1
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Bolondi A, Law BK, Kretzmer H, Gassaloglu SI, Buschow R, Riemenschneider C, Yang D, Walther M, Veenvliet JV, Meissner A, Smith ZD, Chan MM. Reconstructing axial progenitor field dynamics in mouse stem cell-derived embryoids. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1489-1505.e14. [PMID: 38579718 PMCID: PMC11187653 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.024] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Embryogenesis requires substantial coordination to translate genetic programs to the collective behavior of differentiating cells, but understanding how cellular decisions control tissue morphology remains conceptually and technically challenging. Here, we combine continuous Cas9-based molecular recording with a mouse embryonic stem cell-based model of the embryonic trunk to build single-cell phylogenies that describe the behavior of transient, multipotent neuro-mesodermal progenitors (NMPs) as they commit into neural and somitic cell types. We find that NMPs show subtle transcriptional signatures related to their recent differentiation and contribute to downstream lineages through a surprisingly broad distribution of individual fate outcomes. Although decision-making can be heavily influenced by environmental cues to induce morphological phenotypes, axial progenitors intrinsically mature over developmental time to favor the neural lineage. Using these data, we present an experimental and analytical framework for exploring the non-homeostatic dynamics of transient progenitor populations as they shape complex tissues during critical developmental windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Bolondi
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin K Law
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Helene Kretzmer
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Seher Ipek Gassaloglu
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - René Buschow
- Microscopy Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dian Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics & Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maria Walther
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesse V Veenvliet
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Zachary D Smith
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Michelle M Chan
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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2
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Sotomayor-Lugo F, Iglesias-Barrameda N, Castillo-Aleman YM, Casado-Hernandez I, Villegas-Valverde CA, Bencomo-Hernandez AA, Ventura-Carmenate Y, Rivero-Jimenez RA. The Dynamics of Histone Modifications during Mammalian Zygotic Genome Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1459. [PMID: 38338738 PMCID: PMC10855761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031459] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian fertilization initiates the reprogramming of oocytes and sperm, forming a totipotent zygote. During this intricate process, the zygotic genome undergoes a maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) and subsequent zygotic genome activation (ZGA), marking the initiation of transcriptional control and gene expression post-fertilization. Histone modifications are pivotal in shaping cellular identity and gene expression in many mammals. Recent advances in chromatin analysis have enabled detailed explorations of histone modifications during ZGA. This review delves into conserved and unique regulatory strategies, providing essential insights into the dynamic changes in histone modifications and their variants during ZGA in mammals. The objective is to explore recent advancements in leading mechanisms related to histone modifications governing this embryonic development phase in depth. These considerations will be useful for informing future therapeutic approaches that target epigenetic regulation in diverse biological contexts. It will also contribute to the extensive areas of evolutionary and developmental biology and possibly lay the foundation for future research and discussion on this seminal topic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rene Antonio Rivero-Jimenez
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 4600, United Arab Emirates; (F.S.-L.); (N.I.-B.); (Y.M.C.-A.); (I.C.-H.); (C.A.V.-V.); (A.A.B.-H.); (Y.V.-C.)
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3
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Alonso-Alonso S, Esteve-Codina A, Martin-Mur B, Álvarez-González L, Ruiz-Herrera A, Santaló J, Ibáñez E. Blastomeres of 8-cell mouse embryos differ in their ability to generate embryonic stem cells and produce lines with different transcriptional signatures. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1274660. [PMID: 37876553 PMCID: PMC10591181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ESC) derivation from single blastomeres of 8-cell mouse embryos results in lower derivation rates than that from whole blastocysts, raising a biological question about the developmental potential of sister blastomeres. We aimed to assess the ability of 8-cell blastomeres to produce epiblast cells and ESC lines after isolation, and the properties of the resulting lines. Our results revealed unequal competence among sister blastomeres to produce ESC lines. At least half of the blastomeres possess a lower potential to generate ESCs, although culture conditions and blastomeres plasticity can redirect their non-pluripotent fate towards the epiblast lineage, allowing us to generate up to seven lines from the same embryo. Lines originated from the same embryo segregated into two groups according to their transcriptional signatures. While the expression of genes related to pluripotency and development was higher in one group, no differences were found in their trilineage differentiation ability. These results may help to improve our understanding of the ESC derivation process from single blastomeres and cell fate determination in the preimplantation mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Alonso-Alonso
- Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology Group, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Esteve-Codina
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martin-Mur
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucia Álvarez-González
- Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology Group, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology Group, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Santaló
- Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology Group, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Ibáñez
- Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology Group, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Ju LF, Xu HJ, Yang YG, Yang Y. Omics Views of Mechanisms for Cell Fate Determination in Early Mammalian Development. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:950-961. [PMID: 37075831 PMCID: PMC10928378 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian preimplantation development, a totipotent zygote undergoes several cell cleavages and two rounds of cell fate determination, ultimately forming a mature blastocyst. Along with compaction, the establishment of apicobasal cell polarity breaks the symmetry of an embryo and guides subsequent cell fate choice. Although the lineage segregation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) is the first symbol of cell differentiation, several molecules have been shown to bias the early cell fate through their inter-cellular variations at much earlier stages, including the 2- and 4-cell stages. The underlying mechanisms of early cell fate determination have long been an important research topic. In this review, we summarize the molecular events that occur during early embryogenesis, as well as the current understanding of their regulatory roles in cell fate decisions. Moreover, as powerful tools for early embryogenesis research, single-cell omics techniques have been applied to both mouse and human preimplantation embryos and have contributed to the discovery of cell fate regulators. Here, we summarize their applications in the research of preimplantation embryos, and provide new insights and perspectives on cell fate regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Fang Ju
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Heng-Ji Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yun-Gui Yang
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Ying Yang
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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5
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Oh SY, Na SB, Kang YK, Do JT. In Vitro Embryogenesis and Gastrulation Using Stem Cells in Mice and Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13655. [PMID: 37686459 PMCID: PMC10563085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During early mammalian embryonic development, fertilized one-cell embryos develop into pre-implantation blastocysts and subsequently establish three germ layers through gastrulation during post-implantation development. In recent years, stem cells have emerged as a powerful tool to study embryogenesis and gastrulation without the need for eggs, allowing for the generation of embryo-like structures known as synthetic embryos or embryoids. These in vitro models closely resemble early embryos in terms of morphology and gene expression and provide a faithful recapitulation of early pre- and post-implantation embryonic development. Synthetic embryos can be generated through a combinatorial culture of three blastocyst-derived stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells, trophoblast stem cells, and extraembryonic endoderm cells, or totipotent-like stem cells alone. This review provides an overview of the progress and various approaches in studying in vitro embryogenesis and gastrulation in mice and humans using stem cells. Furthermore, recent findings and breakthroughs in synthetic embryos and gastruloids are outlined. Despite ethical considerations, synthetic embryo models hold promise for understanding mammalian (including humans) embryonic development and have potential implications for regenerative medicine and developmental research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeong Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.O.); (S.B.N.); (Y.K.K.)
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6
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Meinecke B, Meinecke-Tillmann S. Lab partners: oocytes, embryos and company. A personal view on aspects of oocyte maturation and the development of monozygotic twins. Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230049. [PMID: 37547564 PMCID: PMC10399133 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The present review addresses the oocyte and the preimplantation embryo, and is intended to highlight the underlying principle of the "nature versus/and nurture" question. Given the diversity in mammalian oocyte maturation, this review will not be comprehensive but instead will focus on the porcine oocyte. Historically, oogenesis was seen as the development of a passive cell nursed and determined by its somatic compartment. Currently, the advanced analysis of the cross-talk between the maternal environment and the oocyte shows a more balanced relationship: Granulosa cells nurse the oocyte, whereas the latter secretes diffusible factors that regulate proliferation and differentiation of the granulosa cells. Signal molecules of the granulosa cells either prevent the precocious initiation of meiotic maturation or enable oocyte maturation following hormonal stimulation. A similar question emerges in research on monozygotic twins or multiples: In Greek and medieval times, twins were not seen as the result of the common course of nature but were classified as faults. This seems still valid today for the rare and until now mainly unknown genesis of facultative monozygotic twins in mammals. Monozygotic twins are unique subjects for studies of the conceptus-maternal dialogue, the intra-pair similarity and dissimilarity, and the elucidation of the interplay between nature and nurture. In the course of in vivo collections of preimplantation sheep embryos and experiments on embryo splitting and other microsurgical interventions we recorded observations on double blastocysts within a single zona pellucida, double inner cell masses in zona-enclosed blastocysts and double germinal discs in elongating embryos. On the basis of these observations we add some pieces to the puzzle of the post-zygotic genesis of monozygotic twins and on maternal influences on the developing conceptus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burkhard Meinecke
- Institut für Reproduktionsbiologie, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
- Ambulatorische und Geburtshilfliche Veterinärklinik, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Meinecke-Tillmann
- Institut für Reproduktionsbiologie, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
- Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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7
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Meharwade T, Joumier L, Parisotto M, Huynh V, Lummertz da Rocha E, Malleshaiah M. Cross-activation of FGF, NODAL, and WNT pathways constrains BMP-signaling-mediated induction of the totipotent state in mouse embryonic stem cells. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112438. [PMID: 37126449 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112438] [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: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an attractive model to study the relationship between signaling and cell fates. Cultured mouse ESCs can exist in multiple states resembling distinct stages of early embryogenesis, such as totipotent, pluripotent, primed, and primitive endoderm. The signaling mechanisms regulating the totipotent state and coexistence of these states are poorly understood. Here we identify bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling as an inducer of the totipotent state. However, we discover that BMP's role is constrained by the cross-activation of FGF, NODAL, and WNT pathways. We exploit this finding to enhance the proportion of totipotent cells by rationally inhibiting the cross-activated pathways. Single-cell mRNA sequencing reveals that induction of the totipotent state is accompanied by suppression of primed and primitive endoderm states. Furthermore, reprogrammed totipotent cells we generate in culture resemble totipotent cells of preimplantation embryo. Our findings reveal a BMP signaling mechanism regulating both the totipotent state and heterogeneity of ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thulaj Meharwade
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Loïck Joumier
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Maxime Parisotto
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Vivian Huynh
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Edroaldo Lummertz da Rocha
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Mohan Malleshaiah
- Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM), 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada; The Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada; McGill Regenerative Medicine Network, 1160 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada.
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8
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Spadafora C. The epigenetic basis of evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 178:57-69. [PMID: 36720315 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An increasing body of data are revealing key roles of epigenetics in evolutionary processes. The scope of this manuscript is to assemble in a coherent frame experimental evidence supporting a role of epigenetic factors and networks, active during embryogenesis, in orchestrating variation-inducing phenomena underlying evolution, seen as a global process. This process unfolds over two crucial levels: i) a flow of RNA-based information - predominantly small regulatory RNAs released from somatic cells exposed to environmental stimuli - taken up by spermatozoa and delivered to oocytes at fertilization and ii) the highly permissive and variation-prone environments offered by zygotes and totipotent early embryos. Totipotent embryos provide a variety of biological tools favouring the emergence of evolutionarily significant phenotypic novelties driven by RNA information. Under this light, neither random genomic mutations, nor the sieving role of natural selection are required, as the sperm-delivered RNA cargo conveys specific information and acts as "phenotypic-inducer" of defined environmentally acquired traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Spadafora
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy.
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9
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Moura MT. Cloning by SCNT: Integrating Technical and Biology-Driven Advances. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2647:1-35. [PMID: 37041327 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3064-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) into enucleated oocytes initiates nuclear reprogramming of lineage-committed cells to totipotency. Pioneer SCNT work culminated with cloned amphibians from tadpoles, while technical and biology-driven advances led to cloned mammals from adult animals. Cloning technology has been addressing fundamental questions in biology, propagating desired genomes, and contributing to the generation of transgenic animals or patient-specific stem cells. Nonetheless, SCNT remains technically complex and cloning efficiency relatively low. Genome-wide technologies revealed barriers to nuclear reprogramming, such as persistent epigenetic marks of somatic origin and reprogramming resistant regions of the genome. To decipher the rare reprogramming events that are compatible with full-term cloned development, it will likely require technical advances for large-scale production of SCNT embryos alongside extensive profiling by single-cell multi-omics. Altogether, cloning by SCNT remains a versatile technology, while further advances should continuously refresh the excitement of its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Tigre Moura
- Chemical Biology Graduate Program, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Campus Diadema, Diadema - SP, Brazil
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10
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Song JH, Choi J, Hong YJ, La H, Hong TK, Hong K, Do JT. Developmental Potency and Metabolic Traits of Extended Pluripotency Are Faithfully Transferred to Somatic Cells via Cell Fusion-Induced Reprogramming. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203266. [PMID: 36291134 PMCID: PMC9600027 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a novel cell type from eight-cell-stage embryos, extended pluripotent stem cells (EPSCs) are known for diverse differentiation potency in both extraembryonic and embryonic lineages, suggesting new possibilities as a developmental research model. Although various features of EPSCs have been defined, their ability to directly transfer extended pluripotency to differentiated somatic cells by cell fusion remains to be elucidated. Here, we derived EPSCs from eight-cell mouse embryos and confirmed their extended pluripotency at the molecular level and extraembryonic differentiation ability. Then, they were fused with OG2+/− ROSA+/− neural stem cells (NSCs) by the polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-mediated method and further analyzed. The resulting fused hybrid cells exhibited pluripotential markers with upregulated EPSC-specific gene expression. Furthermore, the hybrid cells contributed to the extraembryonic and embryonic lineages in vivo and in vitro. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed that the hybrid cells showed distinct global expression patterns resembling EPSCs without parental expression of NSC markers, indicating the complete acquisition of extended pluripotency and the erasure of the somatic memory of NSCs. Furthermore, ultrastructural observation and metabolic analysis confirmed that the hybrid cells rearranged the mitochondrial morphology and bivalent metabolic profile to those of EPSCs. In conclusion, the extended pluripotency of EPSCs could be transferred to somatic cells through fusion-induced reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Hoon Song
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- 3D Tissue Culture Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Joonhyuk Choi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Yean-Ju Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Hyeonwoo La
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Tae-Kyung Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- 3D Tissue Culture Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Kwonho Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Jeong-Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- 3D Tissue Culture Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-450-3673
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11
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Nuclear transfer system for the direct induction of embryonic transcripts from intra- and cross-species nuclei using mouse 4-cell embryos. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101284. [PMID: 35463476 PMCID: PMC9019708 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of somatic nuclei toward the embryonic state has been studied using nuclear transfer (NT) to an oocyte at the metaphase II (MII) stage. In this NT, a somatic nucleus transplanted into an MII oocyte of the same species undergoes DNA replication and cell division before activating embryonic genes. Here, we describe a direct NT protocol using 4-cell stage mouse embryos that enables reprogramming of intra- and cross-species nuclei to express embryonic genes without requiring DNA replication and cell division. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tomikawa et al. (2021). Protocol to induce embryonic transcription from mammalian differentiated cells Nuclear transfer to mouse 4-cell embryos arrested at G2/M phase Cross-species nuclei are transcriptionally reprogrammed in mouse embryos Detection of newly transcribed genes from multi-species and -strains samples
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12
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Olbrich T, Ruiz S. Genome architecture and totipotency: An intertwined relation during early embryonic development. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200029. [PMID: 35560026 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200029] [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: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomes are not randomly packed and positioned into the nucleus but folded in higher-order chromatin structures with defined functions. However, the genome of a fertilized embryo undergoes a dramatic epigenetic reprogramming characterized by extensive chromatin relaxation and the lack of a defined three-dimensional structure. This reprogramming is followed by a slow genome refolding that gradually strengthens the chromatin architecture during preimplantation development. Interestingly, genome refolding during early development coincides with a progressive loss of developmental potential suggesting a link between chromatin organization and cell plasticity. In agreement, loss of chromatin architecture upon depletion of the insulator transcription factor CTCF in embryonic stem cells led to the upregulation of the transcriptional program found in totipotent cells of the embryo, those with the highest developmental potential. This essay will discuss the impact of genome folding in controlling the expression of transcriptional programs involved in early development and their plastic-associated features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Olbrich
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sergio Ruiz
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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Asymmetric Contribution of Blastomere Lineages of First Division of the Zygote to Entire Human Body Using Post-Zygotic Variants. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 19:809-821. [PMID: 35438457 PMCID: PMC9294097 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-022-00443-7] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In humans, after fertilization, the zygote divides into two 2n diploid daughter blastomeres. During this division, DNA is replicated, and the remaining mutually exclusive genetic mutations in the genome of each cell are called post-zygotic variants. Using these somatic mutations, developmental lineages can be reconstructed. How these two blastomeres are contributing to the entire body is not yet identified. This study aims to evaluate the cellular contribution of two blastomeres of 2-cell embryos to the entire body in humans using post-zygotic variants based on whole genome sequencing. METHODS Tissues from different anatomical areas were obtained from five donated cadavers for use in single-cell clonal expansion and bulk target sequencing. After conducting whole genome sequencing, computational analysis was applied to find the early embryonic mutations of each clone. We developed our in-house bioinformatics pipeline, and filtered variants using strict criteria, composed of mapping quality, base quality scores, depth, soft-clipped reads, and manual inspection, resulting in the construction of embryological phylogenetic cellular trees. RESULTS Using our in-house pipeline for variant filtering, we could extract accurate true positive variants, and construct the embryological phylogenetic trees for each cadaver. We found that two daughter blastomeres, L1 and L2 (lineage 1 and 2, respectively), derived from the zygote, distribute unequally to the whole body at the clonal level. From bulk target sequencing data, we validated asymmetric contribution by means of the variant allele frequency of L1 and L2. The asymmetric contribution of L1 and L2 varied from person to person. CONCLUSION We confirmed that there is asymmetric contribution of two daughter blastomeres from the first division of the zygote across the whole human body.
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Agarwal A, Maldonado Rosas I, Anagnostopoulou C, Cannarella R, Boitrelle F, Munoz LV, Finelli R, Durairajanayagam D, Henkel R, Saleh R. Oxidative Stress and Assisted Reproduction: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pathophysiological Role and Strategies for Optimizing Embryo Culture Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030477. [PMID: 35326126 PMCID: PMC8944628 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants has been established as an important factor that can negatively affect the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Excess ROS exert their pathological effects through damage to cellular lipids, organelles, and DNA, alteration of enzymatic function, and apoptosis. ROS can be produced intracellularly, from immature sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Additionally, several external factors may induce high ROS production in the ART setup, including atmospheric oxygen, CO2 incubators, consumables, visible light, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, and culture media additives. Pathological amounts of ROS can also be generated during the cryopreservation-thawing process of gametes or embryos. Generally, these factors can act at any stage during ART, from gamete preparation to embryo development, till the blastocyst stage. In this review, we discuss the in vitro conditions and environmental factors responsible for the induction of OS in an ART setting. In addition, we describe the effects of OS on gametes and embryos. Furthermore, we highlight strategies to ameliorate the impact of OS during the whole human embryo culture period, from gametes to blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, 78300 Poissy, France;
- Department BREED, UVSQ, INRAE, Paris Saclay University, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Lina Villar Munoz
- Citmer Reproductive Medicine, IVF LAB, Mexico City 11520, Mexico; (I.M.R.); (L.V.M.)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- LogixX Pharma, Theale RG7 4AB, UK
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag 82524, Egypt
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Cell division- and DNA replication-free reprogramming of somatic nuclei for embryonic transcription. iScience 2021; 24:103290. [PMID: 34849463 PMCID: PMC8609233 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear transfer systems represent the efficient means to reprogram a cell and in theory provide a basis for investigating the development of endangered species. However, conventional nuclear transfer using oocytes of laboratory animals does not allow reprogramming of cross-species nuclei owing to defects in cell divisions and activation of embryonic genes. Here, we show that somatic nuclei transferred into mouse four-cell embryos arrested at the G2/M phase undergo reprogramming toward the embryonic state. Remarkably, genome-wide transcriptional reprogramming is induced within a day, and ZFP281 is important for this replication-free reprogramming. This system further enables transcriptional reprogramming of cells from Oryx dammah, now extinct in the wild. Thus, our findings indicate that arrested mouse embryos are competent to induce intra- and cross-species reprogramming. The direct induction of embryonic transcripts from diverse genomes paves a unique approach for identifying mechanisms of transcriptional reprogramming and genome activation from a diverse range of species.
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Fan W, Homma M, Xu R, Kunii H, Bai H, Kawahara M, Kawaguchi T, Takahashi M. The use of a two-step removal protocol and optimized culture conditions improve development and quality of zona free mouse embryos. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 577:116-123. [PMID: 34509723 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The zona pellucida (ZP) plays an important role in both the fertilization and embryonic development. For the successful handling of early stage blastomeres for differentiation analysis, the production of identical twins or quadruplets, nuclear transfer or gene introduction requires the removal of the ZP (ZPR). Although single use of either acidic Tyrode's solution or pronase are commonly used for ZPR, long-term exposure to these agents can result in the inhibition of development with the collapse of the three-dimensional blastomere structure. Here, we demonstrate the benefits of using a two-step combined ZPR method, which relies upon a customized well-of-well (cWOW) system with smaller well size, on developmental competence and the quality of the zona free (ZF) mouse embryos. We first isolated 2-cell embryos using acid Tyrode's solution and then cultured these embryos using either commercially available or cWOW, which had a smaller microwell size. The rate of blastocyst was significantly increased by use of cWOW when compared to other culture systems. Then we evaluated the use of a two-step ZPR protocol, relying on acid Tyrode's solution and proteinase K, and subsequent culture in the cWOW system. Although acid Tyrode's solution treatment alone reduced ZPR time, blastomere morphology became wrinkled, significant decrease in blastocyst rate associated with increased number of apoptotic cells and increased expression of apoptosis-related genes were observed. Using proteinase K alone increased ZPR time and significantly decreased the blastocyst rate, but did not induce an increase in apoptotic cell number or apoptosis-related gene expression. In contrast, two-step method significantly reduced ZPR time and improved blastocyst rate by increasing the total number of cells in these wells an reducing the number of apoptotic cells in these experiments. These results suggest that the two-step ZPR protocol is beneficial for reducing the toxic effects of zona removal on ZF embryo development and quality when combined with a suitable culture system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Fan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Misato Homma
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Renliang Xu
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kunii
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Hanako Bai
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Manabu Kawahara
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Kawaguchi
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8628, Japan
| | - Masashi Takahashi
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, 060-8589, Japan.
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Krawczyk K, Kosyl E, Częścik-Łysyszyn K, Wyszomirski T, Maleszewski M. Developmental capacity is unevenly distributed among single blastomeres of 2-cell and 4-cell stage mouse embryos. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21422. [PMID: 34728646 PMCID: PMC8563712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During preimplantation development, mammalian embryo cells (blastomeres) cleave, gradually losing their potencies and differentiating into three primary cell lineages: epiblast (EPI), trophectoderm (TE), and primitive endoderm (PE). The exact moment at which cells begin to vary in their potency for multilineage differentiation still remains unknown. We sought to answer the question of whether single cells isolated from 2- and 4-cell embryos differ in their ability to generate the progenitors and cells of blastocyst lineages. We revealed that twins were often able to develop into blastocysts containing inner cell masses (ICMs) with PE and EPI cells. Despite their capacity to create a blastocyst, the twins differed in their ability to produce EPI, PE, and TE cell lineages. In contrast, quadruplets rarely formed normal blastocysts, but instead developed into blastocysts with ICMs composed of only one cell lineage or completely devoid of an ICM altogether. We also showed that quadruplets have unequal capacities to differentiate into TE, PE, and EPI lineages. These findings could explain the difficulty of creating monozygotic twins and quadruplets from 2- and 4-cell stage mouse embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Krawczyk
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Ewa Kosyl
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Częścik-Łysyszyn
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wyszomirski
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marek Maleszewski
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland.
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