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Mote RD, Tiwari M, Yadavalli N, Rajan R, Subramanyam D. A high-throughput screen in mESCs to identify the cross-talk between signaling, endocytosis, and pluripotency. Cell Biol Int 2024. [PMID: 38706123 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12168] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell fate is regulated by various cellular processes. Recently, the process of endocytosis has been implicated in playing a role in the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells. A previous siRNA-based screen interrogated the function of core components of the endocytic machinery in maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, revealing a crucial role for clathrin mediated endocytosis. A number of other proteins involved in key signaling pathways have also been shown to both regulate and be regulated by endocytosis. We collated a list of 1141 genes in connection to the term "endocytosis" from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO), excluding those previously interrogated, and examined the effect of their knockdown on the pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) using levels of green fluorescent protein driven by the Oct4 promoter. We used high-throughput screening followed by an automated MATrix LABoratory (MATLAB)-based analysis pipeline and assessed changes in GFP fluorescence as a readout for ESC pluripotency. Through this screen we identified a number of genes, many hitherto not associated with stem cell pluripotency, which upon knockdown either resulted in a significant increase or decrease of GFP fluorescence. We further present validation for some of these hits. We present a workflow aimed to identify genes involved in signaling pathways which can be regulated by endocytosis, and that affect the pluripotency of ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridim D Mote
- Stem Cell Biology Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Mahak Tiwari
- Stem Cell Biology Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
- SP Pune University, Pune, India
| | - Narayana Yadavalli
- Stem Cell Biology Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Raghav Rajan
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India
| | - Deepa Subramanyam
- Stem Cell Biology Lab, National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune, India
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2
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Saha D, Animireddy S, Bartholomew B. The SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex in cell lineage priming and early development. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:603-616. [PMID: 38572912 PMCID: PMC11088921 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230416] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
ATP dependent chromatin remodelers have pivotal roles in transcription, DNA replication and repair, and maintaining genome integrity. SWI/SNF remodelers were first discovered in yeast genetic screens for factors involved in mating type switching or for using alternative energy sources therefore termed SWI/SNF complex (short for SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable). The SWI/SNF complexes utilize energy from ATP hydrolysis to disrupt histone-DNA interactions and shift, eject, or reposition nucleosomes making the underlying DNA more accessible to specific transcription factors and other regulatory proteins. In development, SWI/SNF orchestrates the precise activation and repression of genes at different stages, safe guards the formation of specific cell lineages and tissues. Dysregulation of SWI/SNF have been implicated in diseases such as cancer, where they can drive uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor metastasis. Additionally, SWI/SNF defects are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, leading to disruption of neural development and function. This review offers insights into recent developments regarding the roles of the SWI/SNF complex in pluripotency and cell lineage primining and the approaches that have helped delineate its importance. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is crucial for unraveling the intricate processes governing embryonic stem cell biology and developmental transitions and may potentially apply to human diseases linked to mutations in the SWI/SNF complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhurjhoti Saha
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, U.S.A
| | - Srinivas Animireddy
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, U.S.A
| | - Blaine Bartholomew
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, U.S.A
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3
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Xu T, Su P, Wu L, Li D, Qin W, Li Q, Zhou J, Miao YL. OCT4 regulates WNT/β-catenin signaling and prevents mesoendoderm differentiation by repressing EOMES in porcine pluripotent stem cells. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:2855-2866. [PMID: 37942811 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31135] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The regulatory network between signaling pathways and transcription factors (TFs) is crucial for the maintenance of pluripotent stem cells. However, little is known about how the key TF OCT4 coordinates signaling pathways to regulate self-renewal and lineage differentiation of porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs). Here, we explored the function of OCT4 in pPSCs by transcriptome and chromatin accessibility analysis. The TFs motif enrichment analysis revealed that, following OCT4 knockdown, the regions of increased chromatin accessibility were enriched with EOMES, GATA6, and FOXA1, indicating that pPSCs differentiated toward the mesoendoderm (ME) lineage. Besides, pPSCs rapidly differentiated into ME when the WNT/β-catenin inhibitor XAV939 was removed. However, the ME differentiation of pPSCs caused by OCT4 knockdown did not rely on the activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling because the target gene of WNT/β-catenin signaling, AXIN2 was not upregulated after OCT4 knockdown, despite significant upregulation of WLS and some WNT ligands. Importantly, OCT4 is directly bound to the promoter and enhancers of EOMES and repressed its transcription. Overexpression of EOMES was sufficient to induce ME differentiation in the presence of XAV939. These results demonstrate that OCT4 can regulate WNT/β-catenin signaling and prevent ME differentiation of pPSCs by repressing EOMES transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Xu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peng Su
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Linhui Wu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Delong Li
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jilong Zhou
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Liang Miao
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production (Huazhong Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China
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4
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Samal P, Kumar Samal JR, Rho HS, van Beurden D, van Blitterswijk C, Truckenmüller R, Giselbrecht S. Direct deep UV lithography to micropattern PMMA for stem cell culture. Mater Today Bio 2023; 22:100779. [PMID: 37701129 PMCID: PMC10494264 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100779] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microengineering is increasingly being used for controlling the microenvironment of stem cells. Here, a novel method for fabricating structures with subcellular dimensions in commonly available thermoplastic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is shown. Microstructures are produced in PMMA substrates using Deep Ultraviolet lithography, and the effect of different developers is described. Microgrooves fabricated in PMMA are used for the neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) directly on the polymer. The fabrication of 3D, curvilinear patterned surfaces is also highlighted. A 3D multilayered microfluidic chip is fabricated using this method, which includes a porous polycarbonate (PC) membrane as cell culture substrate. Besides directly manufacturing PMMA-based microfluidic devices, an application of the novel approach is shown where a reusable PMMA master is created for replicating microstructures with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). As an application example, microchannels fabricated in PDMS are used to selectively expose mESCs to soluble factors in a localized manner. The described microfabrication process offers a remarkably simple method to fabricate for example multifunctional topographical or microfluidic culture substrates outside cleanrooms, thereby using inexpensive and widely accessible equipment. The versatility of the underlying process could find various applications also in optical systems and surface modification of biomedical implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinak Samal
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jay Rabindra Kumar Samal
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Hoon Suk Rho
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Mepsgen Co., Ltd., 7F, Hanyang Tower, 12, Beobwon-ro-11-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Denis van Beurden
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Clemens van Blitterswijk
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Roman Truckenmüller
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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5
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Häfner SJ, Jansson MD, Altinel K, Andersen KL, Abay-Nørgaard Z, Ménard P, Fontenas M, Sørensen DM, Gay DM, Arendrup FS, Tehler D, Krogh N, Nielsen H, Kraushar ML, Kirkeby A, Lund AH. Ribosomal RNA 2'-O-methylation dynamics impact cell fate decisions. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1593-1609.e9. [PMID: 37473757 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Translational regulation impacts both pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. To what degree the ribosome exerts control over this process remains unanswered. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated heterogeneity in ribosome composition in various organisms. 2'-O-methylation (2'-O-me) of rRNA represents an important source of heterogeneity, where site-specific alteration of methylation levels can modulate translation. Here, we examine changes in rRNA 2'-O-me during mouse brain development and tri-lineage differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We find distinct alterations between brain regions, as well as clear dynamics during cortex development and germ layer differentiation. We identify a methylation site impacting neuronal differentiation. Modulation of its methylation levels affects ribosome association of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) and is accompanied by an altered translation of WNT pathway-related mRNAs. Together, these data identify ribosome heterogeneity through rRNA 2'-O-me during early development and differentiation and suggest a direct role for ribosomes in regulating translation during cell fate acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia J Häfner
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Martin D Jansson
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kübra Altinel
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kasper L Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zehra Abay-Nørgaard
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Patrice Ménard
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Fontenas
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel M Sørensen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David M Gay
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frederic S Arendrup
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Disa Tehler
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicolai Krogh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Nielsen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Agnete Kirkeby
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) and Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders H Lund
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Girgin M, Broguiere N, Mattolini L, Lutolf M. A New Approach to Generate Gastruloids to Develop Anterior Neural Tissues. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4722. [PMID: 37497450 PMCID: PMC10366998 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4722] [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: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development is a complex process integrating cell fate decisions and morphogenesis in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Previous studies with model organisms laid the foundation of our knowledge on post-implantation development; however, studying mammalian embryos at this stage is a difficult and laborious process. Early attempts to recapitulate mammalian development in vitro begun with embryoid bodies (EBs), in which aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were shown to differentiate into spatially arranged germ layers. A more revised version of EBs, gastruloids, improved the germ layer differentiation efficiency and demonstrated cell fate patterning on multiple axes. However, gastruloids lack anterior neural progenitors that give rise to brain tissues in the embryo. Here, we report a novel culture protocol to coax mESCs into post-implantation epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates in high throughput on bioengineered microwell arrays. We show that upon inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway, EPI aggregates establish an extended axial patterning, leading to co-derivation of anterior neural progenitors and posterior tissues. Our approach is amenable to large-scale studies aimed at identifying novel regulators of gastrulation and anterior neural development that is currently out of reach with existing embryoid models. This work should contribute to the advancement of the nascent field of synthetic embryology, opening up exciting perspectives for various applications of pluripotent stem cells in disease modeling and tissue engineering. Key features A new gastruloid culture system to model post-implantation mouse embryonic development in vitro High-throughput formation of epiblast-like aggregates on hydrogel microwells Builds upon conventional gastruloid cultures and provides insight into the role of Wnt signaling for the formation of anterior neural tissues Graphical overview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Girgin
- Institute of Human Biology (IHB), Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Broguiere
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Mattolini
- Laboratory of Bioengineering and Morphogenesis, Biomechanics Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Lutolf
- Institute of Human Biology (IHB), Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wnt signaling and the regulation of pluripotency. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 153:95-119. [PMID: 36967203 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The role of Wnt signaling in stem cells has been mired in seemingly contradictory findings. On one hand, Wnt has been heralded as a self-renewal factor. On the other hand, Wnt's association with differentiation and lineage commitment is indisputable. This apparent contradiction is particularly evident in pluripotent stem cells, where Wnt promotes self-renewal as well as differentiation. To resolve this discrepancy one must delve into fundamental principles of pluripotency and gain an appreciation for the concept of pluripotency states, which exist in a continuum with intermediate metastable states, some of which have been stabilized in vitro. Wnt signaling is a critical regulator of transitions between pluripotent states. Here, we will discuss Wnt's roles in maintaining pluripotency, promoting differentiation, as well as stimulating reprogramming of somatic cells to an induced pluripotent state.
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8
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Discovery of Highly Functionalized 5-hydroxy-2H-pyrrol-2-ones That Exhibit Antiestrogenic Effects in Breast and Endometrial Cancer Cells and Potentiate the Antitumoral Effect of Tamoxifen. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215174. [DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen improves the overall survival rate in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients. However, despite the fact that it exerts antagonistic effects on the ERα, it can act as a partial agonist, resulting in tumor growth in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In this study, highly functionalized 5-hydroxy-2H-pyrrol-2-ones were synthesized and evaluated by using ERα- and phenotype-based screening assays. Compounds 32 and 35 inhibited 17β-estradiol (E2)-stimulated ERα-mediated transcription of the luciferase reporter gene in breast cancer cells without inhibition of the transcriptional activity mediated by androgen or glucocorticoid receptors. Compound 32 regulated E2-stimulated ERα-mediated transcription by partial antagonism, whereas compound 35 caused rapid and non-competitive inhibition. Monitoring of 2D and 3D cell growth confirmed potent antitumoral effects of both compounds on ER-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, compounds 32 and 35 caused apoptosis and blocked the cell cycle of ER-positive breast cancer cells in the sub-G1 and G0/G1 phases. Interestingly, compound 35 suppressed the functional activity of ERα in the uterus, as demonstrated by the inhibition of E2-stimulated transcription of estrogen and progesterone receptors and alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity. Compound 35 showed a relatively low binding affinity with ERα. However, its antiestrogenic effect was associated with an increased polyubiquitination and a reduced protein expression of ERα. Clinically relevant, a possible combinatory therapy with compound 35 may enhance the antitumoral efficacy of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen in ER-positive breast cancer cells. In silico ADME predictions indicated that these compounds exhibit good drug-likeness, which, together with their potential antitumoral effects and their lack of estrogenic activity, offers a pharmacological opportunity to deepen the study of ER-positive breast cancer treatment.
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9
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New insights into the epitranscriptomic control of pluripotent stem cell fate. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1643-1651. [PMID: 36266446 PMCID: PMC9636187 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00824-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Each cell in the human body has a distinguishable fate. Pluripotent stem cells are challenged with a myriad of lineage differentiation options. Defects are more likely to be fatal to stem cells than to somatic cells due to the broad impact of the former on early development. Hence, a detailed understanding of the mechanisms that determine the fate of stem cells is needed. The mechanisms by which human pluripotent stem cells, although not fully equipped with complex chromatin structures or epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, accurately control gene expression and are important to the stem cell field. In this review, we examine the events driving pluripotent stem cell fate and the underlying changes in gene expression during early development. In addition, we highlight the role played by the epitranscriptome in the regulation of gene expression that is necessary for each fate-related event.
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Ma K, Chen H, Wang K, Han X, Zhang Y, Wang H, Hu Z, Wang J. Pterostilbene inhibits the metastasis of TNBC via suppression of β-catenin-mediated epithelial to mesenchymal transition and stemness. J Funct Foods 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2022.105219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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11
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Ducos B, Bensimon D, Scerbo P. Vertebrate Cell Differentiation, Evolution, and Diseases: The Vertebrate-Specific Developmental Potential Guardians VENTX/ NANOG and POU5/ OCT4 Enter the Stage. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152299. [PMID: 35892595 PMCID: PMC9331430 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate development, embryonic cells pass through a continuum of transitory pluripotent states that precede multi-lineage commitment and morphogenesis. Such states are referred to as “refractory/naïve” and “competent/formative” pluripotency. The molecular mechanisms maintaining refractory pluripotency or driving the transition to competent pluripotency, as well as the cues regulating multi-lineage commitment, are evolutionarily conserved. Vertebrate-specific “Developmental Potential Guardians” (vsDPGs; i.e., VENTX/NANOG, POU5/OCT4), together with MEK1 (MAP2K1), coordinate the pluripotency continuum, competence for multi-lineage commitment and morphogenesis in vivo. During neurulation, vsDPGs empower ectodermal cells of the neuro-epithelial border (NEB) with multipotency and ectomesenchyme potential through an “endogenous reprogramming” process, giving rise to the neural crest cells (NCCs). Furthermore, vsDPGs are expressed in undifferentiated-bipotent neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells (NMPs), which participate in posterior axis elongation and growth. Finally, vsDPGs are involved in carcinogenesis, whereby they confer selective advantage to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and therapeutic resistance. Intriguingly, the heterogenous distribution of vsDPGs in these cell types impact on cellular potential and features. Here, we summarize the findings about the role of vsDPGs during vertebrate development and their selective advantage in evolution. Our aim to present a holistic view regarding vsDPGs as facilitators of both cell plasticity/adaptability and morphological innovation/variation. Moreover, vsDPGs may also be at the heart of carcinogenesis by allowing malignant cells to escape from physiological constraints and surveillance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Ducos
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- High Throughput qPCR Core Facility, ENS, PSL, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
| | - David Bensimon
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90094, USA
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
| | - Pierluigi Scerbo
- LPENS, PSL, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France
- IBENS, PSL, CNRS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (B.D.); (D.B.); (P.S.)
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12
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Pedone E, Failli M, Gambardella G, De Cegli R, La Regina A, di Bernardo D, Marucci L. β-catenin perturbations control differentiation programs in mouse embryonic stem cells. iScience 2022; 25:103756. [PMID: 35128356 PMCID: PMC8804270 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in development, cancer, and embryonic stem cell (ESC) maintenance; its dual role in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is still controversial. Here, by applying an in vitro system enabling inducible gene expression control, we report that moderate induction of transcriptionally active exogenous β-catenin in β-catenin null mouse ESCs promotes epiblast-like cell (EpiLC) derivation in vitro. Instead, in wild-type cells, moderate chemical pre-activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes EpiLC in vitro derivation. Finally, we suggest that moderate β-catenin levels in β-catenin null mouse ESCs favor early stem cell commitment toward mesoderm if the exogenous protein is induced only in the “ground state” of pluripotency condition, or endoderm if the induction is maintained during the differentiation. Overall, our results confirm previous findings about the role of β-catenin in pluripotency and differentiation, while indicating a role for its doses in promoting specific differentiation programs. Moderate β-catenin levels promote EpiLCs derivation in vitro Chemical pre-activation of the Wnt pathway enhances ESC-EpiLC transition β-catenin overexpression tips the balance between mesoderm and endoderm Cell fate is influenced by the extent of β-catenin induction
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13
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Zhang R, Yu S, Shen Q, Zhao W, Zhang J, Wu X, Zhu Z, Wu X, Li N, Peng S, Hua J. AXIN2 Reduces the Survival of Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (piPSCs). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312954. [PMID: 34884759 PMCID: PMC8658036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment of porcine pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) is critical but remains challenging. All piPSCs are extremely sensitive to minor perturbations of culture conditions and signaling network. Inhibitors, such as CHIR99021 and XAV939 targeting the WNT signaling pathway, have been added in a culture medium to modify the cell regulatory network. However, potential side effects of inhibitors could confine the pluripotency and practicability of piPSCs. This study aimed to investigate the roles of AXIN, one component of the WNT pathway in piPSCs. Here, porcine AXIN1 and AXIN2 genes were knocked-down or overexpressed. Digital RNA-seq was performed to explore the mechanism of cell proliferation and apoptosis. We found that (1) overexpression of the porcine AXIN2 gene significantly reduced survival and negatively impacted the pluripotency of piPSCs, and (2) knockdown of AXIN2, a negative effector of the WNT signaling pathway, enhanced the expression of genes involved in cell cycle but reduced the expression of genes related to cell differentiation, death, and apoptosis.
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14
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Girgin MU, Broguiere N, Hoehnel S, Brandenberg N, Mercier B, Arias AM, Lutolf MP. Bioengineered embryoids mimic post-implantation development in vitro. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5140. [PMID: 34446708 PMCID: PMC8390504 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25237-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The difficulty of studying post-implantation development in mammals has sparked a flurry of activity to develop in vitro models, termed embryoids, based on self-organizing pluripotent stem cells. Previous approaches to derive embryoids either lack the physiological morphology and signaling interactions, or are unconducive to model post-gastrulation development. Here, we report a bioengineering-inspired approach aimed at addressing this gap. We employ a high-throughput cell aggregation approach to simultaneously coax mouse embryonic stem cells into hundreds of uniform epiblast-like aggregates in a solid matrix-free manner. When co-cultured with mouse trophoblast stem cell aggregates, the resulting hybrid structures initiate gastrulation-like events and undergo axial morphogenesis to yield structures, termed EpiTS embryoids, with a pronounced anterior development, including brain-like regions. We identify the presence of an epithelium in EPI aggregates as the major determinant for the axial morphogenesis and anterior development seen in EpiTS embryoids. Our results demonstrate the potential of EpiTS embryoids to study peri-gastrulation development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet U Girgin
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Broguiere
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylke Hoehnel
- SUN bioscience, EPFL Innovation Park, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Bastien Mercier
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Roche Institute for Translational Bioengineering (ITB), Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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15
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Punovuori K, Malaguti M, Lowell S. Cadherins in early neural development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4435-4450. [PMID: 33796894 PMCID: PMC8164589 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
During early neural development, changes in signalling inform the expression of transcription factors that in turn instruct changes in cell identity. At the same time, switches in adhesion molecule expression result in cellular rearrangements that define the morphology of the emerging neural tube. It is becoming increasingly clear that these two processes influence each other; adhesion molecules do not simply operate downstream of or in parallel with changes in cell identity but rather actively feed into cell fate decisions. Why are differentiation and adhesion so tightly linked? It is now over 60 years since Conrad Waddington noted the remarkable "Constancy of the Wild Type" (Waddington in Nature 183: 1654-1655, 1959) yet we still do not fully understand the mechanisms that make development so reproducible. Conversely, we do not understand why directed differentiation of cells in a dish is sometimes unpredictable and difficult to control. It has long been suggested that cells make decisions as 'local cooperatives' rather than as individuals (Gurdon in Nature 336: 772-774, 1988; Lander in Cell 144: 955-969, 2011). Given that the cadherin family of adhesion molecules can simultaneously influence morphogenesis and signalling, it is tempting to speculate that they may help coordinate cell fate decisions between neighbouring cells in the embryo to ensure fidelity of patterning, and that the uncoupling of these processes in a culture dish might underlie some of the problems with controlling cell fate decisions ex-vivo. Here we review the expression and function of cadherins during early neural development and discuss how and why they might modulate signalling and differentiation as neural tissues are formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Punovuori
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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16
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Gastruloids generated without exogenous Wnt activation develop anterior neural tissues. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1143-1155. [PMID: 33891872 PMCID: PMC8185432 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
When stimulated with a pulse from an exogenous WNT pathway activator, small aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can undergo embryo-like axial morphogenesis and patterning along the three major body axes. However, these structures, called gastruloids, currently lack the anterior embryonic regions, such as those belonging to the brain. Here, we describe an approach to generate gastruloids that have a more complete antero-posterior development. We used hydrogel microwell arrays to promote the robust derivation of mouse ESCs into post-implantation epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates in a reproducible and scalable manner. These EPI aggregates break symmetry and axially elongate without external chemical stimulation. Inhibition of WNT signaling in early stages of development leads to the formation of gastruloids with anterior neural tissues. Thus, we provide a new tool to study the development of the mouse after implantation in vitro, especially the formation of anterior neural regions. Mouse embryonic stem cells can be aggregated to form epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates EPI aggregates undergo axial morphogenesis in the absence of exogenous WNT activation Initial aggregate size is a major determinant for axial morphogenesis Early WNT inhibition is essential for the emergence of anterior neural progenitors
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17
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Rossi G, Broguiere N, Miyamoto M, Boni A, Guiet R, Girgin M, Kelly RG, Kwon C, Lutolf MP. Capturing Cardiogenesis in Gastruloids. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 28:230-240.e6. [PMID: 33176168 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Organoids are powerful models for studying tissue development, physiology, and disease. However, current culture systems disrupt the inductive tissue-tissue interactions needed for the complex morphogenetic processes of native organogenesis. Here, we show that mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) can be coaxed to robustly undergo fundamental steps of early heart organogenesis with an in-vivo-like spatiotemporal fidelity. These axially patterned embryonic organoids (gastruloids) mimic embryonic development and support the generation of cardiovascular progenitors, including first and second heart fields. The cardiac progenitors self-organize into an anterior domain reminiscent of a cardiac crescent before forming a beating cardiac tissue near a putative primitive gut-like tube, from which it is separated by an endocardial-like layer. These findings unveil the surprising morphogenetic potential of mESCs to execute key aspects of organogenesis through the coordinated development of multiple tissues. This platform could be an excellent tool for studying heart development in unprecedented detail and throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Rossi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Broguiere
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Matthew Miyamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Andrea Boni
- Viventis Microscopy Sàrl, EPFL Innovation Park, Building C, Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Romain Guiet
- Faculté des Sciences de la Vie, Bioimaging and Optics Platform, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment AI, Station 15, Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Mehmet Girgin
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Robert G Kelly
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7288, IBDM, Marseille, France
| | - Chulan Kwon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland.
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18
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Vila-Cejudo M, Alonso-Alonso S, Pujol A, Santaló J, Ibáñez E. Wnt pathway modulation generates blastomere-derived mouse embryonic stem cells with different pluripotency features. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2967-2979. [PMID: 33047186 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01964-7] [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] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the role of Wnt pathway in mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) derivation from single blastomeres isolated from eight-cell embryos and in the pluripotency features of the mESC established. METHODS Wnt activator CHIR99021, Wnt inhibitor IWR-1-endo, and MEK inhibitor PD0325901 were used alone or in combination during ESC derivation and maintenance from single blastomeres biopsied from eight-cell embryos. Alkaline phosphatase activity, FGF5 levels, expression of key pluripotency genes, and chimera formation were assessed to determine the pluripotency state of the mESC lines. RESULTS Derivation efficiencies were highest when combining pairs of inhibitors (15-24.7%) than when using single inhibitors or none (1.4-10.1%). Full naïve pluripotency was only achieved in CHIR- and 2i-treated mESC lines, whereas IWR and PD treatments or the absence of treatment resulted in co-existence of naïve-like and primed-like pluripotency features. IWR + CHIR- and IWR + PD-treated mESC displayed features of primed pluripotency, but IWR + CHIR-treated lines were able to generate germline-competent chimeric mice, resembling the predicted properties of formative pluripotency. CONCLUSION Wnt and MAPK pathways have a key role in the successful derivation and pluripotency features of mESC from single precompaction blastomeres. Modulation of these pathways results in mESC lines with various degrees of naïve-like and primed-like pluripotency features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vila-Cejudo
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.,Tissue Engineering Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Alonso-Alonso
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna Pujol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josep Santaló
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Elena Ibáñez
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.
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19
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COCOA: coordinate covariation analysis of epigenetic heterogeneity. Genome Biol 2020; 21:240. [PMID: 32894181 PMCID: PMC7487606 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02139-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A key challenge in epigenetics is to determine the biological significance of epigenetic variation among individuals. We present Coordinate Covariation Analysis (COCOA), a computational framework that uses covariation of epigenetic signals across individuals and a database of region sets to annotate epigenetic heterogeneity. COCOA is the first such tool for DNA methylation data and can also analyze any epigenetic signal with genomic coordinates. We demonstrate COCOA’s utility by analyzing DNA methylation, ATAC-seq, and multi-omic data in supervised and unsupervised analyses, showing that COCOA provides new understanding of inter-sample epigenetic variation. COCOA is available on Bioconductor (http://bioconductor.org/packages/COCOA).
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20
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Aulicino F, Pedone E, Sottile F, Lluis F, Marucci L, Cosma MP. Canonical Wnt Pathway Controls mESC Self-Renewal Through Inhibition of Spontaneous Differentiation via β-Catenin/TCF/LEF Functions. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:646-661. [PMID: 32822589 PMCID: PMC7486219 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a key regulator of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and differentiation. Constitutive activation of this pathway has been shown to increase mouse ESC (mESC) self-renewal and pluripotency gene expression. In this study, we generated a novel β-catenin knockout model in mESCs to delete putatively functional N-terminally truncated isoforms observed in previous knockout models. We showed that aberrant N-terminally truncated isoforms are not functional in mESCs. In the generated knockout line, we observed that canonical Wnt signaling is not active, as β-catenin ablation does not alter mESC transcriptional profile in serum/LIF culture conditions. In addition, we observed that Wnt signaling activation represses mESC spontaneous differentiation in a β-catenin-dependent manner. Finally, β-catenin (ΔC) isoforms can rescue β-catenin knockout self-renewal defects in mESCs cultured in serum-free medium and, albeit transcriptionally silent, cooperate with TCF1 and LEF1 to inhibit mESC spontaneous differentiation in a GSK3-dependent manner. N-terminally truncated β-catenin isoforms are produced in mESCs upon inducible knockout β-Catenin is fully deleted upon CRISPR/Cas9 whole-gene knockout Wnt/β-catenin prevents differentiation without affecting pluripotency genes β-Catenin/TCF/LEF functions are required to prevent spontaneous differentiation
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Aulicino
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Elisa Pedone
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Francesco Sottile
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frederic Lluis
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, 300 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lucia Marucci
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK; Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, Barcelona 08010, Spain; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), Guangzhou 510005, China; Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510530, China.
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21
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Ngo J, Hashimoto M, Hamada H, Wynshaw-Boris A. Deletion of the Dishevelled family of genes disrupts anterior-posterior axis specification and selectively prevents mesoderm differentiation. Dev Biol 2020; 464:161-175. [PMID: 32579954 PMCID: PMC8301231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Dishevelled proteins transduce both canonical Wnt/β-catenin and non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling pathways to regulate many key developmental processes during embryogenesis. Here, we disrupt both canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways by targeting the entire Dishevelled family of genes (Dvl1, Dvl2, and Dvl3) to investigate their functional roles in the early embryo. We identified several defects in anterior-posterior axis specification and mesoderm patterning in Dvl1+/-; Dvl2-/-; Dvl3-/- embryos. Homozygous deletions in all three Dvl genes (Dvl TKO) resulted in defects in distal visceral endoderm migration and a complete failure to induce mesoderm formation. To identify potential mechanisms that lead to the defects in the developmental processes preceding gastrulation, we generated Dvl TKO mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and compared the transcriptional profile of these cells with wild-type (WT) mESCs during germ lineage differentiation into 3D embryoid bodies (EBs). While the Dvl TKO mESCs displayed similar morphology, self-renewal properties, and minor transcriptional variation from WT mESCs, we identified major transcriptional dysregulation in the Dvl TKO EBs during differentiation in a number of genes involved in anterior-posterior pattern specification, gastrulation induction, mesenchyme morphogenesis, and mesoderm-derived tissue development. The absence of the Dvls leads to specific down-regulation of BMP signaling genes. Furthermore, exogenous activation of canonical Wnt, BMP, and Nodal signaling all fail to rescue the mesodermal defects in the Dvl TKO EBs. Moreover, endoderm differentiation was promoted in the absence of mesoderm in the Dvl TKO EBs, while the suppression of ectoderm differentiation was delayed. Overall, we demonstrate that the Dvls are dispensable for maintaining self-renewal in mESCs but are critical during differentiation to regulate key developmental signaling pathways to promote proper axis specification and mesoderm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Ngo
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900, Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Masakazu Hashimoto
- Laboratory for Embryogenesis, Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamada
- Developmental Genetics Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Laboratory for Organismal Patterning, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Anthony Wynshaw-Boris
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900, Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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22
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Patra SK. Roles of OCT4 in pathways of embryonic development and cancer progression. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 189:111286. [PMID: 32531293 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111286] [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: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Somatic cells may be reprogrammed to pluripotent state by ectopic expression of certain transcription factors; namely, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms are not adequately understood, especially for human embryonic development. Studies during the last five years implicated importance of OCT4 in human zygotic genome activation (ZGA), patterns of OCT4 protein folding and role of specialized sequences in binding to DNA for modulation of gene expression during development. Epigenetic modulation of OCT4 gene and post translational modifications of OCT4 protein activity in the context of multiple cancers are important issues. A consensus is emerging that chromatin organization and epigenetic landscape play crucial roles for the interactions of transcription factors, including OCT4 with the promoters and/or regulatory sequences of genes associated with human embryonic development (ZGA through lineage specification) and that when the epigenome niche is deregulated OCT4 helps in cancer progression, and how OCT4 silencing in somatic cells of adult organisms may impact ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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23
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Samal P, Maurer P, van Blitterswijk C, Truckenmüller R, Giselbrecht S. A New Microengineered Platform for 4D Tracking of Single Cells in a Stem-Cell-Based In Vitro Morphogenesis Model. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1907966. [PMID: 32346909 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201907966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently developed stem-cell-based in vitro models of morphogenesis can help shed light on the mechanisms involved in embryonic patterning. These models are showcased using traditional cell culture platforms and materials, which allow limited control over the biological system and usually do not support high-content imaging. In contrast, using advanced microengineered tools can help in microscale control, long-term culture, and real-time data acquisition from such biological models and aid in elucidating the underlying mechanisms. Here, a new culturing, manipulation and analysis platform is described to study in vitro morphogenesis using thin polycarbonate film-based microdevices. A pipeline consisting of open-source software to quantify 3D cell movement using 4D image acquisition is developed to analyze cell migration within the multicellular clusters. It is shown that the platform can be used to control and study morphogenesis in non-adherent cultures of the P19C5 mouse stem cell line and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) that show symmetry breaking and axial elongation events similar to early embryonic development. Using the new platform, it is found that localized cell proliferation and coordinated cell migration result in elongation morphogenesis of the P19C5 aggregates. Further, it is found that polarization and elongation of mESC aggregates are dependent on directed cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinak Samal
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
| | - Philipp Maurer
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens van Blitterswijk
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
| | - Roman Truckenmüller
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Giselbrecht
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
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24
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Liu L, Zhu H, Liao Y, Wu W, Liu L, Liu L, Wu Y, Sun F, Lin HW. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway reverses multi-drug resistance and EMT in Oct4 +/Nanog + NSCLC cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 127:110225. [PMID: 32428834 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer drug resistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process of cancer invasion and metastasis, have recently been associated with the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, there are no appropriate CSC-markers of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-associated drug resistance and EMT. It is unknown if and how the drug-resistant and EMT phenotypes in NSCLC cells link to specific stemness-related pathways. Here, we found a significant elevated expression of both Oct4 and Nanog in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells, which displayed multi-drug resistance (MDR) properties and exhibited EMT phenotype. Ectopic co-expression of Oct4/Nanog empowered NSCLC cells with cancer stem cell properties, including self-renewal, drug resistance, EMT and high tumorigenic capacity. Following molecular mechanism investigation indicated Oct4/Nanog-regulated drug resistance and EMT change through Wnt/β-catenin signaling activation. Moreover, silencing β-catenin abrogated Oct4/Nanog-mediated MDR and EMT process in NSCLC cells. Our findings propose Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of progression and metastasis of NSCLC with CSC-like signatures and epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Liu
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongrui Zhu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Liaoning 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yahui Liao
- Institute for Marine Biosystem and Neurosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wu
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Liu
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Liu
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wu
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Sun
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hou-Wen Lin
- Research Center for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 160 Pujian Road, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China.
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25
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Zimmerlin L, Zambidis ET. Pleiotropic roles of tankyrase/PARP proteins in the establishment and maintenance of human naïve pluripotency. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111935. [PMID: 32151493 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tankyrase 1 (TNKS1; PARP-5a) and Tankyrase 2 (TNKS2; PARP-5b) are poly-ADP-ribosyl-polymerase (PARP)-domain-containing proteins that regulate the activities of a wide repertoire of target proteins via post-translational addition of poly-ADP-ribose polymers (PARylation). Although tankyrases were first identified as regulators of human telomere elongation, important and expansive roles of tankyrase activity have recently emerged in the development and maintenance of stem cell states. Herein, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the various tankyrase-mediated activities that may promote human naïve and 'extended' pluripotency'. We review the putative role of tankyrase and PARP inhibition in trophectoderm specification, telomere elongation, DNA repair and chromosomal segregation, metabolism, and PTEN-mediated apoptosis. Importantly, tankyrases possess PARP-independent activities that include regulation of MDC1-associated DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) and autophagy/pexophagy, which is an essential mechanism of protein synthesis in the preimplantation embryo. Additionally, tankyrases auto-regulate themselves via auto-PARylation which augments their cellular protein levels and potentiates their non-PARP tankyrase functions. We propose that these non-PARP-related activities of tankyrase proteins may further independently affect both naïve and extended pluripotency via mechanisms that remain undetermined. We broadly outline a hypothetical framework for how inclusion of a tankyrase/PARP inhibitor in small molecule cocktails may stabilize and potentiate naïve and extended pluripotency via pleiotropic routes and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Zimmerlin
- Institute for Cell Engineering, And Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Miller Research Building, Room 755, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
| | - Elias T Zambidis
- Institute for Cell Engineering, And Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Miller Research Building, Room 755, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
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26
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van den Brink SC, Alemany A, van Batenburg V, Moris N, Blotenburg M, Vivié J, Baillie-Johnson P, Nichols J, Sonnen KF, Martinez Arias A, van Oudenaarden A. Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal somitogenesis in gastruloids. Nature 2020; 582:405-409. [PMID: 32076263 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2024-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Gastruloids are three-dimensional aggregates of embryonic stem cells that display key features of mammalian development after implantation, including germ-layer specification and axial organization1-3. To date, the expression pattern of only a small number of genes in gastruloids has been explored with microscopy, and the extent to which genome-wide expression patterns in gastruloids mimic those in embryos is unclear. Here we compare mouse gastruloids with mouse embryos using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. We identify various embryonic cell types that were not previously known to be present in gastruloids, and show that key regulators of somitogenesis are expressed similarly between embryos and gastruloids. Using live imaging, we show that the somitogenesis clock is active in gastruloids and has dynamics that resemble those in vivo. Because gastruloids can be grown in large quantities, we performed a small screen that revealed how reduced FGF signalling induces a short-tail phenotype in embryos. Finally, we demonstrate that embedding in Matrigel induces gastruloids to generate somites with the correct rostral-caudal patterning, which appear sequentially in an anterior-to-posterior direction over time. This study thus shows the power of gastruloids as a model system for exploring development and somitogenesis in vitro in a high-throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne C van den Brink
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Anna Alemany
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent van Batenburg
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Naomi Moris
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marloes Blotenburg
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Judith Vivié
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jennifer Nichols
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katharina F Sonnen
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alexander van Oudenaarden
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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27
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Punovuori K, Migueles RP, Malaguti M, Blin G, Macleod KG, Carragher NO, Pieters T, van Roy F, Stemmler MP, Lowell S. N-cadherin stabilises neural identity by dampening anti-neural signals. Development 2019; 146:dev.183269. [PMID: 31601548 PMCID: PMC6857587 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A switch from E- to N-cadherin regulates the transition from pluripotency to neural identity, but the mechanism by which cadherins regulate differentiation was previously unknown. Here, we show that the acquisition of N-cadherin stabilises neural identity by dampening anti-neural signals. We use quantitative image analysis to show that N-cadherin promotes neural differentiation independently of its effects on cell cohesiveness. We reveal that cadherin switching diminishes the level of nuclear β-catenin, and that N-cadherin also dampens FGF activity and consequently stabilises neural fate. Finally, we compare the timing of cadherin switching and differentiation in vivo and in vitro, and find that this process becomes dysregulated during in vitro differentiation. We propose that N-cadherin helps to propagate a stable neural identity throughout the emerging neuroepithelium, and that dysregulation of this process contributes to asynchronous differentiation in culture. Summary: As pluripotent cells undergo neural differentiation they swap E-cadherin for N-cadherin. This switch in adhesion molecules modulates signalling in order to facilitate the differentiation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Punovuori
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Rosa P Migueles
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Kenneth G Macleod
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK
| | - Tim Pieters
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University; Inflammation Research Center, VIB; Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Frans van Roy
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University; Inflammation Research Center, VIB; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Marc P Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine I, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen D-91054, Germany
| | - Sally Lowell
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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28
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Sayago C, Martinez-Val A, Munoz J. Proteotyping pluripotency with mass spectrometry. Expert Rev Proteomics 2019; 16:391-400. [PMID: 30947573 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2019.1604229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pluripotency emerges transiently during embryogenesis in two main forms with different developmental potential, termed naïve and primed states. Importantly, these pluripotent states can be recapitulated in vitro under specific culture conditions, representing a unique model to study the regulatory principles of development and cellular plasticity. Areas covered: A complex network of signaling pathways that senses intrinsic and extrinsic cues controls the fine balance between self-renewal and differentiation. Much of our knowledge on this tight regulation originates from epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches. However, the presence of post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms demands a direct assessment of the proteome in its multiple facets. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is now a mature technique and has started to deliver new insights in the stem cell field. Expert opinion: Here, we review our current understanding on the mechanisms that dictate the spectrum of pluripotency levels. We put special emphasis on the emerging proteomic studies that focused on the molecular properties behind the naïve and primed states. In addition, we hypothesize on the impact that future developments in proteomic technologies can have to improve our view of pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sayago
- a Proteomics Unit , Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) , Madrid , Spain.,b ISCIII-ProteoRed , Spain
| | - Ana Martinez-Val
- a Proteomics Unit , Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) , Madrid , Spain.,b ISCIII-ProteoRed , Spain
| | - Javier Munoz
- a Proteomics Unit , Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) , Madrid , Spain.,b ISCIII-ProteoRed , Spain
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29
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Pradhan T, Padmanabhan K, Prasad M, Chandramohan K, Nair SA. Augmented CD133 expression in distal margin correlates with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:3984-3994. [PMID: 30950180 PMCID: PMC6533563 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological assessment of excised tumour and surgical margins in colorectal cancer (CRC) play crucial role in prognosis after surgery. Molecular assessment of margins could be more sensitive and informative than conventional histopathological analysis. Considering this view, we evaluated the distal surgical margins for expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. Cellular and molecular assessment of normal, tumour and distal margin tissues were performed by flow cytometry, real-time q-PCR and immuno-histochemical analysis for CRC patients after tumour excision. CRC patients were evaluated for expression of CSC markers in their normal, tumour and distal tissues. Flow cytometry assay revealed CD133 and CD44 enriched cells in distal margin and tumour compared to normal colorectal tissues, which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Most importantly, immunohistochemistry also revealed the enrichment of CSC markers expression in pathologically negative distal margins. Patients with distal margin enriched for CD133 expression showed an increased recurrence rate and decreased disease-free survival. This study proposes that although distal margin seems to be tumour free in conventional histopathological analysis, it could harbour cells enriched for CSC markers. Further CD133 could be a promising molecule to be used in molecular pathology for disease prognosis after surgery in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapas Pradhan
- Cancer Research Program 4, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | | | - Manu Prasad
- Cancer Research Program 4, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - K Chandramohan
- Department of surgical oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - S Asha Nair
- Cancer Research Program 4, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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30
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Srivastava AK, Banerjee A, Cui T, Han C, Cai S, Liu L, Wu D, Cui R, Li Z, Zhang X, Xie G, Selvendiran K, Patnaik S, Karpf AR, Liu J, Cohn DE, Wang QE. Inhibition of miR-328-3p Impairs Cancer Stem Cell Function and Prevents Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Res 2019; 79:2314-2326. [PMID: 30894370 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a central role in cancer metastasis and development of drug resistance. miRNA are important in regulating CSC properties and are considered potential therapeutic targets. Here we report that miR-328-3p (miR-328) is significantly upregulated in ovarian CSC. High expression of miR-328 maintained CSC properties by directly targeting DNA damage binding protein 2, which has been shown previously to inhibit ovarian CSC. Reduced activity of ERK signaling in ovarian CSC, mainly due to a low level of reactive oxygen species, contributed to the enhanced expression of miR-328 and maintenance of CSC. Inhibition of miR-328 in mouse orthotopic ovarian xenografts impeded tumor growth and prevented tumor metastasis. In summary, our findings provide a novel mechanism underlying maintenance of the CSC population in ovarian cancer and suggest that targeted inhibition of miR-328 could be exploited for the eradication of CSC and aversion of tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings present inhibition of miR-328 as a novel strategy for efficient elimination of CSC to prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K Srivastava
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ananya Banerjee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Tiantian Cui
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Chunhua Han
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Shurui Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Oncology Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dayong Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ri Cui
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Zaibo Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Center for Bioinformatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Guozhen Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Karuppaiyah Selvendiran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Srinivas Patnaik
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Jinsong Liu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David E Cohn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Qi-En Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. .,Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
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31
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Pedone E, Marucci L. Role of β-Catenin Activation Levels and Fluctuations in Controlling Cell Fate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020176. [PMID: 30823613 PMCID: PMC6410200 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells have developed numerous adaptation mechanisms to external cues by controlling signaling-pathway activity, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway involved in many biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, somatic cell reprogramming, development, and cancer. The activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the temporal dynamics of its effector β-catenin are tightly controlled by complex regulations. The latter encompass feedback loops within the pathway (e.g., a negative feedback loop involving Axin2, a β-catenin transcriptional target) and crosstalk interactions with other signaling pathways. Here, we provide a review shedding light on the coupling between Wnt/β-catenin activation levels and fluctuations across processes and cellular systems; in particular, we focus on development, in vitro pluripotency maintenance, and cancer. Possible mechanisms originating Wnt/β-catenin dynamic behaviors and consequently driving different cellular responses are also reviewed, and new avenues for future research are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pedone
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
- BrisSynBio, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
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32
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Filimonow K, Saiz N, Suwińska A, Wyszomirski T, Grabarek JB, Ferretti E, Piliszek A, Plusa B, Maleszewski M. No evidence of involvement of E-cadherin in cell fate specification or the segregation of Epi and PrE in mouse blastocysts. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212109. [PMID: 30735538 PMCID: PMC6368326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During preimplantation mouse development stages, emerging pluripotent epiblast (Epi) and extraembryonic primitive endoderm (PrE) cells are first distributed in the blastocyst in a "salt-and-pepper" manner before they segregate into separate layers. As a result of segregation, PrE cells become localised on the surface of the inner cell mass (ICM), and the Epi is enclosed by the PrE on one side and by the trophectoderm on the other. During later development, a subpopulation of PrE cells migrates away from the ICM and forms the parietal endoderm (PE), while cells remaining in contact with the Epi form the visceral endoderm (VE). Here, we asked: what are the mechanisms mediating Epi and PrE cell segregation and the subsequent VE vs PE specification? Differences in cell adhesion have been proposed; however, we demonstrate that the levels of plasma membrane-bound E-cadherin (CDH1, cadherin 1) in Epi and PrE cells only differ after the segregation of these lineages within the ICM. Moreover, manipulating E-cadherin levels did not affect lineage specification or segregation, thus failing to confirm its role during these processes. Rather, we report changes in E-cadherin localisation during later PrE-to-PE transition which are accompanied by the presence of Vimentin and Twist, supporting the hypothesis that an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition process occurs in the mouse peri-implantation blastocyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Filimonow
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, The University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa, Warsaw, Poland
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36a, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - Nestor Saiz
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Aneta Suwińska
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, The University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wyszomirski
- Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, The University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna B. Grabarek
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- The Danish Stem Cell Centre (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anna Piliszek
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Postępu 36a, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - Berenika Plusa
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (MM); (BP)
| | - Marek Maleszewski
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, The University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail: (MM); (BP)
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33
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Resveratrol enhances pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells by activating AMPK/Ulk1 pathway. Cell Death Discov 2019; 5:61. [PMID: 30729040 PMCID: PMC6361884 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-019-0137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, shows many beneficial effects in various animal models. It increases efficiency of somatic cell reprograming into iPSCs and contributes to cell differentiation. Here, we studied the effect of resveratrol on proliferation and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Our results demonstrate that resveratrol induces autophagy in mESCs that is provided by the activation of the AMPK/Ulk1 pathway and the concomitant suppression of the activity of the mTORC1 signaling cascade. These events correlate with the enhanced expression of pluripotency markers Oct3/4, Sox2, Nanog, Klf4, SSEA-1 and alkaline phosphatase. Pluripotency is retained under resveratrol-caused retardation of cell proliferation. Given that the Ulk1 overexpression enhances pluripotency of mESCs, the available data evidence that mTOR/Ulk1/AMPK-autophagy network provides the resveratrol-mediated regulation of mESC pluripotency. The capability of resveratrol to support the mESC pluripotency provides a new approach for developing a defined medium for ESC culturing as well as for better understanding signaling events that govern self-renewal and pluripotency.
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34
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Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway safeguards epigenetic stability and homeostasis of mouse embryonic stem cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:948. [PMID: 30700782 PMCID: PMC6353868 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37442-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are pluripotent and can differentiate into cells belonging to the three germ layers of the embryo. However, mESC pluripotency and genome stability can be compromised in prolonged in vitro culture conditions. Several factors control mESC pluripotency, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is essential for mESC differentiation and proliferation. Here we show that the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway safeguards normal DNA methylation of mESCs. The activity of the pathway is progressively silenced during passages in culture and this results into a loss of the DNA methylation at many imprinting control regions (ICRs), loss of recruitment of chromatin repressors, and activation of retrotransposons, resulting into impaired mESC differentiation. Accordingly, sustained Wnt/β-catenin signaling maintains normal ICR methylation and mESC homeostasis and is a key regulator of genome stability.
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35
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Aloysius A, DasGupta R, Dhawan J. The transcription factor Lef1 switches partners from β-catenin to Smad3 during muscle stem cell quiescence. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/540/eaan3000. [PMID: 30042129 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan3000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle stem cells (MuSCs), also known as satellite cells, persist in adult mammals by entering a state of quiescence (G0) during the early postnatal period. Quiescence is reversed during damage-induced regeneration and re-established after regeneration. Entry of cultured myoblasts into G0 is associated with a specific, reversible induction of Wnt target genes, thus implicating members of the Tcf and Lef1 (Tcf/Lef) transcription factor family, which mediate transcriptional responses to Wnt signaling, in the initiation of quiescence. We found that the canonical Wnt effector β-catenin, which cooperates with Tcf/Lef, was dispensable for myoblasts to enter quiescence. Using pharmacological and genetic approaches in cultured C2C12 myoblasts and in MuSCs, we demonstrated that Tcf/Lef activity during quiescence depended not on β-catenin but on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) effector and transcriptional coactivator Smad3, which colocalized with Lef1 at canonical Wnt-responsive elements and directly interacted with Lef1 specifically in G0 Depletion of Smad3, but not β-catenin, reduced Lef1 occupancy at target promoters, Tcf/Lef target gene expression, and self-renewal of myoblasts. In vivo, MuSCs underwent a switch from β-catenin-Lef1 to Smad3-Lef1 interactions during the postnatal switch from proliferation to quiescence, with β-catenin-Lef1 interactions recurring during damage-induced reactivation. Our findings suggest that the interplay of Wnt-Tcf/Lef and TGF-β-Smad3 signaling activates canonical Wnt target promoters in a manner that depends on β-catenin during myoblast proliferation but is independent of β-catenin during MuSC quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajoy Aloysius
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India.,Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore 560065, India
| | | | - Jyotsna Dhawan
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 500007, India. .,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore 560065, India
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36
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Altshuler A, Verbuk M, Bhattacharya S, Abramovich I, Haklai R, Hanna JH, Kloog Y, Gottlieb E, Shalom-Feuerstein R. RAS Regulates the Transition from Naive to Primed Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 10:1088-1101. [PMID: 29456180 PMCID: PMC5918191 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from naive to primed state of pluripotent stem cells is hallmarked by epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, and changes in the epigenetic landscape. Since these changes are also seen as putative hallmarks of neoplastic cell transformation, we hypothesized that oncogenic pathways may be involved in this process. We report that the activity of RAS is repressed in the naive state of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and that all three RAS isoforms are significantly activated upon early differentiation induced by LIF withdrawal, embryoid body formation, or transition to the primed state. Forced expression of active RAS and RAS inhibition have shown that RAS regulates glycolysis, CADHERIN expression, and the expression of repressive epigenetic marks in pluripotent stem cells. Altogether, this study indicates that RAS is located at a key junction of early ESC differentiation controlling key processes in priming of naive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Altshuler
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Mila Verbuk
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Swarnabh Bhattacharya
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Ifat Abramovich
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Roni Haklai
- Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yoel Kloog
- Department of Neurobiology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Eyal Gottlieb
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel.
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37
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Modeling the Role of Wnt Signaling in Human and Drosophila Stem Cells. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9020101. [PMID: 29462894 PMCID: PMC5852597 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, barely more than a decade ago, dramatically transformed the study of stem cells and introduced a completely new way to approach many human health concerns. Although advances have pushed the field forward, human application remains some years away, in part due to the need for an in-depth mechanistic understanding. The role of Wnts in stem cells predates the discovery of iPS cells with Wnts established as major pluripotency promoting factors. Most work to date has been done using mouse and tissue culture models and few attempts have been made in other model organisms, but the recent combination of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing with iPS cell technology provides a perfect avenue for exploring iPS cells in model organisms. Drosophila is an ideal organism for such studies, but fly iPS cells have not yet been made. In this opinion article, we draw parallels between Wnt signaling in human and Drosophila stem cell systems, propose ways to obtain Drosophila iPS cells, and suggest ways to exploit the versatility of the Drosophila system for future stem cell studies.
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38
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Tatapudy S, Aloisio F, Barber D, Nystul T. Cell fate decisions: emerging roles for metabolic signals and cell morphology. EMBO Rep 2017; 18:2105-2118. [PMID: 29158350 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201744816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how cell fate decisions are regulated is a fundamental goal of developmental and stem cell biology. Most studies on the control of cell fate decisions address the contributions of changes in transcriptional programming, epigenetic modifications, and biochemical differentiation cues. However, recent studies have found that other aspects of cell biology also make important contributions to regulating cell fate decisions. These cues can have a permissive or instructive role and are integrated into the larger network of signaling, functioning both upstream and downstream of developmental signaling pathways. Here, we summarize recent insights into how cell fate decisions are influenced by four aspects of cell biology: metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular pH (pHi), and cell morphology. For each topic, we discuss how these cell biological cues interact with each other and with protein-based mechanisms for changing gene transcription. In addition, we highlight several questions that remain unanswered in these exciting and relatively new areas of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumitra Tatapudy
- Departments of Anatomy and OB-GYN/RS, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Aloisio
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Diane Barber
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Todd Nystul
- Departments of Anatomy and OB-GYN/RS, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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39
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Turner DA, Girgin M, Alonso-Crisostomo L, Trivedi V, Baillie-Johnson P, Glodowski CR, Hayward PC, Collignon J, Gustavsen C, Serup P, Steventon B, P Lutolf M, Arias AM. Anteroposterior polarity and elongation in the absence of extra-embryonic tissues and of spatially localised signalling in gastruloids: mammalian embryonic organoids. Development 2017; 144:3894-3906. [PMID: 28951435 PMCID: PMC5702072 DOI: 10.1242/dev.150391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of the anteroposterior (AP) axis is a crucial step during animal embryo development. In mammals, genetic studies have shown that this process relies on signals spatiotemporally deployed in the extra-embryonic tissues that locate the position of the head and the onset of gastrulation, marked by T/Brachyury (T/Bra) at the posterior of the embryo. Here, we use gastruloids, mESC-based organoids, as a model system with which to study this process. We find that gastruloids localise T/Bra expression to one end and undergo elongation similar to the posterior region of the embryo, suggesting that they develop an AP axis. This process relies on precisely timed interactions between Wnt/β-catenin and Nodal signalling, whereas BMP signalling is dispensable. Additionally, polarised T/Bra expression occurs in the absence of extra-embryonic tissues or localised sources of signals. We suggest that the role of extra-embryonic tissues in the mammalian embryo might not be to induce the axes but to bias an intrinsic ability of the embryo to initially break symmetry. Furthermore, we suggest that Wnt signalling has a separable activity involved in the elongation of the axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Turner
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Mehmet Girgin
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luz Alonso-Crisostomo
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Vikas Trivedi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Peter Baillie-Johnson
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Cherise R Glodowski
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penelope C Hayward
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Jérôme Collignon
- Université Paris-Diderot, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Carsten Gustavsen
- Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Palle Serup
- Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benjamin Steventon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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40
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Mzoughi S, Zhang J, Hequet D, Teo SX, Fang H, Xing QR, Bezzi M, Seah MKY, Ong SLM, Shin EM, Wollmann H, Wong ESM, Al-Haddawi M, Stewart CL, Tergaonkar V, Loh YH, Dunn NR, Messerschmidt DM, Guccione E. PRDM15 safeguards naive pluripotency by transcriptionally regulating WNT and MAPK-ERK signaling. Nat Genet 2017; 49:1354-1363. [PMID: 28740264 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional network acting downstream of LIF, WNT and MAPK-ERK to stabilize mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in their naive state has been extensively characterized. However, the upstream factors regulating these three signaling pathways remain largely uncharted. PR-domain-containing proteins (PRDMs) are zinc-finger sequence-specific chromatin factors that have essential roles in embryonic development and cell fate decisions. Here we characterize the transcriptional regulator PRDM15, which acts independently of PRDM14 to regulate the naive state of mouse ESCs. Mechanistically, PRDM15 modulates WNT and MAPK-ERK signaling by directly promoting the expression of Rspo1 (R-spondin1) and Spry1 (Sprouty1). Consistent with these findings, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated disruption of PRDM15-binding sites in the Rspo1 and Spry1 promoters recapitulates PRDM15 depletion, both in terms of local chromatin organization and the transcriptional modulation of these genes. Collectively, our findings uncover an essential role for PRDM15 as a chromatin factor that modulates the transcription of upstream regulators of WNT and MAPK-ERK signaling to safeguard naive pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slim Mzoughi
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jingxian Zhang
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Delphine Hequet
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Shun Xie Teo
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Haitong Fang
- Epigenetics and Cell Fates Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Qiao Rui Xing
- Epigenetics and Cell Fates Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Marco Bezzi
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle Kay Yi Seah
- Developmental Epigenetics and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Sheena L M Ong
- Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Eun Myoung Shin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI), National University of Singapore, Singapore.,NF-κB Signaling in Human Ailments, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Heike Wollmann
- DNA Sequencing Facility NGS Unit, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Esther S M Wong
- Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Colin L Stewart
- Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,NF-κB Signaling in Human Ailments, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Yuin-Han Loh
- Epigenetics and Cell Fates Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - N Ray Dunn
- Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Daniel M Messerschmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Developmental Epigenetics and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Methyltransferases in Development and Disease Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI), National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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41
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Scerbo P, Marchal L, Kodjabachian L. Lineage commitment of embryonic cells involves MEK1-dependent clearance of pluripotency regulator Ventx2. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28654420 PMCID: PMC5487210 DOI: 10.7554/elife.21526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During early embryogenesis, cells must exit pluripotency and commit to multiple lineages in all germ-layers. How this transition is operated in vivo is poorly understood. Here, we report that MEK1 and the Nanog-related transcription factor Ventx2 coordinate this transition. MEK1 was required to make Xenopus pluripotent cells competent to respond to all cell fate inducers tested. Importantly, MEK1 activity was necessary to clear the pluripotency protein Ventx2 at the onset of gastrulation. Thus, concomitant MEK1 and Ventx2 knockdown restored the competence of embryonic cells to differentiate. Strikingly, MEK1 appeared to control the asymmetric inheritance of Ventx2 protein following cell division. Consistently, when Ventx2 lacked a functional PEST-destruction motif, it was stabilized, displayed symmetric distribution during cell division and could efficiently maintain pluripotency gene expression over time. We suggest that asymmetric clearance of pluripotency regulators may represent an important mechanism to ensure the progressive assembly of primitive embryonic tissues. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.21526.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Scerbo
- Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Leslie Marchal
- Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Kodjabachian
- Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Marseille, France
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42
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Zimmerlin L, Park TS, Zambidis ET. Capturing Human Naïve Pluripotency in the Embryo and in the Dish. Stem Cells Dev 2017; 26:1141-1161. [PMID: 28537488 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were first derived almost 20 years ago, it was only recently acknowledged that they share closer molecular and functional identity to postimplantation lineage-primed murine epiblast stem cells than to naïve preimplantation inner cell mass-derived mouse ESCs (mESCs). A myriad of transcriptional, epigenetic, biochemical, and metabolic attributes have now been described that distinguish naïve and primed pluripotent states in both rodents and humans. Conventional hESCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) appear to lack many of the defining hallmarks of naïve mESCs. These include important features of the naïve ground state murine epiblast, such as an open epigenetic architecture, reduced lineage-primed gene expression, and chimera and germline competence following injection into a recipient blastocyst-stage embryo. Several transgenic and chemical methods were recently reported that appear to revert conventional human PSCs to mESC-like ground states. However, it remains unclear if subtle deviations in global transcription, cell signaling dependencies, and extent of epigenetic/metabolic shifts in these various human naïve-reverted pluripotent states represent true functional differences or alternatively the existence of distinct human pluripotent states along a spectrum. In this study, we review the current understanding and developmental features of various human pluripotency-associated phenotypes and discuss potential biological mechanisms that may support stable maintenance of an authentic epiblast-like ground state of human pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Zimmerlin
- 1 Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,2 Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tea Soon Park
- 1 Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,2 Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elias T Zambidis
- 1 Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, Maryland.,2 Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins , Baltimore, Maryland
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43
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Saj A, Chatterjee SS, Zhu B, Cukuroglu E, Gocha T, Zhang X, Göke J, DasGupta R. Disrupting Interactions Between β-Catenin and Activating TCFs Reconstitutes Ground State Pluripotency in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2017; 35:1924-1933. [PMID: 28577307 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The 2i-media, composed of two small molecule inhibitors (PD0325901 and CHIR99021) against MEK and GSK3-kinases, respectively, is known to establish naïve ground state pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). These inhibitors block MEK-mediated differentiation, while driving β-catenin dependent de-repression of pluripotency promoting targets. However, accumulating evidence suggest that β-catenin's association with activating TCFs (TCF7 and TCF7L2) can induce expression of several lineage-specific prodifferentiation genes. We posited that CHIR-induced upregulation of β-catenin levels could therefore compromise the stability of the naïve state in long-term cultures. Here, we investigated whether replacing CHIR with iCRT3, a small molecule that abrogates β-catenin-TCF interaction, can still retain ground state pluripotency in mESCs. Our data suggests that iCRT3 + PD mediated coinhibition of MEK and β-catenin/TCF-dependent transcriptional activity over multiple passages significantly reduces expression of differentiation markers, as compared to 2i. Furthermore, the ability to efficiently contribute toward chimera generation and germline transmission suggests that the inhibition of β-catenin's TCF-dependent transcriptional activity, independent of its protein expression level, retains the naïve ground state pluripotency in mESCs. Additionally, growth medium containing iCRT3 + PD can provide an alternative to 2i as a stable culture method. Stem Cells 2017;35:1924-1933.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abil Saj
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology
| | - Sujash S Chatterjee
- Computational and Systems Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bowen Zhu
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology
| | - Engin Cukuroglu
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan Göke
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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44
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Nanog Dynamics in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells: Results from Systems Biology Approaches. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:7160419. [PMID: 28684962 PMCID: PMC5480057 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7160419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, are pluripotent stem cells having self-renewal capability and the potential of differentiating into every cell type under the appropriate culture conditions. An increasing number of reports have been published to uncover the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate pluripotency and cell fate specification using combined computational and experimental methodologies. Here, we review recent systems biology approaches to describe the causes and functions of gene expression heterogeneity and complex temporal dynamics of pluripotency markers in mESCs under uniform culture conditions. In particular, we focus on the dynamics of Nanog, a key regulator of the core pluripotency network and of mESC fate. We summarize the strengths and limitations of different experimental and modeling approaches and discuss how various strategies could be used.
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45
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Chen CY, Cheng YY, Yen CYT, Hsieh PCH. Mechanisms of pluripotency maintenance in mouse embryonic stem cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:1805-1817. [PMID: 27999898 PMCID: PMC11107721 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2438-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), characterized by their pluripotency and capacity for self-renewal, are driven by a complex gene expression program composed of several regulatory mechanisms. These mechanisms collaborate to maintain the delicate balance of pluripotency gene expression and their disruption leads to loss of pluripotency. In this review, we provide an extensive overview of the key pillars of mESC pluripotency by elaborating on the various essential transcription factor networks and signaling pathways that directly or indirectly support this state. Furthermore, we consider the latest developments in the role of epigenetic regulation, such as noncoding RNA signaling or histone modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yun Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, IBMS Rm.417, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yuan Cheng
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, IBMS Rm.417, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
- Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan
| | - Christopher Y T Yen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, IBMS Rm.417, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Patrick C H Hsieh
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, IBMS Rm.417, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan.
- Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, 114, Taiwan.
- Institute of Medical Genomics and Proteomics, Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University and Hospital, Taipei, 100, Taiwan.
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan.
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46
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Ye S, Zhang T, Tong C, Zhou X, He K, Ban Q, Liu D, Ying QL. Depletion of Tcf3 and Lef1 maintains mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal. Biol Open 2017; 6:511-517. [PMID: 28288968 PMCID: PMC5399551 DOI: 10.1242/bio.022426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse and rat embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal can be maintained by dual inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Inhibition of GSK3 promotes ESC self-renewal by abrogating T-cell factor 3 (TCF3)-mediated repression of the pluripotency network. How inhibition of MEK mediates ESC self-renewal, however, remains largely unknown. Here, we show that inhibition of MEK can significantly suppress lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1) expression in mouse ESCs. Knockdown or knockout of Lef1 partially mimics the self-renewal-promoting effect of MEK inhibitors. Moreover, depletion of both Tcf3 and Lef1 enables maintenance of undifferentiated mouse ESCs without exogenous factors, cytokines or inhibitors. Transcriptome resequencing analysis reveals that LEF1 is closely associated with endoderm specification in ESCs. Thus, our study adds support to the notion that the key to maintaining the ESC ground state is to shield ESCs from differentiative cues. Summary: Depletion of Lef1 and Tcf3 shows that ESCs could be shielded from differentiative cues to maintain the ESC ground state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoudong Ye
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, People's Republic of China.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang Tong
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Xingliang Zhou
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kan He
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Ban
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, People's Republic of China
| | - Dahai Liu
- Center for Stem Cell and Translational Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-Long Ying
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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47
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Olariu V, Nilsson J, Jönsson H, Peterson C. Different reprogramming propensities in plants and mammals: Are small variations in the core network wirings responsible? PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175251. [PMID: 28384293 PMCID: PMC5383272 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the plant and animal kingdoms were separated more than 1,6 billion years ago, multicellular development is for both guided by similar transcriptional, epigenetic and posttranscriptional machinery. One may ask to what extent there are similarities and differences in the gene regulation circuits and their dynamics when it comes to important processes like stem cell regulation. The key players in mouse embryonic stem cells governing pluripotency versus differentiation are Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. Correspondingly, the WUSCHEL and CLAVATA3 genes represent a core in the Shoot Apical Meristem regulation for plants. In addition, both systems have designated genes that turn on differentiation. There is very little molecular homology between mammals and plants for these core regulators. Here, we focus on functional homologies by performing a comparison between the circuitry connecting these players in plants and animals and find striking similarities, suggesting that comparable regulatory logics have been evolved for stem cell regulation in both kingdoms. From in silico simulations we find similar differentiation dynamics. Further when in the differentiated state, the cells are capable of regaining the stem cell state. We find that the propensity for this is higher for plants as compared to mammalians. Our investigation suggests that, despite similarity in core regulatory networks, the dynamics of these can contribute to plant cells being more plastic than mammalian cells, i.e. capable to reorganize from single differentiated cells to whole plants—reprogramming. The presence of an incoherent feed-forward loop in the mammalian core circuitry could be the origin of the different reprogramming behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Olariu
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Center for Models of Life, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julia Nilsson
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Henrik Jönsson
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (HJ); (CP)
| | - Carsten Peterson
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail: (HJ); (CP)
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48
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Augustin I, Dewi DL, Hundshammer J, Erdmann G, Kerr G, Boutros M. Autocrine Wnt regulates the survival and genomic stability of embryonic stem cells. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/461/eaah6829. [PMID: 28074006 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aah6829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays an important role in the self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. The secretion of Wnt ligands requires Evi (also known as Wls). Genetically ablating Evi provides an experimental approach to studying the consequence of depleting all redundant Wnt proteins, and overexpressing Evi enables a nonspecific means of increasing Wnt signaling. We generated Evi-deficient and Evi-overexpressing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to analyze the role of autocrine Wnt production in self-renewal and differentiation. Self-renewal was reduced in Evi-deficient ESCs and increased in Evi-overexpressing ESCs in the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor, which supports the self-renewal of ESCs. The differentiation of ESCs into cardiomyocytes was enhanced when Evi was overexpressed and teratoma formation and growth of Evi-deficient ESCs in vivo were impaired, indicating that autocrine Wnt ligands were necessary for ESC differentiation and survival. ESCs lacking autocrine Wnt signaling had mitotic defects and showed genomic instability. Together, our study demonstrates that autocrine Wnt secretion is important for the survival, chromosomal stability, differentiation, and tumorigenic potential of ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Augustin
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
| | - Dyah L Dewi
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jennifer Hundshammer
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Gerrit Erdmann
- NMI TT Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut Technologie Transfer GmbH Pharmaservices, Berlin 13353, Germany
| | - Grainne Kerr
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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49
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Izsvák Z, Wang J, Singh M, Mager DL, Hurst LD. Pluripotency and the endogenous retrovirus HERVH: Conflict or serendipity? Bioessays 2016; 38:109-17. [PMID: 26735931 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Remnants of ancient retroviral infections during evolution litter all mammalian genomes. In modern humans, such endogenous retroviral (ERV) sequences comprise at least 8% of the genome. While ERVs and other types of transposable elements undoubtedly contribute to the genomic "junk yard", functions for some ERV sequences have been demonstrated, with growing evidence that ERVs can be important players in gene regulatory processes. Here we focus on one particular large family of human ERVs, termed HERVH, which several recent studies suggest has a key regulatory role in human pluripotent stem cells. Remarkably, this is not the first instance of an ERV controlling pluripotency. We speculate as to why this convergent evolution might have come about, suggesting that it may reflect selection on the virus to extend the time available for transposition. Alternatively it may reflect serendipity alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jichang Wang
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dixie L Mager
- Department of Medical Genetics and British Columbia Cancer Agency, Terry Fox Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laurence D Hurst
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, UK
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50
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Pir P, Le Novère N. Mathematical Models of Pluripotent Stem Cells: At the Dawn of Predictive Regenerative Medicine. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1386:331-50. [PMID: 26677190 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3283-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine, ranging from stem cell therapy to organ regeneration, is promising to revolutionize treatments of diseases and aging. These approaches require a perfect understanding of cell reprogramming and differentiation. Predictive modeling of cellular systems has the potential to provide insights about the dynamics of cellular processes, and guide their control. Moreover in many cases, it provides alternative to experimental tests, difficult to perform for practical or ethical reasons. The variety and accuracy of biological processes represented in mathematical models grew in-line with the discovery of underlying molecular mechanisms. High-throughput data generation led to the development of models based on data analysis, as an alternative to more established modeling based on prior mechanistic knowledge. In this chapter, we give an overview of existing mathematical models of pluripotency and cell fate, to illustrate the variety of methods and questions. We conclude that current approaches are yet to overcome a number of limitations: Most of the computational models have so far focused solely on understanding the regulation of pluripotency, and the differentiation of selected cell lineages. In addition, models generally interrogate only a few biological processes. However, a better understanding of the reprogramming process leading to ESCs and iPSCs is required to improve stem-cell therapies. One also needs to understand the links between signaling, metabolism, regulation of gene expression, and the epigenetics machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Pir
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
| | - Nicolas Le Novère
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
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