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Hasanpour S, Eagderi S, Poorbagher H, Angrand PO, Hasanpour M, Lashkarbolok M. The effect of Activin pathway modulation on the expression of both pluripotency and differentiation markers during early zebrafish development compared with other vertebrates. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2021; 336:562-575. [PMID: 34254429 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Activin-like factors control many developmental processes, including pluripotency maintenance and differentiation. Although Activin-like factors' action in mesendoderm induction has been demonstrated in zebrafish, their involvement in preserving the stemness remains unknown. To investigate the role of maternal Activin-like factors, their effects were promoted or blocked using synthetic human Activin A or SB-431542 treatments respectively until the maternal to zygotic transition. To study the role of zygotic Activin-like factors, SB-431542 treatment was also applied after the maternal to zygotic transition. The effect of the pharmacological modulations of the Activin/Smad pathway was then studied on the mRNA expressions of the ndr1, ndr2, tbxta (no tail/ntl) as the differentiation index, mych, nanog, and oct4 (pou5f3) as the pluripotency markers of the zebrafish embryonic cells as well as sox17 as a definitive endoderm marker. Expression of the target genes was measured at the 16-cell, 256-cell, 1K-cell, oblong, dome, and shield stages using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Activation of the maternal Activin signaling pathway led to an increase in zygotic expression of the tbxta, particularly marked at the oblong stage. In other words, promotion of the maternal Activin/Smad pathway induced differentiation by advancing the major peaks of ndr1 and nanog, thereby eliciting tbxta expression. Whereas suppression of the maternal or zygotic Activin/Smad pathway sustained the pluripotency by preventing the major peaks of ndr1 and nanog as well as tbxta encoding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Hasanpour
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.,Development and Biosystematic Lab., Department of Fisheries and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Soheil Eagderi
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hadi Poorbagher
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Pierre-Olivier Angrand
- Univ Lille, CNRS UMR 9020, Inserm UMR-S 1277, CHU Lille, Centre Oscar Lambret, UMR Canther-Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, Lille, France
| | - Mohammad Hasanpour
- Department of Neurosurgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Lashkarbolok
- Department of Radiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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2
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Kiecker C, Bates T, Bell E. Molecular specification of germ layers in vertebrate embryos. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:923-47. [PMID: 26667903 PMCID: PMC4744249 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2092-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In order to generate the tissues and organs of a multicellular organism, different cell types have to be generated during embryonic development. The first step in this process of cellular diversification is the formation of the three germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. The ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system, epidermis and various neural crest-derived tissues, the endoderm goes on to form the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary systems as well as many endocrine glands, and the mesoderm will form the notochord, axial skeleton, cartilage, connective tissue, trunk muscles, kidneys and blood. Classic experiments in amphibian embryos revealed the tissue interactions involved in germ layer formation and provided the groundwork for the identification of secreted and intracellular factors involved in this process. We will begin this review by summarising the key findings of those studies. We will then evaluate them in the light of more recent genetic studies that helped clarify which of the previously identified factors are required for germ layer formation in vivo, and to what extent the mechanisms identified in amphibians are conserved across other vertebrate species. Collectively, these studies have started to reveal the gene regulatory network (GRN) underlying vertebrate germ layer specification and we will conclude our review by providing examples how our understanding of this GRN can be employed to differentiate stem cells in a targeted fashion for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Kiecker
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
| | - Thomas Bates
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Esther Bell
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London, UK.
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Abstract
Since its heyday in the 1980s and 90s, the field of developmental biology has gone into decline; in part because it has been eclipsed by the rise of genomics and stem cell biology, and in part because it has seemed less pertinent in an era with so much focus on translational impact. In this essay, I argue that recent progress in genome-wide analyses and stem cell research, coupled with technological advances in imaging and genome editing, have created the conditions for the renaissance of a new wave of developmental biology with greater translational relevance. A leader in the field explores why developmental biology has suffered from a relative decline in impact in recent years and presents a personal view as to why the time is ripe for its re-emergence as a key area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel St Johnston
- The Gurdon Institute and The Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Pagliuca FW, Millman JR, Gürtler M, Segel M, Van Dervort A, Ryu JH, Peterson QP, Greiner D, Melton DA. Generation of functional human pancreatic β cells in vitro. Cell 2015; 159:428-39. [PMID: 25303535 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1418] [Impact Index Per Article: 157.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The generation of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells from stem cells in vitro would provide an unprecedented cell source for drug discovery and cell transplantation therapy in diabetes. However, insulin-producing cells previously generated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) lack many functional characteristics of bona fide β cells. Here, we report a scalable differentiation protocol that can generate hundreds of millions of glucose-responsive β cells from hPSC in vitro. These stem-cell-derived β cells (SC-β) express markers found in mature β cells, flux Ca(2+) in response to glucose, package insulin into secretory granules, and secrete quantities of insulin comparable to adult β cells in response to multiple sequential glucose challenges in vitro. Furthermore, these cells secrete human insulin into the serum of mice shortly after transplantation in a glucose-regulated manner, and transplantation of these cells ameliorates hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia W Pagliuca
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Millman
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mads Gürtler
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Michael Segel
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Alana Van Dervort
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Jennifer Hyoje Ryu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Quinn P Peterson
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Dale Greiner
- Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS7-2051, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Douglas A Melton
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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Bates TJD, Vonica A, Heasman J, Brivanlou AH, Bell E. Coco regulates dorsoventral specification of germ layers via inhibition of TGFβ signalling. Development 2013; 140:4177-81. [PMID: 24026124 DOI: 10.1242/dev.095521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
One of the earliest steps in embryonic development is the specification of the germ layers, the subdivision of the blastula embryo into endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm. Maternally expressed members of the Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) family influence all three germ layers; the ligands are required to induce endoderm and mesoderm, whereas inhibitors are required for formation of the ectoderm. Here, we demonstrate a vital role for maternal Coco, a secreted antagonist of TGFβ signalling, in this process. We show that Coco is required to prevent Activin and Nodal signals in the dorsal marginal side of the embryo from invading the prospective ectoderm, thereby restricting endoderm- and mesoderm-inducing signals to the vegetal and marginal zones of the pre-gastrula Xenopus laevis embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J D Bates
- MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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Kaneda T, Motoki JYD. Gastrulation and pre-gastrulation morphogenesis, inductions, and gene expression: Similarities and dissimilarities between urodelean and anuran embryos. Dev Biol 2012; 369:1-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2011] [Revised: 05/14/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Han S, Bourdon A, Hamou W, Dziedzic N, Goldman O, Gouon-Evans V. Generation of functional hepatic cells from pluripotent stem cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; Suppl 10:1-7. [PMID: 25364624 DOI: 10.4172/2157-7633.s10-008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver diseases affect millions of people worldwide, especially in developing country. According to the American Liver Foundation, nearly 1 in every 10 Americans suffers from some form of liver disease. Even though, the liver has great ability to self-repair, in end-stage liver diseases including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer induced by viral hepatitis and drugs, the liver regenerative capacity is exhausted. The only successful treatment for chronic liver failure is the whole liver transplantation. More recently, some clinical trials using hepatocyte transplantation have shown some clinical improvement for metabolic liver diseases and acute liver failure. However, the shortage of donor livers remains a life-threatening challenge in liver disease patients. To overcome the scarcity of donor livers, hepatocytes generated from embryonic stem cell or induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation cultures could provide an unlimited supply of such cells for transplantation. This review provides an updated summary of hepatic differentiation protocols published so far, with a characterization of the hepatic cells generated in vitro and their ability to regenerate damaged livers in vivo following transplantation in pre-clinical liver deficient mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyan Han
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alice Bourdon
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wissam Hamou
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Noelle Dziedzic
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Orit Goldman
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Valerie Gouon-Evans
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Xu X, Browning VL, Odorico JS. Activin, BMP and FGF pathways cooperate to promote endoderm and pancreatic lineage cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells. Mech Dev 2011; 128:412-27. [PMID: 21855631 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The study of how human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into insulin-producing beta cells has twofold significance: first, it provides an in vitro model system for the study of human pancreatic development, and second, it serves as a platform for the ultimate production of beta cells for transplantation into patients with diabetes. The delineation of growth factor interactions regulating pancreas specification from hESCs in vitro is critical to achieving these goals. In this study, we describe the roles of growth factors bFGF, BMP4 and Activin A in early hESC fate determination. The entire differentiation process is carried out in serum-free chemically-defined media (CDM) and results in reliable and robust induction of pancreatic endoderm cells, marked by PDX1, and cell clusters co-expressing markers characteristic of beta cells, including PDX1 and insulin/C-peptide. Varying the combinations of growth factors, we found that treatment of hESCs with bFGF, Activin A and BMP4 (FAB) together for 3-4days resulted in strong induction of primitive-streak and definitive endoderm-associated genes, including MIXL1, GSC, SOX17 and FOXA2. Early proliferative foregut endoderm and pancreatic lineage cells marked by PDX1, FOXA2 and SOX9 expression are specified in EBs made from FAB-treated hESCs, but not from Activin A alone treated cells. Our results suggest that important tissue interactions occur in EB-based suspension culture that contribute to the complete induction of definitive endoderm and pancreas progenitors. Further differentiation occurs after EBs are embedded in Matrigel and cultured in serum-free media containing insulin, transferrin, selenium, FGF7, nicotinamide, islet neogenesis associated peptide (INGAP) and exendin-4, a long acting GLP-1 agonist. 21-28days after embedding, PDX1 gene expression levels are comparable to those of human islets used for transplantation, and many PDX1(+) clusters are formed. Almost all cells in PDX1(+) clusters co-express FOXA2, HNF1ß, HNF6 and SOX9 proteins, and many cells also express CPA1, NKX6.1 and PTF1a. If cells are then switched to medium containing B27 and nicotinamide for 7-14days, then the number of insulin(+) cells increases markedly. Our study identifies a new chemically defined culture protocol for inducing endoderm- and pancreas-committed cells from hESCs and reveals an interplay between FGF, Activin A and BMP signaling in early hESC fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Xu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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Denis JA, Rochon-Beaucourt C, Champon B, Pietu G. Global Transcriptional Profiling of Neural and Mesenchymal Progenitors Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Reveals Alternative Developmental Signaling Pathways. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 20:1395-409. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2010.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Alexandre Denis
- INSERM/UEVE U-861, I-STEM, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, Evry Cedex, France
| | - Christelle Rochon-Beaucourt
- INSERM/UEVE U-861, I-STEM, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, Evry Cedex, France
| | - Benoite Champon
- CECS/AFM, I-STEM, Centre d'Etude des Cellules Souches, Evry Cedex, France
| | - Geneviève Pietu
- INSERM/UEVE U-861, I-STEM, AFM, Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, Evry Cedex, France
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10
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Chng Z, Teo A, Pedersen RA, Vallier L. SIP1 mediates cell-fate decisions between neuroectoderm and mesendoderm in human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2010; 6:59-70. [PMID: 20074535 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2009.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2009] [Accepted: 11/30/2009] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) rely on fibroblast growth factor and Activin-Nodal signaling to maintain their pluripotency. However, Activin-Nodal signaling is also known to induce mesendoderm differentiation. The mechanisms by which Activin-Nodal signaling can achieve these contradictory functions remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Smad-interacting protein 1 (SIP1) limits the mesendoderm-inducing effects of Activin-Nodal signaling without inhibiting the pluripotency-maintaining effects exerted by SMAD2/3. In turn, Activin-Nodal signaling cooperates with NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2 to control the expression of SIP1 in hESCs, thereby limiting the neuroectoderm-promoting effects of SIP1. Similar results were obtained with mouse epiblast stem cells, implying that these mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved and may operate in vivo during mammalian development. Overall, our results reveal the mechanisms by which Activin-Nodal signaling acts through SIP1 to regulate the cell-fate decision between neuroectoderm and mesendoderm in the progression from pluripotency to primary germ layer differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhi Chng
- Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, West Forvie Building, Robinson Way, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
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Harkness L, Taipaleenmaki H, Mahmood A, Frandsen U, Saamanen AM, Kassem M, Abdallah BM. Isolation and Differentiation of Chondrocytic Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Using dlk1/FA1 as a Novel Surface Marker. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2009; 5:353-68. [DOI: 10.1007/s12015-009-9099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid gland development and function are essential for life, and recent findings indicate the presence of stem/progenitor cells within the thyroid gland as a potential source of tissue regeneration and cancer formation. SUMMARY This review summarizes the current knowledge on early differentiation of thyroid cells from embryonic stem cells and highlights exciting concepts and recent novel findings on adult thyroid stem/progenitor cells in the normal thyroid gland and in thyroid cancer. Other potential sources and markers of stem/progenitor cells in the thyroid include bone marrow, microchimerism, and embryological remnant-derived multifocal solid cell nests. Finally, we discuss new therapeutic strategies that target thyroid cancer stem cells. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid stem/progenitor cell populations are present in the normal and diseased thyroid gland. Advances in normal and cancer thyroid stem cell biology will be essential for future targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, Canada.
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13
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Asashima M, Ito Y, Chan T, Michiue T, Nakanishi M, Suzuki K, Hitachi K, Okabayashi K, Kondow A, Ariizumi T. In vitro organogenesis from undifferentiated cells inXenopus. Dev Dyn 2009; 238:1309-20. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.21979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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14
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Zhou J, Ou-Yang Q, Li J, Zhou XY, Lin G, Lu GX. Human Feeder Cells Support Establishment and Definitive Endoderm Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2008; 17:737-49. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2007.0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
| | - Qi Ou-Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
| | - Jin Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
| | - Guang-Xiu Lu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University and National Engineering and Research Center of Human Stem Cells, Changsha, China
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Winkler ME, Mauritz C, Groos S, Kispert A, Menke S, Hoffmann A, Gruh I, Schwanke K, Haverich A, Martin U. Serum-free differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into alveolar type II epithelial cells. CLONING AND STEM CELLS 2008; 10:49-64. [PMID: 18241124 DOI: 10.1089/clo.2007.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar type II (AT2) epithelial cells have important functions including the production of surfactant and regeneration of lost alveolar type I epithelial cells. The ability of in vitro production of AT2 cells would offer new therapeutic options in treating pulmonary injuries and disorders including genetically based surfactant deficiencies. Aiming at the generation of AT2-like cells, the differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) toward mesendodermal progenitors (MEPs) was optimized using a "Brachyury-eGFP-knock in" mESC line. eGFP expression demonstrated generation of up to 65% MEPs at day 4 after formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) under serum-free conditions. Plated EBs were further differentiated into AT2-like cells for a total of 25 days in serum-free media resulting in the expression of endodermal marker genes (FoxA2, Sox17, TTR, TTF-1) and of markers for distal lung epithelium (surfactant proteins (SP-) A, B, C, and D, CCSP, aquaporin 5). Notably, expression of SP-C as the only known AT2 cell specific marker could be detected after serum-induction as well as under serum-free conditions. Cytoplasmic localization of SP-C was demonstrated by confocal microscopy. The presence of AT2-like cells was confirmed by electron microscopy providing evidence for polarized cells with apical microvilli and lamellar body-like structures. Our results demonstrate the differentiation of AT2-like cells from mESCs after serum-induction and under serum-free conditions. The established serum-free differentiation protocol will facilitate the identification of key differentiation factors leading to a more specific and effective generation of AT2-like cells from ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica E Winkler
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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16
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Nagamine K, Furue M, Fukui A, Matsuda A, Hori T, Asashima M. Blood Cell and Vessel Formation Following Transplantation of Activin-Treated Explants in Xenopus. Biol Pharm Bull 2007; 30:1856-9. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.30.1856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miho Furue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kanagawa Dental College
| | - Akimasa Fukui
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Sciences, Hokkaido University
| | - Akira Matsuda
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Hiroshima International University
| | - Takamitsu Hori
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Hiroshima International University
| | - Makoto Asashima
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
- International Cooperative Research Program (ICORP)
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17
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Okabayashi K, Asashima M. In Vitro organogenesis using amphibian pluripotent cells. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2006; 82:197-207. [PMID: 25792783 PMCID: PMC4343058 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.82.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2006] [Accepted: 09/12/2006] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mesoderm induction as a result of the interaction between endoderm and ectoderm is one of the most crucial events in vertebrate development. We identified activin as a strong mesoderm-inducing factor in an animal cap assay, an in vitro assay system using amphibian pluripotential cell mass. Activin induces mesodermal tisswes including most dorsal mesodermal tissue, notochord (which has important roles in neural induction, somite segmentation, and endodermal organogenesis), and its effects are concentration-dependent. Animal cap cells treated with high concentrations of activin differentiate into anterior endoderm, which can act as an organizer, or center of body patterning. We have established an in vitro induction system for 22 different organs and tissues using animal cap cells, and have isolated many organ-specific genes. With these useful methods, and analysis of newly isolated tissue- and organ-specific genes, the molecular biological "road map" for organogenesis is being established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Okabayashi
- ICORP, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo,
Japan
| | - Makoto Asashima
- ICORP, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo,
Japan
- Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo,
Japan
- Recipient of Imperial Prize and Japan Academy Prize in 2001
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Abstract
The discovery of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells >20 years ago represented a major advance in biology and experimental medicine, as it enabled the routine manipulation of the mouse genome. Along with the capacity to induce genetic modifications, ES cells provided the basis for establishing an in vitro model of early mammalian development and represented a putative new source of differentiated cell types for cell replacement therapy. While ES cells have been used extensively for creating mouse mutants for more than a decade, their application as a model for developmental biology has been limited and their use in cell replacement therapy remains a goal for many in the field. Recent advances in our understanding of ES cell differentiation, detailed in this review, have provided new insights essential for establishing ES cell-based developmental models and for the generation of clinically relevant populations for cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Keller
- Department of Gene and Cell Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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19
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Yoshida S, Furue M, Nagamine K, Abe T, Fukui Y, Myoishi Y, Fujii T, Okamoto T, Taketani Y, Asashima M. MODULATION OF ACTIVIN A–INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION IN VITRO BY VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR IN XENOPUS PRESUMPTIVE ECTODERMAL CELLS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 41:104-10. [PMID: 16029071 DOI: 10.1290/040801.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that activin A at low concentrations induced ventral mesoderm including blood-like cells from Xenopus animal caps and that beating heart could be also induced from animal caps treated with 100 ng/ml activin A, suggesting that activin A might be involved in cardiac vasculogenesis. A vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful mitogen for endothelial cells and is an inducer and regulator of angiogenesis. However, VEGF function in Xenopus development is not clearly identified. In this study, we determined the effect of VEGF on activin A-induced differentiation of animal cap. The VEGF induced duct-like structure composed of Flk-1-positive cells together with the induction of nonvascular tissues, such as neural tissues. This histological result was coincident with our reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis that VEGF together with activin A promoted the expression of Xenopus N-CAM and Xenopus brachyury. This study suggests that VEGF has additional biological activities besides angiogenesis, and arises a different function that VEGF induces stroma cell migration or recruitment that are required for blood vessel formation. This differentiation system will aid in the understanding of angiogenesis during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiro Yoshida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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Ninomiya H, Elinson RP, Winklbauer R. Antero-posterior tissue polarity links mesoderm convergent extension to axial patterning. Nature 2004; 430:364-7. [PMID: 15254540 DOI: 10.1038/nature02620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2004] [Accepted: 05/04/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Remodelling its shape, or morphogenesis, is a fundamental property of living tissue. It underlies much of embryonic development and numerous pathologies. Convergent extension (CE) of the axial mesoderm of vertebrates is an intensively studied model for morphogenetic processes that rely on cell rearrangement. It involves the intercalation of polarized cells perpendicular to the antero-posterior (AP) axis, which narrows and lengthens the tissue. Several genes have been identified that regulate cell behaviour underlying CE in zebrafish and Xenopus. Many of these are homologues of genes that control epithelial planar cell polarity in Drosophila. However, elongation of axial mesoderm must be also coordinated with the pattern of AP tissue specification to generate a normal larval morphology. At present, the long-range control that orients CE with respect to embryonic axes is not understood. Here we show that the chordamesoderm of Xenopus possesses an intrinsic AP polarity that is necessary for CE, functions in parallel to Wnt/planar cell polarity signalling, and determines the direction of tissue elongation. The mechanism that establishes AP polarity involves graded activin-like signalling and directly links mesoderm AP patterning to CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromasa Ninomiya
- Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5, Canada
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Kubo A, Shinozaki K, Shannon JM, Kouskoff V, Kennedy M, Woo S, Fehling HJ, Keller G. Development of definitive endoderm from embryonic stem cells in culture. Development 2004; 131:1651-62. [PMID: 14998924 DOI: 10.1242/dev.01044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 617] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cellular and molecular events regulating the induction and tissue-specific differentiation of endoderm are central to our understanding of the development and function of many organ systems. To define and characterize key components in this process, we have investigated the potential of embryonic stem (ES) cells to generate endoderm following their differentiation to embryoid bodies (EBs) in culture. We found that endoderm can be induced in EBs, either by limited exposure to serum or by culturing in the presence of activin A (activin) under serum-free conditions. By using an ES cell line with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA targeted to the brachyury locus, we demonstrate that endoderm develops from a brachyury(+) population that also displays mesoderm potential. Transplantation of cells generated from activin-induced brachyury(+) cells to the kidney capsule of recipient mice resulted in the development of endoderm-derived structures. These findings demonstrate that ES cells can generate endoderm in culture and, as such, establish this differentiation system as a unique murine model for studying the development and specification of this germ layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kubo
- The Carl C. Icahn Center for Gene Therapy and Molecular Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Fukui Y, Furue M, Myoishi Y, Sato JD, Okamoto T, Asashima M. Long-term culture of Xenopus presumptive ectoderm in a nutrient-supplemented culture medium. Dev Growth Differ 2003; 45:499-506. [PMID: 14706074 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2003.00717.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Animal cap assay is a useful experimental model for investigating the activity of inducers in amphibian development. This assay has revealed that activin A is a potent mesoderm-inducing factor. However, it has been very difficult to induce highly differentiated tissues such as cartilage in a 3-4 day culture period. It was recently reported that jaw cartilage was induced in vitro in an animal cap that had been cultured for 14 days in Steinberg's solution using the sandwich culture method and activin A. Under these conditions, necrosis was occasionally observed in the explants. In this study, we have achieved long-term animal cap cultures in a nutrient-supplemented culture medium designated RDX. This medium was made by modifying the saline concentration of the RD medium previously developed as a basal medium for the serum-free culture of various kinds of mammalian cells. The explants cultured in RDX grew more vigorously compared with those in Steinberg's solution. RDX medium promoted a wider variety of tissue induction and gene expression in the animal caps than Steinberg's solution, and also increased the frequency of cartilage induction. Therefore, the supplemental nutrients may support and promote the differentiation of cartilage. This long-term culture method using RDX medium is useful for studying the differentiation of tissues or organs such as cartilage in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuto Fukui
- Department of Molecular Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Frontier Medical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 734-8553, Japan
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Satow R, Chan TC, Asashima M. Molecular cloning and characterization of dullard: a novel gene required for neural development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2002; 295:85-91. [PMID: 12083771 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)00641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In a screen for genes expressed in neural tissues and pronephroi, we isolated a novel gene, named dullard. Dullard protein contains the C-terminal conserved domain of NLI-IF (Nuclear LIM Interactor-Interacting Factor), a protein whose function is not yet characterized. Dullard mRNA was maternally derived and localized to the animal hemisphere. At neurula stages, the expression was in neural regions and subsequently localized to neural tissues, branchial arches, and pronephroi. Using antisense morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated inhibition, we showed that dullard was required for neural development. The translational knock-down of dullard resulted in failure of neural tube development and the embryos consequently showed a reduction of head development. Expression of neural marker genes in dullard-inhibited embryos was also suppressed. These results suggest that dullard is necessary for neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Satow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
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Hasegawa K, Sakurai N, Kinoshita T. Xoom is maternally stored and functions as a transmembrane protein for gastrulation movement in Xenopus embryos. Dev Growth Differ 2001; 43:25-31. [PMID: 11148449 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-169x.2001.00549.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Xoom has been identified as a novel gene that plays an important role in gastrulation of Xenopus laevis embryo. Although Xoom is actively transcribed during oogenesis, distribution and function of its translation product have not yet been clarified. In the present study, the polyclonal antibody raised against Xoom was generated to investigate a behavior of Xoom protein. Anti-Xoom antibodies revealed that there are two forms of Xoom protein in Xenopus embryos: (i) a 45 kDa soluble cytoplasmic form; and (ii) a 44 kDa membrane-associated form. Two forms of Xoom protein were ubiquitously detected from unfertilized egg to tadpole stage, with a qualitative peak during blastula and gastrula stages. Immunohistochemical examination showed that Xoom protein is maternally stored in the animal subcortical layer and divided into presumptive ectodermal cells during cleavage stages. Enzymatic digestion of membrane protein and immunologic detection of Xoom showed that Xoom exists as a membrane-associated protein. To examine a function of Xoom protein, anti-Xoom antibodies were injected into blastocoele of stage 7 blastula embryo. Anti-Xoom antibodies caused gastrulation defect in a dose- dependent manner. These results suggest that maternally prepared Xoom protein is involved in gastrulation movement on ectodermal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hasegawa
- Developmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Kwansei Gakuin University, 1-1-155 Uegahara, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-8501, Japan
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Moriya N, Komazaki S, Takahashi S, Yokota C, Asashima M. In vitro pancreas formation from Xenopus ectoderm treated with activin and retinoic acid. Dev Growth Differ 2000; 42:593-602. [PMID: 11142681 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-169x.2000.00542.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, isolated presumptive ectoderm from Xenopus blastula was treated with activin and retinoic acid to induce differentiation into pancreas. The presumptive ectoderm region of the blastula consists of undifferentiated cells and is fated to become epidermis and neural tissue in normal development. When the region is isolated and cultured in vitro, it develops into atypical epidermis. Isolated presumptive ectoderm was treated with activin and retinoic acid. The ectoderm frequently differentiated into pancreas-like structures accompanied by an intestinal epithelium-like structure. Sections of the explants viewed using light and electron microscopy showed some cells clustered and forming an acinus-like structure, including secretory granules. The pancreas-specific molecular markers insulin and XIHbox8 were also expressed in the treated explants. The pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucagon, were detected in the explants using immunohistochemistry. Therefore, sequential treatment with activin and retinoic acid can induce presumptive ectoderm to differentiate into a morphological and functional pancreas in vitro. When ectoderm was immediately treated with retinoic acid after treatment with activin, well-differentiated pronephric tubules were seen in a few of the differentiated pancreases. Treatment with retinoic acid 3-5 h after activin treatment induced frequent pancreatic differentiation. When the time lag was longer than 15h, the explants developed into axial mesoderm and pharynx. The present study provides an effective system for analyzing pancreas differentiation in vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Moriya
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, The University of Tokyo
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