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Arcuri S, Pennarossa G, Gandolfi F, Brevini TAL. Generation of Trophoblast-Like Cells From Hypomethylated Porcine Adult Dermal Fibroblasts. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:706106. [PMID: 34350230 PMCID: PMC8326560 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.706106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The first differentiation event in mammalian embryos is the formation of the trophectoderm, which is the progenitor of the outer epithelial components of the placenta, and which supports the fetus during the intrauterine life. However, the epigenetic and paracrine controls at work in trophectoderm differentiation are still to be fully elucidated and the creation of dedicated in vitro models is desirable to increase our understanding. Here we propose a novel approach based on the epigenetic conversion of adult dermal fibroblasts into trophoblast-like cells. The method combines the use of epigenetic erasing with an ad hoc differentiation protocol. Dermal fibroblasts are erased with 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR) that confers cells a transient high plasticity state. They are then readdressed toward the trophoblast (TR) phenotype, using MEF conditioned medium, supplemented with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and inhibitors of the Activin/Nodal and FGF2 signaling pathways in low O2 conditions. The method here described allows the generation of TR-like cells from easily accessible material, such as dermal fibroblasts, that are very simply propagated in vitro. Furthermore, the strategy proposed is free of genetic modifications that make cells prone to instability and transformation. The TR model obtained may also find useful application in order to better characterize embryo implantation mechanisms and developmental disorders based on TR defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Arcuri
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Georgia Pennarossa
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Yoshida K, Uehara O, Kurashige Y, Paudel D, Onishi A, Neopane P, Hiraki D, Morikawa T, Harada F, Takai R, Sato J, Saitoh M, Abiko Y. Direct reprogramming of epithelial cell rests of malassez into mesenchymal-like cells by epigenetic agents. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1852. [PMID: 33473142 PMCID: PMC7817677 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79426-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA demethylating agent, 5-Azacytidine (5Aza), and histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid (Vpa), can improve the reprogramming efficiencies of pluripotent cells. This study aimed to examine the roles of 5Aza and Vpa in the dedifferentiation of epithelial cell rests of Malassez (ERM) into stem-like cells. Additionally, the ability of stem-like cells to differentiate into mesenchymal cells was evaluated. ERM was cultured in embryonic stem cell medium (ESCM) with 1 µM of 5Aza, or 2 mM of Vpa, or a combination of 5Aza and Vpa. The cells stimulated with both 5Aza and Vpa were named as progenitor-dedifferentiated into stem-like cells (Pro-DSLCs). The Pro-DSLCs cultured in ESCM alone for another week were named as DSLCs. The stem cell markers were significantly higher in the DSLCs than the controls (no additions). The mRNA and protein levels of the endothelial, mesenchymal stem, and osteogenic cell markers were significantly higher in the Pro-DSLCs and DSLCs than the controls. The combination of a demethylating agent and a deacetylated inhibitor induced the dedifferentiation of ERM into DSLCs. The Pro-DSLCs derived from ERM can be directly reprogrammed into mesenchymal-like cells without dedifferentiation into stem-like cells. Isolated ERM treated with epigenetic agents may be used for periodontal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koki Yoshida
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Osamu Uehara
- Division of Disease Control and Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Oral Growth and Development, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Kurashige
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Durga Paudel
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Aya Onishi
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Puja Neopane
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Daichi Hiraki
- Division of Reconstructive Surgery for Oral and Maxillofacial Region, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Morikawa
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Fumiya Harada
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Rie Takai
- Research Institute of Health Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Jun Sato
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Masato Saitoh
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Abiko
- Division of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Department of Human Biology and Pathophysiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido, 061-0293, Japan.
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Abstract
Cell fate specification, gene expression and spatial restriction are process finely tuned by epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. At the same time, mechanical forces have been shown to be crucial to drive cell plasticity and boost differentiation. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated that transitions along different specification states are strongly influenced by 3D rearrangement and mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment, that can modulate both cell potency and differentiation, through the activation of specific mechanosensing-related pathways. An overview of small molecule ability to modulate cell plasticity and define cell fate is here presented and results, showing the possibility to erase the epigenetic signature of adult dermal fibroblasts and convert them into insulin-producing cells (EpiCC) are described. The beneficial effects exerted on such processes, when cells are homed on an adequate substrate, that shows “in vivo” tissue-like stiffness are also discussed and the contribution of the Hippo signalling mechano-transduction pathway as one of the mechanisms involved is examined. In addition, results obtained using a genetically modified fibroblast cell line, expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the control of the porcine insulin gene (INS) promoter (INS-eGFP transgenic pigs), are reported. This model offers the advantage to monitor the progression of cell conversion in real time mode. All these observations have a main role in order to allow a swift scale-up culture procedure, essential for cell therapy and tissue engineering applied to human regenerative medicine, and fundamental to ensure an efficient translation process from the results obtained at the laboratory bench to the patient bedside. Moreover, the creation of reliable in vitro model represents a key point to ensure the development of more physiological models that, in turn, may reduce the number of animals used, implementing non-invasive investigations and animal welfare and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana A L Brevini
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
| | - Elena F M Manzoni
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
| | - Sharon Arcuri
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
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All roads lead to Rome: the many ways to pluripotency. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1029-1036. [PMID: 32198717 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01744-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell pluripotency, spatial restriction, and development are spatially and temporally controlled by epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that occur without any permanent loss or alteration of genetic material, but rather through modifications "on top of it." These changes modulate the accessibility to transcription factors, either allowing or repressing their activity, thus shaping cell phenotype. Several studies have demonstrated the possibility to interact with these processes, reactivating silenced genes and inducing a high plasticity state, via an active demethylating effect, driven by ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and an overall decrease of global methylation. In agreement with this, TET activities have been shown to be indispensable for mesenchymal to epithelial transition of somatic cells into iPSCs and for small molecule-driven epigenetic erasure. Beside the epigenetic mechanisms, growing evidences highlight the importance of mechanical forces in supporting cell pluripotency, which is strongly influenced by 3D rearrangement and mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment, through the activation of specific mechanosensing-related pathways. In this review, we discuss and provide an overview of small molecule ability to modulate cell plasticity and define cell fate through the activation of direct demethylating effects. In addition, we describe the contribution of the Hippo signaling mechanotransduction pathway as one of the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of pluripotency during embryo development and its induction in somatic cells.
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Van Soom A, Fazeli A. Epigenetics and periconception environment: an introduction. Reprod Fertil Dev 2017; 27:iii-v. [PMID: 27166920 DOI: 10.1071/rdv27n5_in] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Corresponding author.
| | - A Fazeli
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, The University Of Sheffield, Level 4, Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, S10 2SF Sheffield, UK
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