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Vicente JS, Valdés-Hernández J, Marco-Jiménez F. Transcriptomic Signatures of the Foetal Liver and Late Prenatal Development in Vitrified Rabbit Embryos. Vet Sci 2024; 11:347. [PMID: 39195801 PMCID: PMC11360234 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11080347] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) are generally considered safe; however, emerging evidence highlights the need to evaluate potential risks in adulthood to improve safety further. ART procedures like rederivation of embryos by vitrification differ from natural conditions, causing significant disparities between in vitro and in vivo embryos, affecting foetal physiology and postnatal life. This study aims to investigate whether hepatic transcriptome and metabolome changes observed postnatally are already present in foetal livers at the end of gestation. This study compared fresh and vitrified rabbit embryos, finding differences between foetuses obtained by the transfer of fresh and vitrified embryos at 24 days of gestation. Rederived embryos had reduced foetal and liver weights and crown-rump length. However, the offspring of vitrified embryos tended to be born with higher weight, showing compensatory growth in the final week of gestation (59.2 vs. 49.8 g). RNA-Seq analysis revealed 43 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the foetal liver of vitrified embryos compared to the fresh group. Notably, downregulated genes included BRAT1, CYP4A7, CYP2B4, RPL23, RPL22L1, PPILAL1, A1BG, IFGGC1, LRRC57, DIPP2, UGT2B14, IRGM1, NUTF2, MPST, and PPP1R1B, while upregulated genes included ACOT8, ERICH3, UBXN2A, METTL9, ALDH3A2, DERPC-like, NR5A2-like, AP-1, COG8, INHBE, and PLA2G4C. Overall, a functional annotation of these DEGs indicated an involvement in lipid metabolism and the stress and inflammatory process or immune response. Thus, our results suggest that vitrification and embryo transfer manipulation induce an adaptive response that can be observed in the liver during the last week of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francisco Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (J.S.V.); (J.V.-H.)
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2
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Boiani M, Duncan FE. 'Human and Animal Model Reproductive Epigenetics' special collection: (un)intended marks on fertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad032. [PMID: 37698250 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
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3
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Zhao Y, Bai D, Wu Y, Zhang D, Liu M, Tian Y, Lu J, Wang H, Gao S, Lu Z. Maternal Ezh1/2 deficiency in oocyte delays H3K27me2/3 restoration and impairs epiblast development responsible for embryonic sub-lethality in mouse. Development 2022; 149:dev200316. [PMID: 38771308 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
How maternal Ezh1 and Ezh2 function in H3K27 methylation in vivo in pre-implantation embryos and during embryonic development is not clear. Here, we have deleted Ezh1 and Ezh2 alone or simultaneously from mouse oocytes. H3K27me3 was absent in oocytes without Ezh2 alone, while both H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 were absent in Ezh1/Ezh2 (Ezh1/2) double knockout (KO) oocytes. The effects of Ezh1/2 maternal KO were inherited in zygotes and early embryos, in which restoration of H3K27me3 and H3K27me2 was delayed by the loss of Ezh2 alone or of both Ezh1 and Ezh2. However, the ablation of both Ezh1 and Ezh2, but not Ezh1 or Ezh2 alone, led to significantly decreased litter size due to growth retardation post-implantation. Maternal Ezh1/2 deficiency caused compromised H3K27me3 and pluripotent epiblast cells in late blastocysts, followed by defective embryonic development. By using RNA-seq, we examined crucial developmental genes in maternal Ezh1/2 KO embryos and identified 80 putatively imprinted genes. Maternal Ezh1/2-H3K27 methylation is inherited in offspring embryos and has a critical effect on fetal and placental development. Thus, this work sheds light on maternal epigenetic modifications during embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Dandan Bai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - You Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Mengying Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Yingpu Tian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
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Bari MW, Ishiyama S, Matsumoto S, Mochizuki K, Kishigami S. From lessons on the long-term effects of the preimplantation environment on later health to a "modified ART-DOHaD" animal model. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12469. [PMID: 35781921 PMCID: PMC9243299 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background At its earliest stages, mammalian embryonic development is apparently simple but vulnerable. The environment during the preimplantation period, which only lasts a couple of days, has been implicated in adult health, extending to such early stages the concept of the developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD). Methods In this review, we first provide a brief history of assisted reproductive technology (ART) focusing on in vitro culture and its outcomes during subsequent development mainly in mice and humans. Further, we introduce the "MEM mouse," a novel type 2 diabetes mouse model generated by in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos in alpha minimum essential medium (αMEM). Main findings The association between ART and its long-term effects has been carefully examined for its application in human infertility treatment. The "MEM mouse" develops steatohepatitis and kidney disease with diabetes into adulthood. Conclusion The close association between the environment of preimplantation and health in postnatal life is being clarified. The approach by which severe mouse phenotypes are successfully induced by manipulating the environment of preimplantation embryos could provide new chronic disease animal models, which we call "modified ART-DOHaD" animal models. This will also offer insights into the mechanisms underlying their long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Wasim Bari
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Shiori Ishiyama
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Sachi Matsumoto
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Kazuki Mochizuki
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
| | - Satoshi Kishigami
- Department of Integrated Applied Life ScienceUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
- Center for advanced Assisted Reproductive TechnologiesUniversity of YamanashiYamanashiJapan
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5
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DNA methylation studies in cattle. J Appl Genet 2021; 62:121-136. [PMID: 33400132 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-020-00604-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Investigation of the role of epigenetics in cattle breeding is gaining importance. DNA methylation represents an epigenetic modification which is essential for genomic stability and maintenance of development. Recently, DNA methylation research in cattle has intensified. The studies focus on the definition of methylomes in various organs and tissues in relation to the expression of genes underlying economically important traits, and explore methylome changes under developmental, environmental, disease, and diet influences. The investigations further characterize the methylation patterns of gametes in connection with their quality, and study methylome alterations in the developing naturally or assisted produced zygotes, embryos, and fetuses, considering their viability. A wide array of technologies developed for accurate and precise analysis of DNA methylation patterns is employed for both single-gene and genome-wide studies. Overall, the research is directed towards the identification of single methylation markers or their combinations which may be useful in the selection and breeding of animals to ensure cattle improvement.
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Li HX, Xu XJ, Liu L. A New Day 4 Grading System to Assess Embryo Quality in Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:1333-1338. [PMID: 33237518 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00389-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To present a new day 4 (D4) embryo grading system to assess embryos in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. A new grading system (grades A-E) was developed from the 2011 ESHRE Istanbul Consensus for D4 embryos in FET cycles. Embryos with complete compaction were classified as grade A; those with partial compaction were assigned as grade B; and those without compaction were classified as grades C, D, and E according to their different blastomere number ratio (BNR; number of embryo blastomeres on D4/number of embryo blastomeres on D3, D4/D3). Embryos with a BNR of ≥ 1.5 were defined as grade C, those with a BNR of ≥ 1.2 and < 1.5 were defined as grade D, and those with a BNR of ≥ 1.0 and < 1.2 were defined as grade E. Using this proposed grading model, 5460 embryos with known implantation data were retrospectively analyzed after D4 transfer in FET cycles. The transferred embryos exhibited a similar declining trend in implantation and live birth rates from the top grade A to the lowest grade E. The in vitro fertilization group showed increased implantation rates of grade B and E embryos compared with the intracytoplasmic sperm injection group (grade B: 41.99%, 34.63%, χ2 = 5.84, p < 0.05 and grade E: 18.98%, 14.08, χ2 = 75.62, p < 0.01). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that our proposed model predicted the implantation outcomes and live birth rates of all embryos (area under the curve = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI],0.63-0.66; p < 0.01 and AUC = 0.73; 95%CI, 0.65-0.84; p < 0.001, respectively). This study demonstrates that the new grading system provided by us can be a useful tool for assisting embryo selection via changes in embryo morphology. D4 embryo transfer provides a simple and applicable method for FET cycles in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xing Li
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China. .,Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Xiao-Juan Xu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.,Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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7
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Effect of Embryo Vitrification on the Steroid Biosynthesis of Liver Tissue in Rabbit Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228642. [PMID: 33207830 PMCID: PMC7696440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation embryo manipulations during standard assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have significant repercussions on offspring. However, few studies to date have investigated the potential long-term outcomes associated with the vitrification procedure. Here, we performed an experiment to unravel the particular effects related to stress induced by embryo transfer and vitrification techniques on offspring phenotype from the foetal period through to prepuberal age, using a rabbit model. In addition, the focus was extended to the liver function at prepuberal age. We showed that, compared to naturally conceived animals (NC), offspring derived after embryo exposure to the transfer procedure (FT) or cryopreservation-transfer procedure (VT) exhibited variation in growth and body weight from foetal life to prepuberal age. Strikingly, we found a nonlinear relationship between FT and VT stressors, most of which were already present in the FT animals. Furthermore, we displayed evidence of variation in liver function at prepuberal age, most of which occurred in both FT and VT animals. The present major novel finding includes a significant alteration of the steroid biosynthesis profile. In summary, here we provide that embryonic manipulation during the vitrification process is linked with embryo phenotypic adaptation detected from foetal life to prepuberal age and suggests that this phenotypic variation may be associated, to a great extent, with the effect of embryo transfer.
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8
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Li H, Xu X, Jing Y, Liu L, Wang Y. Associations between a new day 4 embryo grading system and implantation rates in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22676. [PMID: 33080712 PMCID: PMC7571955 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to present a new day 4 (D4) embryo grading system for the assessment of embryos in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.A new grading system (grades A-E) was modified from the 2011 ESHRE Istanbul Consensus for D4 embryos in FET cycles. In total, we retrospectively analyzed 5640 embryos with known implantation data after D4 transfer in FET cycles by using this proposed grading model.The transferred embryos exhibited a similar declining trend in implantation rates from the top grade A to the lowest grade E. The implantation rates of grade B and E embryos in the in vitro fertilization group were significantly higher than that in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection group (grade B: 41.82%, 35.23%, χ = 5.85, P < .05 and grade E: 18.53%, 14.81, χ = 76.86, P < .01, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that our proposed model predicted the implantation outcomes of all embryos (area under the ROC curve = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.63-0.66; P < .01).This study demonstrated that the new grading system provided by us turned out to be a useful tool in assisting embryo selection via embryo morphological changes, and D4 embryo transfer provided a simple and applicable method for a daily routine in FET cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Li
- Reproductive Medical Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- Reproductive Medical Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuanxue Jing
- Reproductive Medical Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo of Gansu, Lanzhou, China
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Tocci A. The unknown human trophectoderm: implication for biopsy at the blastocyst stage. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2699-2711. [PMID: 32892265 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01925-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophectoderm biopsy is increasingly performed for pre-implantation genetic testing of aneuploidies and considered a safe procedure on short-term clinical outcome, without strong assessment of long-term consequences. Poor biological information on human trophectoderm is available due to ethical restrictions. Therefore, most studies have been conducted in vitro (choriocarcinoma cell lines, embryonic and pluripotent stem cells) and on murine models that nevertheless poorly reflect the human counterpart. Polarization, compaction, and blastomere differentiation (e.g., the basis to ascertain trophectoderm origin) are poorly known in humans. In addition, the trophectoderm function is poorly known from a biological point of view, although a panoply of questionable and controversial microarray studies suggest that important genes overexpressed in trophectoderm are involved in pluripotency, metabolism, cell cycle, endocrine function, and implantation. The intercellular communication system between the trophectoderm cells and the inner cell mass, modulated by cell junctions and filopodia in the murine model, is obscure in humans. For the purpose of this paper, data mainly on primary cells from human and murine embryos has been reviewed. This review suggests that the trophectoderm origin and functions have been insufficiently ascertained in humans so far. Therefore, trophectoderm biopsy should be considered an experimental procedure to be undertaken only under approved rigorous experimental protocols in academic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Tocci
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Gruppo Donnamed, Via Giuseppe Silla 12, Rome, Italy.
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Bak I, Kim DJ, Kim HC, Shin HJ, Yu E, Yoo KW, Yu DY. Two base pair deletion in IL2 receptor γ gene in NOD/SCID mice induces a highly severe immunodeficiency. Lab Anim Res 2020; 36:27. [PMID: 32817844 PMCID: PMC7427935 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-020-00048-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome editing has recently emerged as a powerful tool for generating mutant mice. Small deletions of nucleotides in the target genes are frequently found in CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutant mice. However, there are very few reports analyzing the phenotypes in small deleted mutant mice generated by CRISPR/Cas9. In this study, we generated a mutant by microinjecting sgRNAs targeting the IL2 receptor γ gene and Cas9 protein, into the cytoplasm of IVF-derived NOD.CB17/Prkdcscid/JKrb (NOD/SCID) mice embryos, and further investigated whether a 2 bp deletion of the IL2 receptor γ gene affects severe deficiency of immune cells as seen in NOD/LtSz-scid IL2 receptor γ−/− (NSG) mice. Our results show that the thymus weight of mutant mice is significantly less than that of NOD/SCID mice, whereas the spleen weight was marginally less. T and B cells in the mutant mice were severely deficient, and NK cells were almost absent. In addition, tumor growth was exceedingly increased in the mutant mice transplanted with HepG2, Raji and A549 cells, but not in nude and NOD/SCID mice. These results suggest that the NOD/SCID mice with deletion of 2 bp in the IL2 receptor γ gene shows same phenotype as NSG mice. Taken together, our data indicates that small deletions by genome editing is sufficient to generate null mutant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inseon Bak
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141 Korea.,Genome engineering laboratory, GHBIO Inc., C406, 17 Techno4-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34013 Korea
| | - Doo-Jin Kim
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141 Korea
| | - Hyoung-Chin Kim
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, Chungcheongbukdo 28116 Korea
| | - Hye-Jun Shin
- Genome engineering laboratory, GHBIO Inc., C406, 17 Techno4-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34013 Korea
| | - Eunhye Yu
- Genome engineering laboratory, GHBIO Inc., C406, 17 Techno4-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34013 Korea
| | - Kyeong-Won Yoo
- Genome engineering laboratory, GHBIO Inc., C406, 17 Techno4-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34013 Korea
| | - Dae-Yeul Yu
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), 125 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141 Korea
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Garcia-Dominguez X, Vicente JS, Viudes-de-Castro MP, Marco-Jiménez F. Long-Term Effects Following Fresh/Vitrified Embryo Transfer Are Transmitted by Paternal Germline in a Large Size Rabbit Cohort. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10081272. [PMID: 32722445 PMCID: PMC7460406 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of developmental programming suggests that the early life environment influences offspring phenotype in later life, whose effects may also be manifested in further generations. Valuable pieces of evidence come from the fields applying assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), which deprive embryos of their optimal maternal environment and were thus associated with subsequent developmental deviations. Recently, we demonstrated that the in vitro manipulations during a vitrified embryo transfer procedure incurs a cumulative and transgenerational decline in the growth performance of the resulting offspring. Here, we provide a longitudinal study to investigate whether previous developmental deviations could be indistinctly paternally or maternally transmitted using crossbred mattings. Our findings revealed that early embryo manipulations through fresh and vitrified embryo transfer incurred paternally transmissible effects over the growth pattern and adult body weight, which seemed not inheritable via the female germline. Similar inheritable effects were observed after fresh and vitrified embryo transfer, suggesting that disturbing optimal embryo development through in vitro manipulations was the principal trigger of transmissible effects, rather than embryo cryopreservation per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximo Garcia-Dominguez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (X.G.-D.); (J.S.V.)
| | - José Salvador Vicente
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (X.G.-D.); (J.S.V.)
| | - María P. Viudes-de-Castro
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, 12100 Segorbe, Spain;
| | - Francisco Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (X.G.-D.); (J.S.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Salimi M, Shirazi A, Norouzian M, Mehrazar MM, Naderi MM, Shokrgozar MA, Omrani M, Hashemi SM. Histone Modifications of H3K4me3, H3K9me3 and Lineage Gene Expressions in Chimeric Mouse Embryo. CELL JOURNAL 2020; 22:96-105. [PMID: 31606973 PMCID: PMC6791070 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2020.6443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chimeric animal exhibits less viability and more fetal and placental abnormalities than normal animal. This study was aimed to determine the impact of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) injection into the mouse embryos on H3K9me3 and H3K4me3 and cell lineage gene expressions in chimeric blastocysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our experiment, at the first step, incorporation of the GFP positive mESCs (GFP-mESCs) 129/Sv into the inner cell mass (ICM) of pre-compacted and compacted morula stage embryos was compared. At the second and third steps, H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 status as well as the expression of Oct4, Nanog, Tead4, and Cdx2 genes were determined in the following groups: i. In vitro blastocyst derived from In vivo morula subjected to mESCs injection (blast/chimeric), ii. In vivo derived blastocyst (blast/In vivo), iii. In vitro blastocyst derived from culture of morula In vivo (blast/morula), and iv. In vitro blastocyst derived from morula In vivo subjected to sham injection (blast/sham). RESULTS Subzonal injection of GFP-mESCs at the pre-compacted embryos produced more chimeric blastocysts than compacted embryos (P<0.05). The number of trophectoderm (TE), ICM, ICM/TE and total cells in chimeric blastocysts were less than the corresponding numbers in blastocysts derived from other groups (P<0.05). In ICM and TE of chimeric blastocysts, the levels of H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 were respectively decreased and increased compared to the blastocysts of the other groups (P<0.05). Expressions of Oct4, Nanog and Tead4 were decreased in chimeric blastocysts compared to the blastocysts of the other groups (P<0.05), while this was not observed for Cdx2. CONCLUSION In the present study, embryo compaction significantly reduced the rate of incorporation of injected mESCs into the ICM. Moreover, in chimeric blastocysts, the levels of H3K9me3 and H3K4me3 were altered. In addition, the expressions of pluripotency and cell fate genes were decreased compared to blastocysts of the other groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Salimi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. Electronic Address:
- Department of Gametes and Cloning, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mohsen Norouzian
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Electronic Address:
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Mehrazar
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Naderi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mirdavood Omrani
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Single Cell Genetics and Epigenetics in Early Embryo: From Oocyte to Blastocyst. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1068:103-117. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0502-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Bunkar N, Pathak N, Lohiya NK, Mishra PK. Epigenetics: A key paradigm in reproductive health. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2016; 43:59-81. [PMID: 27358824 PMCID: PMC4925870 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2016.43.2.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that there is a heritable element of susceptibility to chronic human ailments, yet there is compelling evidence that some components of such heritability are transmitted through non-genetic factors. Due to the complexity of reproductive processes, identifying the inheritance patterns of these factors is not easy. But little doubt exists that besides the genomic backbone, a range of epigenetic cues affect our genetic programme. The inter-generational transmission of epigenetic marks is believed to operate via four principal means that dramatically differ in their information content: DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs and nucleosome positioning. These epigenetic signatures influence the cellular machinery through positive and negative feedback mechanisms either alone or interactively. Understanding how these mechanisms work to activate or deactivate parts of our genetic programme not only on a day-to-day basis but also over generations is an important area of reproductive health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Bunkar
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Neelam Pathak
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India.; Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Nirmal Kumar Lohiya
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
| | - Pradyumna Kumar Mishra
- Translational Research Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Hari Singh Central University, Sagar, India.; Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (ICMR), Bhopal, India
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Vascular alterations underlie developmental problems manifested in cloned cattle before or after birth. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0106663. [PMID: 25584533 PMCID: PMC4293144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although assisted reproductive techniques are commonly applied in humans and animals, they are frequently associated with major developmental deficits and reduced viability. To explore abnormalities associated with cloning or nuclear transfer (NT) as the most invasive of these methods, we used a bovine model to characterize abnormalities. Detailed necropsy examinations were done on 13 calves that died soon after birth; in addition, we included data from embryos and fetuses (produced by NT) that terminated prematurely. Bovine clones that survived until the neonatal period differed quantitatively and qualitatively from in-vivo-derived cattle. Although alterations affected a variety of organs (e.g. heart, lung and liver), there was a clear association with abberant vascular developmental during the early intrauterine phase. Therefore, we concluded that vascular problems were key alterations induced by cloning (presumably via epigenetic modifications).
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Dyck M, Zhou C, Tsoi S, Grant J, Dixon W, Foxcroft G. Reproductive technologies and the porcine embryonic transcriptome. Anim Reprod Sci 2014; 149:11-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Li F, Cowley DO, Banner D, Holle E, Zhang L, Su L. Efficient genetic manipulation of the NOD-Rag1-/-IL2RgammaC-null mouse by combining in vitro fertilization and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5290. [PMID: 24936832 PMCID: PMC4894429 DOI: 10.1038/srep05290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Humanized mouse models have become increasingly important and widely used in modeling human diseases in biomedical research. Immunodeficient mice such as NOD-Rag1-/-IL2RgammaC-null (NRG) or NOD-SCID-IL2RgammaC-null (NSG) mice are critical for efficient engraftment of human cells or tissues. However, their genetic modification remains challenging due to a lack of embryonic stem cells and difficulty in the collection of timed embryos after superovulation. Here, we report the generation of gene knockout NRG mice by combining in vitro fertilization (IVF) and CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Sufficient numbers of fertilized embryos were produced through IVF, and a high rate of Fah gene targeting was achieved with microinjection of Cas9 mRNA, gRNA and single strand oligonucleotide DNA (ssDNA) into the embryos. The technology paves the way to construct NRG or NSG mutant mice to facilitate new humanized mouse models. The technology can also be readily adapted to introduce mutations in other species such as swine and non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dale O. Cowley
- Animal Models Core Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- TransViragen, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Debra Banner
- TransViragen, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Eric Holle
- Animal Models Core Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Key Lab of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lishan Su
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Key Lab of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Department of translational medicine, Department of surgery, Department of medicine, the first hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China
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