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Luijkx DG, Ak A, Guo G, van Blitterswijk CA, Giselbrecht S, Vrij EJ. Monochorionic Twinning in Bioengineered Human Embryo Models. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313306. [PMID: 38593372 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Monochorionic twinning of human embryos increases the risk of complications during pregnancy. The rarity of such twinning events, combined with ethical constraints in human embryo research, makes investigating the mechanisms behind twinning practically infeasible. As a result, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the origins and early phenotypic presentation of monochorionic twin embryos. In this study, a microthermoformed-based microwell screening platform is used to identify conditions that efficiently induce monochorionic twins in human stem cell-based blastocyst models, termed "twin blastoids". These twin blastoids contain a cystic GATA3+ trophectoderm-like epithelium encasing two distinct inner cell masses (ICMs). Morphological and morphokinetic analyses reveal that twinning occurs during the cavitation phase via splitting of the OCT4+ pluripotent core. Notably, each ICM in twin blastoids contains its own NR2F2+ polar trophectoderm-like region, ready for implantation. This is functionally tested in a microfluidic chip-based implantation assay with epithelial endometrium cells. Under defined flow regimes, twin blastoids show increased adhesion capacity compared to singleton blastoids, suggestive of increased implantation potential. In conclusion, the development of technology enabling large-scale formation of twin blastoids, coupled with high-sensitivity readout capabilities, presents an unprecedented opportunity for systematically exploring monochorionic twin formation and its impact on embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian G Luijkx
- MERLN Institute of Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Department for Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
| | - Asli Ak
- MERLN Institute of Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Department for Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
| | - Ge Guo
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Clemens A van Blitterswijk
- MERLN Institute of Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Department for Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- MERLN Institute of Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Department for Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
| | - Erik J Vrij
- MERLN Institute of Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Department for Instructive Biomaterials Engineering (IBE), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
- Gynaecology, Women Mother Child Centre, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, 6202AZ, The Netherlands
- GROW - Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ET, The Netherlands
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Rossant J. Why study human embryo development? Dev Biol 2024; 509:43-50. [PMID: 38325560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the processes and mechanisms underlying early human embryo development has become an increasingly active and important area of research. It has potential for insights into important clinical issues such as early pregnancy loss, origins of congenital anomalies and developmental origins of adult disease, as well as fundamental insights into human biology. Improved culture systems for preimplantation embryos, combined with the new tools of single cell genomics and live imaging, are providing new insights into the similarities and differences between human and mouse development. However, access to human embryo material is still restricted and extended culture of early embryos has regulatory and ethical concerns. Stem cell-derived models of different phases of human development can potentially overcome these limitations and provide a scalable source of material to explore the early postimplantation stages of human development. To date, such models are clearly incomplete replicas of normal development but future technological improvements can be envisaged. The ethical and regulatory environment for such studies remains to be fully resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rossant
- The Gairdner Foundation and the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, Heritage Building, 101 College Street, Suite 335, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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Cissé YM, Montgomery KR, Zierden HC, Hill EM, Kane PJ, Huang W, Kane MA, Bale TL. Maternal preconception stress produces sex-specific effects at the maternal:fetal interface to impact offspring development and phenotypic outcomes†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:339-354. [PMID: 37971364 PMCID: PMC10873277 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad156] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Entering pregnancy with a history of adversity, including adverse childhood experiences and racial discrimination stress, is a predictor of negative maternal and fetal health outcomes. Little is known about the biological mechanisms by which preconception adverse experiences are stored and impact future offspring health outcomes. In our maternal preconception stress (MPS) model, female mice underwent chronic stress from postnatal days 28-70 and were mated 2 weeks post-stress. Maternal preconception stress dams blunted the pregnancy-induced shift in the circulating extracellular vesicle proteome and reduced glucose tolerance at mid-gestation, suggesting a shift in pregnancy adaptation. To investigate MPS effects at the maternal:fetal interface, we probed the mid-gestation placental, uterine, and fetal brain tissue transcriptome. Male and female placentas differentially regulated expression of genes involved in growth and metabolic signaling in response to gestation in an MPS dam. We also report novel offspring sex- and MPS-specific responses in the uterine tissue apposing these placentas. In the fetal compartment, MPS female offspring reduced expression of neurodevelopmental genes. Using a ribosome-tagging transgenic approach we detected a dramatic increase in genes involved in chromatin regulation in a PVN-enriched neuronal population in females at PN21. While MPS had an additive effect on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced weight gain in male offspring, both MPS and HFD were necessary to induce significant weight gain in female offspring. These data highlight the preconception period as a determinant of maternal health in pregnancy and provides novel insights into mechanisms by which maternal stress history impacts offspring developmental programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine M Cissé
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristen R Montgomery
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hannah C Zierden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Hill
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrick J Kane
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maureen A Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracy L Bale
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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4
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Canizo J, Vandal K, Biondic S, Petropoulos S. Whole-Mount RNA, Single-Molecule RNA (smRNA), and DNA Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in Mammalian Embryos. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:307-320. [PMID: 37261674 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) provides a valuable tool for studying the spatial localization of and expression level of genes and cell function in diverse biological contexts. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for the simultaneous detection of RNA (including single-molecule (sm)RNA) and DNA in mammalian embryos using FISH. RNA FISH is a technique that enables the detection and visualization of specific RNA molecules within cells. With advancements in technology, the sensitivity and specificity of RNA FISH has been improved to allow the detection of individual mRNA molecules. Both RNA and smRNA are detected using a set of fluorescent-labeled probes, which are complementary to a specific nucleotide sequence corresponding to the gene of interest. These probes hybridize to the target RNA molecules, enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple RNAs within the same cell or tissue. DNA FISH is performed using probes directed at the DNA sequence to detect the genome region of interest. In this chapter, we provide a protocol to process mammalian embryos for FISH with probe examples specifically for studying X-Chromosome activity. By utilizing other probe designs, this protocol can be adapted for the visualization and quantification of other genes and chromosomal regions of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesica Canizo
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Katherine Vandal
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Savana Biondic
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sophie Petropoulos
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Vandal K, Biondic S, Canizo J, Petropoulos S. Manual Dissociation of Mammalian Preimplantation Embryos for Single-Cell Genomics. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2767:293-305. [PMID: 37418145 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2023_494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell genomics allow the characterization and quantification of molecular heterogeneity from a wide variety of tissues. Here, we describe the manual dissociation and collection of single cells, a method adapted for the characterization of precious small tissues like preimplantation embryos. We also describe the acquisition of mouse embryos by flushing of the oviducts. The cells can then be used in multiple sequencing protocols, for example, Smart-seq2, Smart-seq3, smallseq, and scBSseq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Vandal
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, ON, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, ON, Canada
| | - Savana Biondic
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, ON, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, ON, Canada
| | - Jesica Canizo
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, ON, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Petropoulos
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Axe Immunopathologie, Montréal, ON, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, ON, Canada
- , Stockholm, Sweden
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Wilkinson AL, Zorzan I, Rugg-Gunn PJ. Epigenetic regulation of early human embryo development. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1569-1584. [PMID: 37858333 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Studies of mammalian development have advanced our understanding of the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular processes that orchestrate embryogenesis and have uncovered new insights into the unique aspects of human embryogenesis. Recent studies have now produced the first epigenetic maps of early human embryogenesis, stimulating new ideas about epigenetic reprogramming, cell fate control, and the potential mechanisms underpinning developmental plasticity in human embryos. In this review, we discuss these new insights into the epigenetic regulation of early human development and the importance of these processes for safeguarding development. We also highlight unanswered questions and key challenges that remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Zorzan
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter J Rugg-Gunn
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, UK.
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Rivron NC, Martinez-Arias A, Sermon K, Mummery C, Schöler HR, Wells J, Nichols J, Hadjantonakis AK, Lancaster MA, Moris N, Fu J, Sturmey RG, Niakan K, Rossant J, Kato K. Changing the public perception of human embryology. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1717-1719. [PMID: 37985870 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01289-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alfonso Martinez-Arias
- Systems Bioengineering, MELIS, Universidad Pompeu Fabra and Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | | | - Hans R Schöler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - James Wells
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jenny Nichols
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Roger G Sturmey
- Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Kathy Niakan
- Cambridge Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Ethics Committee, International Society for Stem Cell Research, Evanston, IL, USA
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9
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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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