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Lenardič A, Domenig SA, Zvick J, Bundschuh N, Tarnowska-Sengül M, Furrer R, Noé FJ, Trautmann CLL, Ghosh A, Bacchin G, Gjonlleshaj P, Qabrati X, Masschelein E, De Bock K, Handschin C, Bar-Nur O. Generation of allogenic and xenogeneic functional muscle stem cells for intramuscular transplantation. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e166998. [PMID: 38713532 PMCID: PMC11178549 DOI: 10.1172/jci166998] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Satellite cells, the stem cells of skeletal muscle tissue, hold a remarkable regeneration capacity and therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. However, low satellite cell yield from autologous or donor-derived muscles hinders the adoption of satellite cell transplantation for the treatment of muscle diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). To address this limitation, here we investigated whether satellite cells can be derived in allogeneic or xenogeneic animal hosts. First, injection of CRISPR/Cas9-corrected mouse DMD-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into mouse blastocysts carrying an ablation system of host satellite cells gave rise to intraspecies chimeras exclusively carrying iPSC-derived satellite cells. Furthermore, injection of genetically corrected DMD-iPSCs into rat blastocysts resulted in the formation of interspecies rat-mouse chimeras harboring mouse satellite cells. Remarkably, iPSC-derived satellite cells or derivative myoblasts produced in intraspecies or interspecies chimeras restored dystrophin expression in DMD mice following intramuscular transplantation, and contributed to the satellite cell pool. Collectively, this study demonstrates the feasibility of producing therapeutically competent stem cells across divergent animal species, raising the possibility of generating human muscle stem cells in large animals for regenerative medicine purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajda Lenardič
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Seraina A Domenig
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Joel Zvick
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bundschuh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Monika Tarnowska-Sengül
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | | | - Falko J Noé
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Christine Ling Li Trautmann
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Adhideb Ghosh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Giada Bacchin
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Pjeter Gjonlleshaj
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Xhem Qabrati
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Evi Masschelein
- Laboratory of Exercise and Health, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Katrien De Bock
- Laboratory of Exercise and Health, ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | | | - Ori Bar-Nur
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Alemany M. The Metabolic Syndrome, a Human Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2251. [PMID: 38396928 PMCID: PMC10888680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042251] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the question of metabolic syndrome (MS) being a complex, but essentially monophyletic, galaxy of associated diseases/disorders, or just a syndrome of related but rather independent pathologies. The human nature of MS (its exceptionality in Nature and its close interdependence with human action and evolution) is presented and discussed. The text also describes the close interdependence of its components, with special emphasis on the description of their interrelations (including their syndromic development and recruitment), as well as their consequences upon energy handling and partition. The main theories on MS's origin and development are presented in relation to hepatic steatosis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, but encompass most of the MS components described so far. The differential effects of sex and its biological consequences are considered under the light of human social needs and evolution, which are also directly related to MS epidemiology, severity, and relations with senescence. The triggering and maintenance factors of MS are discussed, with especial emphasis on inflammation, a complex process affecting different levels of organization and which is a critical element for MS development. Inflammation is also related to the operation of connective tissue (including the adipose organ) and the widely studied and acknowledged influence of diet. The role of diet composition, including the transcendence of the anaplerotic maintenance of the Krebs cycle from dietary amino acid supply (and its timing), is developed in the context of testosterone and β-estradiol control of the insulin-glycaemia hepatic core system of carbohydrate-triacylglycerol energy handling. The high probability of MS acting as a unique complex biological control system (essentially monophyletic) is presented, together with additional perspectives/considerations on the treatment of this 'very' human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marià Alemany
- Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Qabrati X, Kim I, Ghosh A, Bundschuh N, Noé F, Palmer AS, Bar-Nur O. Transgene-free direct conversion of murine fibroblasts into functional muscle stem cells. NPJ Regen Med 2023; 8:43. [PMID: 37553383 PMCID: PMC10409758 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-023-00317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor-based cellular reprogramming provides an attractive approach to produce desired cell types for regenerative medicine purposes. Such cellular conversions are widely dependent on viral vectors to efficiently deliver and express defined factors in target cells. However, use of viral vectors is associated with unfavorable genomic integrations that can trigger deleterious molecular consequences, rendering this method a potential impediment to clinical applications. Here, we report on a highly efficient transgene-free approach to directly convert mouse fibroblasts into induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs) by overexpression of synthetic MyoD-mRNA in concert with an enhanced small molecule cocktail. First, we performed a candidate compound screen and identified two molecules that enhance fibroblast reprogramming into iMPCs by suppression of the JNK and JAK/STAT pathways. Simultaneously, we developed an optimal transfection protocol to transiently overexpress synthetic MyoD-mRNA in fibroblasts. Combining these two techniques enabled robust and rapid reprogramming of fibroblasts into Pax7 positive iMPCs in as little as 10 days. Nascent transgene-free iMPCs proliferated extensively in vitro, expressed a suite of myogenic stem cell markers, and could differentiate into highly multinucleated and contractile myotubes. Furthermore, using global and single-cell transcriptome assays, we delineated gene expression changes associated with JNK and JAK/STAT pathway inhibition during reprogramming, and identified in iMPCs a Pax7+ stem cell subpopulation resembling satellite cells. Last, transgene-free iMPCs robustly engrafted skeletal muscles of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model, restoring dystrophin expression in hundreds of myofibers. In summary, this study reports on an improved and clinically safer approach to convert fibroblasts into myogenic stem cells that can efficiently contribute to muscle regeneration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhem Qabrati
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Inseon Kim
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Adhideb Ghosh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bundschuh
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Falko Noé
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew S Palmer
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Footscray, VIC, Australia
| | - Ori Bar-Nur
- Laboratory of Regenerative and Movement Biology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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Battistelli C, Garbo S, Maione R. MyoD-Induced Trans-Differentiation: A Paradigm for Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Commitment, Differentiation and Reprogramming. Cells 2022; 11:3435. [PMID: 36359831 PMCID: PMC9654159 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of the skeletal muscle-specific transcription factor MyoD represents a milestone in the field of transcriptional regulation during differentiation and cell-fate reprogramming. MyoD was the first tissue-specific factor found capable of converting non-muscle somatic cells into skeletal muscle cells. A unique feature of MyoD, with respect to other lineage-specific factors able to drive trans-differentiation processes, is its ability to dramatically change the cell fate even when expressed alone. The present review will outline the molecular strategies by which MyoD reprograms the transcriptional regulation of the cell of origin during the myogenic conversion, focusing on the activation and coordination of a complex network of co-factors and epigenetic mechanisms. Some molecular roadblocks, found to restrain MyoD-dependent trans-differentiation, and the possible ways for overcoming these barriers, will also be discussed. Indeed, they are of critical importance not only to expand our knowledge of basic muscle biology but also to improve the generation skeletal muscle cells for translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rossella Maione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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Ren R, Fan Y, Peng Z, Wang S, Jiang Y, Fu L, Cao J, Zhao S, Wang H. Characterization and perturbation of CTCF-mediated chromatin interactions for enhancing myogenic transdifferentiation. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111206. [PMID: 35977522 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111206] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of key transcription factors can induce transdifferentiation in somatic cells; however, this conversion is usually incomplete due to undefined intrinsic barriers. Here, we employ MyoD-induced transdifferentiation of fibroblasts as a model to illustrate the chromatin structures that impede the cell-fate transition. Focusing on the three-dimensional (3D) chromatin interactions, we show that MyoD directly establishes chromatin loops to activate myogenic transcriptional program. Similarly, dynamic changes of CTCF-mediated chromatin interactions are favorable for fibroblast-to-myoblast conversion. However, a substantial portion of CTCF-mediated chromatin interactions remain stable, and the associated genes are steady in expression and enriched for fibroblast function that may restrict cell-identity transformation. Temporal CTCF depletion can interrupt the resistant chromatin loops to enhance myogenic transdifferentiation in mice, pig, and chicken fibroblasts. Therefore, during induced transdifferentiation, the transcription factor can directly reorganize the 3D chromatin interactions, and perturbation of CTCF-mediated genome topology may resolve the limitations of cell fate transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimin Ren
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhelun Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yunqi Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liangliang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianhua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Heng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.
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Direct Conversion of Bovine Dermal Fibroblasts into Myotubes by Viral Delivery of Transcription Factor bMyoD. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Direct reprogramming of somatic cells to myoblasts and myotubes holds great potential for muscle development, disease modeling and regenerative medicine. According to recent studies, direct conversion of fibroblasts to myoblasts was performed by using a transcription factor, myoblast determination protein (MyoD), which belongs to a family of myogenic regulatory factors. Therefore, MyoD is considered to be a key driver in the generation of induced myoblasts. In this study, we compared the direct phenotypic conversion of bovine dermal fibroblasts (BDFs) into myoblasts and myotubes by supplementing a transcription factor, bovine MyoD (bMyoD), in the form of recombinant protein or the bMyoD gene, through retroviral vectors. As a result, the delivery of the bMyoD gene to BDFs was more efficient for inducing reprogramming, resulting in direct conversion to myoblasts and myotubes, when compared with protein delivery. BDFs cultured with retrovirus encoding bMyoD increased myogenic gene expression, such as MyoG, MYH3 and MYMK. In addition, the cells expressed myoblast or myotube-specific marker proteins, MyoG and Desmin, respectively. Our findings provide an informative tool for the myogenesis of domestic-animal-derived somatic cells via transgenic technology. By using this method, a new era of regenerative medicine and cultured meat is expected.
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