1
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Hamazaki N, Yang W, Kubo CA, Qiu C, Martin BK, Garge RK, Regalado SG, Nichols EK, Pendyala S, Bradley N, Fowler DM, Lee C, Daza RM, Srivatsan S, Shendure J. Retinoic acid induces human gastruloids with posterior embryo-like structures. Nat Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41556-024-01487-8. [PMID: 39164488 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01487-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Gastruloids are a powerful in vitro model of early human development. However, although elongated and composed of all three germ layers, human gastruloids do not morphologically resemble post-implantation human embryos. Here we show that an early pulse of retinoic acid (RA), together with later Matrigel, robustly induces human gastruloids with posterior embryo-like morphological structures, including a neural tube flanked by segmented somites and diverse cell types, including neural crest, neural progenitors, renal progenitors and myocytes. Through in silico staging based on single-cell RNA sequencing, we find that human RA-gastruloids progress further than other human or mouse embryo models, aligning to E9.5 mouse and CS11 cynomolgus monkey embryos. We leverage chemical and genetic perturbations of RA-gastruloids to confirm that WNT and BMP signalling regulate somite formation and neural tube length in the human context, while transcription factors TBX6 and PAX3 underpin presomitic mesoderm and neural crest, respectively. Looking forward, RA-gastruloids are a robust, scalable model for decoding early human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Connor A Kubo
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chengxiang Qiu
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Beth K Martin
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Riddhiman K Garge
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Samuel G Regalado
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eva K Nichols
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sriram Pendyala
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nicholas Bradley
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Douglas M Fowler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Choli Lee
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivatsan
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA.
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2
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Tan JP, Liu X, Polo JM. Reprogramming fibroblast into human iBlastoids. Nat Protoc 2024; 19:2298-2316. [PMID: 38632379 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00984-2] [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: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The study of early human embryogenesis has relied on the use of blastocysts donated to research or simple stem cell culture systems such as pluripotent and trophoblast stem cells, which have been seminal in shedding light on many key developmental processes. However, simple culture systems lack the necessary complexity to adequately model the spatiotemporal, cellular and molecular dynamics occurring during the early phases of embryonic development. As such, an in vitro model of the human blastocyst is advantageous in many aspects to decipher human embryogenesis. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for the generation of induced blastoids (iBlastoids), an in vitro integrated model of the human blastocyst derived via somatic reprogramming. This protocol details the workflow for reprogramming of human dermal fibroblasts and subsequent generation of iBlastoids using the reprogramming intermediates, which together takes ~27 days (21 days for reprogramming and 6 days for iBlastoid generation). We also discuss several characterization/functional assays that can be used on the iBlastoids. We believe that a person trained in cell culture with ~1 year of experience with human somatic cell and reprogramming/cell differentiation assays would be able to perform this protocol. In short, the iBlastoids present an alternative tool as a model to the blastocyst to facilitate the scientific community in the exploration of early human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ping Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jose M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- The South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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3
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Hopwood N. Species Choice and Model Use: Reviving Research on Human Development. JOURNAL OF THE HISTORY OF BIOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s10739-024-09775-7. [PMID: 39075321 DOI: 10.1007/s10739-024-09775-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
While model organisms have had many historians, this article places studies of humans, and particularly our development, in the politics of species choice. Human embryos, investigated directly rather than via animal surrogates, have gone through cycles of attention and neglect. In the past 60 years they moved from the sidelines to center stage. Research was resuscitated in anatomy, launched in reproductive biomedicine, molecular genetics, and stem-cell science, and made attractive in developmental biology. I explain this surge of interest in terms of rivalry with models and reliance on them. The greater involvement of medicine in human reproduction, especially through in vitro fertilization, gave access to fresh sources of material that fed critiques of extrapolation from mice and met demands for clinical relevance or "translation." Yet much of the revival depended on models. Supply infrastructures and digital standards, including biobanks and virtual atlases, emulated community resources for model organisms. Novel culture, imaging, molecular, and postgenomic methods were perfected on less precious samples. Toing and froing from the mouse affirmed the necessity of the exemplary mammal and its insufficiency justified inquiries into humans. Another kind of model-organoids and embryo-like structures derived from stem cells-enabled experiments that encouraged the organization of a new field, human developmental biology. Research on humans has competed with and counted on models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Hopwood
- Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RH, UK.
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4
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Xu Y, Zhai J, Wu H, Wang H. In vitro culture of cynomolgus monkey embryos from blastocyst to early organogenesis. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01025-8. [PMID: 39060382 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Human early embryonic development is the cornerstone of a healthy baby. Abnormal early embryonic development may lead to developmental and pregnancy-related disorders. Accordingly, understanding the developmental events and mechanisms of human early embryonic development is very important. However, attempts to reveal these events and mechanisms are greatly hindered by the extreme inaccessibility of in vivo early human embryos. Fortunately, the emergence of in vitro culture (IVC) systems for mammalian embryos provides an alternative strategy. In recent years, different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems have been developed for human embryos. Ethical limitations restrict the IVC of human embryos beyond 14 days, which makes non-human primate embryos an ideal model for studying primate developmental events. Different culture systems have supported the development of monkey embryos to days postfertilization 14 and 25, respectively. The successful recapitulation of in vivo developmental events by these IVC embryos has greatly enriched our understanding of human early embryonic development, which undoubtedly helps us to develop possible strategies to predict or treat various gestation-related diseases and birth defects. In this protocol, we establish different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems for primate embryos, provide step-by-step culture procedures and notes, and summarize the advantages and limitations of different culture systems. Replicating this protocol requires a moderate level of experience in mammalian embryo IVC, and the embryo culture requires strict adherence to the procedures we have described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
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5
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Seitz M, Song Y, Lian XL, Ma Z, Jain E. Soft Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels Support Human PSC Pluripotency and Morphogenesis. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4525-4540. [PMID: 38973308 PMCID: PMC11234337 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00923] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Lumenogenesis within the epiblast represents a critical step in early human development, priming the embryo for future specification and patterning events. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms that drive this process due to the inability to study the early embryo in vivo. While human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based models recapitulate many aspects of the human epiblast, most approaches for generating these 3D structures rely on ill-defined, reconstituted basement membrane matrices. Here, we designed synthetic, nonadhesive polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel matrices to better understand the role of matrix mechanical cues in iPSC morphogenesis, specifically elastic modulus. First, we identified a narrow range of hydrogel moduli that were conducive to the hPSC viability, pluripotency, and differentiation. We then used this platform to investigate the effects of the hydrogel modulus on lumenogenesis, finding that matrices of intermediate stiffness yielded the most epiblast-like aggregates. Conversely, stiffer matrices impeded lumen formation and apico-basal polarization, while the softest matrices yielded polarized but aberrant structures. Our approach offers a simple, modular platform for modeling the human epiblast and investigating the role of matrix cues in its morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
P. Seitz
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Yuanhui Song
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Xiaojun Lance Lian
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences,
Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State
University, University
Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Zhen Ma
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Era Jain
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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6
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Deaville LA, Berrens RV. Technology to the rescue: how to uncover the role of transposable elements in preimplantation development. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1349-1362. [PMID: 38752836 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231262] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are highly expressed in preimplantation development. Preimplantation development is the phase when the cells of the early embryo undergo the first cell fate choice and change from being totipotent to pluripotent. A range of studies have advanced our understanding of TEs in preimplantation, as well as their epigenetic regulation and functional roles. However, many questions remain about the implications of TE expression during early development. Challenges originate first due to the abundance of TEs in the genome, and second because of the limited cell numbers in preimplantation. Here we review the most recent technological advancements promising to shed light onto the role of TEs in preimplantation development. We explore novel avenues to identify genomic TE insertions and improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and roles of TEs and their RNA and protein products during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauryn A Deaville
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Oxford University, IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Oxford OX3 7TY, U.K
- Department of Paediatrics, Oxford University, Level 2, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, U.K
| | - Rebecca V Berrens
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, Oxford University, IMS-Tetsuya Nakamura Building, Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Dr, Oxford OX3 7TY, U.K
- Department of Paediatrics, Oxford University, Level 2, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, U.K
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7
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Wu J, Fu J. Toward developing human organs via embryo models and chimeras. Cell 2024; 187:3194-3219. [PMID: 38906095 PMCID: PMC11239105 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.027] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Developing functional organs from stem cells remains a challenging goal in regenerative medicine. Existing methodologies, such as tissue engineering, bioprinting, and organoids, only offer partial solutions. This perspective focuses on two promising approaches emerging for engineering human organs from stem cells: stem cell-based embryo models and interspecies organogenesis. Both approaches exploit the premise of guiding stem cells to mimic natural development. We begin by summarizing what is known about early human development as a blueprint for recapitulating organogenesis in both embryo models and interspecies chimeras. The latest advances in both fields are discussed before highlighting the technological and knowledge gaps to be addressed before the goal of developing human organs could be achieved using the two approaches. We conclude by discussing challenges facing embryo modeling and interspecies organogenesis and outlining future prospects for advancing both fields toward the generation of human tissues and organs for basic research and translational applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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8
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Chuang TH, Chou HH, Kuan CS, Liu SC, Kao CW, Wu YH, Lai HH, Hsieh CL, Liang YT, Chen CY, Chen SU. Dependency of mitochondrial quantity on blastocyst timeline obscures its actual effect to pregnancy outcomes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1415865. [PMID: 38894739 PMCID: PMC11182983 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1415865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore the correlation between mitochondrial quantity and the blastocyst development timeline as well as their respective contributions to early pregnancy. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using a dataset comprising 2,633 embryos that underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) between January 2016 and December 2023. The study was divided into three subsets to address distinct aspects: the representativeness of a single trophectoderm (TE) biopsy for mitochondrial quantity (n=43), the correlation between morphokinetic features and mitochondrial quantity (n=307), and the association analysis among mitochondrial quantity, blastocyst timeline factor, and reproductive outcomes (n=2,283). Distribution assessment of mitochondrial quantity across an individual blastocyst involved the identification within multiple biopsies and spent culture media. Timeline evaluation included correlating mitochondrial quantity with time-lapse datasets. Finally, multivariate logistic regression models, incorporating potential effectors alongside mitochondrial quantity, were employed to analyze their respective contributions to early pregnancy endpoints. Results Of distribution assessment, mitochondrial quantity exhibited an even distribution across the entire trophectoderm (Spearman's ρ=0.82), while no detectable mtDNAs in the corresponding spent culture media. Then the timeline correlation study revealed significant association between mitochondrial quantity and blastocyst features of both the day of expanded blastocyst formation (95% Confidence intervals, CIs: 0.27~4.89, p=0.03) and the timing of expanded blastocyst formation (tEB) (95% CIs: -0.24~-0.01, p=0.04) in the regression model, indicating a strong dependency between mitochondrial quantity and the blastocyst development timeline. For the contribution to early pregnancy, multivariate logistic regression models showed that the day of expanded blastocyst formation contributed to four endpoints persistently: positive for HCG (odd ratio, OR: 0.71, p=0.006), gestational sac (OR: 0.78, p=0.04), fetal heartbeat (OR: 0.71, p=0.004), and progression to 14 weeks (OR: 0.69, p=0.002). Contrastingly, no notable correlation was observed between the mitochondrial quantity and these endpoints. Conclusions Strong interaction was observed between mitochondrial quantity and the blastocyst timeline, particularly the timing of expanded blastocyst formation. It suggests that the primary determinant influencing pregnancy outcomes lies in the time-dependent parameter of blastocyst rather than in the specific mitochondrial quantity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Hsuan Chuang
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hua Chou
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Sheng Kuan
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Cheng Liu
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Kao
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Wu
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Hua Lai
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Hsieh
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Liang
- Stork Fertility Center, Stork Ladies Clinic, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Chen
- Department of Biomechatronics Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shee-Uan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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9
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Rosner M, Hengstschläger M. Oct4 controls basement membrane development during human embryogenesis. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1439-1456.e7. [PMID: 38579716 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.007] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Basement membranes (BMs) are sheet-like structures of extracellular matrix (ECM) that provide structural support for many tissues and play a central role in signaling. They are key regulators of cell behavior and tissue functions, and defects in their assembly or composition are involved in numerous human diseases. Due to the differences between human and animal embryogenesis, ethical concerns, legal constraints, the scarcity of human tissue material, and the inaccessibility of the in vivo condition, BM regulation during human embryo development has remained elusive. Using the post-implantation amniotic sac embryoid (PASE), we delineate BM assembly upon post-implantation development and BM disassembly during primitive streak (PS) cell dissemination. Further, we show that the transcription factor Oct4 regulates the expression of BM structural components and receptors and controls BM development by regulating Akt signaling and the small GTPase Rac1. These results represent a relevant step toward a more comprehensive understanding of early human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Rosner
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria.
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10
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Xiao Z, Cui L, Yuan Y, He N, Xie X, Lin S, Yang X, Zhang X, Shi P, Wei Z, Li Y, Wang H, Wang X, Wei Y, Guo J, Yu L. 3D reconstruction of a gastrulating human embryo. Cell 2024; 187:2855-2874.e19. [PMID: 38657603 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.041] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Progress in understanding early human development has been impeded by the scarcity of reference datasets from natural embryos, particularly those with spatial information during crucial stages like gastrulation. We conducted high-resolution spatial transcriptomics profiling on 38,562 spots from 62 transverse sections of an intact Carnegie stage (CS) 8 human embryo. From this spatial transcriptomic dataset, we constructed a 3D model of the CS8 embryo, in which a range of cell subtypes are identified, based on gene expression patterns and positional register, along the anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and dorsal-ventral axis in the embryo. We further characterized the lineage trajectories of embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues and associated regulons and the regionalization of signaling centers and signaling activities that underpin lineage progression and tissue patterning during gastrulation. Collectively, the findings of this study provide insights into gastrulation and post-gastrulation development of the human embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lina Cui
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Nannan He
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xinwei Xie
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Sirui Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Peifu Shi
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhifeng Wei
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yang Li
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yulei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Leqian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China.
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11
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Meto A, Sula A, Peppoloni S, Meto A, Blasi E. Leveraging Dental Stem Cells for Oral Health during Pregnancy: A Concise Review. Dent J (Basel) 2024; 12:127. [PMID: 38786525 PMCID: PMC11120089 DOI: 10.3390/dj12050127] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy induces significant changes in oral health because of hormonal fluctuations, making it a crucial period for preventive measures. Dental stem cells (DSCs), particularly those derived from the dental pulp and periodontal ligaments, offer promising avenues for regenerative therapies and, possibly, preventive interventions. While the use of DSCs already includes various applications in regenerative dentistry in the general population, their use during pregnancy requires careful consideration. This review explores recent advancements, challenges, and prospects in using DSCs to address oral health issues, possibly during pregnancy. Critical aspects of the responsible use of DSCs in pregnant women are discussed, including safety, ethical issues, regulatory frameworks, and the need for interdisciplinary collaborations. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of leveraging DSCs to improve maternal oral health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Meto
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Aldent, 1007 Tirana, Albania;
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (E.B.)
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ana Sula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Hospital, 1060 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Samuele Peppoloni
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (E.B.)
| | - Agron Meto
- Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Aldent, 1007 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Elisabetta Blasi
- Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (E.B.)
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12
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Loseva PA, Gladyshev VN. The beginning of becoming a human. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8378-8395. [PMID: 38713165 PMCID: PMC11131989 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205824] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
According to birth certificates, the life of a child begins once their body comes out of the mother's womb. But when does their organismal life begin? Science holds a palette of answers-depending on how one defines a human life. In 1984, a commission on the regulatory framework for human embryo experimentation opted not to answer this question, instead setting a boundary, 14 days post-fertilization, beyond which any experiments were forbidden. Recently, as the reproductive technologies developed and the demand for experimentation grew stronger, this boundary may be set aside leaving the ultimate decision to local oversight committees. While science has not come closer to setting a zero point for human life, there has been significant progress in our understanding of early mammalian embryogenesis. It has become clear that the 14-day stage does in fact possess features, which make it a foundational time point for a developing human. Importantly, this stage defines the separation of soma from the germline and marks the boundary between rejuvenation and aging. We explore how different levels of life organization emerge during human development and suggest a new meaning for the 14-day stage in organismal life that is grounded in recent mechanistic advances and insights from aging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina A. Loseva
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vadim N. Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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13
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Indana D, Zakharov A, Lim Y, Dunn AR, Bhutani N, Shenoy VB, Chaudhuri O. Lumen expansion is initially driven by apical actin polymerization followed by osmotic pressure in a human epiblast model. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:640-656.e8. [PMID: 38701758 PMCID: PMC11323070 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.03.016] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Post-implantation, the pluripotent epiblast in a human embryo forms a central lumen, paving the way for gastrulation. Osmotic pressure gradients are considered the drivers of lumen expansion across development, but their role in human epiblasts is unknown. Here, we study lumenogenesis in a pluripotent-stem-cell-based epiblast model using engineered hydrogels. We find that leaky junctions prevent osmotic pressure gradients in early epiblasts and, instead, forces from apical actin polymerization drive lumen expansion. Once the lumen reaches a radius of ∼12 μm, tight junctions mature, and osmotic pressure gradients develop to drive further growth. Computational modeling indicates that apical actin polymerization into a stiff network mediates initial lumen expansion and predicts a transition to pressure-driven growth in larger epiblasts to avoid buckling. Human epiblasts show transcriptional signatures consistent with these mechanisms. Thus, actin polymerization drives lumen expansion in the human epiblast and may serve as a general mechanism of early lumenogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Indana
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrei Zakharov
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Youngbin Lim
- Cell Sciences Imaging Facility (CSIF), Beckman Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alexander R Dunn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nidhi Bhutani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine for Human Health (ChEM-H), Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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14
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Maruyama K, Miyazaki S, Kobayashi R, Hikita H, Tsubone T, Ohnuma K. The migration pattern of cells during the mesoderm and endoderm differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:535-543. [PMID: 38656570 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00904-4] [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: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Gastrulation is the first major differentiation process in animal embryos. However, the dynamics of human gastrulation remain mostly unknown owing to the ethical limitations. We studied the dynamics of the mesoderm and endoderm cell differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells for insight into the cellular dynamics of human gastrulation. Human pluripotent stem cells have properties similar to those of the epiblast, which gives rise to the three germ layers. The mesoderm and endoderm were induced with more than 75% purity from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Single-cell dynamics of pluripotent stem cell-derived mesoderm and endoderm cells were traced using time-lapse imaging. Both mesoderm and endoderm cells migrate randomly, accompanied by short-term directional persistence. No substantial differences were detected between mesoderm and endoderm migration. Computer simulations created using the measured parameters revealed that random movement and external force, such as the spread out of cells from the primitive streak area, mimicked the homogeneous discoidal germ layer formation. These results were consistent with the development of amniotes, which suggests the effectiveness of human pluripotent stem cells as a good model for studying human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenshiro Maruyama
- Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Shota Miyazaki
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Ryo Kobayashi
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Haru Hikita
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Information Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Tadashi Tsubone
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Information Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Ohnuma
- Department of Science of Technology Innovation, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, 1603-1 Kamitomioka, Nagaoka, Niigata, 940-2188, Japan.
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15
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Baverstock K. Responses to commentaries on "The gene: An appraisal". PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 188:31-42. [PMID: 38360273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The central conclusions of "The Gene: An Appraisal" are that genetic variance does not underpin biological evolution, and, therefore, that genes are not Mendel's units of inheritance. In this response, I will address the criticisms I have received via commentaries on that paper by defending the following statements: 1. Epistasis does not explain the power-law fitness profile of the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE). The data from the evolution of natural systems displays the power-law form ubiquitously. Epistasis plays no role in evolution. 2. The common characteristics of living things (natural systems) are described by the principle of least action in de Maupertuis's original form, which is synonymous with the 2nd law of thermodynamics and Newton's 2nd law of motion in its complete form, i.e., F = dp/dt. Organisms strive to achieve free energy balance with their environments. 3. Based on an appraisal of the scientific environment between 1880 and 1911, I conclude that Johannsen's genotype conception was perhaps, the only option available to him. 4. The power-law fitness profile of the LTEE falsifies Fisher's Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, Johannsen's genotype conception, and the idea that 'Darwinian evolution' is an exception to the generic thermodynamic process of evolution in natural systems. 5. The use of the technique of genome-wide association to identify the causes and the likelihoods of inherited common diseases and behavioural traits is a 'wild goose chase' because genes are not the units of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Baverstock
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Kuopio, Finland.
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16
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Rossant J. Why study human embryo development? Dev Biol 2024; 509:43-50. [PMID: 38325560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.001] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the processes and mechanisms underlying early human embryo development has become an increasingly active and important area of research. It has potential for insights into important clinical issues such as early pregnancy loss, origins of congenital anomalies and developmental origins of adult disease, as well as fundamental insights into human biology. Improved culture systems for preimplantation embryos, combined with the new tools of single cell genomics and live imaging, are providing new insights into the similarities and differences between human and mouse development. However, access to human embryo material is still restricted and extended culture of early embryos has regulatory and ethical concerns. Stem cell-derived models of different phases of human development can potentially overcome these limitations and provide a scalable source of material to explore the early postimplantation stages of human development. To date, such models are clearly incomplete replicas of normal development but future technological improvements can be envisaged. The ethical and regulatory environment for such studies remains to be fully resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rossant
- The Gairdner Foundation and the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, Heritage Building, 101 College Street, Suite 335, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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17
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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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18
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Weatherbee BAT, Weberling A, Gantner CW, Iwamoto-Stohl LK, Barnikel Z, Barrie A, Campbell A, Cunningham P, Drezet C, Efstathiou P, Fishel S, Vindel SG, Lockwood M, Oakley R, Pretty C, Chowdhury N, Richardson L, Mania A, Weavers L, Christie L, Elder K, Snell P, Zernicka-Goetz M. Distinct pathways drive anterior hypoblast specification in the implanting human embryo. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:353-365. [PMID: 38443567 PMCID: PMC10940163 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01367-1] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Development requires coordinated interactions between the epiblast, which generates the embryo proper; the trophectoderm, which generates the placenta; and the hypoblast, which forms both the anterior signalling centre and the yolk sac. These interactions remain poorly understood in human embryogenesis because mechanistic studies have only recently become possible. Here we examine signalling interactions post-implantation using human embryos and stem cell models of the epiblast and hypoblast. We find anterior hypoblast specification is NODAL dependent, as in the mouse. However, while BMP inhibits anterior signalling centre specification in the mouse, it is essential for its maintenance in human. We also find contrasting requirements for BMP in the naive pre-implantation epiblast of mouse and human embryos. Finally, we show that NOTCH signalling is important for human epiblast survival. Our findings of conserved and species-specific factors that drive these early stages of embryonic development highlight the strengths of comparative species studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Antonia Weberling
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- All Souls College, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa K Iwamoto-Stohl
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucy Richardson
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, Bourn, UK
| | | | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Stem Cells Self-Organization Group, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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19
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Chousal JN, Morey R, Srinivasan S, Lee K, Zhang W, Yeo AL, To C, Cho K, Garzo VG, Parast MM, Laurent LC, Cook-Andersen H. Molecular profiling of human blastocysts reveals primitive endoderm defects among embryos of decreased implantation potential. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113701. [PMID: 38277271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113701] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human embryo implantation is remarkably inefficient, and implantation failure remains among the greatest obstacles in treating infertility. Gene expression data from human embryos have accumulated rapidly in recent years; however, identification of the subset of genes that determine successful implantation remains a challenge. We leverage clinical morphologic grading-known for decades to correlate with implantation potential-and transcriptome analyses of matched embryonic and abembryonic samples to identify factors and pathways enriched and depleted in human blastocysts of good and poor morphology. Unexpectedly, we discovered that the greatest difference was in the state of extraembryonic primitive endoderm (PrE) development, with relative deficiencies in poor morphology blastocysts. Our results suggest that implantation success is most strongly influenced by the embryonic compartment and that deficient PrE development is common among embryos with decreased implantation potential. Our study provides a valuable resource for those investigating the markers and mechanisms of human embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Chousal
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Srimeenakshi Srinivasan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katherine Lee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ana Lisa Yeo
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cuong To
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kyucheol Cho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - V Gabriel Garzo
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Louise C Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Heidi Cook-Andersen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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20
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Shibata S, Endo S, Nagai LAE, H. Kobayashi E, Oike A, Kobayashi N, Kitamura A, Hori T, Nashimoto Y, Nakato R, Hamada H, Kaji H, Kikutake C, Suyama M, Saito M, Yaegashi N, Okae H, Arima T. Modeling embryo-endometrial interface recapitulating human embryo implantation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi4819. [PMID: 38394208 PMCID: PMC10889356 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The initiation of human pregnancy is marked by the implantation of an embryo into the uterine environment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we developed hormone-responsive endometrial organoids (EMO), termed apical-out (AO)-EMO, which emulate the in vivo architecture of endometrial tissue. The AO-EMO comprise an exposed apical epithelium surface, dense stromal cells, and a self-formed endothelial network. When cocultured with human embryonic stem cell-derived blastoids, the three-dimensional feto-maternal assembloid system recapitulates critical implantation stages, including apposition, adhesion, and invasion. Endometrial epithelial cells were subsequently disrupted by syncytial cells, which invade and fuse with endometrial stromal cells. We validated this fusion of syncytiotrophoblasts and stromal cells using human blastocysts. Our model provides a foundation for investigating embryo implantation and feto-maternal interactions, offering valuable insights for advancing reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Shibata
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Research and Development Division, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka 544-8666, Japan
| | - Shun Endo
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Luis A. E. Nagai
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Eri H. Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Oike
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akane Kitamura
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hori
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yuji Nashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Chie Kikutake
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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21
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Hamazaki N, Yang W, Kubo C, Qiu C, Martin BK, Garge RK, Regalado SG, Nichols E, Lee C, Daza RM, Srivatsan S, Shendure J. Induction and in silico staging of human gastruloids with neural tube, segmented somites & advanced cell types. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.10.579769. [PMID: 38405970 PMCID: PMC10888963 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.10.579769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Embryonic organoids are emerging as powerful models for studying early mammalian development. For example, stem cell-derived 'gastruloids' form elongating structures containing all three germ layers1-4. However, although elongated, human gastruloids do not morphologically resemble post-implantation embryos. Here we show that a specific, discontinuous regimen of retinoic acid (RA) robustly induces human gastruloids with embryo-like morphological structures, including a neural tube and segmented somites. Single cell RNA-seq (sc-RNA-seq) further reveals that these human 'RA-gastruloids' contain more advanced cell types than conventional gastruloids, including neural crest cells, renal progenitor cells, skeletal muscle cells, and, rarely, neural progenitor cells. We apply a new approach to computationally stage human RA-gastruloids relative to somite-resolved mouse embryos, early human embryos and other gastruloid models, and find that the developmental stage of human RA-gastruloids is comparable to that of E9.5 mouse embryos, although some cell types show greater or lesser progression. We chemically perturb WNT and BMP signaling in human RA-gastruloids and find that these signaling pathways regulate somite patterning and neural tube length, respectively, while genetic perturbation of the transcription factors PAX3 and TBX6 markedly compromises the formation of neural crest and somites/renal cells, respectively. Human RA-gastruloids complement other embryonic organoids in serving as a simple, robust and screenable model for decoding early human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Connor Kubo
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chengxiang Qiu
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Beth K. Martin
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Riddhiman K. Garge
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Samuel G. Regalado
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Eva Nichols
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Choli Lee
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Riza M. Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sanjay Srivatsan
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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22
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Liu X, Polo JM. Human blastoid as an in vitro model of human blastocysts. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102135. [PMID: 38052115 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102135] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Human development is a highly coordinated process, with any abnormalities during the early embryonic stages that can often have detrimental consequences. The complexity and nuances of human development underpin its significance in embryo research. However, this research is often hindered by limited availability and ethical considerations associated with the use of donated blastocysts from in vitro fertilization (IVF) surplus. Human blastoids offer promising alternatives as they can be easily generated and manipulated in the laboratory while preserving key characteristics of human blastocysts. In this way, they hold the potential to serve as a scalable and ethically permissible resource in embryology research. By utilizing such human embryo models, we can establish a transformative platform that complements the study with IVF embryos, ultimately enhancing our understanding of human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jose M Polo
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; The South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia; Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Victoria, Australia.
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23
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Okubo T, Rivron N, Kabata M, Masaki H, Kishimoto K, Semi K, Nakajima-Koyama M, Kunitomi H, Kaswandy B, Sato H, Nakauchi H, Woltjen K, Saitou M, Sasaki E, Yamamoto T, Takashima Y. Hypoblast from human pluripotent stem cells regulates epiblast development. Nature 2024; 626:357-366. [PMID: 38052228 PMCID: PMC10849967 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06871-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, several studies using cultures of human embryos together with single-cell RNA-seq analyses have revealed differences between humans and mice, necessitating the study of human embryos1-8. Despite the importance of human embryology, ethical and legal restrictions have limited post-implantation-stage studies. Thus, recent efforts have focused on developing in vitro self-organizing models using human stem cells9-17. Here, we report genetic and non-genetic approaches to generate authentic hypoblast cells (naive hPSC-derived hypoblast-like cells (nHyCs))-known to give rise to one of the two extraembryonic tissues essential for embryonic development-from naive human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Our nHyCs spontaneously assemble with naive hPSCs to form a three-dimensional bilaminar structure (bilaminoids) with a pro-amniotic-like cavity. In the presence of additional naive hPSC-derived analogues of the second extraembryonic tissue, the trophectoderm, the efficiency of bilaminoid formation increases from 20% to 40%, and the epiblast within the bilaminoids continues to develop in response to trophectoderm-secreted IL-6. Furthermore, we show that bilaminoids robustly recapitulate the patterning of the anterior-posterior axis and the formation of cells reflecting the pregastrula stage, the emergence of which can be shaped by genetically manipulating the DKK1/OTX2 hypoblast-like domain. We have therefore successfully modelled and identified the mechanisms by which the two extraembryonic tissues efficiently guide the stage-specific growth and progression of the epiblast as it establishes the post-implantation landmarks of human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Okubo
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nicolas Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Mio Kabata
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideki Masaki
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Katsunori Semi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - May Nakajima-Koyama
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Haruko Kunitomi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Belinda Kaswandy
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Sato
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Knut Woltjen
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Erika Sasaki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
- Medical-risk Avoidance Based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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24
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Handford CE, Junyent S, Jorgensen V, Zernicka-Goetz M. Topical section: embryonic models (2023) for Current Opinion in Genetics & Development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102134. [PMID: 38052116 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102134] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell-based mammalian embryo models facilitate the discovery of developmental mechanisms because they are more amenable to genetic and epigenetic perturbations than natural embryos. Here, we highlight exciting recent advances that have yielded a plethora of models of embryonic development. Imperfections in these models highlight gaps in our current understanding and outline future research directions, ushering in an exciting new era for embryology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Handford
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. https://twitter.com/@CEHandford
| | - Sergi Junyent
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. https://twitter.com/@JunyentSergi
| | - Victoria Jorgensen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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25
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Cucinella G, Gullo G, Catania E, Perino A, Billone V, Marinelli S, Napoletano G, Zaami S. Stem Cells and Infertility: A Review of Clinical Applications and Legal Frameworks. J Pers Med 2024; 14:135. [PMID: 38392569 PMCID: PMC10890184 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14020135] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a condition defined by the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse or due to an impairment of a person's capacity to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner. The authors have set out to succinctly investigate, explore, and assess infertility treatments, harnessing the potential of stem cells to effectively and safely treat infertility; in addition, this paper will present the legal and regulatory complexities at the heart of stem cell research, with an overview of the legislative state of affairs in six major European countries. For couples who cannot benefit from assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to treat their infertility, stem-cells-based approaches have been shown to be a highly promising approach. Nonetheless, lingering ethical and immunological uncertainties require more conclusive findings and data before such treatment avenues can become mainstream and be applied on a large scale. The isolation of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is ethically controversial, since their collection involves the destruction of human embryonic tissue. Overall, stem cell research has resulted in important new breakthroughs in the treatment of infertility. The effort to untangle the complex web of ethical and legal issues associated with such therapeutic approaches will have to rely on evidence-based, broadly shared standards, guidelines, and best practices to make sure that the procreative rights of patients can be effectively reconciled with the core values at the heart of medical ethics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaspare Cucinella
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gullo
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Erika Catania
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Perino
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Billone
- IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Villa Sofia Cervello Hospital, University of Palermo, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Gabriele Napoletano
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Zaami
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
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26
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De Santis R, Rice E, Croft G, Yang M, Rosado-Olivieri EA, Brivanlou AH. The emergence of human gastrulation upon in vitro attachment. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:41-53. [PMID: 38101401 PMCID: PMC10828709 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.005] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
While studied extensively in model systems, human gastrulation remains obscure. The scarcity of fetal biological material as well as ethical considerations limit our understanding of this process. In vitro attachment of natural blastocysts shed light on aspects of the second week of human development in the absence of the morphological manifestation of gastrulation. Stem cell-derived blastocyst models, blastoids, provide the opportunity to reconstitute pre- to post-implantation development in vitro. Here we show that upon in vitro attachment, human blastoids self-organize a BRA+ population and undergo gastrulation. Single-cell RNA sequencing of these models replicates the transcriptomic signature of the human gastrula. Analysis of developmental timing reveals that in both blastoid models and natural human embryos, the onset of gastrulation as defined by molecular markers, can be traced to timescales equivalent to 12 days post fertilization. In all, natural human embryos and blastoid models self-organize primitive streak and mesoderm derivatives upon in vitro attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Santis
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eleni Rice
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gist Croft
- The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Min Yang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edwin A Rosado-Olivieri
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ali H Brivanlou
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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27
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Venkatesh A, Iltis AS, Matthews KRW. Transparency in controversial research: A review of human embryo research publication ethical disclosure statements. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:28-36. [PMID: 38134926 PMCID: PMC10828690 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.11.006] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2021, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) released updated guidelines that included human embryo research guidance. Requiring ethics statements in publications using human embryos is one way to verify adherence to these guidelines. A review of top-tier biomedical journal requirements identified only one publisher that requires a human embryo statement. A review of articles using human embryos from top-tier biomedical journals found that all contain some form of ethics statement, but they differ in content and location. Requiring ethics statements with specific elements could improve transparency and adherence to research guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Venkatesh
- Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Ana S Iltis
- Baker Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA; Department of Philosophy and Center for Bioethics, Health and Society, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
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28
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Zheng Y. Stem Cell-Derived Microfluidic Amniotic Sac Embryoid (μPASE). Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:75-84. [PMID: 36749485 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2022_470] [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: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The microfluidic amniotic sac embryoid (μPASE) is a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived multicellular human embryo-like structure with molecular and morphological features resembling the progressive development of the early post-implantation human embryonic sac. The microfluidic device is specifically designed to control the formation of hPSC clusters and expose the clusters to different morphogen environments, allowing the development of μPASEs in a highly controllable, reproducible, and scalable fashion. The μPASE model displays human embryonic developmental landmarks such as lumenogenesis of the epiblast, amniotic cavity formation, and the specification of primordial germ cells and gastrulating cells (or mesendoderm cells). Here, we provide detailed instructions needed to reproduce μPASEs, including the immunofluorescence staining and cell retrieval protocols for characterizing μPASEs obtained under different experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- BioInspired Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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29
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Martínez-Herrera SC, Castro-Abrego A, Ávila-Gónzalez D, Martínez-Alarcon O, Molina-Hérnandez A, Flores-Herrera H, Grullón-Bisonó CA, García-López G. Obtaining Tissues of Human Amniotic Membrane and Identification of Pluripotent Markers. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2781:163-170. [PMID: 38502452 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3746-3_15] [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: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The immunofluorescence technique has been used to identify pluripotent markers in the human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC). hAEC belonging to human fetal membranes, specificamently to amnion layer, and are arising by epiblast, this sugest that the hAEC have characteristics of epiblast cells, in other words, characteristcs of pluripotent stem cells. Here we describe obtaining human amnion tissue and identifying pluripotent markers by immunofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayra Cecilia Martínez-Herrera
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Axel Castro-Abrego
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniela Ávila-Gónzalez
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Omar Martínez-Alarcon
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Anayansi Molina-Hérnandez
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Héctor Flores-Herrera
- Departamento de Inmunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos Alberto Grullón-Bisonó
- Departamento de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe García-López
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de Los Reyes, Mexico City, Mexico.
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30
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Xiang L, Yin Y, Shi G, Li T. Human Pre-gastrulation Embryo Culture in 3D Condition. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:19-25. [PMID: 36515895 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2022_466] [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: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The development process of human embryo until blastocyst is well understood during the past 30 years, however, embryogenesis from blastocyst to pre-gastrulation was still remained a "black box". Limited by research materials and culture technologies, the "black box" is still unopened. We recently established an extended three-dimensional (3D) culture system of human blastocysts (Xiang et al., Nature 577(7791):537-542, 2020). The 3D embryo culture system could enable human blastocyst growing up to early primitive streak anlage stage in vitro. Here, we introduce the detail protocol and notes of culturing human 3D embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifeng Xiang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Gaohui Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tianqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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31
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Baverstock K. The Gene: An appraisal. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 186:e73-e88. [PMID: 38044248 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The gene can be described as the foundational concept of modern biology. As such, it has spilled over into daily discourse, yet it is acknowledged among biologists to be ill-defined. Here, following a short history of the gene, I analyse critically its role in inheritance, evolution, development, and morphogenesis. Wilhelm Johannsen's genotype-conception, formulated in 1910, has been adopted as the foundation stone of genetics, giving the gene a higher degree of prominence than is justified by the evidence. An analysis of the results of the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE) with E. coli bacteria, grown over 60,000 generations, does not support spontaneous gene mutation as the source of variance for natural selection. From this it follows that the gene is not Mendel's unit of inheritance: that must be Johannsen's transmission-conception at the gamete phenotype level, a form of inheritance that Johannsen did not consider. Alternatively, I contend that biology viewed on the bases of thermodynamics, complex system dynamics, and self-organisation, provides a new framework for the foundations of biology. In this framework, the gene plays a passive role as a vital information store: it is the phenotype that plays the active role in inheritance, evolution, development, and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Baverstock
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Kuopio, Finland.
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32
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Logsdon DM, Ezashi T, Yuan Y. Enzymatic Digestion and Single Cell Isolation of Peri-implantation Stage Human Trophoblast Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2728:25-34. [PMID: 38019389 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3495-0_3] [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: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in the in vitro culture of peri-implantation stage human embryos have expanded opportunities to investigate implantation stage human development and trophoblast differentiation in the absence of maternal tissues. Emerging single cell omics analyses have offered researchers new tools to explore unanswered biological questions to new depths. In order to investigate the dynamics of human trophoblast cell differentiation during implantation at the single-cell resolution, efficient cell dissociation approaches of trophoblasts from embryos are necessary. Here, we describe the protocol for extended culture of peri-implantation stage human embryos with enzymatic digestion and manual collection of individual cells for downstream assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toshihko Ezashi
- Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, USA
| | - Ye Yuan
- Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, USA.
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33
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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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34
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Denker HW. Embryoids, models, embryos? We need to take a new look at legal norms concerning the beginning of organismic development. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 30:gaad047. [PMID: 38113415 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
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35
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Stringa B, Solnica-Krezel L. Signaling mechanisms that direct cell fate specification and morphogenesis in human embryonic stem cells-based models of human gastrulation. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:383-396. [PMID: 38087898 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230084] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian gastrulation, a mass of pluripotent cells surrounded by extraembryonic tissues differentiates into germ layers, mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm. The three germ layers are then organized into a body plan with organ rudiments via morphogenetic gastrulation movements of emboly, epiboly, convergence, and extension. Emboly is the most conserved gastrulation movement, whereby mesodermal and endodermal progenitors undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and move via a blastopore/primitive streak beneath the ectoderm. Decades of embryologic, genetic, and molecular studies in invertebrates and vertebrates, delineated a BMP > WNT > NODAL signaling cascade underlying mesoderm and endoderm specification. Advances have been made in the research animals in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gastrulation morphogenesis. In contrast, little is known about human gastrulation, which occurs in utero during the third week of gestation and its investigations face ethical and methodological limitations. This is changing with the unprecedented progress in modeling aspects of human development, using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (hESC)-based embryo-like models (SCEMs). In one approach, hESCs of various pluripotency are aggregated to self-assemble into structures that resemble pre-implantation or post-implantation embryo-like structures that progress to early gastrulation, and some even reach segmentation and neurulation stages. Another approach entails coaxing hESCs with biochemical signals to generate germ layers and model aspects of gastrulation morphogenesis, such as EMT. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding signaling cascades that direct germ layers specification and the early stages of gastrulation morphogenesis in these models. We discuss outstanding questions, challenges, and opportunities for this promising area of developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blerta Stringa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A
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Brumbaugh J, Aguado BA, Lysaght T, Goldstein LSB. Human fetal tissue is critical for biomedical research. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2300-2312. [PMID: 37977142 PMCID: PMC10724055 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.008] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human fetal tissue and cells derived from fetal tissue are crucial for biomedical research. Fetal tissues and cells are used to study both normal development and developmental disorders. They are broadly applied in vaccine development and production. Further, research using cells from fetal tissue is instrumental for studying many infectious diseases, including a broad range of viruses. These widespread applications underscore the value of fetal tissue research and reflect an important point: cells derived from fetal tissues have capabilities that cells from other sources do not. In many cases, increased functionality of cells derived from fetal tissues arises from increased proliferative capacity, ability to survive in culture, and developmental potential that is attenuated in adult tissues. This review highlights important, representative applications of fetal tissue for science and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Brumbaugh
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; University of Colorado Cancer Center, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Brian A Aguado
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tamra Lysaght
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lawrence S B Goldstein
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Xu J, Zhang L, Ye Z, Chang B, Tu Z, Du X, Wen X, Teng Y. A 3D "sandwich" co-culture system with vascular niche supports mouse embryo development from E3.5 to E7.5 in vitro. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:349. [PMID: 38072932 PMCID: PMC10712047 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03583-2] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various methods for ex utero culture systems have been explored. However, limitations remain regarding the in vitro culture platforms used before implanting mouse embryos and the normal development of mouse blastocysts in vitro. Furthermore, vascular niche support during mouse embryo development from embryonic day (E) 3.5 to E7.5 is unknown in vitro. METHODS This study established a three-dimensional (3D) "sandwich" vascular niche culture system with in vitro culture medium (IVCM) using human placenta perivascular stem cells (hPPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (hUVECs) as supportive cells (which were seeded into the bottom layer of Matrigel) to test mouse embryos from E3.5 to E7.5 in vitro. The development rates and greatest diameters of mouse embryos from E3.5 to E7.5 were quantitatively determined using SPSS software statistics. Pluripotent markers and embryo transplantation were used to monitor mouse embryo quality and function in vivo. RESULTS Embryos in the IVCM + Cells (hPPSCs + hUVECs) group showed higher development rates and greater diameters at each stage than those in the IVCM group. Embryos in the IVCM + Cells group cultured to E5.5 morphologically resembled natural egg cylinders and expressed specific embryonic cell markers, including Oct4 and Nanog. These features were similar to those of embryos developed in vivo. After transplantation, the embryos were re-implanted in the internal uterus and continued to develop to a particular stage. CONCLUSIONS The 3D in vitro culture system enabled embryo development from E3.5 to E7.5, and the vascularization microenvironment constructed by Matrigel, hPPSCs, and hUVECs significantly promoted the development of implanted embryos. This system allowed us to further study the physical and molecular mechanisms of embryo implantation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, China.
| | - Linye Zhang
- The First School of Medicine, School of Information and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zihui Ye
- The First School of Medicine, School of Information and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Binwen Chang
- School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zheng Tu
- Renji College, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuguang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xi Wen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
| | - Yili Teng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325015, Zhejiang, China.
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38
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Wilkinson AL, Zorzan I, Rugg-Gunn PJ. Epigenetic regulation of early human embryo development. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1569-1584. [PMID: 37858333 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Studies of mammalian development have advanced our understanding of the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular processes that orchestrate embryogenesis and have uncovered new insights into the unique aspects of human embryogenesis. Recent studies have now produced the first epigenetic maps of early human embryogenesis, stimulating new ideas about epigenetic reprogramming, cell fate control, and the potential mechanisms underpinning developmental plasticity in human embryos. In this review, we discuss these new insights into the epigenetic regulation of early human development and the importance of these processes for safeguarding development. We also highlight unanswered questions and key challenges that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Zorzan
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter J Rugg-Gunn
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK.
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39
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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40
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Perera M, Brickman JM. In vitro models of human hypoblast and mouse primitive endoderm. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102115. [PMID: 37783145 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102115] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The primitive endoderm (PrE, also named hypoblast), a predominantly extraembryonic epithelium that arises from the inner cell mass (ICM) of the mammalian pre-implantation blastocyst, plays a fundamental role in embryonic development, giving rise to the yolk sac, establishing the anterior-posterior axis and contributing to the gut. PrE is specified from the ICM at the same time as the epiblast (Epi) that will form the embryo proper. While in vitro cell lines resembling the pluripotent Epi have been derived from a variety of conditions, only one model system currently exists for the PrE, naïve extraembryonic endoderm (nEnd). As a result, considerably more is known about the gene regulatory networks and signalling requirements of pluripotent stem cells than nEnd. In this review, we describe the ontogeny and differentiation of the PrE or hypoblast in mouse and primate and then discuss in vitro cell culture models for different extraembryonic endodermal cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Perera
- reNEW UCPH - The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@MartaPrera
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- reNEW UCPH - The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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41
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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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42
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Affiliation(s)
- Xulun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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43
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Albertini DF. Self-organization defines some of the earliest determinants of embryonic development. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2499-2500. [PMID: 37796418 PMCID: PMC10643637 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02963-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
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44
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Chen YP, Shao Y, Chen PC, Li K, Li JY, Meng J, Lv CL, Liu HY, Lv C, Feng XQ, Li B. Substrate nesting guides cyst morphogenesis of human pluripotent stem cells without 3D extracellular matrix overlay. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:519-531. [PMID: 37659729 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.053] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the principles underlying the self-organization of stem cells into tissues is fundamental for deciphering human embryo development. Here, we report that, without three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) overlay, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) cultured on two-dimensional soft elastic substrates can self-organize into 3D cysts resembling the human epiblast sac in a stiffness-dependent manner. Our theoretical modeling predicts that this cyst organization is facilitated and guided by the spontaneous nesting of the soft substrate, which results from the adhesion-dependent mechanical interaction between cells and substrate. Such substrate nesting is sufficient for the 3D assembly and polarization of hPSCs required for cyst organization, even without 3D ECM overlay. Furthermore, we identify that the reversible substrate nesting and cyst morphogenesis also require appropriate activation of ROCK-Myosin II pathway. This indicates a unique set of tissue morphomechanical signaling mechanisms that clearly differ from the canonical cystogenic mechanism previously reported in 3D ECM. Our findings highlight an unanticipated synergy between mechanical microenvironment and mechanotransduction in controlling tissue morphogenesis and suggest a mechanics-based strategy for generation of hPSCs-derived models for early human embryogenesis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Soft substrates can induce the self-organization of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into cysts without three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) overlay. However, the underlying mechanisms by which soft substrate guides cystogenesis are largely unknown. This study shows that substrate nesting, resulting from cell-substrate interaction, plays an important role in cyst organization, including 3D assembly and apical-basal polarization. Additionally, actomyosin contractility mediated by the ROCK-Myosin II pathway also contributes to the substrate deformation and cyst morphology. These findings demonstrate the interplay between the mechanical microenvironment and cells in tissue morphogenesis, suggesting a mechanics-based strategy in building hPSC-derived models for early human embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ping Chen
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yue Shao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Peng-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kun Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jing-Yi Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jie Meng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Lv
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hao-Yu Liu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cunjing Lv
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Applied Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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45
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Foreman AL, Liddell K, Franklin S, Jackson E, Rozeik C, Niakan KK. Human embryo models: the importance of national policy and governance review. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102103. [PMID: 37619506 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102103] [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: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Integrated and non-integrated stem cell-based embryo models are becoming widely adopted tools in biomedical research with distinct advantages over animal models for studying human development. Although SCB-EMs have tremendous benefits for research, they raise a number of social, ethical and legal questions that affect future research and widespread adoption in industry and clinical settings. The 2021 International Society for Stem Cell Research Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation provide helpful guidance on many of these issues but do not have force in domestic law. Careful appraisal and development of national legal and ethical frameworks is crucial. Paving the way to better regulation provides an ethical and social foundation to continue using human embryo models and to fully realise their potential benefits for reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Foreman
- Wellcome Trust, CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Kathleen Liddell
- The Faculty of Law, The David Williams Building, 10 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DZ, UK; Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Sarah Franklin
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge, 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1SB, UK.
| | - Emily Jackson
- London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK.
| | - Christina Rozeik
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Kathy K Niakan
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK; Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK.
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46
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Yao H, Sun N, Shao H, Wang T, Tan T. Ex utero embryogenesis of non-human primate embryos and beyond. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102093. [PMID: 37573834 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102093] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cellular and molecular processes underlying the human early post-implantation development represents one of the most fundamental questions in development and stem cell biology. As embryos implant into the uterus a week after fertilization, human development beyond the blastocyst stage is extremely difficult to study due to the inaccessibility of embryos and ethical concerns. The advents in the human embryo in vitro culture system provide an easily accessible, tractable, and perturbable platform to dissect key developmental events of human early embryonic development. However, these studies stopped around gastrulation to technical and ethical limitations, and our understanding of human gastrulation and early organogenesis remains poor. As closely related species to humans, non-human primates (NHPs) are suitable surrogate species to interrogate mechanisms underpinning human embryonic development. Here, we review the most recent advances in embryo in vitro culture systems of NHP and discuss their potential optimization strategies and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Nianqin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Honglian Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
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47
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Pedroza M, Gassaloglu SI, Dias N, Zhong L, Hou TCJ, Kretzmer H, Smith ZD, Sozen B. Self-patterning of human stem cells into post-implantation lineages. Nature 2023; 622:574-583. [PMID: 37369348 PMCID: PMC10584676 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06354-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Investigating human development is a substantial scientific challenge due to the technical and ethical limitations of working with embryonic samples. In the face of these difficulties, stem cells have provided an alternative to experimentally model inaccessible stages of human development in vitro1-13. Here we show that human pluripotent stem cells can be triggered to self-organize into three-dimensional structures that recapitulate some key spatiotemporal events of early human post-implantation embryonic development. Our system reproducibly captures spontaneous differentiation and co-development of embryonic epiblast-like and extra-embryonic hypoblast-like lineages, establishes key signalling hubs with secreted modulators and undergoes symmetry breaking-like events. Single-cell transcriptomics confirms differentiation into diverse cell states of the perigastrulating human embryo14,15 without establishing placental cell types, including signatures of post-implantation epiblast, amniotic ectoderm, primitive streak, mesoderm, early extra-embryonic endoderm, as well as initial yolk sac induction. Collectively, our system captures key features of human embryonic development spanning from Carnegie stage16 4-7, offering a reproducible, tractable and scalable experimental platform to understand the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie human development, including new opportunities to dissect congenital pathologies with high throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Pedroza
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Seher Ipek Gassaloglu
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nicolas Dias
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Liangwen Zhong
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tien-Chi Jason Hou
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Helene Kretzmer
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zachary D Smith
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Berna Sozen
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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48
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Wei X, Fang X, Yu X, Li H, Guo Y, Qi Y, Sun C, Han D, Liu X, Li N, Hu H. Integrative analysis of single-cell embryo data reveals transcriptome signatures for the human pre-implantation inner cell mass. Dev Biol 2023; 502:39-49. [PMID: 37437860 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.07.004] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
As the source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), inner cell mass (ICM) can form all tissues of the embryo proper, however, its role in early human lineage specification remains controversial. Although a stepwise differentiation model has been proposed suggesting the existence of ICM as a distinct developmental stage, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we perform an integrated analysis on the public human preimplantation embryonic single-cell transcriptomic data and apply a trajectory inference algorithm to measure the cell plasticity. In our results, ICM population can be clearly discriminated on the dimension-reduced graph and confirmed by compelling evidences, thus validating the two-step hypothesis of lineage commitment. According to the branch probabilities and differentiation potential, we determine the precise time points for two lineage segregations. Further analysis on gene expression dynamics and regulatory network indicates that transcription factors including GSC, PRDM1, and SPIC may underlie the decisions of ICM fate. In addition, new human ICM marker genes, such as EPHA4 and CCR8 are discovered and validated by immunofluorescence. Given the potential clinical applications of ESCs, our analysis provides a further understanding of human ICM cells and facilitates the exploration of more unique characteristics in early human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinshu Wei
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China; Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Xiang Fang
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, China
| | - Xiu Yu
- School of Medicine, Jiaying University, Meizhou, 514015, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hong Li
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Yuyang Guo
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Yifei Qi
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Chuanbo Sun
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Dingding Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Department of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China
| | - Na Li
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
| | - Hao Hu
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou, 510623, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Research in Structure Birth Defect Disease and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China; Third Affiliatied Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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49
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Weatherbee BAT, Gantner CW, Iwamoto-Stohl LK, Daza RM, Hamazaki N, Shendure J, Zernicka-Goetz M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived model of the post-implantation human embryo. Nature 2023; 622:584-593. [PMID: 37369347 PMCID: PMC10584688 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The human embryo undergoes morphogenetic transformations following implantation into the uterus, but our knowledge of this crucial stage is limited by the inability to observe the embryo in vivo. Models of the embryo derived from stem cells are important tools for interrogating developmental events and tissue-tissue crosstalk during these stages1. Here we establish a model of the human post-implantation embryo, a human embryoid, comprising embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. We combine two types of extraembryonic-like cell generated by overexpression of transcription factors with wild-type embryonic stem cells and promote their self-organization into structures that mimic several aspects of the post-implantation human embryo. These self-organized aggregates contain a pluripotent epiblast-like domain surrounded by extraembryonic-like tissues. Our functional studies demonstrate that the epiblast-like domain robustly differentiates into amnion, extraembryonic mesenchyme and primordial germ cell-like cells in response to bone morphogenetic protein cues. In addition, we identify an inhibitory role for SOX17 in the specification of anterior hypoblast-like cells2. Modulation of the subpopulations in the hypoblast-like compartment demonstrates that extraembryonic-like cells influence epiblast-like domain differentiation, highlighting functional tissue-tissue crosstalk. In conclusion, we present a modular, tractable, integrated3 model of the human embryo that will enable us to probe key questions of human post-implantation development, a critical window during which substantial numbers of pregnancies fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa K Iwamoto-Stohl
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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50
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Yu L, Logsdon D, Pinzon-Arteaga CA, Duan J, Ezashi T, Wei Y, Ribeiro Orsi AE, Oura S, Liu L, Wang L, Liu K, Ding X, Zhan L, Zhang J, Nahar A, Stobbe C, Katz-Jaffe M, Schoolcraft WB, Tan T, Hon GC, Yuan Y, Wu J. Large-scale production of human blastoids amenable to modeling blastocyst development and maternal-fetal cross talk. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1246-1261.e9. [PMID: 37683605 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in human blastoids have opened new avenues for modeling early human development and implantation. One limitation of our first protocol for human blastoid generation was relatively low efficiency. We now report an optimized protocol for the efficient generation of large quantities of high-fidelity human blastoids from naive pluripotent stem cells. This enabled proteomics analysis that identified phosphosite-specific signatures potentially involved in the derivation and/or maintenance of the signaling states in human blastoids. Additionally, we uncovered endometrial stromal effects in promoting trophoblast cell survival, proliferation, and syncytialization during co-culture with blastoids and blastocysts. Side-by-side single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similarities and differences in transcriptome profiles between pre-implantation blastoids and blastocysts, as well as post-implantation cultures, and uncovered a population resembling early migratory trophoblasts during co-culture with endometrial stromal cells. Our optimized protocol will facilitate broader use of human blastoids as an accessible, perturbable, scalable, and tractable model for human blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leqian Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Deirdre Logsdon
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Carlos A Pinzon-Arteaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jialei Duan
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Yulei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China, Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ana Elisa Ribeiro Orsi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lizhong Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA; Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Linfeng Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Junfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China, Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Asrafun Nahar
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Caitlen Stobbe
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Mandy Katz-Jaffe
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | | | - Tao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Gary C Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Ye Yuan
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, 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 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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