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Zhou YY, Zhao SY, Huang FJ, Zhang LJ, Liu YL, Wang J, Ma XJ. JPT2 in subclinical hypothyroidism-related miscarriage as a transcription co-factor: involvement of LEPR/STAT3 activation. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:2521-2537. [PMID: 38907823 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02343-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been identified to be associated with implantation failure, in which the dysfunction of trophoblast cells is involved. In this study, the transcriptomics of aborted placenta from SCH rats were analyzed. Jupiter microtubule-associated homolog 2 (JPT2) was downregulated in the aborted placenta. This study aims to investigate its role in SCH-associated miscarriage. METHODS Spontaneous abortion was observed in SCH rats generated by thyroidectomy combined with levothyroxine administration. The transcriptomics analysis was performed using aborted placenta. Afterward, the effects of JPT2 on trophoblast cells were explored using gain-and loss-of-function experiments. RESULTS Transcriptomics analysis showed 1286 downregulated genes and 2300 upregulated genes in the aborted placenta, and JPT2 was significantly downregulated in the aborted placenta from SCH rats. Afterward, gain-and loss-of-function experiments exhibited that overexpression of JPT2 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, spheroid formation of HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells and their attachment to endometrial stromal cells, while these biological behaviors were suppressed by JPT2 knockdown. Furthermore, JPT2 accelerated the transcription of leptin receptor (LEPR), and activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal in a transcription factor AP-2γ-dependent manner. In addition, silencing of LEPR abolished the role of JPT2. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that JPT2, which was downregulated in the aborted placenta from SCH rats, promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, spheroid formation, and attachment of trophoblast cells via regulating LEPR/STAT3 axis as a transcription co-factor. It is indicated that low expression of JPT2 may contribute to the abortion in individuals with SCH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-Y Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - S-Y Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - F-J Huang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - L-J Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Y-L Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - J Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - X-J Ma
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1, East Jianshe Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan Province, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang D, Wu D, Zhang S, Zhang M, Zhou Y, An X, Li Q, Li Z. Transcription factor AP-2 gamma affects porcine early embryo development by regulating epigenetic modification. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:103772. [PMID: 38749801 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103772] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What is the role and mechanism of action of transcription factor AP-2 gamma (TFAP2C) in porcine early embryo development? DESIGN TFAP2C siRNA were injected into porcine oocytes, which subsequently underwent IVF. Different stages of embryos were collected for RNA sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining to explore the affects in gene expression and epigenetic modification. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with siRNA, and cells were collected for chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS The deficiency of TFAP2C led to disorders in early embryonic development; 1208 genes were downregulated and 792 genes were upregulated in TFAP2C knockdown (TFAP2C-KD) embryos. The expression of epigenetic modification enzymes KDM5B, SETD2 were significantly elevated in the TFAP2C-KD group (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the modification levels of H3K4me3 and H3K4me2 were significantly decreased (P = 0.0021, P = 0.0029), and H3K36me3 and DNA methylation were significantly increased in TFAP2C-KD group (P = 0.0045, P = 0.0025). DNMT1 was mainly expressed in nuclei in the TFAP2C-KD group (P = 0.0103). In addition, TFAP2C could bind to the promoter region of SETD2, and the mutation of the TFAP2C binding site resulted in increased activity of SETD2 promoter (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The knockdown of TFAP2C affects early embryonic development by regulating histone modification and DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Di Wu
- First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genome Technology, 10 Discovery Drive Farmington, Connecticut, 06932, USA
| | - Yongfeng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xinglan An
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ziyi Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China..
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Deng Z, Carpinelli MR, Butt T, Magor GW, Zhao P, Gillinder KR, Perkins AC, Jane SM. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the cellular identity of a novel progenitor population crucial for murine neural tube closure. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37259. [PMID: 39296075 PMCID: PMC11408003 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural tube closure in vertebrates is achieved through a highly dynamic and coordinated series of morphogenic events involving neuroepithelium, surface ectoderm, and neural plate border. Failure of this process in the caudal region causes spina bifida. Grainyhead-like 3 (GRHL3) is an indispensable transcription factor for neural tube closure as constitutive inactivation of the Grhl3 gene in mice leads to fully penetrant spina bifida. Here, through single-cell transcriptomics we show that at E8.5, the time-point preceding mouse neural tube closure, co-expression of Grhl3, Tfap2a, and Tfap2c defines a previously unrecognised progenitor population of surface ectoderm integral for neural tube closure. Deletion of Grhl3 expression in this cell population using a Tfap2a-Cre transgene recapitulates the spina bifida observed in Grhl3-null animals. Moreover, conditional inactivation of Tfap2c expression in Grhl3-expressing neural plate border cells also induces spina bifida. These findings indicate that a specific neural plate border cellular cohort is required for the early-stage neurulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Deng
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Marina R Carpinelli
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Tariq Butt
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Graham W Magor
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Kevin R Gillinder
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Institute of Genetic Medicine and North-East England Stem Cell Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Perkins
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Stephen M Jane
- Department of Medicine (Alfred Hospital), School of Translational Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
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4
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Balestrini PA, Abdelbaki A, McCarthy A, Devito L, Senner CE, Chen AE, Munusamy P, Blakeley P, Elder K, Snell P, Christie L, Serhal P, Odia RA, Sangrithi M, Niakan KK, Fogarty NME. Transcription factor-based transdifferentiation of human embryonic to trophoblast stem cells. Development 2024; 151:dev202778. [PMID: 39250534 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
During the first week of development, human embryos form a blastocyst composed of an inner cell mass and trophectoderm (TE) cells, the latter of which are progenitors of placental trophoblast. Here, we investigated the expression of transcripts in the human TE from early to late blastocyst stages. We identified enrichment of the transcription factors GATA2, GATA3, TFAP2C and KLF5 and characterised their protein expression dynamics across TE development. By inducible overexpression and mRNA transfection, we determined that these factors, together with MYC, are sufficient to establish induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) from primed human embryonic stem cells. These iTSCs self-renew and recapitulate morphological characteristics, gene expression profiles, and directed differentiation potential, similar to existing human TSCs. Systematic omission of each, or combinations of factors, revealed the crucial importance of GATA2 and GATA3 for iTSC transdifferentiation. Altogether, these findings provide insights into the transcription factor network that may be operational in the human TE and broaden the methods for establishing cellular models of early human placental progenitor cells, which may be useful in the future to model placental-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A Balestrini
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ahmed Abdelbaki
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Afshan McCarthy
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Liani Devito
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Unit, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Claire E Senner
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Alice E Chen
- Trestle Biotherapeutics, Centre for Novel Therapeutics, 9310 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Prabhakaran Munusamy
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore229899, Singapore
| | - Paul Blakeley
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge CB23 2TN, UK
| | - Phil Snell
- Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge CB23 2TN, UK
| | | | - Paul Serhal
- The Centre for Reproductive & Genetic Health, 230-232 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QS, UK
| | - Rabi A Odia
- The Centre for Reproductive & Genetic Health, 230-232 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QS, UK
| | - Mahesh Sangrithi
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore229899, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Cancer Stem Cell Biology/OBGYN ACP, 8 College Road, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Kathy K Niakan
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Norah M E Fogarty
- Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
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5
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Kuna M, Soares MJ. Cited2 is a key regulator of placental development and plasticity. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300118. [PMID: 38922923 PMCID: PMC11331489 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The biology of trophoblast cell lineage development and placentation is characterized by the involvement of several known transcription factors. Central to the action of a subset of these transcriptional regulators is CBP-p300 interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (CITED2). CITED2 acts as a coregulator modulating transcription factor activities and affecting placental development and adaptations to physiological stressors. These actions of CITED2 on the trophoblast cell lineage and placentation are conserved across the mouse, rat, and human. Thus, aspects of CITED2 biology in hemochorial placentation can be effectively modeled in the mouse and rat. In this review, we present information on the conserved role of CITED2 in the biology of placentation and discuss the use of CITED2 as a tool to discover new insights into regulatory mechanisms controlling placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kuna
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, MO
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Li L, Lai F, Liu L, Lu X, Hu X, Liu B, Lin Z, Fan Q, Kong F, Xu Q, Xie W. Lineage regulators TFAP2C and NR5A2 function as bipotency activators in totipotent embryos. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:950-963. [PMID: 38243114 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
During the first lineage segregation, a mammalian totipotent embryo differentiates into the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE). However, how transcription factors (TFs) regulate this earliest cell-fate decision in vivo remains elusive, with their regulomes primarily inferred from cultured cells. Here, we investigated the TF regulomes during the first lineage specification in early mouse embryos, spanning the pre-initiation, initiation, commitment, and maintenance phases. Unexpectedly, we found that TFAP2C, a trophoblast regulator, bound and activated both early TE and inner cell mass (ICM) genes at the totipotent (two- to eight-cell) stages ('bipotency activation'). Tfap2c deficiency caused downregulation of early ICM genes, including Nanog, Nr5a2, and Tdgf1, and early TE genes, including Tfeb and Itgb5, in eight-cell embryos. Transcription defects in both ICM and TE lineages were also found in blastocysts, accompanied by increased apoptosis and reduced cell numbers in ICMs. Upon trophoblast commitment, TFAP2C left early ICM genes but acquired binding to late TE genes in blastocysts, where it co-bound with CDX2, and later to extra-embryonic ectoderm (ExE) genes, where it cooperatively co-occupied with the former ICM regulator SOX2. Finally, 'bipotency activation' in totipotent embryos also applied to a pluripotency regulator NR5A2, which similarly bound and activated both ICM and TE lineage genes at the eight-cell stage. These data reveal a unique transcription circuity of totipotency underpinned by highly adaptable lineage regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Li
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangnong Lai
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bofeng Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zili Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Kong
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhua Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wang F, Chander A, Yoon Y, Welton JM, Wallingford MC, Espejo-Serrano C, Bustos F, Findlay GM, Mager J, Bach I. Roles of the Rlim-Rex1 axis during X chromosome inactivation in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2313200120. [PMID: 38113263 PMCID: PMC10756295 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313200120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In female mice, the gene dosage from X chromosomes is adjusted by a process called X chromosome inactivation (XCI) that occurs in two steps. An imprinted form of XCI (iXCI) that silences the paternally inherited X chromosome (Xp) is initiated at the 2- to 4-cell stages. As extraembryonic cells including trophoblasts keep the Xp silenced, epiblast cells that give rise to the embryo proper reactivate the Xp and undergo a random form of XCI (rXCI) around implantation. Both iXCI and rXCI require the lncRNA Xist, which is expressed from the X to be inactivated. The X-linked E3 ubiquitin ligase Rlim (Rnf12) in conjunction with its target protein Rex1 (Zfp42), a critical repressor of Xist, have emerged as major regulators of iXCI. However, their roles in rXCI remain controversial. Investigating early mouse development, we show that the Rlim-Rex1 axis is active in pre-implantation embryos. Upon implantation Rex1 levels are downregulated independently of Rlim specifically in epiblast cells. These results provide a conceptual framework of how the functional dynamics between Rlim and Rex1 ensures regulation of iXCI but not rXCI in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Ashmita Chander
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Yeonsoo Yoon
- Division of Genes and Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Janelle M. Welton
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Mary C. Wallingford
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Carmen Espejo-Serrano
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DundeeDD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Bustos
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DundeeDD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Greg M. Findlay
- Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DundeeDD1 5EH, United Kingdom
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
| | - Ingolf Bach
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
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Shimizu T, Oike A, Kobayashi EH, Sekiya A, Kobayashi N, Shibata S, Hamada H, Saito M, Yaegashi N, Suyama M, Arima T, Okae H. CRISPR screening in human trophoblast stem cells reveals both shared and distinct aspects of human and mouse placental development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311372120. [PMID: 38085778 PMCID: PMC10742386 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311372120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta serves as the interface between the mother and fetus, facilitating the exchange of gases and nutrients between their separate blood circulation systems. Trophoblasts in the placenta play a central role in this process. Our current understanding of mammalian trophoblast development relies largely on mouse models. However, given the diversification of mammalian placentas, findings from the mouse placenta cannot be readily extrapolated to other mammalian species, including humans. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed CRISPR knockout screening in human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs). We targeted genes essential for mouse placental development and identified more than 100 genes as critical regulators in both human hTSCs and mouse placentas. Among them, we further characterized in detail two transcription factors, DLX3 and GCM1, and revealed their essential roles in hTSC differentiation. Moreover, a gene function-based comparison between human and mouse trophoblast subtypes suggests that their relationship may differ significantly from previous assumptions based on tissue localization or cellular function. Notably, our data reveal that hTSCs may not be analogous to mouse TSCs or the extraembryonic ectoderm (ExE) in which in vivo TSCs reside. Instead, hTSCs may be analogous to progenitor cells in the mouse ectoplacental cone and chorion. This finding is consistent with the absence of ExE-like structures during human placental development. Our data not only deepen our understanding of human trophoblast development but also facilitate cross-species comparison of mammalian placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Shimizu
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Oike
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
| | - Eri H. Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Asato Sekiya
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Shun Shibata
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka812-8582, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
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Li L, Lai F, Hu X, Liu B, Lu X, Lin Z, Liu L, Xiang Y, Frum T, Halbisen MA, Chen F, Fan Q, Ralston A, Xie W. Multifaceted SOX2-chromatin interaction underpins pluripotency progression in early embryos. Science 2023; 382:eadi5516. [PMID: 38096290 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi5516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Pioneer transcription factors (TFs), such as OCT4 and SOX2, play crucial roles in pluripotency regulation. However, the master TF-governed pluripotency regulatory circuitry was largely inferred from cultured cells. In this work, we investigated SOX2 binding from embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5) to E7.5 in the mouse. In E3.5 inner cell mass (ICM), SOX2 regulates the ICM-trophectoderm program but is dispensable for opening global enhancers. Instead, SOX2 occupies preaccessible enhancers in part opened by early-stage expressing TFs TFAP2C and NR5A2. SOX2 then widely redistributes when cells adopt naive and formative pluripotency by opening enhancers or poising them for rapid future activation. Hence, multifaceted pioneer TF-enhancer interaction underpins pluripotency progression in embryos, including a distinctive state in E3.5 ICM that bridges totipotency and pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Li
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fangnong Lai
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bofeng Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zili Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yunlong Xiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael A Halbisen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Fengling Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Amy Ralston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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10
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Agostinho de Sousa J, Wong CW, Dunkel I, Owens T, Voigt P, Hodgson A, Baker D, Schulz EG, Reik W, Smith A, Rostovskaya M, von Meyenn F. Epigenetic dynamics during capacitation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg1936. [PMID: 37774033 PMCID: PMC10541016 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg1936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are of fundamental relevance in regenerative medicine. Naïve hPSCs hold promise to overcome some of the limitations of conventional (primed) hPSCs, including recurrent epigenetic anomalies. Naïve-to-primed transition (capacitation) follows transcriptional dynamics of human embryonic epiblast and is necessary for somatic differentiation from naïve hPSCs. We found that capacitated hPSCs are transcriptionally closer to postimplantation epiblast than conventional hPSCs. This prompted us to comprehensively study epigenetic and related transcriptional changes during capacitation. Our results show that CpG islands, gene regulatory elements, and retrotransposons are hotspots of epigenetic dynamics during capacitation and indicate possible distinct roles of specific epigenetic modifications in gene expression control between naïve and primed hPSCs. Unexpectedly, PRC2 activity appeared to be dispensable for the capacitation. We find that capacitated hPSCs acquire an epigenetic state similar to conventional hPSCs. Significantly, however, the X chromosome erosion frequently observed in conventional female hPSCs is reversed by resetting and subsequent capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Agostinho de Sousa
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Chee-Wai Wong
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Ilona Dunkel
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Owens
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Philipp Voigt
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Adam Hodgson
- School of Biosciences, The Julia Garnham Centre, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN Sheffield, UK
| | - Duncan Baker
- Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics Services, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, S5 7AU Sheffield, UK
| | - Edda G. Schulz
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1QR, UK
- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, EX4 4QD Exeter, UK
| | - Maria Rostovskaya
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, SE1 9RT London, UK
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11
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Oh SY, Na SB, Kang YK, Do JT. In Vitro Embryogenesis and Gastrulation Using Stem Cells in Mice and Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13655. [PMID: 37686459 PMCID: PMC10563085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During early mammalian embryonic development, fertilized one-cell embryos develop into pre-implantation blastocysts and subsequently establish three germ layers through gastrulation during post-implantation development. In recent years, stem cells have emerged as a powerful tool to study embryogenesis and gastrulation without the need for eggs, allowing for the generation of embryo-like structures known as synthetic embryos or embryoids. These in vitro models closely resemble early embryos in terms of morphology and gene expression and provide a faithful recapitulation of early pre- and post-implantation embryonic development. Synthetic embryos can be generated through a combinatorial culture of three blastocyst-derived stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells, trophoblast stem cells, and extraembryonic endoderm cells, or totipotent-like stem cells alone. This review provides an overview of the progress and various approaches in studying in vitro embryogenesis and gastrulation in mice and humans using stem cells. Furthermore, recent findings and breakthroughs in synthetic embryos and gastruloids are outlined. Despite ethical considerations, synthetic embryo models hold promise for understanding mammalian (including humans) embryonic development and have potential implications for regenerative medicine and developmental research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jeong Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk Institute of Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.O.); (S.B.N.); (Y.K.K.)
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12
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. Core conserved transcriptional regulatory networks define the invasive trophoblast cell lineage. Development 2023; 150:dev201826. [PMID: 37417811 PMCID: PMC10445752 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineages in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model for studying hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus ATAC-seq data from gestation day 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues, and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility with extravillous trophoblast cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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13
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Capriati M, Hao C, D'Cruz SC, Monfort C, Chevrier C, Warembourg C, Smagulova F. Genome-wide analysis of sex-specific differences in the mother-child PELAGIE cohort exposed to organophosphate metabolites. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8003. [PMID: 37198424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35113-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the detrimental effects of environmental contaminants on human health have become a serious public concern. Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are widely used in agriculture, and the negative impacts of OP and its metabolites on human health have been demonstrated. We hypothesized that exposure to OPs during pregnancy could impose damaging effects on the fetus by affecting various processes. We analyzed sex-specific epigenetic responses in the placenta samples obtained from the mother-child PELAGIE cohort. We assayed the telomere length and mitochondrial copy numbers using genomic DNA. We analyzed H3K4me3 by using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by qPCR (ChIP‒qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq). The human study was confirmed with mouse placenta tissue analysis. Our study revealed a higher susceptibility of male placentas to OP exposure. Specifically, we observed telomere length shortening and an increase in γH2AX levels, a DNA damage marker. We detected lower histone H3K9me3 occupancy at telomeres in diethylphosphate (DE)-exposed male placentas than in nonexposed placentas. We found an increase in H3K4me3 occupancy at the promoters of thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA), 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF2) in DE-exposed female placentas. H3K4me3 occupancy at PPARG was increased in both male and female placentas exposed to dimethylphosphate (DM). The genome-wide sequencing of selected samples revealed sex-specific differences induced by DE exposure. Specifically, we found alterations in H3K4me3 in genes related to the immune system in female placenta samples. In DE-exposed male placentas, a decrease in H3K4me3 occupancy at development-related, collagen and angiogenesis-related genes was observed. Finally, we observed a high number of NANOG and PRDM6 binding sites in regions with altered histone occupancy, suggesting that the effects were possibly mediated via these factors. Our data suggest that in utero exposure to organophosphate metabolites affects normal placental development and could potentially impact late childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Capriati
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Chunxiang Hao
- School of Medicine, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Shereen Cynthia D'Cruz
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Christine Monfort
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Cecile Chevrier
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Charline Warembourg
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Fatima Smagulova
- Univ. Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000, Rennes, France.
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14
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. CORE CONSERVED TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATORY NETWORKS DEFINE THE INVASIVE TROPHOBLAST CELL LINEAGE. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.30.534962. [PMID: 37066272 PMCID: PMC10103937 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineage in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model to study hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus (sn) ATAC-seq data from gestation day (gd) 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility to extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, MO, 64108
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
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15
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Panfilio KA, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM. The extended analogy of extraembryonic development in insects and amniotes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210268. [PMID: 36252225 PMCID: PMC9574626 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is fascinating that the amnion and serosa/chorion, two extraembryonic (EE) tissues that are characteristic of the amniote vertebrates (mammals, birds and reptiles), have also independently evolved in insects. In this review, we offer the first detailed, macroevolutionary comparison of EE development and tissue biology across these animal groups. Some commonalities represent independent solutions to shared challenges for protecting the embryo (environmental assaults, risk of pathogens) and supporting its development, including clear links between cellular properties (e.g. polyploidy) and physiological function. Further parallels encompass developmental features such as the early segregation of the serosa/chorion compared to later, progressive differentiation of the amnion and formation of the amniotic cavity from serosal-amniotic folds as a widespread morphogenetic mode across species. We also discuss common developmental roles for orthologous transcription factors and BMP signalling in EE tissues of amniotes and insects, and between EE and cardiac tissues, supported by our exploration of new resources for global and tissue-specific gene expression. This highlights the degree to which general developmental principles and protective tissue features can be deduced from each of these animal groups, emphasizing the value of broad comparative studies to reveal subtle developmental strategies and answer questions that are common across species. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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16
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Stamatiadis P, Cosemans G, Boel A, Menten B, De Sutter P, Stoop D, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Lluis F, Coucke P, Heindryckx B. TEAD4 regulates trophectoderm differentiation upstream of CDX2 in a GATA3-independent manner in the human preimplantation embryo. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1760-1773. [PMID: 35700449 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the role of transcriptional-enhanced associate (TEA) domain family member 4 (TEAD4) in trophectoderm (TE) differentiation during human embryo preimplantation development in comparison to mouse? SUMMARY ANSWER TEAD4 regulates TE lineage differentiation in the human preimplantation embryo acting upstream of caudal-type homeobox protein 2 (CDX2), but in contrast to the mouse in a GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3)-independent manner. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Tead4 is one of the earliest transcription factors expressed during mouse embryo preimplantation development and is required for the expression of TE-associated genes. Functional knock-out studies in mouse, inactivating Tead4 by site-specific recombination, have shown that Tead4-targeted embryos have compromised development and expression of the TE-specific Cdx2 and Gata3 is downregulated. Cdx2 and Gata3 act in parallel pathways downstream of Tead4 to induce successful TE differentiation. Downstream loss of Cdx2 expression, compromises TE differentiation and subsequent blastocoel formation and leads to the ectopic expression of inner cell mass (ICM) genes, including POU Class 5 homeobox 1 (Pou5f1) and SRY-box transcription factor (Sox2). Cdx2 is a more potent regulator of TE fate in mouse as loss of Cdx2 expression induces more severe phenotypes compared with loss of Gata3 expression. The role of TEAD4 and its downstream effectors during human preimplantation embryo development has not been investigated yet. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated genes (CRISPR-Cas9) system was first introduced in pronuclei (PN)-stage mouse zygotes aiming to identify a guide RNA (gRNA), yielding high editing efficiency and effective disruption of the Tead4 locus. Three guides were tested (gRNA1-3), each time targeting a distinct region of Exon 2 of Tead4. The effects of targeting on developmental capacity were studied in Tead4-targeted embryos (n = 164-summarized data from gRNA1-3) and were compared with two control groups; sham-injected embryos (n = 26) and non-injected media-control embryos (n = 51). The editing efficiency was determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS). In total, n = 55 (summarized data from gRNA1-3) targeted mouse embryos were analysed by NGS. Immunofluorescence analysis to confirm successful targeting by gRNA1 was performed in Tead4-targeted embryos, and non-injected media-control embryos. The downregulation of secondary TE-associated markers Cdx2 and Gata3 was used as an indirect confirmation of successful Tead4-targeting (previously shown to be expressed downstream of Tead4). Additional groups of gRNA1 Tead4-targeted (n = 45) and media control (n = 36) embryos were cultured for an extended period of 8.5 days, to further assess the developmental capacity of the Tead4-targeted group to develop beyond implantation stages. Following the mouse investigation, human metaphase-II (MII) oocytes obtained by IVM were microinjected with gRNA-Cas9 during ICSI (n = 74) to target TEAD4 or used as media-control (n = 33). The editing efficiency was successfully assessed in n = 25 TEAD4-targeted human embryos. Finally, immunofluorescence analysis for TEAD4, CDX2, GATA3 and the ICM marker SOX2 was performed in TEAD4-targeted (n = 10) and non-injected media-control embryos (n = 29). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of a gRNA-Cas9 mixture, designed to target Exon 2 of Tead4/TEAD4, was microinjected in mouse PN stage zygotes or human IVM MII oocytes along with sperm. Generated embryos were cultured in vitro for 4 days in mouse or 6.5 days in human. In mouse, an additional group of Tead4-targeted and media-control embryos was cultured in vitro for an extended period of 8.5 days. Embryonic development and morphology were assessed daily, during culture in vitro of mouse and human embryos and was followed by a detailed scoring at late blastocyst stage. Targeting efficiency following gRNA-Cas9 introduction was assessed via immunostaining and NGS analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE NGS analysis of the Tead4-targeted locus revealed very high editing efficiencies for all three guides, with 100% of the mouse embryos (55 out of 55) carrying genetic modifications resulting from CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. More specifically, 65.22% (15 out 23) of the PN zygotes microinjected with gRNA1-Cas9, which exhibited the highest efficiency, carried exclusively mutated alleles. The developmental capacity of targeted embryos was significantly reduced (data from gRNA1), as 44.17% of the embryos arrested at the morula stage (2.5 days post coitum), coincident with the initiation of TE lineage differentiation, compared with 8.51% in control and 12.50% in sham control groups. High-quality blastocyst formation rates (Grade 3) were 8.97% in the gRNA1-targeted group, compared with 87.23% in the media-control and 87.50% in the sham group. Immunofluorescence analysis in targeted embryos confirmed downregulation of Tead4, Cdx2, and Gata3 expression, which resulted from successful targeting of the Tead4 locus. Tead4-targeted mouse embryos stained positive for the ICM markers Pou5f1 and Sox2, indicating that expression of ICM lineage markers is not affected. Tead4-targeted embryos were able to cavitate and form a blastocoel without being able to hatch. Extended embryo culture following zona pellucida removal, revealed that the targeted embryos can attach and form egg-cylinder-like structures in the absence of trophoblast giant cells. In human embryos, Exon 2 of TEAD4 was successfully targeted by CRISPR-Cas9 (n = 74). In total, 25 embryos from various developmental stages were analysed by NGS and 96.00% (24 out of 25) of the embryos carried genetic modifications because of gRNA-Cas9 editing. In the subgroup of the 24 edited embryos, 17 (70.83%) carried only mutant alleles and 11 out of these 17 (64.70%) carried exclusively frameshift mutations. Six out of 11 embryos reached the blastocyst stage. In contrast to mice, human-targeted embryos formed blastocysts at a rate (25.00%) that did not differ significantly from the control group (23.81%). However, blastocyst morphology and TE quality were significantly compromised following TEAD4-targeting, showing grade C TE scores, with TE containing very few cells. Immunofluorescence analysis of TEAD4-targeted embryos (n = 10) confirmed successful editing by the complete absence of TEAD4 and its downstream TE marker CDX2, but the embryos generated retained expression of GATA3, which is in contrast to what we have observed and has previously been reported in mouse. In this regard, our results indicate that GATA3 acts in parallel with TEAD4/CDX2 towards TE differentiation in human. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION CRISPR-Cas9 germline genome editing, in some cases, induces mosaic genotypes. These genotypes are a result of inefficient and delayed editing, and complicate the phenotypic analysis and developmental assessment of the injected embryos. We cannot exclude the possibility that the observed differences between mouse and human are the result of variable effects triggered by the culture conditions, which were however similar for both mouse and human embryos in this study. Furthermore, this study utilized human oocytes obtained by IVM, which may not fully recapitulate the developmental behaviour of in vivo matured oocytes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Elucidation of the evolutionary conservation of molecular mechanisms that regulate the differentiation and formation of the trophoblast lineage can give us fundamental insights into early implantation failure, which accounts for ∼15% of human conceptions. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The research was funded by the FWO-Vlaanderen (Flemish fund for scientific research, Grant no. G051516N), and Hercules funding (FWO.HMZ.2016.00.02.01) and Ghent University (BOF.BAS.2018.0018.01). G.C. is supported by FWO-Vlaanderen (Flemish fund for scientific research, Grant no. 11L8822N). A.B. is supported by FWO-Vlaanderen (Flemish fund for scientific research, Grant no. 1298722 N). We further thank Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Aalst, Belgium) for their unrestricted educational grant. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Stamatiadis
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - G Cosemans
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - A Boel
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - B Menten
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - P De Sutter
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - D Stoop
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - S M Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - F Lluis
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven 300, Belgium
| | - P Coucke
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333 ZA, The Netherlands
| | - B Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility And Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Seong J, Frias-Aldeguer J, Holzmann V, Kagawa H, Sestini G, Heidari Khoei H, Scholte Op Reimer Y, Kip M, Pradhan SJ, Verwegen L, Vivié J, Li L, Alemany A, Korving J, Darmis F, van Oudenaarden A, Ten Berge D, Geijsen N, Rivron NC. Epiblast inducers capture mouse trophectoderm stem cells in vitro and pattern blastoids for implantation in utero. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1102-1118.e8. [PMID: 35803228 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The embryo instructs the allocation of cell states to spatially regulate functions. In the blastocyst, patterning of trophoblast (TR) cells ensures successful implantation and placental development. Here, we defined an optimal set of molecules secreted by the epiblast (inducers) that captures in vitro stable, highly self-renewing mouse trophectoderm stem cells (TESCs) resembling the blastocyst stage. When exposed to suboptimal inducers, these stem cells fluctuate to form interconvertible subpopulations with reduced self-renewal and facilitated differentiation, resembling peri-implantation cells, known as TR stem cells (TSCs). TESCs have enhanced capacity to form blastoids that implant more efficiently in utero due to inducers maintaining not only local TR proliferation and self-renewal, but also WNT6/7B secretion that stimulates uterine decidualization. Overall, the epiblast maintains sustained growth and decidualization potential of abutting TR cells, while, as known, distancing imposed by the blastocyst cavity differentiates TR cells for uterus adhesion, thus patterning the essential functions of implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwoo Seong
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Javier Frias-Aldeguer
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Viktoria Holzmann
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harunobu Kagawa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giovanni Sestini
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidar Heidari Khoei
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria; Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yvonne Scholte Op Reimer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maarten Kip
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saurabh J Pradhan
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucas Verwegen
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judith Vivié
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Linfeng Li
- Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Alemany
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Korving
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Darmis
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Derk Ten Berge
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Geijsen
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Anatomy and Embryology, LUMC, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nicolas C Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria; Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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18
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Dong C, Fu S, Karvas RM, Chew B, Fischer LA, Xing X, Harrison JK, Popli P, Kommagani R, Wang T, Zhang B, Theunissen TW. A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identifies essential and growth-restricting genes in human trophoblast stem cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2548. [PMID: 35538076 PMCID: PMC9090837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30207-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent derivation of human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) provides a scalable in vitro model system of human placental development, but the molecular regulators of hTSC identity have not been systematically explored thus far. Here, we utilize a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen to comprehensively identify essential and growth-restricting genes in hTSCs. By cross-referencing our data to those from similar genetic screens performed in other cell types, as well as gene expression data from early human embryos, we define hTSC-specific and -enriched regulators. These include both well-established and previously uncharacterized trophoblast regulators, such as ARID3A, GATA2, and TEAD1 (essential), and GCM1, PTPN14, and TET2 (growth-restricting). Integrated analysis of chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and genome-wide location data reveals that the transcription factor TEAD1 regulates the expression of many trophoblast regulators in hTSCs. In the absence of TEAD1, hTSCs fail to complete faithful differentiation into extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells and instead show a bias towards syncytiotrophoblast (STB) differentiation, thus indicating that this transcription factor safeguards the bipotent lineage potential of hTSCs. Overall, our study provides a valuable resource for dissecting the molecular regulation of human placental development and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Shuhua Fu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Brian Chew
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laura A Fischer
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jessica K Harrison
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pooja Popli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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19
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Hornbachner R, Lackner A, Papuchova H, Haider S, Knöfler M, Mechtler K, Latos PA. MSX2 safeguards syncytiotrophoblast fate of human trophoblast stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2105130118. [PMID: 34507999 PMCID: PMC8449346 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105130118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple placental pathologies are associated with failures in trophoblast differentiation, yet the underlying transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. Here, we discovered msh homeobox 2 (MSX2) as a key transcriptional regulator of trophoblast identity using the human trophoblast stem cell model. Depletion of MSX2 resulted in activation of the syncytiotrophoblast transcriptional program, while forced expression of MSX2 blocked it. We demonstrated that a large proportion of the affected genes were directly bound and regulated by MSX2 and identified components of the SWItch/Sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex as strong MSX2 interactors and target gene cobinders. MSX2 cooperated specifically with the SWI/SNF canonical BAF (cBAF) subcomplex and cooccupied, together with H3K27ac, a number of differentiation genes. Increased H3K27ac and cBAF occupancy upon MSX2 depletion imply that MSX2 prevents premature syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. Our findings established MSX2 as a repressor of the syncytiotrophoblast lineage and demonstrated its pivotal role in cell fate decisions that govern human placental development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Hornbachner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Lackner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrieta Papuchova
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Mechtler
- Protein Chemistry Facility, Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina A Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;
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20
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Lee BK, Kim J. Integrating High-Throughput Approaches and in vitro Human Trophoblast Models to Decipher Mechanisms Underlying Early Human Placenta Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673065. [PMID: 34150768 PMCID: PMC8206641 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary but pivotal organ for human pregnancy. It consists of multiple specialized trophoblast cell types originating from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst stage of the embryo. While impaired trophoblast differentiation results in pregnancy disorders affecting both mother and fetus, the molecular mechanisms underlying early human placenta development have been poorly understood, partially due to the limited access to developing human placentas and the lack of suitable human in vitro trophoblast models. Recent success in establishing human trophoblast stem cells and other human in vitro trophoblast models with their differentiation protocols into more specialized cell types, such as syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast, has provided a tremendous opportunity to understand early human placenta development. Unfortunately, while high-throughput research methods and omics tools have addressed numerous molecular-level questions in various research fields, these tools have not been widely applied to the above-mentioned human trophoblast models. This review aims to provide an overview of various omics approaches that can be utilized in the study of human in vitro placenta models by exemplifying some important lessons obtained from omics studies of mouse model systems and introducing recently available human in vitro trophoblast model systems. We also highlight some key unknown questions that might be addressed by such techniques. Integrating high-throughput omics approaches and human in vitro model systems will facilitate our understanding of molecular-level regulatory mechanisms underlying early human placenta development as well as placenta-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany-State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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21
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Raap M, Gierendt L, Kreipe HH, Christgen M. Transcription factor AP-2beta in development, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:1221-1227. [PMID: 33720400 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To date, the AP-2 family of transcription factors comprises five members. Transcription factor AP-2beta (TFAP2B)/AP-2β was first described in 1995. Several studies indicate a critical role of AP-2β in the development of tissues and organs of ectodermal, neuroectodermal and also mesodermal origin. Germline mutation of TFAP2B is known to cause the Char syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by facial dysmorphism, patent ductus arteriosus and anatomical abnormalities of the fifth digit. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms in TFAP2B were linked to obesity and specific personality traits. In neoplasias, AP-2β was first described in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemical staining of AP-2β is a recommended ancillary test for the histopathological diagnosis of this uncommon childhood malignancy. In neuroblastoma, AP-2β supports noradrenergic differentiation. Recently, the function of AP-2β in breast cancer (BC) has gained interest. AP-2β is associated with the lobular BC subtype. Moreover, AP-2β controls BC cell proliferation and has a prognostic impact in patients with BC. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about AP-2β and its function in organ development, differentiation and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Raap
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Gierendt
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans H Kreipe
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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22
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Gu VW, Cho E, Thompson DT, Cassady VC, Borcherding N, Koch KE, Wu VT, Lorenzen AW, van der Heide DM, White JR, Kulak MV, Williams T, Zhang W, Weigel RJ. AP-2γ Is Required for Maintenance of Multipotent Mammary Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 16:106-119. [PMID: 33382976 PMCID: PMC7897584 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammary gland ductal morphogenesis depends on the differentiation of mammary stem cells (MaSCs) into basal and luminal lineages. The AP-2γ transcription factor, encoded by Tfap2c, has a central role in mammary gland development but its effect in mammary lineages and specifically MaSCs is largely unknown. Here, we utilized an inducible, conditional knockout of Tfap2c to elucidate the role of AP-2γ in maintenance and differentiation of MaSCs. Loss of AP-2γ in the basal epithelium profoundly altered the transcriptomes and decreased the number of cells within several clusters of mammary epithelial cells, including adult MaSCs and luminal progenitors. AP-2γ regulated the expression of genes known to be required for mammary development, including Cebpb, Nfkbia, and Rspo1. As a result, AP-2γ-deficient mice exhibited repressed mammary gland ductal outgrowth and inhibition of regenerative capacity. The findings demonstrate that AP-2γ can regulate development of mammary gland structures potentially regulating maintenance and differentiation of multipotent MaSCs. AP-2γ-deficient mice exhibit repressed ductal outgrowth and regenerative capacity Loss of AP-2γ reduced cells within mammary stem and luminal progenitor clusters AP-2γ target genes, including Cebpb, Nfkbia, and Rspo1, regulate mammary development AP-2γ potentially regulates maintenance of multipotent mammary stem cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian W Gu
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Edward Cho
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Dakota T Thompson
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Victoria C Cassady
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | | | - Kelsey E Koch
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Vincent T Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Allison W Lorenzen
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Dana M van der Heide
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Jeffrey R White
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Mikhail V Kulak
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Weizhou Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Ronald J Weigel
- Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, JCP 1509 Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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23
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Gao H, Gao R, Zhang L, Xiu W, Zang R, Wang H, Zhang Y, Chen J, Gao Y, Gao S. Esrrb plays important roles in maintaining self-renewal of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and reprogramming somatic cells to induced TSCs. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:463-473. [PMID: 30299501 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjy054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), which can be derived from the trophoectoderm of a blastocyst, have the ability to sustain self-renewal and differentiate into various placental trophoblast cell types. Meanwhile, essential insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling the placental development can be gained by using TSCs as the cell model. Esrrb is a transcription factor that has been shown to play pivotal roles in both embryonic stem cell (ESC) and TSC, but the precise mechanism whereby Esrrb regulates TSC-specific transcriptome during differentiation and reprogramming is still largely unknown. In the present study, we elucidate the function of Esrrb in self-renewal and differentiation of TSCs, as well as during the induced TSC (iTSC) reprogramming. We demonstrate that the precise level of Esrrb is critical for stem state maintenance and further trophoblast differentiation of TSCs, as ectopically expressed Esrrb can partially block the rapid differentiation of TSCs in the absence of fibroblast growth factor 4. However, Esrrb depletion results in downregulation of certain key TSC-specific transcription factors, consequently causing a rapid differentiation of TSCs and these Esrrb-deficient TSCs lose the ability of hemorrhagic lesion formation in vivo. This function of Esrrb is exerted by directly binding and activating a core set of TSC-specific target genes including Cdx2, Eomes, Sox2, Fgfr4, and Bmp4. Furthermore, we show that Esrrb overexpression can facilitate the MEF-to-iTSC conversion. Moreover, Esrrb can substitute for Eomes to generate GEsTM-iTSCs. Thus, our findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of Esrrb in maintaining TSC self-renewal and during iTSC reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Gao
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Linfeng Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchao Xiu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruge Zang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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24
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Ishiuchi T, Ohishi H, Sato T, Kamimura S, Yorino M, Abe S, Suzuki A, Wakayama T, Suyama M, Sasaki H. Zfp281 Shapes the Transcriptome of Trophoblast Stem Cells and Is Essential for Placental Development. Cell Rep 2020; 27:1742-1754.e6. [PMID: 31067460 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental development is a key event in mammalian reproduction and embryogenesis. However, the molecular basis underlying placental development is not fully understood. Here, we conduct a forward genetic screen to identify regulators for extraembryonic development and identify Zfp281 as a key factor. Zfp281 overexpression in mouse embryonic stem cells facilitates the induction of trophoblast stem-like cells. Zfp281 is preferentially expressed in the undifferentiated trophoblast stem cell population in an FGF-dependent manner, and disruption of Zfp281 in mice causes severe defects in early placental development. Consistently, Zfp281-depleted trophoblast stem cells exhibit defects in maintaining the transcriptome and differentiation capacity. Mechanistically, Zfp281 interacts with MLL or COMPASS subunits and occupies the promoters of its target genes. Importantly, ZNF281, the human ortholog of this factor, is required to stabilize the undifferentiated status of human trophoblast stem cells. Thus, we identify Zfp281 as a conserved factor for the maintenance of trophoblast stem cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ishiuchi
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Ohishi
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sato
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kamimura
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Yorino
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shusaku Abe
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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25
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Nicholls PK, Schorle H, Naqvi S, Hu YC, Fan Y, Carmell MA, Dobrinski I, Watson AL, Carlson DF, Fahrenkrug SC, Page DC. Mammalian germ cells are determined after PGC colonization of the nascent gonad. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:25677-25687. [PMID: 31754036 PMCID: PMC6925976 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910733116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian primordial germ cells (PGCs) are induced in the embryonic epiblast, before migrating to the nascent gonads. In fish, frogs, and birds, the germline segregates even earlier, through the action of maternally inherited germ plasm. Across vertebrates, migrating PGCs retain a broad developmental potential, regardless of whether they were induced or maternally segregated. In mammals, this potential is indicated by expression of pluripotency factors, and the ability to generate teratomas and pluripotent cell lines. How the germline loses this developmental potential remains unknown. Our genome-wide analyses of embryonic human and mouse germlines reveal a conserved transcriptional program, initiated in PGCs after gonadal colonization, that differentiates germ cells from their germline precursors and from somatic lineages. Through genetic studies in mice and pigs, we demonstrate that one such gonad-induced factor, the RNA-binding protein DAZL, is necessary in vivo to restrict the developmental potential of the germline; DAZL's absence prolongs expression of a Nanog pluripotency reporter, facilitates derivation of pluripotent cell lines, and causes spontaneous gonadal teratomas. Based on these observations in humans, mice, and pigs, we propose that germ cells are determined after gonadal colonization in mammals. We suggest that germ cell determination was induced late in embryogenesis-after organogenesis has begun-in the common ancestor of all vertebrates, as in modern mammals, where this transition is induced by somatic cells of the gonad. We suggest that failure of this process of germ cell determination likely accounts for the origin of human testis cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn Medical School, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Sahin Naqvi
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Yueh-Chiang Hu
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267
| | - Yuting Fan
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510655 Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | | | | | | | - David C Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142;
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142
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26
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Dong C, Fischer LA, Theunissen TW. Recent insights into the naïve state of human pluripotency and its applications. Exp Cell Res 2019; 385:111645. [PMID: 31585117 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has seen significant interest in the isolation of pluripotent stem cells corresponding to various stages of mammalian embryonic development. Two distinct and well-defined pluripotent states can be derived from mouse embryos: "naïve" pluripotent cells with properties of pre-implantation epiblast, and "primed" pluripotent cells, resembling post-implantation epiblast. Prompted by the successful interconversion between these two stem cell states in the mouse system, several groups have devised strategies for inducing a naïve state of pluripotency in human pluripotent stem cells. Here, we review recent insights into the naïve state of human pluripotency, focusing on two methods that confer defining transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures of the pre-implantation embryo. The isolation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells offers a window into early developmental mechanisms that cannot be adequately modeled in primed cells, such as X chromosome reactivation, metabolic reprogramming, and the regulation of hominid-specific transposable elements. We outline key unresolved questions regarding naïve human pluripotency, including its extrinsic and intrinsic control mechanisms, potential for embryonic and extraembryonic differentiation, and general utility as a model system for human development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laura A Fischer
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Early embryogenesis is characterized by the segregation of cell lineages that fulfill critical roles in the establishment of pregnancy and development of the fetus. The formation of the blastocyst marks the emergence of extraembryonic precursors, needed for implantation, and of pluripotent cells, which differentiate toward the major lineages of the adult organism. The coordinated emergence of these cell types shows that these processes are broadly conserved in mammals. However, developmental heterochrony and changes in gene regulatory networks highlight unique evolutionary adaptations that may explain the diversity in placentation and in the mechanisms controlling pluripotency in mammals. The incorporation of new technologies, including single-cell omics, imaging, and gene editing, is instrumental for comparative embryology. Broadening the knowledge of mammalian embryology will provide new insights into the mechanisms driving evolution and development. This knowledge can be readily translated into biomedical and biotechnological applications in humans and livestock, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Alberio
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom;
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28
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Soares MJ, Varberg KM, Iqbal K. Hemochorial placentation: development, function, and adaptations. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:196-211. [PMID: 29481584 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Placentation is a reproductive adaptation that permits fetal growth and development within the protected confines of the female reproductive tract. Through this important role, the placenta also determines postnatal health and susceptibility to disease. The hemochorial placenta is a prominent feature in primate and rodent development. This manuscript provides an overview of the basics of hemochorial placental development and function, provides perspectives on major discoveries that have shaped placental research, and thoughts on strategies for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA and the Center for Perinatal Research, Children΄s Research Institute, Children΄s Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Kaela M Varberg
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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29
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Sybirna A, Wong FCK, Surani MA. Genetic basis for primordial germ cells specification in mouse and human: Conserved and divergent roles of PRDM and SOX transcription factors. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 135:35-89. [PMID: 31155363 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are embryonic precursors of sperm and egg that pass on genetic and epigenetic information from one generation to the next. In mammals, they are induced from a subset of cells in peri-implantation epiblast by BMP signaling from the surrounding tissues. PGCs then initiate a unique developmental program that involves comprehensive epigenetic resetting and repression of somatic genes. This is orchestrated by a set of signaling molecules and transcription factors that promote germ cell identity. Here we review significant findings on mammalian PGC biology, in particular, the genetic basis for PGC specification in mice and human, which has revealed an evolutionary divergence between the two species. We discuss the importance and potential basis for these differences and focus on several examples to illustrate the conserved and divergent roles of critical transcription factors in mouse and human germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya Sybirna
- Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Wellcome Trust/Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - Frederick C K Wong
- Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience Department, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Wellcome Trust/Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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30
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Benchetrit H, Jaber M, Zayat V, Sebban S, Pushett A, Makedonski K, Zakheim Z, Radwan A, Maoz N, Lasry R, Renous N, Inbar M, Ram O, Kaplan T, Buganim Y. Direct Induction of the Three Pre-implantation Blastocyst Cell Types from Fibroblasts. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 24:983-994.e7. [PMID: 31031139 PMCID: PMC6561721 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Following fertilization, totipotent cells undergo asymmetric cell divisions, resulting in three distinct cell types in the late pre-implantation blastocyst: epiblast (Epi), primitive endoderm (PrE), and trophectoderm (TE). Here, we aim to understand whether these three cell types can be induced from fibroblasts by one combination of transcription factors. By utilizing a sophisticated fluorescent knockin reporter system, we identified a combination of five transcription factors, Gata3, Eomes, Tfap2c, Myc, and Esrrb, that can reprogram fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs), and induced extraembryonic endoderm stem cells (iXENs), concomitantly. In-depth transcriptomic, chromatin, and epigenetic analyses provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the reprogramming process toward the three cell types. Mechanistically, we show that the interplay between Esrrb and Eomes during the reprogramming process determines cell fate, where high levels of Esrrb induce a XEN-like state that drives pluripotency and high levels of Eomes drive trophectodermal fate. Gata3, Eomes, Tfap2c, Myc, and Esrrb convert fibroblasts into iPSCs, iTSCs, and iXENs Esrrb, but not other pluripotency genes, can shift the TSC fate into pluripotency Esrrb induces pluripotency by the activation of a unique XEN-like state The interplay between Eomes and Esrrb determines cell fate decision
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Benchetrit
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Mohammad Jaber
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Valery Zayat
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Shulamit Sebban
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Avital Pushett
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Kirill Makedonski
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Zvi Zakheim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Ahmed Radwan
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Noam Maoz
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Rachel Lasry
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Noa Renous
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Michal Inbar
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Oren Ram
- The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Tommy Kaplan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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31
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TFAP2C- and p63-Dependent Networks Sequentially Rearrange Chromatin Landscapes to Drive Human Epidermal Lineage Commitment. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 24:271-284.e8. [PMID: 30686763 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tissue development results from lineage-specific transcription factors (TFs) programming a dynamic chromatin landscape through progressive cell fate transitions. Here, we define epigenomic landscape during epidermal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and create inference networks that integrate gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and TF binding to define regulatory mechanisms during keratinocyte specification. We found two critical chromatin networks during surface ectoderm initiation and keratinocyte maturation, which are driven by TFAP2C and p63, respectively. Consistently, TFAP2C, but not p63, is sufficient to initiate surface ectoderm differentiation, and TFAP2C-initiated progenitor cells are capable of maturing into functional keratinocytes. Mechanistically, TFAP2C primes the surface ectoderm chromatin landscape and induces p63 expression and binding sites, thus allowing maturation factor p63 to positively autoregulate its own expression and close a subset of the TFAP2C-initiated surface ectoderm program. Our work provides a general framework to infer TF networks controlling chromatin transitions that will facilitate future regenerative medicine advances.
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32
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Zhou C, Wang Y, Zhang J, Su J, An Q, Liu X, Zhang M, Wang Y, Liu J, Zhang Y. H3K27me3 is an epigenetic barrier while KDM6A overexpression improves nuclear reprogramming efficiency. FASEB J 2019; 33:4638-4652. [PMID: 30673507 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801887r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic reprogramming is a major factor of developmental failure of cloned embryos. Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), a histone mark for transcriptional repression, plays important roles in mammalian embryonic development and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation. The global loss of H3K27me3 marks may facilitate iPSC generation in mice and humans. However, the H3K27me3 level and its role in bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) reprogramming remain poorly understood. Here, we show that SCNT embryos exhibit global H3K27me3 hypermethylation from the 2- to 8-cell stage and that its removal by ectopically expressed H3K27me3 lysine demethylase (KDM)6A greatly improves nuclear reprogramming efficiency. In contrast, H3K27me3 reduction by H3K27me3 methylase enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex knockdown or donor cell treatment with the enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex-selective inhibitor GSK343 suppressed blastocyst formation by SCNT embryos. KDM6A overexpression enhanced the transcription of genes involved in cell adhesion and cellular metabolism and X-linked genes. Furthermore, we identified methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 3-like 2, which was reactivated by KDM6A, as a factor that is required for effective reprogramming in bovines. These results show that H3K27me3 functions as an epigenetic barrier and that KDM6A overexpression improves SCNT efficiency by facilitating transcriptional reprogramming.-Zhou, C., Wang, Y., Zhang, J., Su, J., An, Q., Liu, X., Zhang, M., Wang, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, Y. H3K27me3 is an epigenetic barrier while KDM6A overexpression improves nuclear reprogramming efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yizhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jianmin Su
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Quanli An
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yongsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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33
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Abstract
Establishing the different lineages of the early mammalian embryo takes place over several days and several rounds of cell divisions from the fertilized egg. The resulting blastocyst contains the pluripotent cells of the epiblast, from which embryonic stem cells can be derived, as well as the extraembryonic lineages required for a mammalian embryo to survive in the uterine environment. The dynamics of the cellular and genetic interactions controlling the initiation and maintenance of these lineages in the mouse embryo are increasingly well understood through application of the tools of single-cell genomics, gene editing, and in vivo imaging. Exploring the similarities and differences between mouse and human development will be essential for translation of these findings into new insights into human biology, derivation of stem cells, and improvements in fertility treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rossant
- Program in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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34
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Hirsch N, Eshel R, Bar Yaacov R, Shahar T, Shmulevich F, Dahan I, Levaot N, Kaplan T, Lupiáñez DG, Birnbaum RY. Unraveling the transcriptional regulation of TWIST1 in limb development. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007738. [PMID: 30372441 PMCID: PMC6233932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor TWIST1 plays a vital role in mesoderm development, particularly in limb and craniofacial formation. Accordingly, haploinsufficiency of TWIST1 can cause limb and craniofacial malformations as part of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. However, the molecular basis of TWIST1 transcriptional regulation during development has yet to be elucidated. Here, we characterized active enhancers in the TWIST1-HDAC9 locus that drive transcription in the developing limb and branchial arches. Using available p300 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq data, we identified 12 enhancer candidates, located both within and outside the coding sequences of the neighboring gene, Histone deacetyase 9 (HDAC9). Using zebrafish and mouse enhancer assays, we showed that eight of these candidates have limb/fin and branchial arch enhancer activity that resemble Twist1 expression. Using 4C-seq, we showed that the Twist1 promoter region interacts with three enhancers (eTw-5, 6, 7) in the limb bud and branchial arch of mouse embryos at day 11.5. Furthermore, we found that two transcription factors, LMX1B and TFAP2, bind these enhancers and modulate their enhancer activity. Finally, using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we showed that homozygous deletion of eTw5-7 enhancers reduced Twist1 expression in the limb bud and caused pre-axial polydactyly, a phenotype observed in Twist1+/- mice. Taken together, our findings reveal that each enhancer has a discrete activity pattern, and together comprise a spatiotemporal regulatory network of Twist1 transcription in the developing limbs/fins and branchial arches. Our study suggests that mutations in TWIST1 enhancers could lead to reduced TWIST1 expression, resulting in phenotypic outcome as seen with TWIST1 coding mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naama Hirsch
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Reut Eshel
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Reut Bar Yaacov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tal Shahar
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Fania Shmulevich
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Idit Dahan
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Noam Levaot
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tommy Kaplan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Darío G. Lupiáñez
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ramon Y. Birnbaum
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Center for Evolutionary Genomics and Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- * E-mail:
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35
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Schwarz BA, Cetinbas M, Clement K, Walsh RM, Cheloufi S, Gu H, Langkabel J, Kamiya A, Schorle H, Meissner A, Sadreyev RI, Hochedlinger K. Prospective Isolation of Poised iPSC Intermediates Reveals Principles of Cellular Reprogramming. Cell Stem Cell 2018; 23:289-305.e5. [PMID: 30017590 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Cellular reprogramming converts differentiated cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, this process is typically very inefficient, complicating mechanistic studies. We identified and molecularly characterized rare, early intermediates poised to reprogram with up to 95% efficiency, without perturbing additional genes or pathways, during iPSC generation from mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Analysis of these cells uncovered transcription factors (e.g., Tfap2c and Bex2) that are important for reprogramming but dispensable for pluripotency maintenance. Additionally, we observed striking patterns of chromatin hyperaccessibility at pluripotency loci, which preceded gene expression in poised intermediates. Finally, inspection of these hyperaccessible regions revealed an early wave of DNA demethylation that is uncoupled from de novo methylation of somatic regions late in reprogramming. Our study underscores the importance of investigating rare intermediates poised to produce iPSCs, provides insights into reprogramming mechanisms, and offers a valuable resource for the dissection of transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics intrinsic to cell fate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Murat Cetinbas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kendell Clement
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ryan M Walsh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Sihem Cheloufi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hongcang Gu
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jan Langkabel
- University of Bonn Medical School, Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Akihide Kamiya
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hubert Schorle
- University of Bonn Medical School, Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ruslan I Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Konrad Hochedlinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cancer Center, and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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36
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TFAP2C regulates transcription in human naive pluripotency by opening enhancers. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 20:553-564. [PMID: 29695788 PMCID: PMC5926822 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Naïve and primed pluripotent hESCs bear transcriptional similarity to pre- and post-implantation epiblast and thus constitute a developmental model for understanding the earliest pluripotent stages in human embryo development. To identify new transcription factors that differentially regulate the unique pluripotent stages, we mapped open chromatin using ATAC-Seq and found enrichment of the AP2 transcription factor binding motif at naïve-specific open chromatin. We determined that the AP2 family member TFAP2C is upregulated during primed to naïve reversion and becomes widespread at naïve-specific enhancers. TFAP2C functions to maintain pluripotency and repress neuroectodermal differentiation during the transition from primed to naïve by facilitating the opening of enhancers proximal to pluripotency factors. Additionally, we identify a previously undiscovered naïve-specific POU5F1 (OCT4) enhancer enriched for TFAP2C binding. Taken together, TFAP2C establishes and maintains naïve human pluripotency and regulates OCT4 expression by mechanisms that are distinct from mouse.
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AP-2ε Expression in Developing Retina: Contributing to the Molecular Diversity of Amacrine Cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3386. [PMID: 29467543 PMCID: PMC5821864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AP-2 transcription factors play important roles in the regulation of gene expression during development. Four of the five members of the AP-2 family (AP-2α, AP-2β, AP-2γ and AP-2δ) have previously been shown to be expressed in developing retina. Mouse knockouts have revealed roles for AP-2α, AP-2β and AP-2δ in retinal cell specification and function. Here, we show that the fifth member of the AP-2 family, AP-2ε, is also expressed in amacrine cells in developing mammalian and chicken retina. Our data indicate that there are considerably fewer AP-2ε-positive cells in the developing mouse retina compared to AP-2α, AP-2β and AP-2γ-positive cells, suggesting a specialized role for AP-2ε in a subset of amacrine cells. AP-2ε, which is restricted to the GABAergic amacrine lineage, is most commonly co-expressed with AP-2α and AP-2β, especially at early stages of retinal development. Co-expression of AP-2ε and AP-2γ increases with differentiation. Analysis of previously published Drop-seq data from single retinal cells supports co-expression of multiple AP-2s in the same cell. Since AP-2s bind to their target sequences as either homodimers or heterodimers, our work suggests spatially- and temporally-coordinated roles for combinations of AP-2 transcription factors in amacrine cells during retinal development.
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Van Otterloo E, Li H, Jones KL, Williams T. AP-2α and AP-2β cooperatively orchestrate homeobox gene expression during branchial arch patterning. Development 2018; 145:dev157438. [PMID: 29229773 PMCID: PMC5825845 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of a hinged moveable jaw with variable morphology is considered a major factor behind the successful expansion of the vertebrates. DLX homeobox transcription factors are crucial for establishing the positional code that patterns the mandible, maxilla and intervening hinge domain, but how the genes encoding these proteins are regulated remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that the concerted action of the AP-2α and AP-2β transcription factors within the mouse neural crest is essential for jaw patterning. In the absence of these two proteins, the hinge domain is lost and there are alterations in the size and patterning of the jaws correlating with dysregulation of homeobox gene expression, with reduced levels of Emx, Msx and Dlx paralogs accompanied by an expansion of Six1 expression. Moreover, detailed analysis of morphological features and gene expression changes indicate significant overlap with various compound Dlx gene mutants. Together, these findings reveal that the AP-2 genes have a major function in mammalian neural crest development, influencing patterning of the craniofacial skeleton via the DLX code, an effect that has implications for vertebrate facial evolution, as well as for human craniofacial disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Van Otterloo
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Transcriptional Regulation and Genes Involved in First Lineage Specification During Preimplantation Development. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2018; 229:31-46. [PMID: 29177763 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63187-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The successful development from a single-cell zygote into a complex multicellular organism requires precise coordination of multiple cell-fate decisions. The very first of these is lineage specification into the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) during mammalian preimplantation development. In mouse embryos, transcription factors (TFs) such as Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog are enriched in cells of ICM, which gives rise to the fetus and yolk sac. Conversely, TFs such as Cdx2 and Eomes become highly upregulated in TE, which contribute to the placenta. Here, we review the current understanding of key transcriptional control mechanisms and genes responsible for these distinct differences during the first cell lineage specification. In particular, we highlight recent insights gained through advances in genome manipulation, live imaging, single-cell transcriptomics, and loss-of-function studies.
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GATA2/3-TFAP2A/C transcription factor network couples human pluripotent stem cell differentiation to trophectoderm with repression of pluripotency. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E9579-E9588. [PMID: 29078328 PMCID: PMC5692555 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708341114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the molecular basis of BMP4-induced differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) toward progeny with trophectoderm characteristics, we produced transcriptome, epigenome H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and CpG methylation maps of trophoblast progenitors, purified using the surface marker APA. We combined them with the temporally resolved transcriptome of the preprogenitor phase and of single APA+ cells. This revealed a circuit of bivalent TFAP2A, TFAP2C, GATA2, and GATA3 transcription factors, coined collectively the "trophectoderm four" (TEtra), which are also present in human trophectoderm in vivo. At the onset of differentiation, the TEtra factors occupy multiple sites in epigenetically inactive placental genes and in OCT4 Functional manipulation of GATA3 and TFAP2A indicated that they directly couple trophoblast-specific gene induction with suppression of pluripotency. In accordance, knocking down GATA3 in primate embryos resulted in a failure to form trophectoderm. The discovery of the TEtra circuit indicates how trophectoderm commitment is regulated in human embryogenesis.
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Latos PA, Hemberger M. From the stem of the placental tree: trophoblast stem cells and their progeny. Development 2017; 143:3650-3660. [PMID: 27802134 DOI: 10.1242/dev.133462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) retain the capacity to self-renew indefinitely and harbour the potential to differentiate into all trophoblast subtypes of the placenta. Recent studies have shown how signalling cascades integrate with transcription factor circuits to govern the fine balance between TSC self-renewal and differentiation. In addition, breakthroughs in reprogramming strategies have enabled the generation of TSCs from fibroblasts, opening up exciting new avenues that may allow the isolation of this stem cell type from other species, notably humans. Here, we review these recent advances in light of their importance for understanding placental pathologies and developing personalised medicine approaches for pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Anna Latos
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.,Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK .,Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
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Nelson AC, Mould AW, Bikoff EK, Robertson EJ. Mapping the chromatin landscape and Blimp1 transcriptional targets that regulate trophoblast differentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6793. [PMID: 28754907 PMCID: PMC5533796 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06859-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) give rise to specialized cell types within the placenta. However, the regulatory mechanisms that guide trophoblast cell fate decisions during placenta development remain ill defined. Here we exploited ATAC-seq and transcriptional profiling strategies to describe dynamic changes in gene expression and chromatin accessibility during TSC differentiation. We detect significantly increased chromatin accessibility at key genes upregulated as TSCs exit from the stem cell state. However, downregulated gene expression is not simply due to the loss of chromatin accessibility in proximal regions. Additionally, transcriptional targets recognized by the zinc finger transcriptional repressor Prdm1/Blimp1, an essential regulator of placenta development, were identified in ChIP-seq experiments. Comparisons with previously reported ChIP-seq datasets for primordial germ cell-like cells and E18.5 small intestine, combined with functional annotation analysis revealed that Blimp1 has broadly shared as well as cell type-specific functional activities unique to the trophoblast lineage. Importantly, Blimp1 not only silences TSC gene expression but also prevents aberrant activation of divergent developmental programmes. Overall the present study provides new insights into the chromatin landscape and Blimp1-dependent regulatory networks governing trophoblast gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Nelson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.,School of Life Sciences, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Arne W Mould
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Elizabeth K Bikoff
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Elizabeth J Robertson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
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Baines K, Renaud S. Transcription Factors That Regulate Trophoblast Development and Function. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 145:39-88. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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44
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Tang WWC, Kobayashi T, Irie N, Dietmann S, Surani MA. Specification and epigenetic programming of the human germ line. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 17:585-600. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Li X, Gaillard F, Monckton EA, Glubrecht DD, Persad ARL, Moser M, Sauvé Y, Godbout R. Loss of AP-2delta reduces retinal ganglion cell numbers and axonal projections to the superior colliculus. Mol Brain 2016; 9:62. [PMID: 27259519 PMCID: PMC4893287 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0244-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background AP-2δ is the most divergent member of the Activating Protein-2 (TFAP2) family of transcription factors. AP-2δ is restricted to specific regions of the CNS, including a subset of ganglion cells in the retina. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the only output neurons of the retina, are responsible for transmitting the visual signal to the brain. Results AP-2δ knockout results in loss of Brn3c (Pou4f3) expression in AP-2δ -positive RGCs. While AP-2δ-/- mice have morphologically normal retinas at birth, there is a significant reduction in retinal ganglion cell numbers by P21, after eye opening. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicates that Brn3c is a target of AP-2δ in the retina. Using fluorochrome-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B to trace ganglion cell axons from the eye to the major visual pathways in the brain, we found 87 % and 32 % decreases in ipsilateral and contralateral projections, respectively, to the superior colliculus in AP-2δ-/- mice. In agreement with anatomical data, visually evoked responses recorded from the brain confirmed that retinal outputs to the brain are compromised. Conclusions AP-2δ is important for the maintenance of ganglion cell numbers in the retina. Loss of AP-2δ alters retinal axonal projections to visual centers of the brain, with ipsilaterial projections to the superior colliculus being the most dramatically affected. Our results have important implications for integration of the visual signal at the superior colliculus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0244-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Li
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Frédéric Gaillard
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Elizabeth A Monckton
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Darryl D Glubrecht
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Amit R L Persad
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Markus Moser
- Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yves Sauvé
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Roseline Godbout
- Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1Z2, Canada.
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Choi I, Carey TS, Wilson CA, Knott JG. Transcription factor AP-2γ is a core regulator of tight junction biogenesis and cavity formation during mouse early embryogenesis. Development 2016; 139:4623-32. [PMID: 23136388 DOI: 10.1242/dev.086645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The trophectoderm epithelium is the first differentiated cell layer to arise during mammalian development. Blastocyst formation requires the proper expression and localization of tight junction, polarity, ion gradient and H2O channel proteins in the outer cell membranes. However, the underlying transcriptional mechanisms that control their expression are largely unknown. Here, we report that transcription factor AP-2γ (Tcfap2c) is a core regulator of blastocyst formation in mice. Bioinformatics, chromatin immunoprecipitation and transcriptional analysis revealed that Tcfap2c binds and regulates a diverse group of genes expressed during blastocyst formation. RNA interference experiments demonstrated that Tcfap2c regulates genes important for tight junctions, cell polarity and fluid accumulation. Functional and ultrastructural studies revealed that Tcfap2c is necessary for tight junction assembly and paracellular sealing in trophectoderm epithelium. Aggregation of control eight-cell embryos with Tcfap2c knockdown embryos rescued blastocyst formation via direct contribution to the trophectoderm epithelium. Finally, we found that Tcfap2c promotes cellular proliferation via direct repression of p21 transcription during the morula-to-blastocyst transition. We propose a model in which Tcfap2c acts in a hierarchy to facilitate blastocyst formation through transcriptional regulation of core genes involved in tight junction assembly, fluid accumulation and cellular proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inchul Choi
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Abstract
During mammalian embryonic development, the trophectoderm and primitive endoderm give rise to extraembryonic tissues, while the epiblast differentiates into all somatic lineages and the germline. Remarkably, only a few classes of signaling pathways induce the differentiation of these progenitor cells into diverse lineages. Accordingly, the functional outcome of a particular signal depends on the developmental competence of the target cells. Thus, developmental competence can be defined as the ability of a cell to integrate intrinsic and extrinsic cues to execute a specific developmental program toward a specific cell fate. Downstream of signaling, there is the combinatorial activity of transcription factors and their cofactors, which is modulated by the chromatin state of the target cells. Here, we discuss the concept of developmental competence, and the factors that regulate this state with reference to the specification of mammalian primordial germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ufuk Günesdogan
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| | - M Azim Surani
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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A Resource for the Transcriptional Signature of Bona Fide Trophoblast Stem Cells and Analysis of Their Embryonic Persistence. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2015:218518. [PMID: 26783396 PMCID: PMC4691490 DOI: 10.1155/2015/218518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) represent the multipotent progenitors that give rise to the different cells of the embryonic portion of the placenta. Here, we analysed the expression of key TSC transcription factors Cdx2, Eomes, and Elf5 in the early developing placenta of mouse embryos and in cultured TSCs and reveal surprising heterogeneity in protein levels. We analysed persistence of TSCs in the early placenta and find that TSCs remain in the chorionic hinge until E9.5 and are lost shortly afterwards. To define the transcriptional signature of bona fide TSCs, we used inducible gain- and loss-of-function alleles of Eomes or Cdx2, and EomesGFP, to manipulate and monitor the core maintenance factors of TSCs, followed by genome-wide expression profiling. Combinatorial analysis of resulting expression profiles allowed for defining novel TSC marker genes that might functionally contribute to the maintenance of the TSC state. Analyses by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridisation validated novel TSC- and chorion-specific marker genes, such as Bok/Mtd, Cldn26, Duox2, Duoxa2, Nr0b1, and Sox21. Thus, these expression data provide a valuable resource for the transcriptional signature of bona fide and early differentiating TSCs and may contribute to an increased understanding of the transcriptional circuitries that maintain and/or establish stemness of TSCs.
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Gerovska D, Araúzo-Bravo MJ. Does mouse embryo primordial germ cell activation start before implantation as suggested by single-cell transcriptomics dynamics? Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 22:208-25. [PMID: 26740066 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY HYPOTHESIS Does primordial germ cell (PGC) activation start before mouse embryo implantation, and does the possible regulation of the DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 3-like (Dnmt3l) by transcription factor AP-2, gamma (TCFAP2C) have a role in this activation and in the primitive endoderm (PE)-epiblast (EPI) lineage specification? STUDY FINDING A burst of expression of PGC markers, such as Dppa3/Stella, Ifitm2/Fragilis, Fkbp6 and Prdm4, is observed from embryonic day (E) 3.25, and some of them, together with the late germ cell markers Zp3, Mcf2 and Morc1, become restricted to the EPI subpopulation at E4.5, while the dynamics analysis of the PE-EPI transitions in the single-cell data suggests that TCFAP2C transitorily represses Dnmt3l in EPI cells at E3.5 and such repression is withdrawn with reactivation of Dnmt3l expression in PE and EPI cells at E4.5. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In the mouse preimplantation embryo, cells with the same phenotype take different fates based on the orchestration between topological clues (cell polarity, positional history and division orientation) and gene regulatory rules (at transcriptomics and epigenomics level), prompting the proposal of positional, stochastic and combined models explaining the specification mechanism. PGC specification starts at E6.0-6.5 post-implantation. In view of the important role of DNA methylation in developmental events, the cross-talk between some transcription factors and DNA methyltransferases is of particular relevance. TCFAP2C has a CpG DNA methylation motif that is not methylated in pluripotent cells and that could potentially bind on DNMT3L, the stimulatory DNA methyltransferase co-factor that assists in the process of de novo DNA methylation. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation analysis has demonstrated that Dnmt3l is indeed a target of TCFAP2C. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS We aimed to assess the timing of early preimplantation events and to understand better the segregation of the inner cell mass (ICM) into PE and EPI. We designed a single-cell transcriptomics dynamics computational study to identify markers of the PE-EPI bifurcation in ICM cells through searching for statistically significant (using the Student's t-test method) differently expressed genes (DEGs) between PE and EPI cells from E3.5 to E4.5. The DEGs common for E3.5 and E4.5 were used as the markers defining the steady states. We collected microarray and next-generation sequencing transcriptomics data from public databases from bulk populations and single cells from mice at E3.25, E3.5 and E4.5. The results are based on three independent single-cell transcriptomics data sets, with a fold change of 3 and P-value <0.01 for the DEG selection. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The dynamics analysis revealed new transitory E3.5 and steady PE and EPI markers. Among the transitory E3.5 PE markers (Dnmt3l, Dusp4, Cpne8, Akap13, Dcaf12l1, Aaed1, B4galt6, BC100530, Rnpc3, Tfpi, Lgalsl, Ckap4 and Fbxl20), several (Dusp4, Akap13, Cpn8, Dcaf12l1 and Tfpi) are related to the extracellular regulated kinase pathway. We also identified new transitory E3.5 EPI markers (Sgk1, Mal, Ubxn2a, Atg16l2, Gm13102, Tcfap2c, Hexb, Slc1a1, Svip, Liph and Mier3), six new stable PE markers (Sdc4, Cpn1, Dkk1, Havcr1, F2r/Par1 and Slc7a6os) as well as three new stable EPI markers (Zp3, Mcf2 and Hexb), which are known to be late stage germ cell markers. We found that mouse PGC marker activation starts at least at E3.25 preimplantation. The transcriptomics dynamics analyses support the regulation of Dnmt3l expression by TCFAP2C. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Since the regulation of Dnmt3l by TCFAP2C is based on computational prediction of DNA methylation motifs, Chip-Seq and transcriptomics data, functional studies are required to validate this result. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We identified a collection of previously undescribed E3.5-specific PE and EPI markers, and new steady PE and EPI markers. Identification of these genes, many of which encode cell membrane proteins, will facilitate the isolation and characterization of early PE and EPI populations. Since it is so well established in the literature that mouse PGC specification is a post-implantation event, it was surprising for us to see activation of PGC markers as early as E3.25 preimplantation, and identify the newly found steady EPI markers as late germ cell markers. The discovery of such early activation of PGC markers has important implications in the derivation of germ cells from pluripotent cells (embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells), since the initial stages of such derivation resemble early development. The early activation of PGC markers points out the difficulty of separating PGC cells from pluripotent populations. Collectively, our results suggest that the combining of the precision of single-cell omics data with dynamic analysis of time-series data can establish the timing of some developmental stages as earlier than previously thought. LARGE-SCALE DATA Not applicable. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by grants DFG15/14 and DFG15/020 from Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa (Spain), and grant II14/00016 from I + D + I National Plan 2013-2016 (Spain) and FEDER funds. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Gerovska
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián - Donostia, Spain
| | - Marcos J Araúzo-Bravo
- Group of Computational Biology and Systems Biomedicine, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Calle Doctor Beguiristain s/n, 20014 San Sebastián - Donostia, Spain IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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50
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Sharma N, Kubaczka C, Kaiser S, Nettersheim D, Mughal SS, Riesenberg S, Hölzel M, Winterhager E, Schorle H. Tpbpa mediated deletion of Tfap2c leads to deregulation of MAPK, P21, AKT and subsequent placental growth arrest. Development 2016; 143:787-98. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.128553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Loss of Tfap2c leads to developmental defects in the extra-embryonic compartment with embryonic lethality at E7.5. To investigate requirement of Tfap2c in later placental development, deletion of Tfap2c was induced throughout extra-embryonic ectoderm at E6.5 leading to severe placental abnormalities caused by reduced trophoblast population resulting in embryonic retardation by E8.5. Deletion of Tfap2c in Tpbpa+ progenitors at E8.5 results in growth arrest of junctional zone. TFAP2C regulates its target genes p21/Cdkn1a and Dusp6, involved in repression of MAPK signaling. Loss of TFAP2C reduces activation of ERK1/2 in the placenta. Downregulation of Akt and reduced activation of pAKT in the mutant placenta are accompanied by impaired glycogen synthesis. Loss of Tfap2c led to upregulation of imprinted gene H19 and downregulation of Tex19.1 and Ascl2. The placental insufficiency post E16.5 causes fetal growth restriction with 19% lighter mutant pups. TFAP2C knockdown in human trophoblast choriocarcinoma JAr cells inhibited MAPK and AKT signaling. Thus, we present a model where Tfap2c in trophoblasts controls proliferation by repressing P21 and activating MAPK pathway and further supporting differentiation of glycogen cells via activating Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sharma
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Caroline Kubaczka
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kaiser
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Nettersheim
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Sadaf S. Mughal
- Div. Applied Bioinformatics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Riesenberg
- Unit of RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Unit of RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany
| | - Elke Winterhager
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Developmental Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany
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