have been developed with the goal of obtaining pluripotent, germ line competent stem cells from domestic animals. This review summarizes the present state of the art in the derivation and maintenance of pluripotent stem cells in domestic animals.

Isolation and culture of embryonic stem-like cells from pig nuclear transfer blastocysts of different days

This study was conducted to establish pig embryonic stem (ES)-like cell lines from nuclear transfer blastocysts. A green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing cell line was used as the source of donor cells injected into the enucleated oocytes. Blastocysts were collected at D5 (the fifth day), D7 (the seventh day) and D9 (the ninth day). Differential staining was used to assay the viability and development of blastocysts from the 3 days. The number of inner cell mass (ICM) cells increased from 1.83 ± 0.8 (D5) to 5.37 ± 1.2 (D7) to 7.56 ± 1.5 (D9). The expression profiles of embryonic stem (ES) cell factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC) correlated best with the undifferentiated ES state and were identified by qPCR. The expression of the four factors was increased from D5 to D7, whereas the expression decreased from D7 to D9. We tried to isolate ES-like cells from these embryos. However, ES-like cells from the D7 blastocysts grew slowly and expressed alkaline phosphatase. The cells from the D9 blastocysts grew rapidly but did not express alkaline phosphatase. ES-like cells were not isolated from the D5 blastocysts. These results show that the cells from the D7 embryos are pluripotent but grow slowly. The cells from the D9 embryos grow rapidly but start to lose pluripotency.