1
|
Larionov A, Hammer CM, Fiedler K, Filgueira L. Dynamics of Endothelial Cell Diversity and Plasticity in Health and Disease. Cells 2024; 13:1276. [PMID: 39120307 PMCID: PMC11312403 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151276] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are vital structural units of the cardiovascular system possessing two principal distinctive properties: heterogeneity and plasticity. Endothelial heterogeneity is defined by differences in tissue-specific endothelial phenotypes and their high predisposition to modification along the length of the vascular bed. This aspect of heterogeneity is closely associated with plasticity, the ability of ECs to adapt to environmental cues through the mobilization of genetic, molecular, and structural alterations. The specific endothelial cytoarchitectonics facilitate a quick structural cell reorganization and, furthermore, easy adaptation to the extrinsic and intrinsic environmental stimuli, known as the epigenetic landscape. ECs, as universally distributed and ubiquitous cells of the human body, play a role that extends far beyond their structural function in the cardiovascular system. They play a crucial role in terms of barrier function, cell-to-cell communication, and a myriad of physiological and pathologic processes. These include development, ontogenesis, disease initiation, and progression, as well as growth, regeneration, and repair. Despite substantial progress in the understanding of endothelial cell biology, the role of ECs in healthy conditions and pathologies remains a fascinating area of exploration. This review aims to summarize knowledge and concepts in endothelial biology. It focuses on the development and functional characteristics of endothelial cells in health and pathological conditions, with a particular emphasis on endothelial phenotypic and functional heterogeneity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Larionov
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Anatomy, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (C.M.H.); (L.F.)
| | - Christian Manfred Hammer
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Anatomy, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (C.M.H.); (L.F.)
| | - Klaus Fiedler
- Independent Researcher, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland;
| | - Luis Filgueira
- Faculty of Science and Medicine, Anatomy, University of Fribourg, Route Albert-Gockel 1, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; (C.M.H.); (L.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Z, Wu W, Li Q, Heng X, Zhang W, Zhu Y, Chen L, Chen Z, Shen M, Ma N, Xiao Q, Yan Y. BCL6B-dependent suppression of ETV2 hampers endothelial cell differentiation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:226. [PMID: 39075623 PMCID: PMC11287929 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03832-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B-cell CLL/lymphoma 6 member B (BCL6B) operates as a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor within the nucleus, playing crucial roles in various biological functions, including tumor suppression, immune response, stem cell self-renew, and vascular angiogenesis. However, whether BCL6B is involved in endothelial cell (EC) development has remained largely unknown. ETS variant transcription factor 2 (ETV2) is well known to facilitate EC differentiation. This study aims to determine the important role of BCL6B in EC differentiation and its potential mechanisms. METHODS Doxycycline-inducible human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines with BCL6B overexpression or BCL6B knockdown were established and subjected to differentiate into ECs and vessel organoids (VOs). RNA sequencing analysis was performed to identify potential signal pathways regulated by BCL6B during EC differentiation from hiPSCs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of pluripotency and vascular-specific marker genes expression. EC differentiation efficiency was determined by Flow cytometry analysis. The performance of EC was evaluated by in vitro Tube formation assay. The protein expression and the vessel-like structures were assessed using immunofluorescence analysis or western blot. Luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-PCR analysis were used to determine the regulatory relationship between BCL6B and ETV2. RESULTS Functional ECs and VOs were successfully generated from hiPSCs. Notably, overexpression of BCL6B suppressed while knockdown of BCL6B improved EC differentiation from hiPSCs. Additionally, the overexpression of BCL6B attenuated the capacity of derived hiPSC-ECs to form a tubular structure. Furthermore, compared to the control VOs, BCL6B overexpression repressed the growth of VOs, whereas BCL6B knockdown had little effect on the size of VOs. RNA sequencing analysis confirmed that our differentiation protocol induced landscape changes for cell/tissue/system developmental process, particularly vascular development and tube morphogenesis, which were significantly modulated by BCL6B. Subsequent experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of BCL6B is facilitated by the binding of BCL6B to the promoter region of ETV2, led to the suppression of ETV2's transcriptional activity. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of BCL6B overexpression on EC differentiation from hiPSCs could be rescued by ETV2 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS BCL6B inhibits EC differentiation and hinders VO development by repressing the transcriptional activity of ETV2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghao Li
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Qiushi Li
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Xin Heng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Yinghong Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Ziqi Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Mengcheng Shen
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, USA
| | - Ning Ma
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Precision Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and Guangzhou Municipal, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Yi Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and 3D Printing Technologies, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garibyan M, Hoffman T, Makaske T, Do SK, Wu Y, Williams BA, March AR, Cho N, Pedroncelli N, Lima RE, Soto J, Jackson B, Santoso JW, Khademhosseini A, Thomson M, Li S, McCain ML, Morsut L. Engineering programmable material-to-cell pathways via synthetic notch receptors to spatially control differentiation in multicellular constructs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5891. [PMID: 39003263 PMCID: PMC11246427 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors are genetically encoded, modular synthetic receptors that enable mammalian cells to detect environmental signals and respond by activating user-prescribed transcriptional programs. Although some materials have been modified to present synNotch ligands with coarse spatial control, applications in tissue engineering generally require extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds and/or finer spatial positioning of multiple ligands. Thus, we develop here a suite of materials that activate synNotch receptors for generalizable engineering of material-to-cell signaling. We genetically and chemically fuse functional synNotch ligands to ECM proteins and ECM-derived materials. We also generate tissues with microscale precision over four distinct reporter phenotypes by culturing cells with two orthogonal synNotch programs on surfaces microcontact-printed with two synNotch ligands. Finally, we showcase applications in tissue engineering by co-transdifferentiating fibroblasts into skeletal muscle or endothelial cell precursors in user-defined micropatterns. These technologies provide avenues for spatially controlling cellular phenotypes in mammalian tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mher Garibyan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tyler Hoffman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thijs Makaske
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Utrecht University in the lab of Prof. Dr. Lukas Kapitein, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Stephanie K Do
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian A Williams
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alexander R March
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Nathan Cho
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Pedroncelli
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ricardo Espinosa Lima
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Soto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brooke Jackson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Santoso
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Matt Thomson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Megan L McCain
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Leonardo Morsut
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kiskin FN, Yang Y, Yang H, Zhang JZ. Cracking the code of the cardiovascular enigma: hPSC-derived endothelial cells unveil the secrets of endothelial dysfunction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 192:65-78. [PMID: 38761989 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a central contributor to the development of most cardiovascular diseases and is characterised by the reduced synthesis or bioavailability of the vasodilator nitric oxide together with other abnormalities such as inflammation, senescence, and oxidative stress. The use of patient-specific and genome-edited human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hPSC-ECs) has shed novel insights into the role of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases with strong genetic components such as genetic cardiomyopathies and pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, their utility in studying complex multifactorial diseases such as atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome and heart failure poses notable challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of the different methods used to generate and characterise hPSC-ECs before comprehensively assessing their effectiveness in cardiovascular disease modelling and high-throughput drug screening. Furthermore, we explore current obstacles that will need to be overcome to unleash the full potential of hPSC-ECs in facilitating patient-specific precision medicine. Addressing these challenges holds great promise in advancing our understanding of intricate cardiovascular diseases and in tailoring personalised therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fedir N Kiskin
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.
| | - Yuan Yang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.
| | - Hao Yang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.
| | - Joe Z Zhang
- Institute of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deng D, Zhang Y, Tang B, Zhang Z. Sources and applications of endothelial seed cells: a review. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:175. [PMID: 38886767 PMCID: PMC11184868 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03773-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely used as donor cells in tissue engineering, organoid vascularization, and in vitro microvascular model development. ECs are invaluable tools for disease modeling and drug screening in fundamental research. When treating ischemic diseases, EC engraftment facilitates the restoration of damaged blood vessels, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the current sources of ECs, which encompass stem/progenitor cells, primary ECs, cell lineage conversion, and ECs derived from other cellular sources, provides insights into their characteristics, potential applications, discusses challenges, and explores strategies to mitigate these issues. The primary aim is to serve as a reference for selecting suitable EC sources for preclinical research and promote the translation of basic research into clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Deng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Center for Circadian Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Center for Circadian Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Tang
- Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China.
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Center for Circadian Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nwokoye PN, Abilez OJ. Bioengineering methods for vascularizing organoids. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100779. [PMID: 38759654 PMCID: PMC11228284 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Organoids, self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from stem cells, offer unique advantages for studying organ development, modeling diseases, and screening potential therapeutics. However, their translational potential and ability to mimic complex in vivo functions are often hindered by the lack of an integrated vascular network. To address this critical limitation, bioengineering strategies are rapidly advancing to enable efficient vascularization of organoids. These methods encompass co-culturing organoids with various vascular cell types, co-culturing lineage-specific organoids with vascular organoids, co-differentiating stem cells into organ-specific and vascular lineages, using organoid-on-a-chip technology to integrate perfusable vasculature within organoids, and using 3D bioprinting to also create perfusable organoids. This review explores the field of organoid vascularization, examining the biological principles that inform bioengineering approaches. Additionally, this review envisions how the converging disciplines of stem cell biology, biomaterials, and advanced fabrication technologies will propel the creation of increasingly sophisticated organoid models, ultimately accelerating biomedical discoveries and innovations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Nwokoye
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Oscar J Abilez
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Division of Pediatric CT Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Bio-X Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chen D, Fan X, Wang K, Gong L, Melero-Martin JM, Pu WT. Pioneer factor ETV2 safeguards endothelial cell specification by recruiting the repressor REST to restrict alternative lineage commitment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.595971. [PMID: 38853821 PMCID: PMC11160620 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.595971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Mechanisms of cell fate specification remain a central question for developmental biology and regenerative medicine. The pioneer factor ETV2 is a master regulator for the endothelial cell (EC) lineage specification. Here, we studied mechanisms of ETV2-driven fate specification using a highly efficient system in which ETV2 directs human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesodermal progenitors to form ECs over two days. By applying CUT&RUN, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) analyses, we characterized the transcriptomic profiles, chromatin landscapes, dynamic cis-regulatory elements (CREs), and molecular features of EC cell differentiation mediated by ETV2. This defined the scope of ETV2 pioneering activity and identified its direct downstream target genes. Induced ETV2 expression both directed specification of endothelial progenitors and suppressed acquisition of alternative fates. Functional screening and candidate validation revealed cofactors essential for efficient EC specification, including the transcriptional activator GABPA. Surprisingly, the transcriptional repressor REST was also necessary for efficient EC specification. ETV2 recruited REST to occupy and repress non-EC lineage genes. Collectively, our study provides an unparalleled molecular analysis of EC specification at single-cell resolution and identifies the important role of pioneer factors to recruit repressors that suppress commitment to alternative lineages.
Collapse
|
8
|
Farber G, Dong Y, Wang Q, Rathod M, Wang H, Dixit M, Keepers B, Xie Y, Butz K, Polacheck WJ, Liu J, Qian L. Direct conversion of cardiac fibroblasts into endothelial-like cells using Sox17 and Erg. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4170. [PMID: 38755186 PMCID: PMC11098819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48354-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells are a heterogeneous population with various organ-specific and conserved functions that are critical to organ development, function, and regeneration. Here we report a Sox17-Erg direct reprogramming approach that uses cardiac fibroblasts to create differentiated endothelial cells that demonstrate endothelial-like molecular and physiological functions in vitro and in vivo. Injection of these induced endothelial cells into myocardial infarct sites after injury results in improved vascular perfusion of the scar region. Furthermore, we use genomic analyses to illustrate that Sox17-Erg reprogramming instructs cardiac fibroblasts toward an arterial-like identity. This results in a more efficient direct conversion of fibroblasts into endothelial-like cells when compared to traditional Etv2-based reprogramming. Overall, this Sox17-Erg direct reprogramming strategy offers a robust tool to generate endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo, and has the potential to be used in repairing injured tissue.
Collapse
Grants
- R01 HL139880 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01HL139880 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- P30 CA016086 NCI NIH HHS
- R35HL155656 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R01HL139976 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- AHA20EIA35320128 American Heart Association (American Heart Association, Inc.)
- R01 HL139976 NHLBI NIH HHS
- P30 ES010126 NIEHS NIH HHS
- AHA20EIA35310348 American Heart Association (American Heart Association, Inc.)
- F30 HL154659 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R35 HL155656 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Farber
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yanhan Dong
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Qiaozi Wang
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mitesh Rathod
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, NC, USA
- University of North Carolina Kidney Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Haofei Wang
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michelle Dixit
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Benjamin Keepers
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Yifang Xie
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kendall Butz
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - William J Polacheck
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jiandong Liu
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Li Qian
- The McAllister Heart Institute, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Umeyama T, Matsuda T, Nakashima K. Lineage Reprogramming: Genetic, Chemical, and Physical Cues for Cell Fate Conversion with a Focus on Neuronal Direct Reprogramming and Pluripotency Reprogramming. Cells 2024; 13:707. [PMID: 38667322 PMCID: PMC11049106 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although lineage reprogramming from one cell type to another is becoming a breakthrough technology for cell-based therapy, several limitations remain to be overcome, including the low conversion efficiency and subtype specificity. To address these, many studies have been conducted using genetics, chemistry, physics, and cell biology to control transcriptional networks, signaling cascades, and epigenetic modifications during reprogramming. Here, we summarize recent advances in cellular reprogramming and discuss future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Umeyama
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Taito Matsuda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shang X, Jin Y, Xue Y, Pan X, Zhu H, Meng X, Cao Z, Rui Y. Overexpression of ETV2 in BMSCs promoted wound healing in cutaneous wound mice by triggering the differentiation of BMSCs into endothelial cells and modulating the transformation of M1 phenotype macrophages to M2 phenotype macrophages. Tissue Cell 2024; 87:102334. [PMID: 38430850 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2024.102334] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of E26-transformation-specific variant-2 (ETV2) overexpression on wound healing in a cutaneous wound (CW) model and clarify associated mechanisms. pLVX-ETV2 lentivirus expressing ETV2 was constructed and infected into BMSCs to generate ETV2-overexpressed BMSCs (BMSCs+pLVX+ETV2). The RT-PCR assay was applied to amplify ETV2, VE-cadherin, vWF, ARG-1, IL-6, iNOS, TGF-β, IL-10, TNF-α. Western blot was used to determine expression of VE-cadherin and vWF. ETV2 induced differentiation of BMSCs into ECs by increasing CDH5/CD31, triggering tube-like structures, inducing Dil-Ac-LDL positive BMSCs. ETV2 overexpression increased the gene transcription and expression of VE-cadherin and vWF (P<0.01). Transcription of M1 phenotype specific iNOS gene was lower and transcription of M2 phenotype specific ARG-1 gene was higher in the RAW264.7+BMSCs+ETV2 group compared to the RAW264.7+BMSCs+pLVX group (P<0.01). ETV2 overexpression (RAW264.7+BMSCs+ETV2) downregulated IL-6 and TNF-α, and upregulated IL-10 and TGF-β gene transcription compared to RAW264.7+BMSCs+pLVX group (P<0.01). ETV2-overexpressed BMSCs promoted wound healing in CW mice and triggered the migration of BMSCs to the wound region and macrophage activation. ETV2-overexpressed BMSCs promoted collagen fibers and blood vessel formation in the wound region of CW mice. In conclusion, this study revealed a novel biofunction of ETV2 molecule in the wound healing process. ETV2 overexpression in BMSCs promoted wound healing in CW mice by triggering BMSCs differentiation into endothelial cells and modulating the transformation of M1 pro-inflammatory and M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuchao Shang
- Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou. China; The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yesheng Jin
- Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaoyun Pan
- Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, China
| | - Haiquan Zhu
- The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Xiangsheng Meng
- The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, China
| | - Zhihai Cao
- Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou. China
| | - Yongjun Rui
- Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Grath A, Dai G. SOX17/ETV2 improves the direct reprogramming of adult fibroblasts to endothelial cells. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100732. [PMID: 38503291 PMCID: PMC10985233 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
An autologous source of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) is valuable for vascular regeneration and tissue engineering without the concern of immune rejection. The transcription factor ETS variant 2 (ETV2) has been shown to directly convert patient fibroblasts into vascular EC-like cells. However, reprogramming efficiency is low and there are limitations in EC functions, such as eNOS expression. In this study, we directly reprogram adult human dermal fibroblasts into reprogrammed ECs (rECs) by overexpressing SOX17 in conjunction with ETV2. We find several advantages to rEC generation using this approach, including improved reprogramming efficiency, increased enrichment of EC genes, formation of large blood vessels carrying blood from the host, and, most importantly, expression of eNOS in vivo. From these results, we present an improved method to reprogram adult fibroblasts into functional ECs and posit ideas for the future that could potentially further improve the reprogramming process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Grath
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guohao Dai
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cho S, Xia I, Lee S, Park C, Yoon YS. Generation of Directly Reprogrammed Human Endothelial Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2835:155-164. [PMID: 39105914 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3995-5_14] [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: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Direct reprogramming provides a novel breakthrough for generating functional endothelial cells (ECs) without the need for intermediate stem or progenitor states, offering a promising resource for cardiovascular research and treatment. ETV2 is a key transcription factor that has been identified as a pioneering factor for specifying endothelial lineage. Achieving precise ETV2 induction is essential for effective endothelial reprogramming, and maintaining the reprogrammed cellular phenotype relies on a specific combination of growth factors and small molecules. Thus, we hereby provide a straightforward and comprehensive protocol for generating two distinct types of reprogrammed ECs (rECs) from human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Early rECs demonstrate a robust neovascularization property but lack the mature EC phenotype, while late rECs exhibit phenotypical similarity to human postnatal ECs and have a neovascularization capacity similar to early rECs. Both cell types can be derived from human somatic source cells, making them suitable for personalized disease investigations, drug discovery, and disease therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seonggeon Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Iris Xia
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sangho Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Changwon Park
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Sup Yoon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Marzoog BA. Autophagy Behavior in Endothelial Cell Regeneration. Curr Aging Sci 2024; 17:58-67. [PMID: 37861048 DOI: 10.2174/0118746098260689231002044435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining endothelial cell homeostasis through the turnover of intracellular components during stress conditions in a lysosomal-dependent manner. The regeneration strategy involves several aspects, including autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic degenerative lysosomal-dependent degradation of intracellular components. Autophagy modifies cellular and subcellular endothelial cell functions, including mitochondria stress, lysosomal stress, and endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response. Activation of common signaling pathways of autophagy and regeneration and enhancement of intracellular endothelial cell metabolism serve as the bases for the induction of endothelial regeneration. Endothelial progenitor cells include induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), embryonic stem cells, and somatic cells, such as fibroblasts. Future strategies of endothelial cell regeneration involve the induction of autophagy to minimize the metabolic degeneration of the endothelial cells and optimize the regeneration outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basheer Abdullah Marzoog
- World-Class Research Center «Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare», I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li Y, Song D, Yu Z, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Yan T. Effect and mechanism of hypoxia on differentiation of porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells into vascular endothelial cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:9-22. [PMID: 38148354 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-023-00833-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Pigs are similar to humans in organ size and physiological function, and are considered as good models for studying cardiovascular diseases. The study of porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSC) differentiating into vascular endothelial cells (EC) is expected to open up a new way of obtaining high-quality seed cells. Given that the hypoxic environment has an important role in the differentiation process of vascular EC, this work intends to establish a hypoxia-induced differentiation system of piPSC into vascular EC. There is evidence that the hypoxia microenvironment in the initial stage could significantly improve differentiation efficiency. Further study suggests that the hypoxia culture system supports a combined effect of hypoxia inducible factors and their associated regulatory molecules, such as HIF-1α, VEGFA, FGF2, LDH-A, and PDK1, which can efficiently promote the lineage-specific differentiation of piPSC into EC. Most notably, the high level of ETV2 after 4 d of hypoxic treatment indicates that it possibly plays an important role in the promoting process of EC differentiation. The research is expected to help the establishment of new platforms for piPSC directional induction research, so as to obtain adequate seed cells with ideal phenotype and functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Danyang Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Zhuoran Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Tingsheng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, Heilongjiang, China.
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Konishi H, Rahmawati FN, Okamoto N, Akuta K, Inukai K, Jia W, Muramatsu F, Takakura N. Discovery of Transcription Factors Involved in the Maintenance of Resident Vascular Endothelial Stem Cell Properties. Mol Cell Biol 2024; 44:17-26. [PMID: 38247234 PMCID: PMC10829836 DOI: 10.1080/10985549.2023.2297997] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A resident vascular endothelial stem cell (VESC) population expressing CD157 has been identified recently in mice. Herein, we identified transcription factors (TFs) regulating CD157 expression in endothelial cells (ECs) that were associated with drug resistance, angiogenesis, and EC proliferation. In the first screening, we detected 20 candidate TFs through the CD157 promoter and gene expression analyses. We found that 10 of the 20 TFs induced CD157 expression in ECs. We previously reported that 70% of CD157 VESCs were side population (SP) ECs that abundantly expressed ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Here, we found that the 10 TFs increased the expression of several ABC transporters in ECs and increased the proportion of SP ECs. Of these 10 TFs, we found that six (Atf3, Bhlhe40, Egr1, Egr2, Elf3, and Klf4) were involved in the manifestation of the SP phenotype. Furthermore, the six TFs enhanced tube formation and proliferation in ECs. Single-cell RNA sequence data in liver ECs suggested that Atf3 and Klf4 contributed to the production of CD157+ VESCs in the postnatal period. We concluded that Klf4 might be important for the development and maintenance of liver VESCs. Our work suggests that a TF network is involved in the differentiation hierarchy of VESCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Konishi
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Fitriana N. Rahmawati
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Naoki Okamoto
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Keigo Akuta
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Koichi Inukai
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Weizhen Jia
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Muramatsu
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takakura
- Department of Signal Transduction, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, World Premier International Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liang J, Zhao J, Chen Y, Li B, Li Y, Lu F, Dong Z. New Insights and Advanced Strategies for In Vitro Construction of Vascularized Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:692-709. [PMID: 37409413 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Inadequate vascularization is a significant barrier to clinical application of large-volume tissue engineered grafts. In contrast to in vivo vascularization, in vitro prevascularization shortens the time required for host vessels to grow into the graft core and minimizes necrosis in the core region of the graft. However, the challenge of prevascularization is to construct hierarchical perfusable vascular networks, increase graft volume, and form a vascular tip that can anastomose with host vessels. Understanding advances in in vitro prevascularization techniques and new insights into angiogenesis could overcome these obstacles. In the present review, we discuss new perspectives on angiogenesis, the differences between in vivo and in vitro tissue vascularization, the four elements of prevascularized constructs, recent advances in perfusion-based in vitro prevascularized tissue fabrication, and prospects for large-volume prevascularized tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiancong Liang
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunzi Chen
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Lu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqing Dong
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Adegunsoye A, Gonzales NM, Gilad Y. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Disease Biology and the Evidence for Their In Vitro Utility. Annu Rev Genet 2023; 57:341-360. [PMID: 37708421 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-022123-090319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Many human phenotypes are impossible to recapitulate in model organisms or immortalized human cell lines. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a way to study disease mechanisms in a variety of differentiated cell types while circumventing ethical and practical issues associated with finite tissue sources and postmortem states. Here, we discuss the broad utility of iPSCs in genetic medicine and describe how they are being used to study musculoskeletal, pulmonary, neurologic, and cardiac phenotypes. We summarize the particular challenges presented by each organ system and describe how iPSC models are being used to address them. Finally, we discuss emerging iPSC-derived organoid models and the potential value that they can bring to studies of human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Adegunsoye
- Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, and the Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA;
| | - Natalia M Gonzales
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ,
| | - Yoav Gilad
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; ,
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Kim S, Lee H, Hong J, Kim SHL, Kwon E, Park TH, Hwang NS. Bone-Targeted Delivery of Cell-Penetrating-RUNX2 Fusion Protein in Osteoporosis Model. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301570. [PMID: 37574255 PMCID: PMC10558633 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The onset of osteoporosis leads to a gradual decrease in bone density due to an imbalance between bone formation and resorption. To achieve optimal drug efficacy with minimal side effects, targeted drug delivery to the bone is necessary. Previous studies have utilized peptides that bind to hydroxyapatite, a mineral component of bone, for bone-targeted drug delivery. In this study, a hydroxyapatite binding (HAB) tag is fused to 30Kc19α-Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) for bone-targeting. This recombinant protein can penetrate the nucleus of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and act as a master transcription factor for osteogenesis. The HAB tag increases the binding affinity of 30Kc19α-RUNX2 to mineral deposition in mature osteoblasts and bone tissue, without affecting its osteogenic induction capability. In the osteoporosis mouse model, intravenous injection of HAB-30Kc19α-RUNX2 results in preferential accumulation in the femur and promotes bone formation while reducing toxicity in the spleen. These findings suggest that HAB-30Kc19α-RUNX2 may be a promising candidate for bone-targeted therapy in osteoporosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seoyeon Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological EngineeringInstitute of Chemical ProcessesSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Haein Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological EngineeringInstitute of Chemical ProcessesSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Hong
- School of Chemical and Biological EngineeringInstitute of Chemical ProcessesSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun L. Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Euntaek Kwon
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| | - Tai Hyun Park
- School of Chemical and Biological EngineeringInstitute of Chemical ProcessesSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
- BioMAX/N‐Bio InstituteInstitute of BioEngineerigSeoul National University1 Gwanakro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
- Department of Nutritional Science and Food ManagementEwha Womans University52, Ewhayeodae‐gil, Seodaemun‐guSeoul03760Republic of Korea
| | - Nathaniel S. Hwang
- School of Chemical and Biological EngineeringInstitute of Chemical ProcessesSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in BioengineeringSeoul National University1 Gwanak‐ro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
- BioMAX/N‐Bio InstituteInstitute of BioEngineerigSeoul National University1 Gwanakro, Gwanak‐guSeoul08826Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Du J, Liu X, Wong CWY, Wong KKY, Yuan Z. Direct cellular reprogramming and transdifferentiation of fibroblasts on wound healing-Fantasy or reality? Chronic Dis Transl Med 2023; 9:191-199. [PMID: 37711868 PMCID: PMC10497843 DOI: 10.1002/cdt3.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is one of the de novo approaches in regeneration medicine and has led to new research applications for wound healing in recent years. Fibroblasts have attracted wide attention as the first cell line used for differentiation into iPSCs. Researchers have found that fibroblasts can be induced into different types of cells in variable mediums or microenvironments. This indicates the potential "stem" characteristics of fibroblasts in terms of direct cellular reprogramming compared with the iPSC detour. In this review, we described the morphology and biological function of fibroblasts. The stem cell characteristics and activities of fibroblasts, including transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, osteogenic cells, chondrogenic cells, neurons, and vascular tissue, are discussed. The biological values of fibroblasts are then briefly reviewed. Finally, we discussed the potential applications of fibroblasts in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Du
- Diabetic Foot Diagnosis and Treatment CentreJilin Province People HospitalChangchunJilinChina
| | - Xuelai Liu
- Department of SurgeryCapital Institute of Pediatrics Affiliated Children HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Carol Wing Yan Wong
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Kenneth Kak Yuen Wong
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of MedicineThe University of Hong KongHong Kong SARChina
| | - Zhixin Yuan
- Department of Emergency SurgeryJilin Province People HospitalChangchunJilinChina
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
van Kuijk K, McCracken IR, Tillie RJHA, Asselberghs SEJ, Kheder DA, Muitjens S, Jin H, Taylor RS, Wichers Schreur R, Kuppe C, Dobie R, Ramachandran P, Gijbels MJ, Temmerman L, Kirkwoord PM, Luyten J, Li Y, Noels H, Goossens P, Wilson-Kanamori JR, Schurgers LJ, Shen YH, Mees BME, Biessen EAL, Henderson NC, Kramann R, Baker AH, Sluimer JC. Human and murine fibroblast single-cell transcriptomics reveals fibroblast clusters are differentially affected by ageing and serum cholesterol. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1509-1523. [PMID: 36718802 PMCID: PMC10318398 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Specific fibroblast markers and in-depth heterogeneity analysis are currently lacking, hindering functional studies in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Here, we established cell-type markers and heterogeneity in murine and human arteries and studied the adventitial fibroblast response to CVD and its risk factors hypercholesterolaemia and ageing. METHODS AND RESULTS Murine aorta single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of adventitial mesenchymal cells identified fibroblast-specific markers. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry validated platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) and dipeptidase 1 (DPEP1) across human and murine aorta, carotid, and femoral arteries, whereas traditional markers such as the cluster of differentiation (CD)90 and vimentin also marked transgelin+ vascular smooth muscle cells. Next, pseudotime analysis showed multiple fibroblast clusters differentiating along trajectories. Three trajectories, marked by CD55 (Cd55+), Cxcl chemokine 14 (Cxcl14+), and lysyl oxidase (Lox+), were reproduced in an independent RNA-seq dataset. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed divergent functional profiles of the three trajectories, related to vascular development, antigen presentation, and/or collagen fibril organization, respectively. Trajectory-specific genes included significantly more genes with known genome-wide associations (GWAS) to CVD than expected by chance, implying a role in CVD. Indeed, differential regulation of fibroblast clusters by CVD risk factors was shown in the adventitia of aged C57BL/6J mice, and mildly hypercholesterolaemic LDLR KO mice on chow by flow cytometry. The expansion of collagen-related CXCL14+ and LOX+ fibroblasts in aged and hypercholesterolaemic aortic adventitia, respectively, coincided with increased adventitial collagen. Immunohistochemistry, bulk, and single-cell transcriptomics of human carotid and aorta specimens emphasized translational value as CD55+, CXCL14+ and LOX+ fibroblasts were observed in healthy and atherosclerotic specimens. Also, trajectory-specific gene sets are differentially correlated with human atherosclerotic plaque traits. CONCLUSION We provide two adventitial fibroblast-specific markers, PDGFRA and DPEP1, and demonstrate fibroblast heterogeneity in health and CVD in humans and mice. Biological relevance is evident from the regulation of fibroblast clusters by age and hypercholesterolaemia in vivo, associations with human atherosclerotic plaque traits, and enrichment of genes with a GWAS for CVD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim van Kuijk
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ian R McCracken
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS), Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Renée J H A Tillie
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan E J Asselberghs
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dlzar A Kheder
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stan Muitjens
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Han Jin
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Richard S Taylor
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS), Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Ruud Wichers Schreur
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph Kuppe
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Prakesh Ramachandran
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion J Gijbels
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- GROW, School for Oncology and Development Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lieve Temmerman
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Phoebe M Kirkwoord
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joris Luyten
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heidi Noels
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Goossens
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - John R Wilson-Kanamori
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leon J Schurgers
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Barend M E Mees
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik A L Biessen
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS), Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Judith C Sluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences (CVS), Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cho S, Aakash P, Lee S, Yoon YS. Endothelial cell direct reprogramming: Past, present, and future. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 180:22-32. [PMID: 37080451 PMCID: PMC10330356 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic cardiovascular disease still remains as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality despite various medical, surgical, and interventional therapy. As such, cell therapy has emerged as an attractive option because it tackles underlying problem of the diseases by inducing neovascularization in ischemic tissue. After overall failure of adult stem or progenitor cells, studies attempted to generate endothelial cells (ECs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). While endothelial cells (ECs) differentiated from PSCs successfully induced vascular regeneration, differentiating volatility and tumorigenic potential is a concern for their clinical applications. Alternatively, direct reprogramming strategies employ lineage-specific factors to change cell fate without achieving pluripotency. ECs have been successfully reprogrammed via ectopic expression of transcription factors (TFs) from endothelial lineage. The reprogrammed ECs induced neovascularization in vitro and in vivo and thus demonstrated their therapeutic value in animal models of vascular insufficiency. Methods of delivering reprogramming factors include lentiviral or retroviral vectors and more clinically relevant, non-integrative adenoviral and episomal vectors. Most studies made use of fibroblast as a source cell for reprogramming, but reprogrammability of other clinically relevant source cell types has to be evaluated. Specific mechanisms and small molecules that are involved in the aforementioned processes tackles challenges associated with direct reprogramming efficiency and maintenance of reprogrammed EC characteristics. After all, this review provides summary of past and contemporary methods of direct endothelial reprogramming and discusses the future direction to overcome these challenges to acquire clinically applicable reprogrammed ECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seonggeon Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Parthasarathy Aakash
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sangho Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Young-Sup Yoon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
D'Antoni C, Mautone L, Sanchini C, Tondo L, Grassmann G, Cidonio G, Bezzi P, Cordella F, Di Angelantonio S. Unlocking Neural Function with 3D In Vitro Models: A Technical Review of Self-Assembled, Guided, and Bioprinted Brain Organoids and Their Applications in the Study of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10762. [PMID: 37445940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the complexities of the human brain and its associated disorders poses a significant challenge in neuroscience. Traditional research methods have limitations in replicating its intricacies, necessitating the development of in vitro models that can simulate its structure and function. Three-dimensional in vitro models, including organoids, cerebral organoids, bioprinted brain models, and functionalized brain organoids, offer promising platforms for studying human brain development, physiology, and disease. These models accurately replicate key aspects of human brain anatomy, gene expression, and cellular behavior, enabling drug discovery and toxicology studies while providing insights into human-specific phenomena not easily studied in animal models. The use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells has revolutionized the generation of 3D brain structures, with various techniques developed to generate specific brain regions. These advancements facilitate the study of brain structure development and function, overcoming previous limitations due to the scarcity of human brain samples. This technical review provides an overview of current 3D in vitro models of the human cortex, their development, characterization, and limitations, and explores the state of the art and future directions in the field, with a specific focus on their applications in studying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiara D'Antoni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenza Mautone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Sanchini
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Tondo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Greta Grassmann
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Cidonio
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Bezzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- D-Tails s.r.l., 00165 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Garibyan M, Hoffman T, Makaske T, Do S, March AR, Cho N, Pedroncelli N, Lima RE, Soto J, Jackson B, Khademhosseini A, Li S, McCain M, Morsut L. Engineering Programmable Material-To-Cell Pathways Via Synthetic Notch Receptors To Spatially Control Cellular Phenotypes In Multi-Cellular Constructs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.541497. [PMID: 37293089 PMCID: PMC10245658 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors are modular synthetic components that are genetically engineered into mammalian cells to detect signals presented by neighboring cells and respond by activating prescribed transcriptional programs. To date, synNotch has been used to program therapeutic cells and pattern morphogenesis in multicellular systems. However, cell-presented ligands have limited versatility for applications that require spatial precision, such as tissue engineering. To address this, we developed a suite of materials to activate synNotch receptors and serve as generalizable platforms for generating user-defined material-to-cell signaling pathways. First, we demonstrate that synNotch ligands, such as GFP, can be conjugated to cell- generated ECM proteins via genetic engineering of fibronectin produced by fibroblasts. We then used enzymatic or click chemistry to covalently link synNotch ligands to gelatin polymers to activate synNotch receptors in cells grown on or within a hydrogel. To achieve microscale control over synNotch activation in cell monolayers, we microcontact printed synNotch ligands onto a surface. We also patterned tissues comprising cells with up to three distinct phenotypes by engineering cells with two distinct synthetic pathways and culturing them on surfaces microfluidically patterned with two synNotch ligands. We showcase this technology by co-transdifferentiating fibroblasts into skeletal muscle or endothelial cell precursors in user-defined spatial patterns towards the engineering of muscle tissue with prescribed vascular networks. Collectively, this suite of approaches extends the synNotch toolkit and provides novel avenues for spatially controlling cellular phenotypes in mammalian multicellular systems, with many broad applications in developmental biology, synthetic morphogenesis, human tissue modeling, and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
|
24
|
Kim TM, Lee RH, Kim MS, Lewis CA, Park C. ETV2/ER71, the key factor leading the paths to vascular regeneration and angiogenic reprogramming. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:41. [PMID: 36927793 PMCID: PMC10019431 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03267-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive efforts have been made to achieve vascular regeneration accompanying tissue repair for treating vascular dysfunction-associated diseases. Recent advancements in stem cell biology and cell reprogramming have opened unforeseen opportunities to promote angiogenesis in vivo and generate autologous endothelial cells (ECs) for clinical use. We have, for the first time, identified a unique endothelial-specific transcription factor, ETV2/ER71, and revealed its essential role in regulating endothelial cell generation and function, along with vascular regeneration and tissue repair. Furthermore, we and other groups have demonstrated its ability to directly reprogram terminally differentiated non-ECs into functional ECs, proposing ETV2/ER71 as an effective therapeutic target for vascular diseases. In this review, we discuss the up-to-date status of studies on ETV2/ER71, spanning from its molecular mechanism to vasculo-angiogenic role and direct cell reprogramming toward ECs. Furthermore, we discuss future directions to deploy the clinical potential of ETV2/ER71 as a novel and potent target for vascular disorders such as cardiovascular disease, neurovascular impairment and cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae Min Kim
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institutes of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, 1447 Pyeongchang-daero, Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, 25354, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ra Ham Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Min Seong Kim
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Chloe A Lewis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Changwon Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sellahewa SG, Li JY, Xiao Q. Updated Perspectives on Direct Vascular Cellular Reprogramming and Their Potential Applications in Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. J Funct Biomater 2022; 14:21. [PMID: 36662068 PMCID: PMC9866165 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a globally prevalent disease with far-reaching medical and socio-economic consequences. Although improvements in treatment pathways and revascularisation therapies have slowed disease progression, contemporary management fails to modulate the underlying atherosclerotic process and sustainably replace damaged arterial tissue. Direct cellular reprogramming is a rapidly evolving and innovative tissue regenerative approach that holds promise to restore functional vasculature and restore blood perfusion. The approach utilises cell plasticity to directly convert somatic cells to another cell fate without a pluripotent stage. In this narrative literature review, we comprehensively analyse and compare direct reprogramming protocols to generate endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and vascular progenitors. Specifically, we carefully examine the reprogramming factors, their molecular mechanisms, conversion efficacies and therapeutic benefits for each induced vascular cell. Attention is given to the application of these novel approaches with tissue engineered vascular grafts as a therapeutic and disease-modelling platform for cardiovascular diseases. We conclude with a discussion on the ethics of direct reprogramming, its current challenges, and future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saneth Gavishka Sellahewa
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jojo Yijiao Li
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cui X, Wang X, Wen J, Li X, Li N, Hao X, Zhao B, Wu X, Miao J. Identification of a new way to induce differentiation of dermal fibroblasts into vascular endothelial cells. STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY 2022; 13:501. [PMID: 36210433 PMCID: PMC9549676 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) have the potential to differentiate into vascular endothelial cells (VECs), but their differentiation rate is low and the mechanism involved is not clear. The small molecule pathway controls the phenotype of fibroblasts by activating cellular signaling pathways, which is a more convenient method in the differentiation strategy of HDFs into VECs. Methods In this study, HDFs were treated with the different doses of CPP ((E)-4-(4-(4-(7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carbonyl) piperazin-1-yl) styryl)-1-methylpyridin-1-ium iodide), and the mRNA and protein levels of HDFs were detected by qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining. The matrigel assays, acetylated-LDL uptake and angiogenesis assays of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and hindlimb ischemia model of nude mice were performed to evaluate the functions of VECs derived from HDFs. Results Here, we report that the small chemical molecule, CPP, can effectively induce HDFs to differentiate into VECs. First, we observed the morphological changes of HDFS treated with CPP. Flow cytometry, Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses showed that CPP effectively decreased the level of the HDFs-marker Vimentin and increased levels of the VEC-markers CD31, CD133, TEK, ERG, vWF, KDR and CDH5. Detection of the percentage of CD31-positive cells by immunofluorescent staining confirmed that CPP can effectively induce HDFs to differentiate into VECs. The results of Matrigel assays, DiI-ac-LDL uptake, angiogenesis assays on CAM and hindlimb ischemia model of nude mice showed that CPP-induced HDFs have the functions of VECs in vitro and in vivo. Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis showed that CPP induces HDFs to differentiate into VECs by promoting the expression of pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, FGF-2 and PDGF-BB). Conclusions Our data suggest that the small chemical molecule CPP efficiently induces the differentiation of HDFs into VECs. Simultaneously, this new inducer provides a potential to develop new approaches to restore vascular function for the treatment of ischemic vascular diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03185-4.
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Embryonic development and cell specification have been viewed as an epigenetically rigid process. Through accumulation of irreversible epigenetic marks, the differentiation process has been considered unidirectional, and once completed cell specification would be permanent and stable. However, somatic cell nuclear transfer that involved the implantation of a somatic nucleus into a previously enucleated oocyte accomplished in amphibians in the 1950s and in mammals in the late 1990s-resulting in the birth of "Dolly the sheep"-clearly showed that "terminal" differentiation is reversible. In parallel, work on lineage-determining factors like MyoD revealed surprising potential to modulate lineage identity in somatic cells. This work culminated in the discovery that a set of four defined factors can reprogram fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which were shown to be molecularly and functionally equivalent to blastocyst-derived embryonic stem (ES) cells, thus essentially showing that defined factors can induce authentic reprogramming without the need of oocytes. This concept was further extended when it was shown that fibroblasts can be directly converted into neurons, showing induced lineage conversion is possible even between cells representing two different germ layers. These findings suggest that "everything is possible" (i.e., once key lineage reprogramming factors are identified, cells should be able to convert into any desired lineage).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Shelby
- Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Tara Shelby
- Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jung C, Oh JE, Lee S, Yoon YS. Generation and Application of Directly Reprogrammed Endothelial Cells. Korean Circ J 2022; 52:643-658. [PMID: 36097834 PMCID: PMC9470489 DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2022.0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising option for treating advanced ischemic cardiovascular disease by inducing vascular regeneration. However, clinical trials with adult cells turned out disappointing in general. As a newer approach, direct reprogramming has emerged to efficiently generate endothelial cells (ECs), which can promote neovascularization and vascular regeneration. This review provides recent updates on the direct endothelial reprogramming. In general, directly reprogrammed ECs can be generated by two approaches: one by transitioning through a plastic intermediate state and the other in a one-step transition without any intermediate states toward pluripotency. Moreover, the methods to deliver reprogramming factors and chemicals for the fate conversion are highlighted. Next, the therapeutic effects of the directly reprogrammed ECs on animal models are reviewed in detail. Other applications using directly reprogrammed ECs, such as tissue engineering and disease modeling, are also discussed. Lastly, the remaining questions and foremost challenges are addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cholomi Jung
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee Eun Oh
- Research and Development Center, KarisBio Inc., Seoul, Korea
| | - Sangho Lee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Young-Sup Yoon
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Research and Development Center, KarisBio Inc., Seoul, Korea
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sierra-Pagan JE, Garry DJ. The regulatory role of pioneer factors during cardiovascular lineage specification – A mini review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:972591. [PMID: 36082116 PMCID: PMC9445115 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.972591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one cause of death worldwide. Ischemic heart disease contributes to heart failure and has considerable morbidity and mortality. Therefore, alternative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. One class of epigenetic regulators known as pioneer factors has emerged as an important tool for the development of regenerative therapies for the treatment of CVD. Pioneer factors bind closed chromatin and remodel it to drive lineage specification. Here, we review pioneer factors within the cardiovascular lineage, particularly during development and reprogramming and highlight the implications this field of research has for the future development of cardiac specific regenerative therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javier E. Sierra-Pagan
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Daniel J. Garry
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Daniel J. Garry
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Soltani Dehnavi S, Eivazi Zadeh Z, Harvey AR, Voelcker NH, Parish CL, Williams RJ, Elnathan R, Nisbet DR. Changing Fate: Reprogramming Cells via Engineered Nanoscale Delivery Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2108757. [PMID: 35396884 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The incorporation of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine is at the nexus of fundamental innovations and early-stage breakthroughs, enabling exciting biomedical advances. One of the most exciting recent developments is the use of nanoscale constructs to influence the fate of cells, which are the basic building blocks of healthy function. Appropriate cell types can be effectively manipulated by direct cell reprogramming; a robust technique to manipulate cellular function and fate, underpinning burgeoning advances in drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, and disease remodeling. Individual transcription factors, or combinations thereof, can be introduced into cells using both viral and nonviral delivery systems. Existing approaches have inherent limitations. Viral-based tools include issues of viral integration into the genome of the cells, the propensity for uncontrollable silencing, reduced copy potential and cell specificity, and neutralization via the immune response. Current nonviral cell reprogramming tools generally suffer from inferior expression efficiency. Nanomaterials are increasingly being explored to address these challenges and improve the efficacy of both viral and nonviral delivery because of their unique properties such as small size and high surface area. This review presents the state-of-the-art research in cell reprogramming, focused on recent breakthroughs in the deployment of nanomaterials as cell reprogramming delivery tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Soltani Dehnavi
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Health & Medicine, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Research School of Chemistry, ANU College of Science, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- ANU College of Engineering & Computer Science, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Zahra Eivazi Zadeh
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, 15875-4413, Iran
- The Graeme Clark Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, and Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Bayview Avenue, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Clare L Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Richard J Williams
- iMPACT, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Roey Elnathan
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, 151 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Bayview Avenue, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- iMPACT, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - David R Nisbet
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Health & Medicine, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Research School of Chemistry, ANU College of Science, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- The Graeme Clark Institute, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Koyano-Nakagawa N, Gong W, Das S, Theisen JWM, Swanholm TB, Van Ly D, Dsouza N, Singh BN, Kawakami H, Young S, Chen KQ, Kawakami Y, Garry DJ. Etv2 regulates enhancer chromatin status to initiate Shh expression in the limb bud. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4221. [PMID: 35864091 PMCID: PMC9304341 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is essential for limb development, and the mechanisms that govern the propagation and maintenance of its expression has been well studied; however, the mechanisms that govern the initiation of Shh expression are incomplete. Here we report that ETV2 initiates Shh expression by changing the chromatin status of the developmental limb enhancer, ZRS. Etv2 expression precedes Shh in limb buds, and Etv2 inactivation prevents the opening of limb chromatin, including the ZRS, resulting in an absence of Shh expression. Etv2 overexpression in limb buds causes nucleosomal displacement at the ZRS, ectopic Shh expression, and polydactyly. Areas of nucleosome displacement coincide with ETS binding site clusters. ETV2 also functions as a transcriptional activator of ZRS and is antagonized by ETV4/5 repressors. Known human polydactyl mutations introduce novel ETV2 binding sites in the ZRS, suggesting that ETV2 dosage regulates ZRS activation. These studies identify ETV2 as a pioneer transcription factor (TF) regulating the onset of Shh expression, having both a chromatin regulatory role and a transcriptional activation role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Koyano-Nakagawa
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C., Minneapolis, MN, 55402, USA
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, St. Paul, MN, 55105, USA
| | - Wuming Gong
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Satyabrata Das
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Joshua W M Theisen
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Tran B Swanholm
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Daniel Van Ly
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Nikita Dsouza
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Bhairab N Singh
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Hiroko Kawakami
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Samantha Young
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Katherine Q Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Daniel J Garry
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Induced Endothelial Cell-Integrated Liver Assembloids Promote Hepatic Maturation and Therapeutic Effect on Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142242. [PMID: 35883684 PMCID: PMC9317515 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived liver organoids has been studied to solve the current donor shortage. However, the differentiation of unintended cell populations, difficulty in generating multi-lineage organoids, and tumorigenicity of PSC-derived organoids are challenges. However, direct conversion technology has allowed for the generation lineage-restricted induced stem cells from somatic cells bypassing the pluripotent state, thereby eliminating tumorigenic risks. Here, liver assembloids (iHEAs) were generated by integrating induced endothelial cells (iECs) into the liver organoids (iHLOs) generated with induced hepatic stem cells (iHepSCs). Liver assembloids showed enhanced functional maturity compared to iHLOs in vitro and improved therapeutic effects on cholestatic liver fibrosis animals in vivo. Mechanistically, FN1 expressed from iECs led to the upregulation of Itgα5/β1 and Hnf4α in iHEAs and were correlated to the decreased expression of genes related to hepatic stellate cell activation such as Lox and Spp1 in the cholestatic liver fibrosis animals. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the possibility of generating transplantable iHEAs with directly converted cells, and our results evidence that integrating iECs allows iHEAs to have enhanced hepatic maturation compared to iHLOs.
Collapse
|
33
|
Kim SHL, Cho S, Kim S, Kwon J, Lee J, Koh RH, Park JH, Lee H, Park TH, Hwang NS. Cellular direct conversion by cell penetrable OCT4-30Kc19 protein and BMP4 growth factor. Biomater Res 2022; 26:33. [PMID: 35836274 PMCID: PMC9281139 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-022-00280-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The number of patients suffering from osteoporosis is increasing as the elderly population increases. The demand for investigating bone regeneration strategies naturally arises. One of the approaches to induce bone regeneration is somatic cell transdifferentiation. Among the transcriptional regulators for transdifferentiation, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) is famous for its role in the regulation of pluripotency of stem cells. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is another factor that is known to have a significant role in osteogenic differentiation. Previous studies have achieved transdifferentiation of cells into osteoblasts using viral and plasmid deliveries of these factors. Although these methods are efficient, viral and plasmid transfection have safety issues such as permanent gene incorporations and bacterial DNA insertions. Herein, we developed a cell penetrating protein-based strategy to induce transdifferentiation of endothelial cells into osteoblasts via nuclear delivery of OCT4 recombinant protein combined with the BMP4 treatment. For the nuclear delivery of OCT4 protein, we fused the protein with 30Kc19, a cell-penetrating and protein stabilizing protein derived from a silkworm hemolymph of Bombyx mori with low cytotoxic properties. This study proposes a promising cell-based therapy without any safety issues that existing transdifferentiation approaches had. Methods OCT4-30Kc19 protein with high penetrating activities and stability was synthesized for a protein-based osteogenic transdifferentiation system. Cells were treated with OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4 to evaluate their cellular penetrating activity, cytotoxicity, osteogenic and angiogenic potentials in vitro. The osteogenic potential of 3D cell spheroids was also analyzed. In addition, in vivo cell delivery into subcutaneous tissue and cranial defect model was performed. Results OCT4-30Kc19 protein was produced in a soluble and stable form. OCT4-30Kc19 efficiently penetrated cells and were localized in intracellular compartments and the nucleus. Cells delivered with OCT4-30Kc19 protein combined with BMP4 showed increased osteogenesis, both in 2D and 3D culture, and showed increased angiogenesis capacity in vitro. Results from in vivo subcutaneous tissue delivery of cell-seeded scaffolds confirmed enhanced osteogenic properties of transdifferentiated HUVECs via treatment with both OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4. In addition, in vivo mouse cranial defect experiment demonstrated successful bone regeneration of HUVECs pretreated with both OCT4-30Kc19 and BMP4. Conclusions Using a protein-based transdifferentiation method allows an alternative approach without utilizing any genetic modification strategies, thus providing a possibility for safer use of cell-based therapies in clinical applications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40824-022-00280-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hyun L Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.,Department of Medicine, Standford University, 450 Serra Mall, Standford, 94305, USA
| | - Sungwoo Cho
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyeon Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Janet Kwon
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Jaeyoung Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon, 24321, Republic of Korea
| | - Rachel H Koh
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.,Max/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon, 24321, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwajin Lee
- School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,Uppthera, BRC Laboratory, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tai Hyun Park
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,Max/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nathaniel S Hwang
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,Max/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Gong W, Das S, Sierra-Pagan JE, Skie E, Dsouza N, Larson TA, Garry MG, Luzete-Monteiro E, Zaret KS, Garry DJ. ETV2 functions as a pioneer factor to regulate and reprogram the endothelial lineage. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:672-684. [PMID: 35550615 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The vasculature is an essential organ for the delivery of blood and oxygen to all tissues of the body and is thus relevant to the treatment of ischaemic diseases, injury-induced regeneration and solid tumour growth. Previously, we demonstrated that ETV2 is an essential transcription factor for the development of cardiac, endothelial and haematopoietic lineages. Here we report that ETV2 functions as a pioneer factor that relaxes closed chromatin and regulates endothelial development. By comparing engineered embryonic stem cell differentiation and reprogramming models with multi-omics techniques, we demonstrated that ETV2 was able to bind nucleosomal DNA and recruit BRG1. BRG1 recruitment remodelled chromatin around endothelial genes and helped to maintain an open configuration, resulting in increased H3K27ac deposition. Collectively, these results will serve as a platform for the development of therapeutic initiatives directed towards cardiovascular diseases and solid tumours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wuming Gong
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Satyabrata Das
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Javier E Sierra-Pagan
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Erik Skie
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nikita Dsouza
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Thijs A Larson
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mary G Garry
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Edgar Luzete-Monteiro
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J Garry
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhang H, Yamaguchi T, Kokubu Y, Kawabata K. Transient ETV2 Expression Promotes the Generation of Mature Endothelial Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2022; 45:483-490. [DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b21-00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Zhang
- Laboratory of Biomedical Innovation, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
| | - Tomoko Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition
| | - Yasuhiro Kokubu
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition
| | - Kenji Kawabata
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health, and Nutrition
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
Chronic skin wounds are commonly found in older individuals who have impaired circulation due to diabetes or are immobilized due to physical disability. Chronic wounds pose a severe burden to the health-care system and are likely to become increasingly prevalent in aging populations. Various treatment approaches exist to help the healing process, although the healed tissue does not generally recapitulate intact skin but rather forms a scar that has inferior mechanical properties and that lacks appendages such as hair or sweat glands. This article describes new experimental avenues for attempting to improve the regenerative response of skin using biophysical techniques as well as biochemical methods, in some cases by trying to harness the potential of stem cells, either endogenous to the host or provided exogenously, to regenerate the skin. These approaches primarily address the local wound environment and should likely be combined with other modalities to address regional and systemic disease, as well as social determinants of health. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, Volume 24 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- François Berthiaume
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA;
| | - Henry C Hsia
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jiang L, Liang J, Huang W, Ma J, Park KH, Wu Z, Chen P, Zhu H, Ma JJ, Cai W, Paul C, Niu L, Fan GC, Wang HS, Kanisicak O, Xu M, Wang Y. CRISPR activation of endogenous genes reprograms fibroblasts into cardiovascular progenitor cells for myocardial infarction therapy. Mol Ther 2022; 30:54-74. [PMID: 34678511 PMCID: PMC8753567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) using transgenic approaches, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We determined whether activation of endogenous genes such as Gata4, Nkx2.5, and Tbx5 can rapidly establish autoregulatory loops and initiate CPC generation in adult extracardiac fibroblasts using a CRISPR activation system. The induced fibroblasts (>80%) showed phenotypic changes as indicated by an Nkx2.5 cardiac enhancer reporter. The progenitor characteristics were confirmed by colony formation and expression of cardiovascular genes. Cardiac sphere induction segregated the early and late reprogrammed cells that can generate functional cardiomyocytes and vascular cells in vitro. Therefore, they were termed CRISPR-induced CPCs (ciCPCs). Transcriptomic analysis showed that cell cycle and heart development pathways were important to accelerate CPC formation during the early reprogramming stage. The CRISPR system opened the silenced chromatin locus, thereby allowing transcriptional factors to access their own promoters and eventually forming a positive feedback loop. The regenerative potential of ciCPCs was assessed after implantation in mouse myocardial infarction models. The engrafted ciCPCs differentiated into cardiovascular cells in vivo but also significantly improved contractile function and scar formation. In conclusion, multiplex gene activation was sufficient to drive CPC reprogramming, providing a new cell source for regenerative therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Jiang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jialiang Liang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jianyong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ki Ho Park
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhichao Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian-Jie Ma
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Wenfeng Cai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Christian Paul
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Liang Niu
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Guo-Chang Fan
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Meifeng Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yigang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Allen GE, Dhanda AS, Julian LM. Emerging Methods in Modeling Brain Development and Disease with Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2515:319-342. [PMID: 35776361 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2409-8_20] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Nobel Prize-winning discovery that human somatic cells can be readily reprogrammed into pluripotent cells has revolutionized our potential to understand the human brain. The rapid technological progression of this field has made it possible to easily obtain human neural cells and even intact tissues, offering invaluable resources to model human brain development. In this chapter, we present a brief history of hPSC-based approaches to study brain development and then, provide new insights into neurological diseases, focusing on those driven by aberrant cell death. Furthermore, we will shed light on the latest technologies and highlight the methods that researchers can use to employ established hPSC approaches in their research. Our intention is to demonstrate that hPSC-based modeling is a technical approach accessible to all researchers who seek a deeper understanding of the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George E Allen
- Department of Biological Sciences; Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Aaron S Dhanda
- Department of Biological Sciences; Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Lisa M Julian
- Department of Biological Sciences; Centre for Cell Biology, Development, and Disease, Faculty of Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Fibroblast transition to an endothelial "trans" state improves cell reprogramming efficiency. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22605. [PMID: 34799643 PMCID: PMC8604927 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast reprogramming offers the potential for myocardial regeneration via in situ cell transdifferentiation. We explored a novel strategy leveraging endothelial cell plasticity to enhance reprogramming efficiency. Rat cardiac endothelial cells and fibroblasts were treated with Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT) to assess the cardio-differentiation potential of these cells. The endothelial cell transdifferentiation factor ETV2 was transiently over-expressed in fibroblasts followed by GMT treatment to assess “trans-endothelial” cardio-differentiation. Endothelial cells treated with GMT generated more cTnT+ cells than did cardiac fibroblasts (13% ± 2% vs 4% ± 0.5%, p < 0.01). Cardiac fibroblasts treated with ETV2 demonstrated increased endothelial cell markers, and when then treated with GMT yielded greater prevalence of cells expressing cardiomyocyte markers including cTnT than did fibroblasts treated with GMT or ETV2 (10.3% ± 0.2% vs 1.7% ± 0.06% and 0.6 ± 0.03, p < 0.01). Rat cardiac fibroblasts treated with GMT + ETV2 demonstrated calcium transients upon electrical stimulation and contractility synchronous with surrounding neonatal cardiomyocytes, whereas cells treated with GMT or ETV2 alone failed to contract in co-culture experiments. Human cardiac fibroblasts treated with ETV2 and then GMT likewise demonstrated greater prevalence of cTnT expression than did cells treated with GMT alone (2.8-fold increase, p < 0.05). Cardiac fibroblast transitioning through a trans-endothelial state appears to enhance cardio-differentiation by enhancing fibroblast plasticity.
Collapse
|
40
|
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Vascular Cells: Recent Progress and Future Directions. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8110148. [PMID: 34821701 PMCID: PMC8622843 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8110148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great promise for cardiovascular regeneration following ischemic injury. Considerable effort has been made toward the development and optimization of methods to differentiate hiPSCs into vascular cells, such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells (ECs and SMCs). In particular, hiPSC-derived ECs have shown robust potential for promoting neovascularization in animal models of cardiovascular diseases, potentially achieving significant and sustained therapeutic benefits. However, the use of hiPSC-derived SMCs that possess high therapeutic relevance is a relatively new area of investigation, still in the earlier investigational stages. In this review, we first discuss different methodologies to derive vascular cells from hiPSCs with a particular emphasis on the role of key developmental signals. Furthermore, we propose a standardized framework for assessing and defining the EC and SMC identity that might be suitable for inducing tissue repair and regeneration. We then highlight the regenerative effects of hiPSC-derived vascular cells on animal models of myocardial infarction and hindlimb ischemia. Finally, we address several obstacles that need to be overcome to fully implement the use of hiPSC-derived vascular cells for clinical application.
Collapse
|
41
|
Han JK, Shin Y, Kim HS. Direct Conversion of Cell Fate and Induced Endothelial Cells. Circ J 2021; 86:1925-1933. [PMID: 34732599 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-21-0703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advances in nuclear reprogramming technology have enabled the dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation of mammalian cells. Forced induction of the key transcription factors constituting a transcriptional network can convert cells back to their pluripotent status or directly to another cell fate without inducing pluripotency. To date, direct conversion to several cell types, including cardiomyocytes, various types of neurons, and pancreatic β-cells, has been reported. We previously demonstrated direct lineage reprogramming of adult fibroblasts into induced endothelial cells (iECs) in mice and humans. In contrast to induced pluripotent stem cells, for which there is consensus on the criteria defining pluripotency, such criteria have not yet been established in the field of direct conversion. We thus suggest that careful assessment of the status of converted cells using genetic and epigenetic profiling, various functional assays, and the use of multiple readouts is essential to determine successful conversion. As direct conversion does not go through pluripotent status, this technique can be utilized for therapeutic purposes without the risk of tumorigenesis. Further, direct conversion can be induced in vivo by gene delivery to the target tissue or organ in situ. Thus, direct conversion technology can be developed into cell therapy or gene therapy for regenerative purposes. Here, we review the potential and future directions of direct cell fate conversion and iECs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Kyu Han
- Department of Internal Medicine, and Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital
| | - Youngchul Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, and Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital
| | - Hyo-Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, and Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ferdous A, Singh S, Luo Y, Abedin MJ, Jiang N, Perry CE, Evers BM, Gillette TG, Kyba M, Trojanowska M, Hill JA. Fli1 Promotes Vascular Morphogenesis by Regulating Endothelial Potential of Multipotent Myogenic Progenitors. Circ Res 2021; 129:949-964. [PMID: 34544261 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.318986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anwarul Ferdous
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Sarvjeet Singh
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Yuxuan Luo
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Md J Abedin
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Nan Jiang
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Cameron E Perry
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Bret M Evers
- Pathology (B.M.E.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Thomas G Gillette
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| | - Michael Kyba
- Department of Pediatrics (M.K.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.,Lillehei Heart Institute (M.K.), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Section of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Boston University, MA (M.T.)
| | - Joseph A Hill
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (A.F., S.S., Y.L., M.J.A., N.J., C.E.P., T.G.G., J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.,Molecular Biology (J.A.H.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Wingo M, Rafii S. Endothelial reprogramming for vascular regeneration: Past milestones and future directions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 122:50-55. [PMID: 34548212 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.09.003] [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: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells are critical mediators of health and disease. Regenerative medicine techniques that target the endothelium hold vast promise for improving lifespan and quality of life worldwide. Regenerative therapies via induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) have helped demonstrate disease mechanisms, but so far, concerns regarding their function, malignant potential, and expense have limited therapeutic potential. One alternative approach is direct reprogramming of somatic cells, which avoids the pluripotent state and allows for in vivo reprogramming. Transcription factors from endothelial development have yielded essential transcription factors and small molecules that induce endothelial cell fate. Most direct cell reprogramming strategies targeting endothelial cells use ETV2, a pioneer transcription factor to specify endothelial lineage via histone-modifying enzymes. Many different types of starting cells and strategies, including lentiviral transduction, inducing innate immunity, and small molecule signaling have been leveraged for reprogramming. However, so far therapeutic benefit of these strategies remains unproven. Future research will have to solve scalability, safety, and efficacy hurdles before being ready for the clinic. However, researchers have already discovered meaningful insights into disease mechanisms and development through direct reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wingo
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Shahin Rafii
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Ansary Stem Cell Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bi FC, Yang XH, Cheng XY, Deng WB, Guo XL, Yang H, Wang Y, Li J, Yao Y. Optimization of cerebral organoids: a more qualified model for Alzheimer's disease research. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:27. [PMID: 34372927 PMCID: PMC8349709 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that currently cannot be cured by any drug or intervention, due to its complicated pathogenesis. Current animal and cellular models of AD are unable to meet research needs for AD. However, recent three-dimensional (3D) cerebral organoid models derived from human stem cells have provided a new tool to study molecular mechanisms and pharmaceutical developments of AD. In this review, we discuss the advantages and key limitations of the AD cerebral organoid system in comparison to the commonly used AD models, and propose possible solutions, in order to improve their application in AD research. Ethical concerns associated with human cerebral organoids are also discussed. We also summarize future directions of studies that will improve the cerebral organoid system to better model the pathological events observed in AD brains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Chen Bi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Xin-He Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Cheng
- Department of Neurology and Suzhou Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215004, China
| | - Wen-Bin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xiao-Li Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Research Center of Medical Science and Technology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China
| | - Yin Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
| | - Yao Yao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the United States exceeds 10 million people, and PAD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. PAD is typically caused by atherosclerotic obstructions in the large arteries to the leg(s). The most common clinical consequences of PAD include pain on walking (claudication), impaired functional capacity, pain at rest, and loss of tissue integrity in the distal limbs that may lead to lower extremity amputation. Patients with PAD also have higher than expected rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Despite advances in surgical and endovascular procedures, revascularization procedures may be suboptimal in relieving symptoms, and some patients with PAD cannot be treated because of comorbid conditions. In some cases, relieving obstructive disease in the large conduit arteries does not assure complete limb salvage because of severe microvascular disease. Despite several decades of investigational efforts, medical therapies to improve perfusion to the distal limb are of limited benefit. Whereas recent studies of anticoagulant (eg, rivaroxaban) and intensive lipid lowering (such as PCSK9 [proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9] inhibitors) have reduced major cardiovascular and limb events in PAD populations, chronic ischemia of the limb remains largely resistant to medical therapy. Experimental approaches to improve limb outcomes have included the administration of angiogenic cytokines (either as recombinant protein or as gene therapy) as well as cell therapy. Although early angiogenesis and cell therapy studies were promising, these studies lacked sufficient control groups and larger randomized clinical trials have yet to achieve significant benefit. This review will focus on what has been learned to advance medical revascularization for PAD and how that information might lead to novel approaches for therapeutic angiogenesis and arteriogenesis for PAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian H Annex
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University (B.H.A.)
| | - John P Cooke
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (J.P.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Zhang Q, Bosch-Rué È, Pérez RA, Truskey GA. Biofabrication of tissue engineering vascular systems. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:021507. [PMID: 33981941 PMCID: PMC8106537 DOI: 10.1063/5.0039628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among persons aged 65 and older in the United States and many other developed countries. Tissue engineered vascular systems (TEVS) can serve as grafts for CVD treatment and be used as in vitro model systems to examine the role of various genetic factors during the CVD progressions. Current focus in the field is to fabricate TEVS that more closely resembles the mechanical properties and extracellular matrix environment of native vessels, which depends heavily on the advance in biofabrication techniques and discovery of novel biomaterials. In this review, we outline the mechanical and biological design requirements of TEVS and explore the history and recent advances in biofabrication methods and biomaterials for tissue engineered blood vessels and microvascular systems with special focus on in vitro applications. In vitro applications of TEVS for disease modeling are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Èlia Bosch-Rué
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Sant Cugat del Vallès 08195, Spain
| | - Román A. Pérez
- Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Sant Cugat del Vallès 08195, Spain
| | - George A. Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Sun N, Meng X, Liu Y, Song D, Jiang C, Cai J. Applications of brain organoids in neurodevelopment and neurological diseases. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:30. [PMID: 33888112 PMCID: PMC8063318 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A brain organoid is a self-organizing three-dimensional tissue derived from human embryonic stem cells or pluripotent stem cells and is able to simulate the architecture and functionality of the human brain. Brain organoid generation methods are abundant and continue to improve, and now, an in vivo vascularized brain organoid has been encouragingly reported. The combination of brain organoids with immune-staining and single-cell sequencing technology facilitates our understanding of brain organoids, including the structural organization and the diversity of cell types. Recent publications have reported that brain organoids can mimic the dynamic spatiotemporal process of early brain development, model various human brain disorders, and serve as an effective preclinical platform to test and guide personalized treatment. In this review, we introduce the current state of brain organoid differentiation strategies, summarize current progress and applications in the medical domain, and discuss the challenges and prospects of this promising technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Xiangqi Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yuxiang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Dan Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Chuanlu Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Jinquan Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Matsui TK, Tsuru Y, Hasegawa K, Kuwako KI. Vascularization of human brain organoids. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:1017-1024. [PMID: 33754425 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Human brain organoids are three-dimensional tissues that are generated in vitro from pluripotent stem cells and recapitulate the early development of the human brain. Brain organoids consist mainly of neural lineage cells, such as neural stem/precursor cells, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. However, all human brain organoids lack vasculature, which plays indispensable roles not only in brain homeostasis but also in brain development. In addition to the delivery of oxygen and nutrition, accumulating evidence suggests that the vascular system of the brain regulates neural differentiation, migration, and circuit formation during development. Therefore, vascularization of human brain organoids is of great importance. Current trials to vascularize various organoids include the adjustment of cultivation protocols, the introduction of microfluidic devices, and the transplantation of organoids into immunodeficient mice. In this review, we summarize the efforts to accomplish vascularization and perfusion of brain organoids, and we discuss these attempts from a forward-looking perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi K Matsui
- Department of Neural and Muscular Physiology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Tsuru
- Department of Neural and Muscular Physiology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan
| | - Koichi Hasegawa
- Department of Neural and Muscular Physiology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Kuwako
- Department of Neural and Muscular Physiology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Han JK, Shin Y, Sohn MH, Choi SB, Shin D, You Y, Shin JY, Seo JS, Kim HS. Direct conversion of adult human fibroblasts into functional endothelial cells using defined factors. Biomaterials 2021; 272:120781. [PMID: 33848809 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to directly convert adult human dermal fibroblasts (aHDFs) into functional endothelial cells (ECs). Lentiviral vectors encoding endothelial transcription factors (TFs) were constructed. We examined whether five TFs (FOXO1, ER71, KLF2, TAL1, and LMO2) used for the generation of mouse induced ECs (iECs) could convert the aHDFs into human iECs. Twenty-eight days after transduction with lentiviral constructs, 32.1 ± 5.1% cells expressed vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin. Factor screening revealed that only three factors (3F: ER71, KLF2, and TAL1) were necessary to induce VE-cadherin (+) cells (49.4 ± 3.5%). However, whole transcriptome sequencing showed that VE-cadherin (+) cells were not completely reprogrammed. Mature iECs double-positive for VE-cadherin/Pecam1 (DP cells) with a cobblestone appearance were obtained at a frequency of only 5.1 ± 0.6%. Using whole transcriptome analysis, the potential factors that could block the conversion were screened. Among candidates TWIST1-knockdown enhanced efficiency of conversion. Rosiglitazone, an inhibitor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), also improved the conversion efficiency. Moreover, a 2nd second-stage conversion process, in which VE-cadherin (+) cells were incubated for additional two weeks, further enhanced the efficiency. The final protocol for 6 weeks yielded a conversion rate of 19.6 ± 3.0% iECs, defined by DP cells depicting the nature of mature ECs in various analyses. Further analyses revealed that the genetic and epigenetic profiles of iECs resembled those of functional ECs. Collectively, aHDFs can be converted into functional ECs through the transduction of ER71, KLF2, and TAL1, combined with two EMT inhibitors (siTWIST1 and rosiglitazone), followed by 2nd stage conversion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Kyu Han
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngchul Shin
- Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min-Hwan Sohn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, South Korea; Gong-Wu Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Precision Medicine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Macrogen Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Saet-Byeol Choi
- Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dasom Shin
- Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngrang You
- Strategic Center of Cell and Bio Therapy for Heart, Diabetes and Cancer, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea; Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Yeon Shin
- Gong-Wu Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Precision Medicine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Macrogen Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Sun Seo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, South Korea; Gong-Wu Genomic Medicine Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Precision Medicine Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea; Macrogen Inc., Seoul, South Korea; Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Soo Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tanaka Y, Park IH. Regional specification and complementation with non-neuroectodermal cells in human brain organoids. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:489-500. [PMID: 33651139 PMCID: PMC8026433 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02051-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Along with emergence of the organoids, their application in biomedical research has been currently one of the most fascinating themes. For the past few years, scientists have made significant contributions to deriving organoids representing the whole brain and specific brain regions. Coupled with somatic cell reprogramming and CRISPR/Cas9 editing, the organoid technologies were applied for disease modeling and drug screening. The methods to develop organoids further improved for rapid and efficient generation of cerebral organoids. Additionally, refining the methods to develop the regionally specified brain organoids enabled the investigation of development and interaction of the specific brain regions. Recent studies started resolving the issue in the lack of non-neuroectodermal cells in brain organoids, including vascular endothelial cells and microglia, which play fundamental roles in neurodevelopment and are involved in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic neural disorders. In this review, we highlight recent advances of neuronal organoid technologies, focusing on the region-specific brain organoids and complementation with endothelial cells and microglia, and discuss their potential applications to neuronal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Tanaka
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.,Department of Medicine, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|