1
|
Linneberg-Agerholm M, Sell AC, Redó-Riveiro A, Perera M, Proks M, Knudsen TE, Barral A, Manzanares M, Brickman JM. The primitive endoderm supports lineage plasticity to enable regulative development. Cell 2024; 187:4010-4029.e16. [PMID: 38917790 PMCID: PMC11290322 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.051] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian blastocyst formation involves the specification of the trophectoderm followed by the differentiation of the inner cell mass into embryonic epiblast and extra-embryonic primitive endoderm (PrE). During this time, the embryo maintains a window of plasticity and can redirect its cellular fate when challenged experimentally. In this context, we found that the PrE alone was sufficient to regenerate a complete blastocyst and continue post-implantation development. We identify an in vitro population similar to the early PrE in vivo that exhibits the same embryonic and extra-embryonic potency and can form complete stem cell-based embryo models, termed blastoids. Commitment in the PrE is suppressed by JAK/STAT signaling, collaborating with OCT4 and the sustained expression of a subset of pluripotency-related transcription factors that safeguard an enhancer landscape permissive for multi-lineage differentiation. Our observations support the notion that transcription factor persistence underlies plasticity in regulative development and highlight the importance of the PrE in perturbed development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Linneberg-Agerholm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Annika Charlotte Sell
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Alba Redó-Riveiro
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Marta Perera
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Martin Proks
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Teresa E Knudsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Antonio Barral
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Manzanares
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mulas C, Stammers M, Salomaa SI, Heinzen C, Suter DM, Smith A, Chalut KJ. ERK signalling eliminates Nanog and maintains Oct4 to drive the formative pluripotency transition. Development 2024; 151:dev203106. [PMID: 39069943 DOI: 10.1242/dev.203106] [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: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Naïve epiblast cells in the embryo and pluripotent stem cells in vitro undergo developmental progression to a formative state competent for lineage specification. During this transition, transcription factors and chromatin are rewired to encode new functional features. Here, we examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2) signalling in pluripotent state transition. We show that a primary consequence of ERK activation in mouse embryonic stem cells is elimination of Nanog, which precipitates breakdown of the naïve state gene regulatory network. Variability in pERK dynamics results in heterogeneous loss of Nanog and metachronous state transition. Knockdown of Nanog allows exit without ERK activation. However, transition to formative pluripotency does not proceed and cells collapse to an indeterminate identity. This outcome is due to failure to maintain expression of the central pluripotency factor Oct4. Thus, during formative transition ERK signalling both dismantles the naïve state and preserves pluripotency. These results illustrate how a single signalling pathway can both initiate and secure transition between cell states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mulas
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, King's College London, London SE1 1YR, UK
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Melanie Stammers
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Siiri I Salomaa
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Constanze Heinzen
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Goethe University, Frankfurt 60439, Germany
| | - David M Suter
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Austin Smith
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Kevin J Chalut
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rosner M, Hengstschläger M. Oct4 controls basement membrane development during human embryogenesis. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1439-1456.e7. [PMID: 38579716 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.007] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Basement membranes (BMs) are sheet-like structures of extracellular matrix (ECM) that provide structural support for many tissues and play a central role in signaling. They are key regulators of cell behavior and tissue functions, and defects in their assembly or composition are involved in numerous human diseases. Due to the differences between human and animal embryogenesis, ethical concerns, legal constraints, the scarcity of human tissue material, and the inaccessibility of the in vivo condition, BM regulation during human embryo development has remained elusive. Using the post-implantation amniotic sac embryoid (PASE), we delineate BM assembly upon post-implantation development and BM disassembly during primitive streak (PS) cell dissemination. Further, we show that the transcription factor Oct4 regulates the expression of BM structural components and receptors and controls BM development by regulating Akt signaling and the small GTPase Rac1. These results represent a relevant step toward a more comprehensive understanding of early human development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margit Rosner
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Giri A, Kar S. Interlinked bi-stable switches govern the cell fate commitment of embryonic stem cells. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:915-934. [PMID: 38408774 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14832] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of embryonic stem (ES) cells to extraembryonic trophectoderm and primitive endoderm lineages manifests distinct steady-state expression patterns of two key transcription factors-Oct4 and Nanog. How dynamically such kind of steady-state expressions are maintained remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that steady-state dynamics involving two bistable switches which are interlinked via a stepwise (Oct4) and a mushroom-like (Nanog) manner orchestrate the fate specification of ES cells. Our hypothesis qualitatively reconciles various experimental observations and elucidates how different feedback and feedforward motifs orchestrate the extraembryonic development and stemness maintenance of ES cells. Importantly, the model predicts strategies to optimize the dynamics of self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells that may have therapeutic relevance in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amitava Giri
- Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay, Powai, India
| | - Sandip Kar
- Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay, Powai, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang Q, Lan S, Tan F, Liang Y, Guo Z, Hou Y, Zhang H, Wu G, Liu Z. Adenosylhomocysteinase plays multiple roles in maintaining the identity and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:450-464. [PMID: 38035769 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad165] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosylhomocysteinase (AHCY), a key enzyme in the methionine cycle, is essential for the development of embryos and the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, the precise underlying mechanism of Ahcy in regulating pluripotency remains unclear. As the only enzyme that can hydrolyze S-adenosylhomocysteine in mammals, AHCY plays a critical role in the metabolic homeostasis, epigenetic remodeling, and transcriptional regulation. Here, we identified Ahcy as a direct target of OCT4 and unveiled that AHCY regulates the self-renewal and differentiation potency of mESCs through multiple mechanisms. Our study demonstrated that AHCY is required for the metabolic homeostasis of mESCs. We revealed the dual role of Ahcy in both transcriptional activation and inhibition, which is accomplished via the maintenance of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, respectively. We found that Ahcy is required for H3K4me3-dependent transcriptional activation in mESCs. We also demonstrated that AHCY interacts with polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), thereby maintaining the pluripotency of mESCs by sustaining the H3K27me3-regulated transcriptional repression of related genes. These results reveal a previously unrecognized OCT4-AHCY-PRC2 axis in the regulation of mESCs' pluripotency and provide insights into the interplay between transcriptional factors, cellular metabolism, chromatin dynamics and pluripotency regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Jiang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Shubing Lan
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fancheng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yiping Liang
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhencheng Guo
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlin Hou
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangming Wu
- Basic Research Department, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Camacho de Gutiérrez AR, Calisici O, Wrenzycki C, Gutiérrez-Añez JC, Hoeflich C, Hoeflich A, Bajcsy ÁC, Schmicke M. Effect of IGFBP-4 during In Vitro Maturation on Developmental Competence of Bovine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:673. [PMID: 38473060 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are essential for oocyte maturation. Their bioavailability is regulated by their respective binding proteins (IGFBPs) and proteases. IGFBP-4 blocks the biological effects of IGFs. High IGFBP-4 expression has been associated with follicle atresia. We hypothesized that IGFBP-4 affects oocyte developmental competence during maturation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of IGFBP-4 on the developmental rate of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro embryo production. Abattoir-derived COCs were matured with rbIGFBP-4 (2000, 540, and 54 ng/mL) compared to a control. Cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, cleavage, blastocyst, and hatching rates were evaluated. Furthermore, blastocyst gene expression of SOCS2, STAT3, SLC2A1, SLCA3, BAX, and POU5F1 transcripts were quantified using RT-qPCR. No statistical differences were detected among the groups for cumulus expansion, maturation, cleavage, blastocyst rates, or all gene transcripts analyzed. However, at day 8 and 9, the number of total hatching and successfully hatched blastocysts was lower in 2000 ng/mL rbIGFBP-4 compared to the control (day 8: total hatching: 17.1 ± 0.21 vs. 31.2 ± 0.11%, p = 0.02 and hatched blastocyst 6.7 ± 0.31 vs. 21.5 ± 0.14%, p = 0.004; day 9 total hatching 36.4 ± 0.18 vs. 57.7 ± 0.10%, p = 0.009 and hatched blastocyst 18.2 ± 0.21 vs. 38.1 ± 0.11%, p = 0.004). We concluded that high concentrations of rbIGFBP-4 might negatively affect the subsequent ability of the embryo to hatch and possibly compromise further elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Oguz Calisici
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Wrenzycki
- Clinic for Veterinary Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Gutiérrez-Añez
- Medical-Surgical Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo 4001, Venezuela
| | | | - Andreas Hoeflich
- Institute of Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Árpád Csaba Bajcsy
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Marion Schmicke
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fan J, Liu C, Zhao Y, Xu Q, Yin Z, Liu Z, Mu Y. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Differences in Chromatin Remodeling and Energy Metabolism among In Vivo-Developed, In Vitro-Fertilized, and Parthenogenetically Activated Embryos from the Oocyte to 8-Cell Stages in Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:465. [PMID: 38338108 PMCID: PMC10854501 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030465] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro-fertilized (IVF) and parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos, key to genetic engineering, face more developmental challenges than in vivo-developed embryos (IVV). We analyzed single-cell RNA-seq data from the oocyte to eight-cell stages in IVV, IVF, and PA porcine embryos, focusing on developmental differences during early zygotic genome activation (ZGA), a vital stage for embryonic development. (1) Our findings reveal that in vitro embryos (IVF and PA) exhibit more similar developmental trajectories compared to IVV embryos, with PA embryos showing the least gene diversity at each stage. (2) Significant differences in maternal mRNA, particularly affecting mRNA splicing, energy metabolism, and chromatin remodeling, were observed. Key genes like SMARCB1 (in vivo) and SIRT1 (in vitro) played major roles, with HDAC1 (in vivo) and EZH2 (in vitro) likely central in their complexes. (3) Across different types of embryos, there was minimal overlap in gene upregulation during ZGA, with IVV embryos demonstrating more pronounced upregulation. During minor ZGA, global epigenetic modification patterns diverged and expanded further. Specifically, in IVV, genes, especially those linked to H4 acetylation and H2 ubiquitination, were more actively regulated compared to PA embryos, which showed an increase in H3 methylation. Additionally, both types displayed a distinction in DNA methylation. During major ZGA, IVV distinctively upregulated genes related to mitochondrial regulation, ATP synthesis, and oxidative phosphorylation. (4) Furthermore, disparities in mRNA degradation-related genes between in vivo and in vitro embryos were more pronounced during major ZGA. In IVV, there was significant maternal mRNA degradation. Maternal genes regulating phosphatase activity and cell junctions, highly expressed in both in vivo and in vitro embryos, were degraded in IVV in a timely manner but not in in vitro embryos. (5) Our analysis also highlighted a higher expression of many mitochondrially encoded genes in in vitro embryos, yet their nucleosome occupancy and the ATP8 expression were notably higher in IVV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Fan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yunjing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Qianqian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Zhi Yin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanshuang Mu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetic Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; (J.F.); (C.L.); (Y.Z.); (Q.X.); (Z.Y.)
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
MacCarthy CM, Wu G, Malik V, Menuchin-Lasowski Y, Velychko T, Keshet G, Fan R, Bedzhov I, Church GM, Jauch R, Cojocaru V, Schöler HR, Velychko S. Highly cooperative chimeric super-SOX induces naive pluripotency across species. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:127-147.e9. [PMID: 38141611 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.010] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of pluripotency remains limited: iPSC generation has only been established for a few model species, pluripotent stem cell lines exhibit inconsistent developmental potential, and germline transmission has only been demonstrated for mice and rats. By swapping structural elements between Sox2 and Sox17, we built a chimeric super-SOX factor, Sox2-17, that enhanced iPSC generation in five tested species: mouse, human, cynomolgus monkey, cow, and pig. A swap of alanine to valine at the interface between Sox2 and Oct4 delivered a gain of function by stabilizing Sox2/Oct4 dimerization on DNA, enabling generation of high-quality OSKM iPSCs capable of supporting the development of healthy all-iPSC mice. Sox2/Oct4 dimerization emerged as the core driver of naive pluripotency with its levels diminished upon priming. Transient overexpression of the SK cocktail (Sox+Klf4) restored the dimerization and boosted the developmental potential of pluripotent stem cells across species, providing a universal method for naive reset in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangming Wu
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; International Bio Island, Guangzhou, China; MingCeler Biotech, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Taras Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gal Keshet
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rui Fan
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ivan Bedzhov
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sergiy Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Punetha M, Kumar D, Saini S, Chaudhary S, Bajwa KK, Sharma S, Mangal M, Yadav PS, Green JA, Whitworth K, Datta TK. Optimising Electroporation Condition for CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Knockout in Zona-Intact Buffalo Zygotes. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:134. [PMID: 38200865 PMCID: PMC10778295 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer or cytoplasm microinjection has widely been used to produce genome-edited farm animals; however, these methods have several drawbacks which reduce their efficiency. In the present study, we describe an easy adaptable approach for the introduction of mutations using CRISPR-Cas9 electroporation of zygote (CRISPR-EP) in buffalo. The goal of the study was to determine the optimal conditions for an experimental method in which the CRISPR/Cas9 system is introduced into in vitro-produced buffalo zygotes by electroporation. Electroporation was performed using different combinations of voltage, pulse and time, and we observed that the electroporation in buffalo zygote at 20 V/mm, 5 pulses, 3 msec at 10 h post insemination (hpi) resulted in increased membrane permeability and higher knockout efficiency without altering embryonic developmental potential. Using the above parameters, we targeted buffalo POU5F1 gene as a proof of concept and found no variations in embryonic developmental competence at cleavage or blastocyst formation rate between control, POU5F1-KO, and electroporated control (EC) embryos. To elucidate the effect of POU5F1-KO on other pluripotent genes, we determined the relative expression of SOX2, NANOG, and GATA2 in the control (POU5F1 intact) and POU5F1-KO-confirmed blastocyst. POU5F1-KO significantly (p ≤ 0.05) altered the expression of SOX2, NANOG, and GATA2 in blastocyst stage embryos. In conclusion, we standardized an easy and straightforward protocol CRISPR-EP method that could be served as a useful method for studying the functional genomics of buffalo embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meeti Punetha
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Sheetal Saini
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Suman Chaudhary
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Kamlesh Kumari Bajwa
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Surabhi Sharma
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Manu Mangal
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Prem S. Yadav
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Jonathan A. Green
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kristin Whitworth
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Tirtha K. Datta
- Animal Physiology and Reproduction Division, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ermakova VV, Fokin NP, Aksenov ND, Bakhmet EI, Aleksandrova EV, Kuzmin AA, Tomilin AN. Regulatory Elements Outside Established Pou5f1 Gene Boundaries Are Required for Multilineage Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15434. [PMID: 37895112 PMCID: PMC10607089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015434] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Oct4 can rightfully be considered a pivotal element in maintaining pluripotency. In addition, its ability to function as a pioneer factor enables the reprogramming of somatic cells back into a pluripotent state. To better understand the regulation of the Oct4-encoding gene (Pou5f1), the main genetic elements that regulate its expression in different states of pluripotency ought to be identified. While some elements have been well characterized for their ability to drive Pou5f1 expression, others have yet to be determined. In this work, we show that translocation of the Pou5f1 gene fragment purported to span all essential cis-elements, including the well-known distal and proximal enhancers (DE and PE), into the Rosa26 locus impairs the self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in the naïve pluripotency state, as well as their further advancement through the formative and primed pluripotency states, inducing overall differentiation failure. These results suggest that regulatory elements located outside the previously determined Pou5f1 boundaries are critical for the proper spatiotemporal regulation of this gene during development, indicating the need for their better characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexey N. Tomilin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St.-Petersburg, Russia; (V.V.E.); (N.P.F.); (N.D.A.); (E.V.A.); (A.A.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Obernikhin SS, Yaglova NV, Timokhina EP, Nazimova SV, Yaglov VV. Regulation of Morphogenetic Processes during Postnatal Development and Physiological Regeneration of the Adrenal Medulla. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 175:549-556. [PMID: 37776400 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05903-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of morphogenetic processes during postnatal development of the rat adrenal medulla was studied. Termination of the adrenal medulla growth was found to be associated with decreased chromaffin cell proliferation, activation of canonical Wnt-signaling pathway, and enhanced expression of Sonic Hedgehog ligand. Analysis of transcription factors associated with pluripotency revealed increased percentage of Oct4-expressing cells by the end of medulla growth and no signs of Sox2 expression. All the cells demonstrating activation of Wnt-signaling and expression of Oct4 and Sonic Hedgehog were found to be highly differentiated chromaffin cells actively producing tyrosine hydroxylase. These findings allow considering the formation of the cell pools for dedifferentiation as a putative mechanism for physiological regeneration of the adrenal medulla.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S S Obernikhin
- Laboratory of Endocrine System Development, A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, A. P. Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - N V Yaglova
- Laboratory of Endocrine System Development, A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, A. P. Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - E P Timokhina
- Laboratory of Endocrine System Development, A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, A. P. Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Nazimova
- Laboratory of Endocrine System Development, A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, A. P. Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery, Moscow, Russia
| | - V V Yaglov
- Laboratory of Endocrine System Development, A. P. Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, A. P. Petrovsky Russian Research Center of Surgery, Moscow, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ko CI, Biesiada J, Zablon HA, Zhang X, Medvedovic M, Puga A. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor directs the differentiation of murine progenitor blastomeres. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:1657-1676. [PMID: 36029422 PMCID: PMC10425484 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-022-09755-9] [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: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Key regulatory decisions during cleavage divisions in mammalian embryogenesis determine the fate of preimplantation embryonic cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of early-stage-2-cell, 4-cell, and 8-cell-blastomeres show that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), traditionally considered as an environmental sensor, directs blastomere differentiation. Disruption of AHR functions in Ahr knockout embryos or in embryos from dams exposed to dioxin, the prototypic xenobiotic AHR agonist, significantly impairs blastocyst formation, causing repression and loss of transcriptional heterogeneity of OCT4 and CDX2 and incidence of nonspecific downregulation of pluripotency. Trajectory-the path of differentiation-and gene variability analyses further confirm that deregulation of OCT4 functions and changes of transcriptional heterogeneity resulting from disruption of AHR functions restrict the emergence of differentiating blastomeres in 4-cell embryos. It appears that AHR directs the differentiation of progenitor blastomeres and that disruption of preimplantation AHR functions may significantly perturb embryogenesis leading to long-lasting conditions at the heart of disease in offspring's adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-I Ko
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
| | - Jacek Biesiada
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Center for Biostatistics, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Hesbon A Zablon
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Genomics, Epigenomics, and Sequencing Core, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
- Center for Biostatistics, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Alvaro Puga
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences and Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Golkar-Narenji A, Dziegiel P, Kempisty B, Petitte J, Mozdziak PE, Bryja A. In vitro culture of reptile PGCS to preserve endangered species. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:1314-1326. [PMID: 37178380 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs), are the source of gametes in vertebrates. There are similarities in the development of PGCs of reptiles with avian and mammalian species PGCs development. PGCs culture has been performed for avian and mammalian species but there is no report for reptilian PGCs culture. In vitro culture of PGCs is needed to produce transgenic animals, preservation of endangered animals and for studies on cell behaviour and research on fertility. Reptiles are traded as exotic pets and a source of food and they are valuable for their skin and they are useful as model for medical research. Transgenic reptile has been suggested to be useful for pet industry and medical research. In this research different aspects of PGCs development was compared in three main classes of vertebrates including mammalian, avian and reptilian species. It is proposed that a discussion on similarities between reptilian PGCs development with avian and mammalian species helps to find clues for studies of reptilian PGCs development details and finding an efficient protocol for in vitro culture of reptilian PG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Golkar-Narenji
- Prestage Department of Poultry Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Piotr Dziegiel
- Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Histology and Embryology, Wrocław Medical University, Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kempisty
- Prestage Department of Poultry Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Toruń, Poland
- Graduate Physiology Program NC State University North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Anatomy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
| | - James Petitte
- Prestage Department of Poultry Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paul Edward Mozdziak
- Prestage Department of Poultry Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Graduate Physiology Program NC State University North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Artur Bryja
- Department of Human Morphology and Embryology, Division of Anatomy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hu D, Borgne EL, Meinl R. A Safer Path to Cellular Rejuvenation: Endogenous Oct4 Activation via CRISPR/dCas9 in Progeria Mouse Models. Cell Reprogram 2023; 25:136-138. [PMID: 37327373 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2023.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent study in Aging Cell showed that transcriptional activation of endogenous Oct4 using the CRISPR/dCas9 activator system is sufficient for cellular rejuvenation and extending the lifespan of a progeria mouse model. Although transient expression of reprogramming factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) has been shown to ameliorate age-related phenotypes in vivo, oncogenic risk, for example, from c-Myc, has raised safety concerns for its use in therapeutics. The authors demonstrated that transient activation of endogenous Oct4 expression restored age-related epigenetic patterns, suppressed expression of mutant progerin, and reduced vascular pathological features associated with the disease. At the same time, the transient Oct4 overexpression resulted in lower incidence of cancer transformation compared with constituent OSKM overexpression. Successful activation of endogenous Oct4 by CRISPR/dCas9 paves the way for novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of progeria and age-related diseases, with potential implications for the broader field of cellular reprogramming-based rejuvenation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Hu
- Retro Biosciences, Inc., San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Rico Meinl
- Retro Biosciences, Inc., San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bafleh WS, Abdulsamad HMR, Al-Qaraghuli SM, El Khatib RY, Elbahrawi RT, Abdukadir AM, Alsawae SM, Dimassi Z, Hamdan H, Kashir J. Applications of advances in mRNA-based platforms as therapeutics and diagnostics in reproductive technologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1198848. [PMID: 37305677 PMCID: PMC10250609 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1198848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to many drastic changes in not only society, law, economics, but also in science and medicine, marking for the first time when drug regulatory authorities cleared for use mRNA-based vaccines in the fight against this outbreak. However, while indeed representing a novel application of such technology in the context of vaccination medicine, introducing RNA into cells to produce resultant molecules (proteins, antibodies, etc.) is not a novel principle. It has been common practice to introduce/inject mRNA into oocytes and embryos to inhibit, induce, and identify several factors in a research context, while such aspects have also been proposed as potential therapeutic and diagnostic applications to combat infertility in humans. Herein, we describe key areas where mRNA-based platforms have thus far represented potential areas of clinical applications, describing the advantages and limitations of such applications. Finally, we also discuss how recent advances in mRNA-based platforms, driven by the recent pandemic, may stand to benefit the treatment of infertility in humans. We also present brief future directions as to how we could utilise recent and current advancements to enhance RNA therapeutics within reproductive biology, specifically with relation to oocyte and embryo delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wjdan S. Bafleh
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Haia M. R. Abdulsamad
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sally M. Al-Qaraghuli
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Riwa Y. El Khatib
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rawdah Taha Elbahrawi
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Azhar Mohamud Abdukadir
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Zakia Dimassi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamdan Hamdan
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center (HEIC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Junaid Kashir
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Science, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Kang H, Hasselbeck S, Taškova K, Wang N, Oosten LNV, Mrowka R, Utikal J, Andrade-Navarro MA, Wang J, Wölfl S, Cheng X. Development of a next-generation endogenous OCT4 inducer and its anti-aging effect in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115513. [PMID: 37253308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115513] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The identification of small molecules capable of replacing transcription factors has been a longstanding challenge in the generation of human chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Recent studies have shown that ectopic expression of OCT4, one of the master pluripotency regulators, compromised the developmental potential of resulting iPSCs, This highlights the importance of finding endogenous OCT4 inducers for the generation of clinical-grade human iPSCs. Through a cell-based high throughput screen, we have discovered several new OCT4-inducing compounds (O4Is). In this work, we prepared metabolically stable analogues, including O4I4, which activate endogenous OCT4 and associated signaling pathways in various cell lines. By combining these with a transcription factor cocktail consisting of SOX2, KLF4, MYC, and LIN28 (referred to as "CSKML") we achieved to reprogram human fibroblasts into a stable and authentic pluripotent state without the need for exogenous OCT4. In Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, O4I4 extends lifespan, suggesting the potential application of OCT4-inducing compounds in regenerative medicine and rejuvenation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Kang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hasselbeck
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katerina Taškova
- Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
| | - Nessa Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Luuk N van Oosten
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Ralf Mrowka
- Experimentelle Nephrologie, KIM III, Universitätsklinikum, Jena, Germany
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit (G300), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Jichang Wang
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stefan Wölfl
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Germany; Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Xu C, Zhang C, Liu Y, Ma H, Wu F, Jia Y, Hu J. Amniogenesis in Human Amniotic Sac Embryoids after Exposures to Organophosphate Flame Retardants. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:47007. [PMID: 37027338 PMCID: PMC10081692 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amniogenesis is a key event in biochemical pregnancy, and its failure may result in human embryonic death. However, whether and how environmental chemicals affect amniogenesis remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study was to screen chemicals that may disrupt amniogenesis in an amniotic sac embryoid model and to investigate the potential mechanism of amniogenesis failure, with a focus on organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). METHODS This study developed a high-throughput toxicity screening assay based on transcriptional activity of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4). For the two positive OPFR hits with the strongest inhibitory activity, we used time-lapse and phase-contrast imaging to assess their effects on amniogenesis. Associated pathways were explored by RNA-sequencing and western blotting, and potential binding target protein was identified through a competitive binding experiment. RESULTS Eight positive hits exhibiting Oct4 expression were identified, with 2-ethylhexyl-diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) and isodecyl diphenyl phosphate (IDDPP) showing the strongest inhibitory activity. EHDPP and IDDPP were found to disrupt the rosette-like structure of the amniotic sac or inhibit its development. Functional markers of squamous amniotic ectoderm and inner cell mass were also found disrupted in the EHDPP- and IDDPP-exposed embryoids. Mechanistically, embryoids exposed to each chemical exhibited abnormal accumulation of phosphorylated nonmuscle myosin (p-MLC-II) and were able to bind to integrin β1 (ITGβ1). CONCLUSION The amniotic sac embryoid models suggested that OPFRs disrupted amniogenesis likely by inhibiting the ITGβ1 pathway, thus providing direct in vitro evidence associating OPFRs with biochemical miscarriage. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11958.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenke Xu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenhao Zhang
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haojia Ma
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feifan Wu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yingting Jia
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianying Hu
- MOE Laboratory for Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sen U, Shanavas S, Nagendra AH, Nihad M, Chaudhury D, Rachamalla HK, Banerjee R, Shenoy P S, Bose B. Significance of Oct-4 transcription factor as a pivotal therapeutic target for CD44 + /24 - mammary tumor initiating cells: Aiming at the root of the recurrence. Cell Biol Int 2023; 47:742-753. [PMID: 36573403 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11978] [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: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the deadliest and frequently diagnosed metastatic cancers worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the cell population within the tumor niche, having an epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) transition phenotype, high self-renewal, vigorous metastatic capacity, drug resistance, and tumor relapse. Identification of targets for induction of apoptosis is essential to provide novel therapeutic approaches in BC. Our earlier studies showed that Vitamin C induces apoptotic cell death by losing redox balance in TNBC CSCs. In this study, we have attempted to identify previously unrecognized CSC survival factors that can be used as druggable targets for bCSCs apoptosis regulators isolated from the TNBC line, MDA MB 468. After a thorough literature review, Oct-4 was identified as the most promising marker for its unique abundance in cancer and absence in normal cells and the contribution of Oct-4 to the sustenance of cancer cells. We then validated a very high expression of Oct-4 in the MDA MB 468 bCSCs population using flow-cytometry. The loss of Oct-4 was carried out using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown in the bCSCs, followed by assessing for cellular apoptosis. Our results indicated that Oct-4 knockdown induced cell death, changes in cellular morphology, inhibited mammosphere formation, and positive for Annexin-V expression, thereby indicating the role of Oct-4 in bCSC survival. Moreover, our findings also suggest the direct interaction between Oct-4 and Vitamin C using in silico docking. This data, hence, contributes towards novel information about Oct-4 highlighting this molecule as a novel survival factor in bCSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Utsav Sen
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Shanooja Shanavas
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Apoorva H Nagendra
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Muhammad Nihad
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Debajit Chaudhury
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Hari K Rachamalla
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-HRDC Campus, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajkumar Banerjee
- Applied Biology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-HRDC Campus, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sudheer Shenoy P
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Bipasha Bose
- Stem cells and regenerative medicine centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be university), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kim J, Hwang Y, Kim S, Chang Y, Kim Y, Kwon Y, Kim J. Transcriptional activation of endogenous Oct4 via the CRISPR/dCas9 activator ameliorates Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome in mice. Aging Cell 2023:e13825. [PMID: 36964992 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Partial cellular reprogramming via transient expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc induces rejuvenation and reduces aged-cell phenotypes. In this study, we found that transcriptional activation of the endogenous Oct4 gene by using the CRISPR/dCas9 activator system can efficiently ameliorate hallmarks of aging in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). We observed that the dCas9-Oct4 activator induced epigenetic remodeling, as evidenced by increased H3K9me3 and decreased H4K20me3 levels, without tumorization. Moreover, the progerin accumulation in HGPS aorta was significantly suppressed by the dCas9 activator-mediated Oct4 induction. Importantly, CRISPR/dCas9-activated Oct4 expression rescued the HGPS-associated vascular pathological features and lifespan shortening in the mouse model. These results suggest that partial rejuvenation via CRISPR/dCas9-mediated Oct4 activation can be used as a novel strategy in treating geriatric diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyeop Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yerim Hwang
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sumin Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yujung Chang
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunkyung Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngeun Kwon
- Laboratory of Protein Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dongguk University, 04620, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jongpil Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells & Cell reprogramming, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, 100-715, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Moon BS, Huang D, Gao F, Cai M, Lyu G, Zhang L, Chen J, Lu W. Long range inter-chromosomal interaction of Oct4 distal enhancer loci regulates ESCs pluripotency. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:61. [PMID: 36781845 PMCID: PMC9925822 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01363-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear architecture underlies the transcriptional programs within the cell to establish cell identity. As previously demonstrated, long-range chromatin interactions of the Oct4 distal enhancer (DE) are correlated with active transcription in naïve state embryonic stem cells. Here, we identify and characterize extreme long-range interactions of the Oct4 DE through a novel CRISPR labeling technique we developed and chromosome conformation capture to identify lethal giant larvae 2 (Llgl2) and growth factor receptor-bound protein 7 (Grb7) as putative functional interacting target genes in different chromosomes. We show that the Oct4 DE directly regulates expression of Llgl2 and Grb7 in addition to Oct4. Expression of Llgl2 and Grb7 closely correlates with the pluripotent state, where knock down of either result in loss of pluripotency, and overexpression enhances somatic cell reprogramming. We demonstrated that biologically important interactions of the Oct4 DE can occur at extreme distances that are necessary for the maintenance of the pluripotent state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byoung-San Moon
- Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, 59626, Korea. .,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - David Huang
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Fan Gao
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Mingyang Cai
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Guochang Lyu
- grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- grid.216938.70000 0000 9878 7032State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071 Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Chen
- grid.216938.70000 0000 9878 7032State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071 Tianjin, China
| | - Wange Lu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. .,State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, 300071, Tianjin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tan DS, Cheung SL, Gao Y, Weinbuch M, Hu H, Shi L, Ti SC, Hutchins AP, Cojocaru V, Jauch R. The homeodomain of Oct4 is a dimeric binder of methylated CpG elements. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1120-1138. [PMID: 36631980 PMCID: PMC9943670 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oct4 is essential to maintain pluripotency and has a pivotal role in establishing the germline. Its DNA-binding POU domain was recently found to bind motifs with methylated CpG elements normally associated with epigenetic silencing. However, the mode of binding and the consequences of this capability has remained unclear. Here, we show that Oct4 binds to a compact palindromic DNA element with a methylated CpG core (CpGpal) in alternative states of pluripotency and during cellular reprogramming towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). During cellular reprogramming, typical Oct4 bound enhancers are uniformly demethylated, with the prominent exception of the CpGpal sites where DNA methylation is often maintained. We demonstrate that Oct4 cooperatively binds the CpGpal element as a homodimer, which contrasts with the ectoderm-expressed POU factor Brn2. Indeed, binding to CpGpal is Oct4-specific as other POU factors expressed in somatic cells avoid this element. Binding assays combined with structural analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that dimeric Oct4-binding to CpGpal is driven by the POU-homeodomain whilst the POU-specific domain is detached from DNA. Collectively, we report that Oct4 exerts parts of its regulatory function in the context of methylated DNA through a DNA recognition mechanism that solely relies on its homeodomain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shun Lai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maike Weinbuch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,Institute for Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liyang Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shih-Chieh Ti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Computational Structural Biology Group, Utrecht University, The Netherlands,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Jauch
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +852 3917 9511; Fax: +852 28559730;
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cockerell A, Wright L, Dattani A, Guo G, Smith A, Tsaneva-Atanasova K, Richards DM. Biophysical models of early mammalian embryogenesis. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:26-46. [PMID: 36630902 PMCID: PMC9860129 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo development is a critical and fascinating stage in the life cycle of many organisms. Despite decades of research, the earliest stages of mammalian embryogenesis are still poorly understood, caused by a scarcity of high-resolution spatial and temporal data, the use of only a few model organisms, and a paucity of truly multidisciplinary approaches that combine biological research with biophysical modeling and computational simulation. Here, we explain the theoretical frameworks and biophysical processes that are best suited to modeling the early mammalian embryo, review a comprehensive list of previous models, and discuss the most promising avenues for future work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaina Cockerell
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Liam Wright
- Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Anish Dattani
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ge Guo
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK; Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK; EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QJ, UK; Department of Bioinformatics and Mathematical Modelling, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 105 Acad. G. Bonchev Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - David M Richards
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Gattupalli M, Dey P, Poovizhi S, Patel RB, Mishra D, Banerjee S. The Prospects of RNAs and Common Significant Pathways in Cancer Therapy and Regenerative Medicine. Regen Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-6008-6_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
|
24
|
Lee Y, Lee SW, Jeong D, Lee HJ, Choi NY, Bang JS, Ham S, Ko K. Inhibition of Class I Histone Deacetylase Enhances Self-Reprogramming of Spermatogonial Stem Cells into Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Stem Cells 2022; 16:27-35. [PMID: 36581367 PMCID: PMC9978831 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc22110] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the most primitive cells in spermatogenesis and are the only adult stem cells capable of passing on the genome of a given species to the next generation. SSCs are the only adult stem cells known to exhibit high Oct4 expression and can be induced to self-reprogram into pluripotent cells depending on culture conditions. Epigenetic modulation is well known to be involved in the induction of pluripotency of somatic cells. However, epigenetic modulation in self-reprogramming of SSCs into pluripotent cells has not been studied. Methods and Results In this study, we examined the involvement of epigenetic modulation by assessing whether self-reprogramming of SSCs is enhanced by treatment with epigenetic modulators. We found that second-generation selective class I HDAC inhibitors increased SSC reprogramming efficiency, whereas non-selective HDAC inhibitors had no effect. Conclusions We showed that pluripotent stem cells derived from adult SSCs by treatment with small molecules with epigenetic modulator functions exhibit pluripotency in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that the mechanism of SSC reprogramming by epigenetic modulator can be used for important applications in epigenetic reprogramming research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yukyeong Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Won Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dahee Jeong
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Jeong Lee
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Na Young Choi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Seok Bang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seokbeom Ham
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kinarm Ko
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Center for Stem Cell Research, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea,Research Institute of Medical Science, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea,Correspondence to Kinarm Ko, Departement of Stem Cell Biology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwanjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea, Tel: +82-2-2030-7888, Fax: +82-2-446-9001, E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Baniasadi F, Hajiaghalou S, Shahverdi A, Ghalamboran MR, Pirhajati V, Fathi R. The Beneficial Effects of Static Magnetic Field and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on the Vitrification of Mature Mice Oocytes. Reprod Sci 2022:10.1007/s43032-022-01144-1. [PMID: 36562985 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01144-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) and nanoparticles (NPs) on the vitrification of cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC). To this end, the non-vitrified (nVit) and vitrified groups (Vit) that contain NPs, with or without SMF were labeled nVit_NPs, nVit_NPs_SMF, Vit_NPs, and Vit_NPs_SMF, respectively. The non-toxic dosages of NPs were first determined to be 0.008% w/v. The survival, apoptosis, and necrosis, mitochondrial activity, fertilization rate, subsequent-derived embryo development, and gene expressions were examined. The viability rates obtained by trypan blue and Anx-PI staining were meaningfully smaller in the Vit groups, compared to the nVit groups. The JC1 red/green signal ratios were reduced considerably in the Vit group, compared to the nVit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to assess the entry of the NPs into the oocytes. TEM images showed that NPs were present in nVit_NPs, and Vit_NPs. Thereafter, the effects of NPs and SMF on in vitro fertilization (IVF) were examined. The difference in blastocyst rates between nVit and Vit_NPs_SMF groups was significant. Finally, Nanog, Cdx2, Oct4, and Sox2 genes were evaluated. There were substantial differences in Cdx2 gene expressions between the Vit_NPs and nVit groups. The expression of Nanog in Vit was significantly higher than those of the Vit_NPs, Vit_NPs_SMF, and nVit groups. The data presented here provide deeper insight into the application of iron oxide nanoparticles in COC vitrification. It appears that using SMF and supplemented CPA by NPs inhibits cryoinjury and promote the embryo development capacity of vitrified-warmed COCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Baniasadi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Hajiaghalou
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - M R Ghalamboran
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - V Pirhajati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - R Fathi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lo JHH, Edwards M, Langerman J, Sridharan R, Plath K, Smale ST. Oct4:Sox2 binding is essential for establishing but not maintaining active and silent states of dynamically regulated genes in pluripotent cells. Genes Dev 2022; 36:1079-1095. [PMID: 36418052 PMCID: PMC9744233 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350113.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Much has been learned about the mechanisms of action of pluripotency factors Oct4 and Sox2. However, as with other regulators of cell identity, little is known about the impact of disrupting their binding motifs in a native environment or the characteristics of genes they regulate. By quantitatively examining dynamic ranges of gene expression instead of focusing on conventional measures of differential expression, we found that Oct4 and Sox2 enhancer binding is strongly enriched near genes subject to large dynamic ranges of expression among cell types, with binding sites near these genes usually within superenhancers. Mutagenesis of representative Oct4:Sox2 motifs near such active, dynamically regulated genes revealed critical roles in transcriptional activation during reprogramming, with more limited roles in transcriptional maintenance in the pluripotent state. Furthermore, representative motifs near silent genes were critical for establishing but not maintaining the fully silent state, while genes whose transcript levels varied by smaller magnitudes among cell types were unaffected by nearby Oct4:Sox2 motifs. These results suggest that Oct4 and Sox2 directly establish both active and silent transcriptional states in pluripotent cells at a large number of genes subject to dynamic regulation during mammalian development, but are less important than expected for maintaining transcriptional states.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Hung-Hao Lo
- Molecular Biology Institute, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Miguel Edwards
- Molecular Biology Institute, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Justin Langerman
- Molecular Biology Institute, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Rupa Sridharan
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53715, USA
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Molecular Biology Institute, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Stephen T Smale
- Molecular Biology Institute, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bahrami Z, Hatamian N, Talkhabi M, Zand E, Mottershead DG, Fathi R. Granulosa Cell Conditioned Medium Enhances The Rate of Mouse Oocyte In Vitro Maturation and Embryo Formation. CELL JOURNAL 2022; 24:620-627. [PMID: 36259480 PMCID: PMC9617018 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.8155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation of oocytes are two important parts of assisted reproductive technology (ART), but their efficacy is low. This study aimed to improve the quality of in vitro vitrified-warmed maturated oocytes using granulosa cell conditioned medium (GCCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS In the experimental study, fresh/non-vitrified and vitrified-warmed mouse germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes (as F and V) were In vitro maturated using basal medium (BM) and also BM supplemented with 50% GCCM as treated groups (GM), and categorized as FBM, FGM, VBM and VGM groups, respectively. The rate of successful IVM (MII oocyte formation), mitochondrial membrane potential and the viability of MII oocytes were determined using inverted microscopy, JC-1 and trypan blue staining. Then, the rate of In vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequent two-cell embryo formation was calculated. Finally, the expression levels of Oct4, Sox2, Cdk-2, Gdf9, Integrin beta1 and Igf2 were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in MII oocytes and two-cell embryos. RESULTS These analyses showed that GCCM significantly increased the IVM rate, oocyte meiotic resumption and mitochondrial membrane potential (P<0.05). In addition, the rate of IVF and two-cell embryo formation was significantly higher in FGM and VGM compared to FBM and VBM (P<0.05). Interestingly, GCCM significantly affected the expression of the studied genes. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that GCCM might be useful for improving the efficiency of IVM and the subsequent IVF outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Bahrami
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Hatamian
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Talkhabi
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,P.O.Box: 19395-4716Department of Animal Sciences and Marine BiologyFaculty of Life Sciences and
BiotechnologyShahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
P.O.Box: 16635-148Department of EmbryologyReproductive Biomedicine Research CenterRoyan Institute for Reproductive BiomedicineACECRTehranIran
Emails:,
| | - Elnaz Zand
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR,
Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Rouhollah Fathi
- Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR,
Tehran, Iran,P.O.Box: 19395-4716Department of Animal Sciences and Marine BiologyFaculty of Life Sciences and
BiotechnologyShahid Beheshti UniversityTehranIran
P.O.Box: 16635-148Department of EmbryologyReproductive Biomedicine Research CenterRoyan Institute for Reproductive BiomedicineACECRTehranIran
Emails:,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Aberrant transcription factors in the cancers of the pancreas. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:28-45. [PMID: 36058426 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.08.011] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for proper activation of gene set during the process of organogenesis, differentiation, lineage specificity. Reactivation or dysregulation of TFs regulatory networks could lead to deformation of organs, diseases including various malignancies. Currently, understanding the mechanism of oncogenesis became necessity for the development of targeted therapeutic strategy for different cancer types. It is evident that many TFs go awry in cancers of the pancreas such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs). These mutated or dysregulated TFs abnormally controls various signaling pathways in PDAC and PanNENs including RTK, PI3K-PTEN-AKT-mTOR, JNK, TGF-β/SMAD, WNT/β-catenin, SHH, NOTCH and VEGF which in turn regulate different hallmarks of cancer. Aberrant regulation of such pathways have been linked to the initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance in pancreatic cancer. As of today, a number of TFs has been identified as crucial regulators of pancreatic cancer and a handful of them shown to have potential as therapeutic targets in pre-clinical and clinical settings. In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge on the role and therapeutic usefulness of TFs in PDAC and PanNENs.
Collapse
|
29
|
Xie W, Yu J, Yin Y, Zhang X, Zheng X, Wang X. OCT4 induces EMT and promotes ovarian cancer progression by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Front Oncol 2022; 12:876257. [PMID: 36033461 PMCID: PMC9399417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.876257] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) is a key stem cell transcription factor involved in the development of various cancers. The role of OCT4 in ovarian cancer (OC) progression and its molecular mechanism are not fully understood. Methods First, immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays of ovarian benign cyst tissues, OC tissues, and omental metastatic tissues were performed to reveal OCT4 expression profiles. We knocked down OCT4 in two OC cell lines (SKOV3 and A2780) using a lentiviral vector and performed in vitro and in vivo experiments. OCT4 was knocked down to assess the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells using CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays. In addition, the nude tumor mouse model was used for in vivo study. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that OCT4 influenced protein expression in the phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins by Western blotting and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. The interaction between OCT4 and p-AKT was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) assays. Importantly, AKT activation by its activator SC79 reversed the biological functions of OCT4 knockdown. Results OCT4 expression was significantly upregulated in OC samples and metastatic tissues. OCT4 knockdown notably inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR was downregulated after OCT4 knockdown. An AKT agonist reversed the effect of OCT4 knockdown on OC cells. EMT in OC samples was enhanced by OCT4. Conclusions Our study shows that OCT4 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells by participating in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis, suggesting that it could serve as a potential therapeutic target for OC patients.
Collapse
|
30
|
Endometrial stem/progenitor cells: Properties, origins, and functions. Genes Dis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2022.08.009] [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] Open
|
31
|
Lee M, Oh JN, Choe GC, Kim SH, Choi KH, Lee DK, Jeong J, Lee CK. Changes in OCT4 expression play a crucial role in the lineage specification and proliferation of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13313. [PMID: 35883229 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Curiosity about the role of OCT4, a core transcription factor that maintains inner cell mass (ICM) formation during preimplantation embryogenesis and the pluripotent state in embryonic development, has long been an issue. OCT4 has a species-specific expression pattern in mammalian preimplantation embryogenesis and is known to play an essential role in ICM formation. However, there is a need to study new roles for OCT4-related pluripotency networks and second-cell fate decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS To determine the functions of OCT4 in lineage specification and embryo proliferation, loss- and gain-of-function studies were performed on porcine parthenotes using microinjection. Then, we performed immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to examine the association of OCT4 with other lineage markers and its effect on downstream genes. RESULTS In OCT4-targeted late blastocysts, SOX2, NANOG, and SOX17 positive cells were decreased, and the total cell number of blastocysts was also decreased. According to real-time PCR analysis, NANOG, SOX17, and CDK4 were decreased in OCT4-targeted blastocysts, but trophoblast-related genes were increased. In OCT4-overexpressing blastocysts, SOX2 and NANOG positive cells increased, while SOX17 positive cells decreased, and while total cell number of blastocysts increased. As a result of real-time PCR analysis, the expression of SOX2, NANOG, and CDK4 was increased, but the expression of SOX17 was decreased. CONCLUSION Taken together, our results demonstrated that OCT4 leads pluripotency in porcine blastocysts and also plays an important role in ICM formation, secondary cell fate decision, and cell proliferation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyun Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Nam Oh
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gyung Cheol Choe
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hun Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kwang-Hwan Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kyung Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsol Jeong
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chang-Kyu Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Naseri M, Ranaei Pirmardan E, Mowla SJ, Shamsara M, Movahedin M, Nouri S, Nayernia K, Kabir Salmani M, Shahali M. Ectopic expression of OCT4B1 Decreases Fertility Rate and Changes Sperm Parameters in Transgenic Mice. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 20:e3019. [PMID: 36381279 PMCID: PMC9618016 DOI: 10.30498/ijb.2022.278266.3019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (OCT4) is known as an established important regulator of pluripotency, as well as a genetic "master switch" in the self-renewal of embryonic stem and germ cells. OCT4B1, one of the three spliced variants of human OCT4, plays crucial roles in the regulation of pluripotency and stemness. OBJECTIVES The present study developed a transgenic mouse model containing an OCT4B1-expressing construct under the transcriptional direction of mouse mammary tumor virus promoter (pMMTV) to evaluate the role of OCT4B1 in the function of male germ cells in terms of fertility potential. Additionally, the effect of ectopic OCT4B1 overexpression on endogenous OCT4 expression was examined in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS The pMMTV-OCT4B1cDNA construct was injected into the pronuclei of 0.5-day NMRI embryos. Transgenic mice were identified based on the PCR analysis of tail DNA. Further, Diff-Quik staining was applied to assess sperm morphology, while the other sperm parameters were analyzed through a conventional light microscopic evaluation according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The fertility rate was scored by using in vitro frtilization (IVF) method. Furthermore, mESCs was electroporated with the OCT4B1cDNA-containing constructs, followed by analyzing through employing semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS The results demonstrated the changes in sperm morphology, as well as a statistically significant decrease in the other sperm parameters (count, viability, and motility) and fertility rate (p<0.05) in the transgenic mice compared with the control group. The assessment of the cause of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) death following transfection revealed a significant reduction in the endogenous OCT4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the transfected mESCs compared to the control ones. CONCLUSION In general, the in vivo results suggested a potential role of OCT4B1 in the spermatogenesis process. These results represented that the overexpression of OCT4B1 may induce its role in spermatogenesis and fertility rate by interfering endogenous OCT4 expression. However, further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying OCT4B1 function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzieh Naseri
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Ranaei Pirmardan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Javad Mowla
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- National Research Center for Transgenic Mouse, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoreh Movahedin
- Anatomical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Nouri
- Anatomical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Karim Nayernia
- Institute of Molecular Medicine & Cell Therapy (mmct), Düsseldorf, Germany
- HEALI, Personalizing Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maryam Kabir Salmani
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shahali
- Department of Production, Research and Production Complex, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
POUV is a relatively newly emerged class of POU transcription factors present in jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). The function of POUV-class proteins is inextricably linked to zygotic genome activation (ZGA). A large body of evidence now extends the role of these proteins to subsequent developmental stages. While some functions resemble those of other POU-class proteins and are related to neuroectoderm development, others have emerged de novo. The most notable of the latter functions is pluripotency control by Oct4 in mammals. In this review, we focus on these de novo functions in the best-studied species harbouring POUV proteins-zebrafish, Xenopus (anamniotes) and mammals (amniotes). Despite the broad diversity of their biological functions in vertebrates, POUV proteins exert a common feature related to their role in safeguarding the undifferentiated state of cells. Here we summarize numerous pieces of evidence for these specific functions of the POUV-class proteins and recap available loss-of-function data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny I. Bakhmet
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey N. Tomilin
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cheng G, Li L, Li Q, Lian S, Chu H, Ding Y, Li C, Leng Y. β-elemene suppresses tumor metabolism and stem cell-like properties of non-small cell lung cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1535-1555. [PMID: 35530288 PMCID: PMC9077083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance remains a critical issue in cancer treatment that hinders the effective use of chemotherapeutic drugs. The active components of traditional Chinese medicine have been applied as adjuvants to accentuate the anticancer properties of conventional drugs such as cisplatin. However, their application requires further validation and optimization. This study explored the anticancer activity of β-elemene, a natural component of traditional Chinese medical formulations. The effect of β-elemene on the anticancer properties of cisplatin was evaluated in A549 and NCI-H1650 lung cancer cells. Cell apoptosis, stem-like properties, glucose metabolism, multi-drug resistance, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation were assessed via flow cytometry, tumorsphere formation, and western blotting. The target genes of β-elemene were predicted using bioinformatics tools and validated in both cell lines. A xenograft model of lung cancer was established in nude mice to evaluate the combined effects of β-elemene and cisplatin in vivo. We found that β-elemene acted synergistically with cisplatin against non-small cell lung cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and impairing glucose metabolism, multi-drug resistance, and stemness maintenance. These effects were mediated by the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that RB1 and TP53 are common target genes associated with lung cancer and β-elemene. The anti-tumorigenic properties of β-elemene were confirmed in vivo, wherein β-elemene, along with cisplatin, significantly suppressed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model of non-small cell lung cancer. As such, β-elemene acted as an inhibitor of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and enhanced the anticancer effect of cisplatin by targeting tumor metabolism, chemoresistance, and stem-like behavior. Thus, β-elemene is an effective anticancer adjuvant agent with potential clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Cheng
- Research Center, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Health Care, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Qingjie Li
- Research Center, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Shulin Lian
- Department of Surgery, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Hongbo Chu
- Research Center, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Yunlu Ding
- Research Center, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Chikun Li
- Research Center, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| | - Yan Leng
- Department of Encephalopathy, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese MedicineJilin 130021, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Porcine OCT4 reporter system as a tool for monitoring pluripotency states. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL REPRODUCTION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.12750/jarb.36.4.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
|
36
|
Yang C, Chung N, Song C, Youm HW, Lee K, Lee JR. Promotion of angiogenesis toward transplanted ovaries using nitric oxide releasing nanoparticles in fibrin hydrogel. Biofabrication 2021; 14. [PMID: 34852328 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac3f28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Transplantation of ovary is one method of facilitating fertility preservation to increase the quality of life of cancer survivors. Immediately after transplantation, ovaries are under ischemic conditions owing to a lack of vascular anastomosis between the graft and host tissues. The transplanted ovaries can suffer damage because of lack of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in necrosis and dysfunction. In the technique proposed in this paper, the ovary is encapsulated with nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles (NO-NPs) in fibrin hydrogels, which form a carrying matrix to prevent ischemic damage and accelerate angiogenesis. The low concentration of NO released from mPEG-PLGA nanoparticles elicits blood vessel formation, which allows transplanted ovaries in the subcutis to recover from the ischemic period. In experiments with mice, the NO-NPs/fibrin hydrogel improved the total number and quality of ovarian follicles after transplantation. The intra-ovarian vascular density was 4.78 folds higher for the NO-NPs/fibrin hydrogel groups compared to that for the nontreated groups. Finally,in vitrofertilization revealed a successful blastocyst formation rate for NO-NPs/fibrin hydrogel coated ovaries. Thus, NO-NPs/fibrin hydrogels can provide an appropriate milieu to promote angiogenesis and be considered as adjuvant surgery materials for fertility preservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chungmo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea.,Program in Nanoscience and Technology, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Nanum Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea.,Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeyoung Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea.,Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Won Youm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Kangwon Lee
- Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 13620, Republic of Korea.,Department of Translational Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Tricostatin A-treated round spermatid enhances preimplantation embryo developmental competency following round spermatid injection in mice. ZYGOTE 2021; 30:373-379. [PMID: 34823620 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199421000836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
It has been documented that the inefficacy of round spermatid injection (ROSI) might be caused by abnormal epigenetic modifications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of trichostatin A (TSA) as an epigenetic modifier of preimplantation embryo development in activated ROSI oocytes. Matured oocytes were collected from superovulated female mice. Testes were placed in human tubal fluid medium and masses were then cut into small pieces to disperse spermatogenic cells. Round spermatids were treated with TSA and subsequently injected into oocytes. The expression level of the development-related genes including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, Dnmt and Hdac transcripts were evaluated using qRT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the presence of Oct-4 protein at the blastocyst stage. There was no statistically significant difference in fertilization rate following ROSI/+TSA compared with the non-treated ROSI and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) groups. Importantly, TSA treatment increased blastocyst formation from 38% in non-treated ROSI to 68%. The relative expression level of developmentally related genes increased and Dnmt transcripts decreased in ROSI/+TSA-derived embryos, similar to the expression levels observed in the ICSI-derived embryos. In conclusion, our results indicate that spermatid treatment with TSA prior to ROSI would increase the success rate of development to the blastocyst stage and proportion of pluripotent cells.
Collapse
|
38
|
Mehravar M, Ghaemimanesh F, Poursani EM. Exon and intron sharing in opposite direction-an undocumented phenomenon in human genome-between Pou5f1 and Tcf19 genes. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:718. [PMID: 34610795 PMCID: PMC8493703 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-08039-6] [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: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overlapping genes share same genomic regions in parallel (sense) or anti-parallel (anti-sense) orientations. These gene pairs seem to occur in all domains of life and are best known from viruses. However, the advantage and biological significance of overlapping genes is still unclear. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) analysis enabled us to uncover an overlapping gene pair in the human genome. RESULTS By using in silico analysis of previous experimental documentations, we reveal a new form of overlapping genes in the human genome, in which two genes found on opposite strands (Pou5f1 and Tcf19), share two exons and one intron enclosed, at the same positions, between OCT4B3 and TCF19-D splice variants. CONCLUSIONS This new form of overlapping gene expands our previous perception of splicing events and may shed more light on the complexity of gene regulation in higher organisms. Additional such genes might be detected by ESTs analysis also of other organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Mehravar
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Development and Stem Cells Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Ghaemimanesh
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensieh M Poursani
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Miao X, Sun T, Barletta H, Mager J, Cui W. Loss of RBBP4 results in defective inner cell mass, severe apoptosis, hyperacetylated histones and preimplantation lethality in mice†. Biol Reprod 2021; 103:13-23. [PMID: 32285100 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoblastoma-binding protein 4 (RBBP4) (also known as chromatin-remodeling factor RBAP48) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that has been involved in various biological processes. Although a variety of functions have been attributed to RBBP4 in vitro, mammalian RBBP4 has not been studied in vivo. Here we report that RBBP4 is essential during early mouse embryo development. Although Rbbp4 mutant embryos exhibit normal morphology at E3.5 blastocyst stage, they cannot be recovered at E7.5 early post-gastrulation stage, suggesting an implantation failure. Outgrowth (OG) assays reveal that mutant blastocysts cannot hatch from the zona or can hatch but then arrest without further development. We find that while there is no change in proliferation or levels of reactive oxygen species, both apoptosis and histone acetylation are significantly increased in mutant blastocysts. Analysis of lineage specification reveals that while the trophoblast is properly specified, both epiblast and primitive endoderm lineages are compromised with severe reductions in cell number and/or specification. In summary, these findings demonstrate the essential role of RBBP4 during early mammalian embryogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosu Miao
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Tieqi Sun
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Holly Barletta
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Animal Models Core Facility, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Springer C, Zakhartchenko V, Wolf E, Simmet K. Hypoblast Formation in Bovine Embryos Does Not Depend on NANOG. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092232. [PMID: 34571882 PMCID: PMC8466907 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the pluripotency factor NANOG during the second embryonic lineage differentiation has been studied extensively in mouse, although species-specific differences exist. To elucidate the role of NANOG in an alternative model organism, we knocked out NANOG in fibroblast cells and produced bovine NANOG-knockout (KO) embryos via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). At day 8, NANOG-KO blastocysts showed a decreased total cell number when compared to controls from SCNT (NT Ctrl). The pluripotency factors OCT4 and SOX2 as well as the hypoblast (HB) marker GATA6 were co-expressed in all cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) and, in contrast to mouse Nanog-KO, expression of the late HB marker SOX17 was still present. We blocked the MEK-pathway with a MEK 1/2 inhibitor, and control embryos showed an increase in NANOG positive cells, but SOX17 expressing HB precursor cells were still present. NANOG-KO together with MEK-inhibition was lethal before blastocyst stage, similarly to findings in mouse. Supplementation of exogenous FGF4 to NANOG-KO embryos did not change SOX17 expression in the ICM, unlike mouse Nanog-KO embryos, where missing SOX17 expression was completely rescued by FGF4. We conclude that NANOG mediated FGF/MEK signaling is not required for HB formation in the bovine embryo and that another—so far unknown—pathway regulates HB differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Springer
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (C.S.); (V.Z.); (E.W.)
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Valeri Zakhartchenko
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (C.S.); (V.Z.); (E.W.)
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (C.S.); (V.Z.); (E.W.)
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Kilian Simmet
- Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany; (C.S.); (V.Z.); (E.W.)
- Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Building Pluripotency Identity in the Early Embryo and Derived Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082049. [PMID: 34440818 PMCID: PMC8391114 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fusion of two highly differentiated cells, an oocyte with a spermatozoon, gives rise to the zygote, a single totipotent cell, which has the capability to develop into a complete, fully functional organism. Then, as development proceeds, a series of programmed cell divisions occur whereby the arising cells progressively acquire their own cellular and molecular identity, and totipotency narrows until when pluripotency is achieved. The path towards pluripotency involves transcriptome modulation, remodeling of the chromatin epigenetic landscape to which external modulators contribute. Both human and mouse embryos are a source of different types of pluripotent stem cells whose characteristics can be captured and maintained in vitro. The main aim of this review is to address the cellular properties and the molecular signature of the emerging cells during mouse and human early development, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species and between the embryos and their cognate stem cells.
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhao X, Chen Y, Tan M, Zhao L, Zhai Y, Sun Y, Gong Y, Feng X, Du J, Fan Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness Regulates DNA Methylation by PKCα-Dependent Nuclear Transport of DNMT3L. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100821. [PMID: 34174172 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness has profound effects on the regulation of cell functions. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification governing gene expression. However, the effects of ECM stiffness on DNA methylation remain elusive. Here, it is reported that DNA methylation is sensitive to ECM stiffness, with a global hypermethylation under stiff ECM condition in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and embryonic fibroblasts compared with soft ECM. Stiff ECM enhances DNA methylation of both promoters and gene bodies, especially the 5' promoter regions of pluripotent genes. The enhanced DNA methylation is functionally required for the loss of pluripotent gene expression in mESCs grown on stiff ECM. Further experiments reveal that the nuclear transport of DNA methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) is promoted by stiff ECM in a protein kinase C α (PKCα)-dependent manner and DNMT3L can be binding to Nanog promoter regions during cell-ECM interactions. These findings unveil DNA methylation as a novel target for the mechanical sensing mechanism of ECM stiffness, which provides a conserved mechanism for gene expression regulation during cell-ECM interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin‐Bin Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100083 China
| | - Yun‐Ping Chen
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering Department of Engineering Mechanics Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Min Tan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100083 China
| | - Lan Zhao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering Department of Engineering Mechanics Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Yuan‐Yuan Zhai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Yan‐Ling Sun
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100083 China
| | - Yan Gong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Xi‐Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering Department of Engineering Mechanics Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Jing Du
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100083 China
| | - Yu‐Bo Fan
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100083 China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lee M, Choi K, Oh J, Kim S, Lee D, Choe GC, Jeong J, Lee C. SOX2 plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and lineage segregation during porcine pre-implantation embryo development. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13097. [PMID: 34250657 PMCID: PMC8349655 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Gene regulation in early embryos has been widely studied for a long time because lineage segregation gives rise to the formation of a pluripotent cell population, known as the inner cell mass (ICM), during pre-implantation embryo development. The extraordinarily longer pre-implantation embryo development in pigs leads to the distinct features of the pluripotency network compared with mice and humans. For these reasons, a comparative study using pre-implantation pig embryos would provide new insights into the mammalian pluripotency network and help to understand differences in the roles and networks of genes in pre-implantation embryos between species. MATERIALS AND METHODS To analyse the functions of SOX2 in lineage segregation and cell proliferation, loss- and gain-of-function studies were conducted in pig embryos using an overexpression vector and the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Then, we analysed the morphological features and examined the effect on the expression of downstream genes through immunocytochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Our results showed that among the core pluripotent factors, only SOX2 was specifically expressed in the ICM. In SOX2-disrupted blastocysts, the expression of the ICM-related genes, but not OCT4, was suppressed, and the total cell number was also decreased. Likewise, according to real-time PCR analysis, pluripotency-related genes, excluding OCT4, and proliferation-related genes were decreased in SOX2-targeted blastocysts. In SOX2-overexpressing embryos, the total blastocyst cell number was greatly increased but the ICM/TE ratio decreased. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results demonstrated that SOX2 is essential for ICM formation and cell proliferation in porcine early-stage embryogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingyun Lee
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
| | - Kwang‐Hwan Choi
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
- Research and Development CenterSpace F corporationHwasungKorea
| | - Jong‐Nam Oh
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
| | - Seung‐Hun Kim
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
| | - Dong‐Kyung Lee
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
- Research and Development CenterSpace F corporationHwasungKorea
| | - Gyung Cheol Choe
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
| | - Jinsol Jeong
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
| | - Chang‐Kyu Lee
- Department of Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Major, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life SciencesSeoul National UniversityGwanak‐guKorea
- Institute of Green Bio Science and TechnologySeoul National UniversityPyeongchangKorea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Biological importance of OCT transcription factors in reprogramming and development. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:1018-1028. [PMID: 34117345 PMCID: PMC8257633 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00637-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Attempts to identify genes or chemicals that can functionally replace each of these four reprogramming factors have revealed that exogenous Oct4 is not necessary for reprogramming under certain conditions or in the presence of alternative factors that can regulate endogenous Oct4 expression. For example, polycistronic expression of Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc can elicit reprogramming by activating endogenous Oct4 expression indirectly. Experiments in which the reprogramming competence of all other Oct family members tested and also in different species have led to the decisive conclusion that Oct proteins display different reprogramming competences and species-dependent reprogramming activity despite their profound sequence conservation. We discuss the roles of the structural components of Oct proteins in reprogramming and how donor cell epigenomes endow Oct proteins with different reprogramming competences. Cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), embryonic-like stem cells that can turn into any cell type and have extensive potential medical uses, without adding the transcription factor OCT4. Although other nearly identical OCT family members had been tried, only OCT4 could induce reprogramming and was previously thought to be indispensable. However, it now appears that the reprogramming can be induced by multiple pathways, as detailed in a review by Hans Schöler, Max Planck Institute for Biomolecular Medicine, Münster, and Johnny Kim, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, in Germany. They report that any factors that trigger cells to activate endogeous OCT4 can produce iPSCs without exogeously admistration of OCT4. The mechanisms for producing iPSCs can differ between species. These results illuminate the complex mechanisms of reprogramming.
Collapse
|
45
|
Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 3 Deubiquitinates and Stabilizes Oct4 Protein in Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115584. [PMID: 34070420 PMCID: PMC8197518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oct4 is an important mammalian POU family transcription factor expressed by early human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The precise level of Oct4 governs the pluripotency and fate determination of hESCs. Several post-translational modifications (PTMs) of Oct4 including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and SUMOylation have been reported to regulate its critical functions in hESCs. Ubiquitination and deubiquitination of Oct4 should be well balanced to maintain the pluripotency of hESCs. The protein turnover of Oct4 is regulated by several E3 ligases through ubiquitin-mediated degradation. However, reversal of ubiquitination by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) has not been reported for Oct4. In this study, we generated a ubiquitin-specific protease 3 (USP3) gene knockout using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and demonstrated that USP3 acts as a protein stabilizer of Oct4 by deubiquitinating Oct4. USP3 interacts with endogenous Oct4 and co-localizes in the nucleus of hESCs. The depletion of USP3 leads to a decrease in Oct4 protein level and loss of pluripotent morphology in hESCs. Thus, our results show that USP3 plays an important role in controlling optimum protein level of Oct4 to retain pluripotency of hESCs.
Collapse
|
46
|
Di Giovannantonio LG, Acampora D, Omodei D, Nigro V, Barba P, Barbieri E, Chambers I, Simeone A. Direct repression of Nanog and Oct4 by OTX2 modulates the contribution of epiblast-derived cells to germline and somatic lineage. Development 2021; 148:263923. [PMID: 33999993 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the pre-gastrula proximal epiblast gives rise to primordial germ cells (PGCs) or somatic precursors in response to BMP4 and WNT signaling. Entry into the germline requires activation of a naïve-like pluripotency gene regulatory network (GRN). Recent work has shown that suppression of OTX2 expression in the epiblast by BMP4 allows cells to develop a PGC fate in a precise temporal window. However, the mechanisms by which OTX2 suppresses PGC fate are unknown. Here, we show that, in mice, OTX2 prevents epiblast cells from activating the pluripotency GRN by direct repression of Oct4 and Nanog. Loss of this control during PGC differentiation in vitro causes widespread activation of the pluripotency GRN and a deregulated response to LIF, BMP4 and WNT signaling. These abnormalities, in specific cell culture conditions, result in massive germline entry at the expense of somatic mesoderm differentiation. Increased generation of PGCs also occurs in mutant embryos. We propose that the OTX2-mediated repressive control of Oct4 and Nanog is the basis of the mechanism that determines epiblast contribution to germline and somatic lineage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dario Acampora
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Omodei
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Precisione, Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via L. De Crecchio, 7, 80138 Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80087 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Pasquale Barba
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Barbieri
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian Chambers
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Antonio Simeone
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics 'Adriano Buzzati-Traverso', CNR, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Pioltine EM, Costa CB, Barbosa Latorraca L, Franchi FF, dos Santos PH, Mingoti GZ, de Paula-Lopes FF, Nogueira MFG. Treatment of in vitro-Matured Bovine Oocytes With Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Modulates the Oxidative Stress Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:623852. [PMID: 33681203 PMCID: PMC7933469 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.623852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In several species, oocyte and embryo competence are improved by the addition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitors to in vitro maturation (IVM) medium and/or in vitro culture (IVC) medium. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three concentrations of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA; 50, 200, and 1,000 μM), a chemical chaperone for relieving ER stress, during IVM of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) for 24 h. Treated oocytes were analyzed for nuclear maturation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial activity, and abundance of target transcripts. In addition, the number of pronuclei in oocytes was evaluated after 18-20 h of insemination, and the rates of blastocyst and hatched blastocyst formation were evaluated after 7 and 8/9 days of culture, respectively. We further evaluated the transcript abundance of embryonic quality markers. Our findings showed that supplementation of IVM medium with 200 μM of TUDCA decreased ROS production and increased abundance of transcripts related to antioxidant activity in oocytes (CAT, GPX1, and HMOX1) and embryos (GPX1 and PRDX3). Interestingly, high concentration of TUDCA (1,000 μM) was toxic to oocytes, reducing the nuclear maturation rate, decreasing mitochondrial activity, and increasing the abundance of ER stress (HSPA5) and cellular apoptosis (CASP3 and CD40) related transcripts. The results of this study suggest that treatment with 200 μM of TUDCA is associated with a greater resistance to oxidative stress and indirectly with ER stress relief in bovine oocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mariano Pioltine
- Multi-user Laboratory of Phytomedicines Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhitoPharmaTec), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Camila Bortoliero Costa
- Multi-user Laboratory of Phytomedicines Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhitoPharmaTec), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | - Fernanda Fagali Franchi
- Multi-user Laboratory of Phytomedicines Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhitoPharmaTec), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Priscila Helena dos Santos
- Multi-user Laboratory of Phytomedicines Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhitoPharmaTec), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Gisele Zoccal Mingoti
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production and Animal Health, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Fábio Gouveia Nogueira
- Multi-user Laboratory of Phytomedicines Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhitoPharmaTec), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
- Laboratory of Embryonic Micromanipulation, School of Sciences and Languages, Department of Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University, Assis, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mehravar M, Ghaemimanesh F, Poursani EM. An Overview on the Complexity of OCT4: at the Level of DNA, RNA and Protein. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:1121-1136. [PMID: 33389631 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10098-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OCT4 plays critical roles in self-renewal and pluripotency maintenance of embryonic stem cells, and is considered as one of the main stemness markers. It also has pivotal roles in early stages of embryonic development. Most studies on OCT4 have focused on the expression and function of OCT4A, which is the biggest isoform of OCT4 known so far. Recently, many studies have shown that OCT4 has various transcript variants, protein isoforms, as well as pseudogenes. Distinguishing the expression and function of these variants and isoforms is a big challenge in expression profiling studies of OCT4. Understanding how OCT4 is functioning in different contexts, depends on knowing of where and when each of OCT4 transcripts, isoforms and pseudogenes are expressed. Here, we review OCT4 known transcripts, isoforms and pseudogenes, as well as its interactions with other proteins, and emphasize the importance of discriminating each of them in order to understand the exact function of OCT4 in stem cells, normal development and development of diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Mehravar
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Development and Stem Cells Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Ghaemimanesh
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensieh M Poursani
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Su J, Miao X, Archambault D, Mager J, Cui W. ZC3H4-a novel Cys-Cys-Cys-His-type zinc finger protein-is essential for early embryogenesis in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:325-335. [PMID: 33246328 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger domains of the Cys-Cys-Cys-His (CCCH) class are evolutionarily conserved proteins that bind nucleic acids and are involved in various biological processes. Nearly 60 CCCH-type zinc finger proteins have been identified in humans and mice, most have not been functionally characterized. Here, we provide the first in vivo functional characterization of ZC3H4-a novel CCCH-type zinc finger protein. Our results show that although Zc3h4 mutant embryos exhibit normal morphology at E3.5 blastocyst stage, they cannot be recovered at E7.5 early post-gastrulation stage, suggesting implantation failure. Outgrowth assays reveal that mutant blastocysts either fail to hatch from the zona pellucida, or can hatch but do not form a typical inner cell mass colony, the source of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Although there is no change in levels of reactive oxygen species, Zc3h4 mutants display severe DNA breaks and reduced cell proliferation. Analysis of lineage specification reveals that both epiblast and primitive endoderm lineages are compromised with severe reductions in cell number and/or specification in the mutant blastocysts. In summary, these findings demonstrate the essential role of ZC3H4 during early mammalian embryogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Su
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiaosu Miao
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Danielle Archambault
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Animal Models Core Facility, Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wang X, Li Q, Xie T, Yuan M, Sheng X, Qi X, Xing K, Liu F, Guo Y, Xiao L, Ni H. Exosomes from bovine endometrial epithelial cells ensure trophoblast cell development by miR-218 targeting secreted frizzled related protein 2. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4565-4579. [PMID: 33230823 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Endometritis is a common disease affecting fertility in cows during the perinatal period, which disturbs the molecular milieu of the uterine environment and impairs embryo development and implantation. Exosomes are important extracellular components that transmit a variety of micro RNAs (miRNAs), which perform key regulatory functions. In this study, we investigated plasma exosomal miRNAs from cows with endometritis and from cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to explore the role of EEC-derived exosomes and their miRNAs in bovine endometritis. Plasma exosomes were collected from nine healthy dairy cows and nine dairy cows with endometritis, and culture supernatant exosomes were isolated from EECs challenged with or without LPS. Exosomal RNA was extracted using commercial kits and miRNA profiles were generated using RNA-seq. We found that miR-218 was differentially expressed in EECs under conditions of endometrial inflammation. Inhibition studies suggested that reduced levels of miR-218 in EEC-derived exosomes when transferred into placental trophoblast cells impaired embryonic development and decreased placental trophoblast cell migration by targeting secreted frizzled related protein 2. We propose that exosomal miR-218 secreted from EECs acts as a driver of embryonic development and differentiation. In addition, exosomal miR-218 may provide a valuable diagnostic marker for bovine endometritis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangguo Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Qianru Li
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Tongtong Xie
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyi Yuan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Xihui Sheng
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Xing
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Longfei Xiao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Hemin Ni
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|