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Stassen SV, Kobashi M, Lam EY, Huang Y, Ho JWK, Tsia KK. StaVia: spatially and temporally aware cartography with higher-order random walks for cell atlases. Genome Biol 2024; 25:224. [PMID: 39152459 PMCID: PMC11328412 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03347-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell atlases pose daunting computational challenges pertaining to the integration of spatial and temporal information and the visualization of trajectories across large atlases. We introduce StaVia, a computational framework that synergizes multi-faceted single-cell data with higher-order random walks that leverage the memory of cells' past states, fused with a cartographic Atlas View that offers intuitive graph visualization. This spatially aware cartography captures relationships between cell populations based on their spatial location as well as their gene expression and developmental stage. We demonstrate this using zebrafish gastrulation data, underscoring its potential to dissect complex biological landscapes in both spatial and temporal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobana V Stassen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Minato Kobashi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Edmund Y Lam
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Joshua W K Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Kevin K Tsia
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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2
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Warin J, Vedrenne N, Tam V, Zhu M, Yin D, Lin X, Guidoux-D’halluin B, Humeau A, Roseiro L, Paillat L, Chédeville C, Chariau C, Riemers F, Templin M, Guicheux J, Tryfonidou MA, Ho JW, David L, Chan D, Camus A. In vitro and in vivo models define a molecular signature reference for human embryonic notochordal cells. iScience 2024; 27:109018. [PMID: 38357665 PMCID: PMC10865399 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the emergence of human notochordal cells (NC) is essential for the development of regenerative approaches. We present a comprehensive investigation into the specification and generation of bona fide NC using a straightforward pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based system benchmarked with human fetal notochord. By integrating in vitro and in vivo transcriptomic data at single-cell resolution, we establish an extended molecular signature and overcome the limitations associated with studying human notochordal lineage at early developmental stages. We show that TGF-β inhibition enhances the yield and homogeneity of notochordal lineage commitment in vitro. Furthermore, this study characterizes regulators of cell-fate decision and matrisome enriched in the notochordal niche. Importantly, we identify specific cell-surface markers opening avenues for differentiation refinement, NC purification, and functional studies. Altogether, this study provides a human notochord transcriptomic reference that will serve as a resource for notochord identification in human systems, diseased-tissues modeling, and facilitating future biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Warin
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Vedrenne
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
- Inserm, Univ. Limoges, Pharmacology & Transplantation, U1248, CHU Limoges, Service de Pharmacologie, toxicologie et pharmacovigilance, FHU SUPORT, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Vivian Tam
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mengxia Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Danqing Yin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xinyi Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bluwen Guidoux-D’halluin
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Antoine Humeau
- Inserm, Univ. Limoges, Pharmacology & Transplantation, U1248, CHU Limoges, Service de Pharmacologie, toxicologie et pharmacovigilance, FHU SUPORT, 87000 Limoges, France
| | - Luce Roseiro
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Lily Paillat
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Claire Chédeville
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Caroline Chariau
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Frank Riemers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Markus Templin
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute, Markwiesenstraße 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Jérôme Guicheux
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Marianna A. Tryfonidou
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua W.K. Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, 44000 Nantes, France
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Danny Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anne Camus
- Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, Inserm, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS, UMR 1229, 44000 Nantes, France
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3
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Cooper F, Souilhol C, Haston S, Gray S, Boswell K, Gogolou A, Frith TJR, Stavish D, James BM, Bose D, Kim Dale J, Tsakiridis A. Notch signalling influences cell fate decisions and HOX gene induction in axial progenitors. Development 2024; 151:dev202098. [PMID: 38223992 PMCID: PMC10911136 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The generation of the post-cranial embryonic body relies on the coordinated production of spinal cord neurectoderm and presomitic mesoderm cells from neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs). This process is orchestrated by pro-neural and pro-mesodermal transcription factors that are co-expressed in NMPs together with Hox genes, which are essential for axial allocation of NMP derivatives. NMPs reside in a posterior growth region, which is marked by the expression of Wnt, FGF and Notch signalling components. Although the importance of Wnt and FGF in influencing the induction and differentiation of NMPs is well established, the precise role of Notch remains unclear. Here, we show that the Wnt/FGF-driven induction of NMPs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) relies on Notch signalling. Using hESC-derived NMPs and chick embryo grafting, we demonstrate that Notch directs a pro-mesodermal character at the expense of neural fate. We show that Notch also contributes to activation of HOX gene expression in human NMPs, partly in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Finally, we provide evidence that Notch exerts its effects via the establishment of a negative-feedback loop with FGF signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay Cooper
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Celine Souilhol
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
| | - Scott Haston
- Developmental Biology and Cancer, Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Shona Gray
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Katy Boswell
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Antigoni Gogolou
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Thomas J. R. Frith
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Dylan Stavish
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Bethany M. James
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Daniel Bose
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Jacqueline Kim Dale
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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4
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Busby L, Serrano Nájera G, Steventon BJ. Intrinsic and extrinsic cues time somite progenitor contribution to the vertebrate primary body axis. eLife 2024; 13:e90499. [PMID: 38193440 PMCID: PMC10834026 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90499] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development, the timing of events at the cellular level must be coordinated across multiple length scales to ensure the formation of a well-proportioned body plan. This is clear during somitogenesis, where progenitors must be allocated to the axis over time whilst maintaining a progenitor population for continued elaboration of the body plan. However, the relative importance of intrinsic and extrinsic signals in timing progenitor addition at the single-cell level is not yet understood. Heterochronic grafts from older to younger embryos have suggested a level of intrinsic timing whereby later staged cells contribute to more posterior portions of the axis. To determine the precise step at which cells are delayed, we performed single-cell transcriptomic analysis on heterochronic grafts of somite progenitors in the chicken embryo. This revealed a previously undescribed cell state within which heterochronic grafted cells are stalled. The delayed exit of older cells from this state correlates with expression of posterior Hox genes. Using grafting and explant culture, we find that both Hox gene expression and the migratory capabilities of progenitor populations are intrinsically regulated at the population level. However, by grafting varied sizes of tissue, we find that small heterochronic grafts disperse more readily and contribute to more anterior portions of the body axis while still maintaining Hox gene expression. This enhanced dispersion is not replicated in explant culture, suggesting that it is a consequence of interaction between host and donor tissue and thus extrinsic to the donor tissue. Therefore, we demonstrate that the timing of cell dispersion and resulting axis contribution is impacted by a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Busby
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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5
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Schifferl D, Scholze-Wittler M, Villaronga Luque A, Pustet M, Wittler L, Veenvliet JV, Koch F, Herrmann BG. Genome-wide identification of notochord enhancers comprising the regulatory landscape of the brachyury locus in mouse. Development 2023; 150:dev202111. [PMID: 37882764 PMCID: PMC10651091 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202111] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The node and notochord are important signaling centers organizing the dorso-ventral patterning of cells arising from neuro-mesodermal progenitors forming the embryonic body anlage. Owing to the scarcity of notochord progenitors and notochord cells, a comprehensive identification of regulatory elements driving notochord-specific gene expression has been lacking. Here, we have used ATAC-seq analysis of FACS-purified notochord cells from Theiler stage 12-13 mouse embryos to identify 8921 putative notochord enhancers. In addition, we established a new model for generating notochord-like cells in culture, and found 3728 of these enhancers occupied by the essential notochord control factors brachyury (T) and/or Foxa2. We describe the regulatory landscape of the T locus, comprising ten putative enhancers occupied by these factors, and confirmed the regulatory activity of three of these elements. Moreover, we characterized seven new elements by knockout analysis in embryos and identified one new notochord enhancer, termed TNE2. TNE2 cooperates with TNE in the trunk notochord, and is essential for notochord differentiation in the tail. Our data reveal an essential role of Foxa2 in directing T-expressing cells towards the notochord lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schifferl
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Scholze-Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alba Villaronga Luque
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Milena Pustet
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesse V Veenvliet
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederic Koch
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard G Herrmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Lozovska A, Nóvoa A, Kuo YY, Jurberg AD, Martins GG, Hadjantonakis AK, Mallo M. Tgfbr1 regulates lateral plate mesoderm and endoderm reorganization during the trunk to tail transition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.22.554351. [PMID: 37662386 PMCID: PMC10473653 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
During the trunk to tail transition the mammalian embryo builds the outlets for the intestinal and urogenital tracts, lays down the primordia for the hindlimb and external genitalia, and switches from the epiblast/primitive streak to the tailbud as the driver of axial extension. Genetic and molecular data indicate that Tgfbr1 is a key regulator of the trunk to tail transition. Tgfbr1 has been shown to control the switch of the neuro mesodermal-competent cells from the epiblast to the chordo-neural hinge to generate the tail bud. We now show that Tgfbr1 signaling also controls the remodeling of the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) and of the embryonic endoderm associated with the trunk to tail transition. In the absence of Tgfbr1 the two LPM layers do not converge at the end of the trunk, extending instead as separate layers enclosing the celomic cavity until the caudal embryonic extremity, and failing to activate markers of primordia for the hindlimb and external genitalia. However, this extended LPM, does not exhibit the molecular signatures characteristic of this tissue in the trunk. The vascular remodeling involving the dorsal aorta and the umbilical artery leading to the connection between embryonic and extraembryonic circulation was also affected in the Tgfbr1 mutant embryos. Similar alterations in the LPM and vascular system were also observed in Isl1 null mutants, indicating that this factor acts in the regulatory cascade downstream of Tgfbr1 in LPM-derived tissues. In addition, in the absence of Tgfbr1 the embryonic endoderm fails to expand to form the endodermal cloaca and to extend posteriorly to generate the tail gut. We present evidence suggesting that the remodeling activity of Tgfbr1 in the LPM and endoderm results from the control of the posterior primitive streak fate after its regression during the trunk to tail transition. Our data, together with previously reported observations, place Tgfbr1 at the top of the regulatory processes controlling the trunk to tail transition.
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7
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Williams RJ, Laagland LT, Bach FC, Ward L, Chan W, Tam V, Medzikovic A, Basatvat S, Paillat L, Vedrenne N, Snuggs JW, Poramba-Liyanage DW, Hoyland JA, Chan D, Camus A, Richardson SM, Tryfonidou MA, Le Maitre CL. Recommendations for intervertebral disc notochordal cell investigation: From isolation to characterization. JOR Spine 2023; 6:e1272. [PMID: 37780826 PMCID: PMC10540834 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lineage-tracing experiments have established that the central region of the mature intervertebral disc, the nucleus pulposus (NP), develops from the embryonic structure called "the notochord". However, changes in the cells derived from the notochord which form the NP (i.e., notochordal cells [NCs]), in terms of their phenotype and functional identity from early developmental stages to skeletal maturation are less understood. These key issues require further investigation to better comprehend the role of NCs in homeostasis and degeneration as well as their potential for regeneration. Progress in utilizing NCs is currently hampered due to poor consistency and lack of consensus methodology for in vitro NC extraction, manipulation, and characterization. Methods Here, an international group has come together to provide key recommendations and methodologies for NC isolation within key species, numeration, in vitro manipulation and culture, and characterization. Results Recommeded protocols are provided for isolation and culture of NCs. Experimental testing provided recommended methodology for numeration of NCs. The issues of cryopreservation are demonstrated, and a pannel of immunohistochemical markers are provided to inform NC characterization. Conclusions Together we hope this article provides a road map for in vitro studies of NCs to support advances in research into NC physiology and their potential in regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Williams
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism Medical School, The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield UK
| | - Lisanne T Laagland
- Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Frances C Bach
- Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Lizzy Ward
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health The University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Wilson Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong China
| | - Vivian Tam
- School of Biomedical Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong China
| | - Adel Medzikovic
- Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Shaghayegh Basatvat
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism Medical School, The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield UK
| | - Lily Paillat
- Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, INSERM, UMR 1229 Nantes France
| | - Nicolas Vedrenne
- Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, INSERM, UMR 1229 Nantes France
| | - Joseph W Snuggs
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism Medical School, The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield UK
| | - Deepani W Poramba-Liyanage
- Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Judith A Hoyland
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health The University of Manchester Manchester UK
- NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Central Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre Manchester UK
| | - Danny Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong China
| | - Anne Camus
- Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, RMeS Nantes Université, Oniris, CHU Nantes, INSERM, UMR 1229 Nantes France
| | - Stephen M Richardson
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health The University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Marianna A Tryfonidou
- Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Christine L Le Maitre
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism Medical School, The University of Sheffield Sheffield UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield UK
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8
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Hatakeyama Y, Saito N, Mii Y, Takada R, Shinozuka T, Takemoto T, Naoki H, Takada S. Intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands reduces cell population heterogeneity during embryogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1924. [PMID: 37024462 PMCID: PMC10079677 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37350-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is required to maintain bipotent progenitors for neural and paraxial mesoderm cells, the neuromesodermal progenitor (NMP) cells that reside in the epiblast and tailbud. Since epiblast/tailbud cells receive Wnt ligands produced by one another, this exchange may average out the heterogeneity of Wnt signaling levels among these cells. Here, we examined this possibility by replacing endogenous Wnt3a with a receptor-fused form that activates signaling in producing cells, but not in neighboring cells. Mutant mouse embryos show a unique phenotype in which maintenance of many NMP cells is impaired, although some cells persist for long periods. The epiblast cell population of these embryos increases heterogeneity in Wnt signaling levels as embryogenesis progresses and are sensitive to retinoic acid, an endogenous antagonist of NMP maintenance. Thus, mutual intercellular exchange of Wnt ligands in the epiblast cell population reduces heterogeneity and achieves robustness to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Hatakeyama
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Nen Saito
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8511, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Mii
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- PREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Takada
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Takuma Shinozuka
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Takemoto
- Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-5 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Tokushima, 770-8503, Japan
| | - Honda Naoki
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8511, Japan
| | - Shinji Takada
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
- The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), 5-1 Higashiyama, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan.
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9
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Chang YC, Manent J, Schroeder J, Wong SFL, Hauswirth GM, Shylo NA, Moore EL, Achilleos A, Garside V, Polo JM, Trainor P, McGlinn E. Nr6a1 controls Hox expression dynamics and is a master regulator of vertebrate trunk development. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7766. [PMID: 36522318 PMCID: PMC9755267 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate main-body axis is laid down during embryonic stages in an anterior-to-posterior (head-to-tail) direction, driven and supplied by posteriorly located progenitors. Whilst posterior expansion and segmentation appears broadly uniform along the axis, there is developmental and evolutionary support for at least two discrete modules controlling processes within different axial regions: a trunk and a tail module. Here, we identify Nuclear receptor subfamily 6 group A member 1 (Nr6a1) as a master regulator of trunk development in the mouse. Specifically, Nr6a1 was found to control vertebral number and segmentation of the trunk region, autonomously from other axial regions. Moreover, Nr6a1 was essential for the timely progression of Hox signatures, and neural versus mesodermal cell fate choice, within axial progenitors. Collectively, Nr6a1 has an axially-restricted role in all major cellular and tissue-level events required for vertebral column formation, supporting the view that changes in Nr6a1 levels may underlie evolutionary changes in axial formulae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Cheng Chang
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Jan Manent
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Jan Schroeder
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC Australia
| | - Siew Fen Lisa Wong
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Gabriel M. Hauswirth
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Natalia A. Shylo
- grid.250820.d0000 0000 9420 1591Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri USA
| | - Emma L. Moore
- grid.250820.d0000 0000 9420 1591Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri USA
| | - Annita Achilleos
- grid.250820.d0000 0000 9420 1591Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri USA ,grid.413056.50000 0004 0383 4764University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Victoria Garside
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, VIC Australia
| | - Paul Trainor
- grid.250820.d0000 0000 9420 1591Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri USA ,grid.412016.00000 0001 2177 6375Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas USA
| | - Edwina McGlinn
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857EMBL Australia, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800 Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia
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10
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Solovieva T, Lu HC, Moverley A, Plachta N, Stern CD. The embryonic node behaves as an instructive stem cell niche for axial elongation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022. [PMID: 35101917 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.10.376913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In warm-blooded vertebrate embryos (mammals and birds), the axial tissues of the body form from a growth zone at the tail end, Hensen's node, which generates neural, mesodermal, and endodermal structures along the midline. While most cells only pass through this region, the node has been suggested to contain a small population of resident stem cells. However, it is unknown whether the rest of the node constitutes an instructive niche that specifies this self-renewal behavior. Here, we use heterotopic transplantation of groups and single cells and show that cells not destined to enter the node can become resident and self-renew. Long-term resident cells are restricted to the posterior part of the node and single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals that the majority of these resident cells preferentially express G2/M phase cell-cycle-related genes. These results provide strong evidence that the node functions as a niche to maintain self-renewal of axial progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Solovieva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom
| | - Hui-Chun Lu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Moverley
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, A*STAR, 138673 Proteos, Singapore
| | - Nicolas Plachta
- Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, A*STAR, 138673 Proteos, Singapore
| | - Claudio D Stern
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom;
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11
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The embryonic node behaves as an instructive stem cell niche for axial elongation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2108935119. [PMID: 35101917 PMCID: PMC8812687 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2108935119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that the amniote node (Hensen’s node) contains a small population of self-renewing resident cells whose progeny progressively lay down axial tissues, including notochord and somites. This can only be demonstrated definitively at the level of single cells. Here we ask whether the node is an environment that can confer this behavior on cells that enter it. We challenge single cells in vivo and mRNA-profile these cells to demonstrate that the node can indeed do this, and thus show that the node acts as an instructive niche. In warm-blooded vertebrate embryos (mammals and birds), the axial tissues of the body form from a growth zone at the tail end, Hensen’s node, which generates neural, mesodermal, and endodermal structures along the midline. While most cells only pass through this region, the node has been suggested to contain a small population of resident stem cells. However, it is unknown whether the rest of the node constitutes an instructive niche that specifies this self-renewal behavior. Here, we use heterotopic transplantation of groups and single cells and show that cells not destined to enter the node can become resident and self-renew. Long-term resident cells are restricted to the posterior part of the node and single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals that the majority of these resident cells preferentially express G2/M phase cell-cycle–related genes. These results provide strong evidence that the node functions as a niche to maintain self-renewal of axial progenitors.
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12
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Abstract
The vertebral column of individual mammalian species often exhibits remarkable robustness in the number and identity of vertebral elements that form (known as axial formulae). The genetic mechanism(s) underlying this constraint however remain ill-defined. Here, we reveal the interplay of three regulatory pathways (Gdf11, miR-196 and Retinoic acid) is essential in constraining total vertebral number and regional axial identity in the mouse, from cervical through to tail vertebrae. All three pathways have differing control over Hox cluster expression, with heterochronic and quantitative changes found to parallel changes in axial identity. However, our work reveals an additional role for Hox genes in supporting axial elongation within the tail region, providing important support for an emerging view that mammalian Hox function is not limited to imparting positional identity as the mammalian body plan is laid down. More broadly, this work provides a molecular framework to interrogate mechanisms of evolutionary change and congenital anomalies of the vertebral column. Vertebral column length and shape exhibits remarkable robustness within a species but diversity across species. Here the authors reveal the molecular logic constraining vertebral number in mouse and a novel role for posterior Hox genes in this context.
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13
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Schifferl D, Scholze-Wittler M, Wittler L, Veenvliet JV, Koch F, Herrmann BG. A 37 kb region upstream of brachyury comprising a notochord enhancer is essential for notochord and tail development. Development 2021; 148:273520. [PMID: 34822716 PMCID: PMC8722351 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The node-streak border region comprising notochord progenitor cells (NPCs) at the posterior node and neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells (NMPs) in the adjacent epiblast is the prime organizing center for axial elongation in mouse embryos. The T-box transcription factor brachyury (T) is essential for both formation of the notochord and maintenance of NMPs, and thus is a key regulator of trunk and tail development. The T promoter controlling T expression in NMPs and nascent mesoderm has been characterized in detail; however, control elements for T expression in the notochord have not been identified yet. We have generated a series of deletion alleles by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mESCs, and analyzed their effects in mutant mouse embryos. We identified a 37 kb region upstream of T that is essential for notochord function and tailbud outgrowth. Within that region, we discovered a T-binding enhancer required for notochord cell specification and differentiation. Our data reveal a complex regulatory landscape controlling cell type-specific expression and function of T in NMP/nascent mesoderm and node/notochord, allowing proper trunk and tail development. Summary: Genetic dissection of the mouse brachyury locus identifies a notochord enhancer and predicts additional control elements essential for trunk and tail development of the mouse embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schifferl
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Scholze-Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesse V Veenvliet
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederic Koch
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard G Herrmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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14
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A TALE/HOX code unlocks WNT signalling response towards paraxial mesoderm. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5136. [PMID: 34446717 PMCID: PMC8390530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25370-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
One fundamental yet unresolved question in biology remains how cells interpret the same signalling cues in a context-dependent manner resulting in lineage specification. A key step for decoding signalling cues is the establishment of a permissive chromatin environment at lineage-specific genes triggering transcriptional responses to inductive signals. For instance, bipotent neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) are equipped with a WNT-decoding module, which relies on TCFs/LEF activity to sustain both NMP expansion and paraxial mesoderm differentiation. However, how WNT signalling activates lineage specific genes in a temporal manner remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that paraxial mesoderm induction relies on the TALE/HOX combinatorial activity that simultaneously represses NMP genes and activates the differentiation program. We identify the BRACHYURY-TALE/HOX code that destabilizes the nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions and establishes the permissive chromatin landscape for de novo recruitment of the WNT-effector LEF1, unlocking the WNT-mediated transcriptional program that drives NMPs towards the paraxial mesodermal fate. Cells in the developing embryo interpret WNT signalling with context-dependence, but the mechanism decoding these cues is unclear. Here, the authors show that combinatorial TALE/HOX activity destabilizes nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions to activate paraxial mesodermal genes.
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15
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Weterings SDC, van Oostrom MJ, Sonnen KF. Building bridges between fields: bringing together development and homeostasis. Development 2021; 148:270964. [PMID: 34279592 PMCID: PMC8326920 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite striking parallels between the fields of developmental biology and adult tissue homeostasis, these are disconnected in contemporary research. Although development describes tissue generation and homeostasis describes tissue maintenance, it is the balance between stem cell proliferation and differentiation that coordinates both processes. Upstream signalling regulates this balance to achieve the required outcome at the population level. Both development and homeostasis require tight regulation of stem cells at the single-cell level and establishment of patterns at the tissue-wide level. Here, we emphasize that the general principles of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis are similar, and argue that interactions between these disciplines will be beneficial for both research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja D C Weterings
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marek J van Oostrom
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Katharina F Sonnen
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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16
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Guillot C, Djeffal Y, Michaut A, Rabe B, Pourquié O. Dynamics of primitive streak regression controls the fate of neuromesodermal progenitors in the chicken embryo. eLife 2021; 10:64819. [PMID: 34227938 PMCID: PMC8260230 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In classical descriptions of vertebrate development, the segregation of the three embryonic germ layers completes by the end of gastrulation. Body formation then proceeds in a head to tail fashion by progressive deposition of lineage-committed progenitors during regression of the primitive streak (PS) and tail bud (TB). The identification by retrospective clonal analysis of a population of neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) contributing to both musculoskeletal precursors (paraxial mesoderm) and spinal cord during axis formation challenged these notions. However, classical fate mapping studies of the PS region in amniotes have so far failed to provide direct evidence for such bipotential cells at the single-cell level. Here, using lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing in the chicken embryo, we identify a resident cell population of the anterior PS epiblast, which contributes to neural and mesodermal lineages in trunk and tail. These cells initially behave as monopotent progenitors as classically described and only acquire a bipotential fate later, in more posterior regions. We show that NMPs exhibit a conserved transcriptomic signature during axis elongation but lose their epithelial characteristicsin the TB. Posterior to anterior gradients of convergence speed and ingression along the PS lead to asymmetric exhaustion of PS mesodermal precursor territories. Through limited ingression and increased proliferation, NMPs are maintained and amplified as a cell population which constitute the main progenitors in the TB. Together, our studies provide a novel understanding of the PS and TB contribution through the NMPs to the formation of the body of amniote embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlene Guillot
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Yannis Djeffal
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Arthur Michaut
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Brian Rabe
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, United States
| | - Olivier Pourquié
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, United States.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, United States
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17
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Shaker MR, Lee JH, Kim KH, Ban S, Kim VJ, Kim JY, Lee JY, Sun W. Spatiotemporal contribution of neuromesodermal progenitor-derived neural cells in the elongation of developing mouse spinal cord. Life Sci 2021; 282:119393. [PMID: 34004249 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS During vertebrate development, the posterior end of the embryo progressively elongates in a head-to-tail direction to form the body plan. Recent lineage tracing experiments revealed that bi-potent progenitors, called neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), produce caudal neural and mesodermal tissues during axial elongation. However, their precise location and contribution to spinal cord development remain elusive. MAIN METHODS Here we used NMP-specific markers (Sox2 and BraT) and a genetic lineage tracing system to localize NMP progeny in vivo. KEY FINDINGS Sox2 and BraT double positive cells were initially located at the tail tip, but were later found in the caudal neural tube, which is a unique feature of mouse development. In the neural tube, they produced neural progenitors (NPCs) and contributed to the spinal cord gradually along the AP axis during axial elongation. Interestingly, NMP-derived NPCs preferentially contributed to the ventral side first and later to the dorsal side at the lumbar spinal cord level, which may be associated with atypical junctional neurulation in mice. SIGNIFICANCE Our current observations detail the contribution of NMP progeny to spinal cord elongation and provide insights into how different species uniquely execute caudal morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed R Shaker
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Hyun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeli Ban
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Veronica Jihyun Kim
- Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Yeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience Center, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-769, Republic of Korea; Neural Development and Anomaly Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-769, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain, Korea 21 Plus Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Mouilleau V, Vaslin C, Robert R, Gribaudo S, Nicolas N, Jarrige M, Terray A, Lesueur L, Mathis MW, Croft G, Daynac M, Rouiller-Fabre V, Wichterle H, Ribes V, Martinat C, Nedelec S. Dynamic extrinsic pacing of the HOX clock in human axial progenitors controls motor neuron subtype specification. Development 2021; 148:148/6/dev194514. [PMID: 33782043 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rostro-caudal patterning of vertebrates depends on the temporally progressive activation of HOX genes within axial stem cells that fuel axial embryo elongation. Whether the pace of sequential activation of HOX genes, the 'HOX clock', is controlled by intrinsic chromatin-based timing mechanisms or by temporal changes in extrinsic cues remains unclear. Here, we studied HOX clock pacing in human pluripotent stem cell-derived axial progenitors differentiating into diverse spinal cord motor neuron subtypes. We show that the progressive activation of caudal HOX genes is controlled by a dynamic increase in FGF signaling. Blocking the FGF pathway stalled induction of HOX genes, while a precocious increase of FGF, alone or with GDF11 ligand, accelerated the HOX clock. Cells differentiated under accelerated HOX induction generated appropriate posterior motor neuron subtypes found along the human embryonic spinal cord. The pacing of the HOX clock is thus dynamically regulated by exposure to secreted cues. Its manipulation by extrinsic factors provides synchronized access to multiple human neuronal subtypes of distinct rostro-caudal identities for basic and translational applications.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mouilleau
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France.,I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Célia Vaslin
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Rémi Robert
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Simona Gribaudo
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Laboratory of Development of the Gonads, Unit of Genetic Stability, Stem Cells and Radiation, UMR 967, INSERM, CEA/DSV/iRCM/SCSR, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay aux Roses F-92265, France
| | - Margot Jarrige
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Angélique Terray
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Léa Lesueur
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Mackenzie W Mathis
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Gist Croft
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mathieu Daynac
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France.,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Rouiller-Fabre
- Laboratory of Development of the Gonads, Unit of Genetic Stability, Stem Cells and Radiation, UMR 967, INSERM, CEA/DSV/iRCM/SCSR, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Fontenay aux Roses F-92265, France
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neuroscience, and Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vanessa Ribes
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, 15 rue Hélène Brion, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Martinat
- I-STEM, UMR 861, Inserm, UEPS, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
| | - Stéphane Nedelec
- Institut du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris, France .,Inserm, UMR-S 1270, 75005 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Science and Engineering Faculty, 75005 Paris, France
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19
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Wind M, Gogolou A, Manipur I, Granata I, Butler L, Andrews PW, Barbaric I, Ning K, Guarracino MR, Placzek M, Tsakiridis A. Defining the signalling determinants of a posterior ventral spinal cord identity in human neuromesodermal progenitor derivatives. Development 2021; 148:dev194415. [PMID: 33658223 PMCID: PMC8015249 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The anteroposterior axial identity of motor neurons (MNs) determines their functionality and vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Thus, it is a crucial parameter in the design of strategies aiming to produce MNs from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative medicine/disease modelling applications. However, the in vitro generation of posterior MNs corresponding to the thoracic/lumbosacral spinal cord has been challenging. Although the induction of cells resembling neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs), the bona fide precursors of the spinal cord, offers a promising solution, the progressive specification of posterior MNs from these cells is not well defined. Here, we determine the signals guiding the transition of human NMP-like cells toward thoracic ventral spinal cord neurectoderm. We show that combined WNT-FGF activities drive a posterior dorsal pre-/early neural state, whereas suppression of TGFβ-BMP signalling pathways promotes a ventral identity and neural commitment. Based on these results, we define an optimised protocol for the generation of thoracic MNs that can efficiently integrate within the neural tube of chick embryos. We expect that our findings will facilitate the comparison of hPSC-derived spinal cord cells of distinct axial identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wind
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Antigoni Gogolou
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ichcha Manipur
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Ilaria Granata
- Computational and Data Science Laboratory, High Performance Computing and Networking Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Napoli 80131, Italy
| | - Larissa Butler
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Ke Ning
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK
| | | | - Marysia Placzek
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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20
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Wymeersch FJ, Wilson V, Tsakiridis A. Understanding axial progenitor biology in vivo and in vitro. Development 2021; 148:148/4/dev180612. [PMID: 33593754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The generation of the components that make up the embryonic body axis, such as the spinal cord and vertebral column, takes place in an anterior-to-posterior (head-to-tail) direction. This process is driven by the coordinated production of various cell types from a pool of posteriorly-located axial progenitors. Here, we review the key features of this process and the biology of axial progenitors, including neuromesodermal progenitors, the common precursors of the spinal cord and trunk musculature. We discuss recent developments in the in vitro production of axial progenitors and their potential implications in disease modelling and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip J Wymeersch
- Laboratory for Human Organogenesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN UK .,Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN UK
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21
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Ye Z, Kimelman D. Hox13 genes are required for mesoderm formation and axis elongation during early zebrafish development. Development 2020; 147:dev.185298. [PMID: 33154036 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The early vertebrate embryo extends from anterior to posterior due to the addition of neural and mesodermal cells from a neuromesodermal progenitor (NMp) population located at the most posterior end of the embryo. In order to produce mesoderm throughout this time, the NMps produce their own niche, which is high in Wnt and low in retinoic acid. Using a loss-of-function approach, we demonstrate here that the two most abundant Hox13 genes in zebrafish have a novel role in providing robustness to the NMp niche by working in concert with the niche-establishing factor Brachyury to allow mesoderm formation. Mutants lacking both hoxa13b and hoxd13a in combination with reduced Brachyury activity have synergistic posterior body defects, in the strongest case producing embryos with severe mesodermal defects that phenocopy brachyury null mutants. Our results provide a new way of understanding the essential role of the Hox13 genes in early vertebrate development.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
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22
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Bardot ES, Hadjantonakis AK. Mouse gastrulation: Coordination of tissue patterning, specification and diversification of cell fate. Mech Dev 2020; 163:103617. [PMID: 32473204 PMCID: PMC7534585 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2020.103617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During mouse embryonic development a mass of pluripotent epiblast tissue is transformed during gastrulation to generate the three definitive germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. During gastrulation, a spatiotemporally controlled sequence of events results in the generation of organ progenitors and positions them in a stereotypical fashion throughout the embryo. Key to the correct specification and differentiation of these cell fates is the establishment of an axial coordinate system along with the integration of multiple signals by individual epiblast cells to produce distinct outcomes. These signaling domains evolve as the anterior-posterior axis is established and the embryo grows in size. Gastrulation is initiated at the posteriorly positioned primitive streak, from which nascent mesoderm and endoderm progenitors ingress and begin to diversify. Advances in technology have facilitated the elaboration of landmark findings that originally described the epiblast fate map and signaling pathways required to execute those fates. Here we will discuss the current state of the field and reflect on how our understanding has shifted in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan S Bardot
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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23
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Dias A, Lozovska A, Wymeersch FJ, Nóvoa A, Binagui-Casas A, Sobral D, Martins GG, Wilson V, Mallo M. A Tgfbr1/Snai1-dependent developmental module at the core of vertebrate axial elongation. eLife 2020; 9:56615. [PMID: 32597756 PMCID: PMC7324159 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of the vertebrate postcranial body axis follows two sequential but distinct phases. The first phase generates pre-sacral structures (the so-called primary body) through the activity of the primitive streak on axial progenitors within the epiblast. The embryo then switches to generate the secondary body (post-sacral structures), which depends on axial progenitors in the tail bud. Here we show that the mammalian tail bud is generated through an independent functional developmental module, concurrent but functionally different from that generating the primary body. This module is triggered by convergent Tgfbr1 and Snai1 activities that promote an incomplete epithelial to mesenchymal transition on a subset of epiblast axial progenitors. This EMT is functionally different from that coordinated by the primitive streak, as it does not lead to mesodermal differentiation but brings axial progenitors into a transitory state, keeping their progenitor activity to drive further axial body extension.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Dias
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Filip J Wymeersch
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Nóvoa
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Anahi Binagui-Casas
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gabriel G Martins
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.,Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Moises Mallo
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
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24
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An in vitro model of early anteroposterior organization during human development. Nature 2020; 582:410-415. [PMID: 32528178 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The body plan of the mammalian embryo is shaped through the process of gastrulation, an early developmental event that transforms an isotropic group of cells into an ensemble of tissues that is ordered with reference to three orthogonal axes1. Although model organisms have provided much insight into this process, we know very little about gastrulation in humans, owing to the difficulty of obtaining embryos at such early stages of development and the ethical and technical restrictions that limit the feasibility of observing gastrulation ex vivo2. Here we show that human embryonic stem cells can be used to generate gastruloids-three-dimensional multicellular aggregates that differentiate to form derivatives of the three germ layers organized spatiotemporally, without additional extra-embryonic tissues. Human gastruloids undergo elongation along an anteroposterior axis, and we use spatial transcriptomics to show that they exhibit patterned gene expression. This includes a signature of somitogenesis that suggests that 72-h human gastruloids show some features of Carnegie-stage-9 embryos3. Our study represents an experimentally tractable model system to reveal and examine human-specific regulatory processes that occur during axial organization in early development.
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25
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Garriock RJ, Chalamalasetty RB, Zhu J, Kennedy MW, Kumar A, Mackem S, Yamaguchi TP. A dorsal-ventral gradient of Wnt3a/β-catenin signals controls mouse hindgut extension and colon formation. Development 2020; 147:dev.185108. [PMID: 32156757 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite the importance of Wnt signaling for adult intestinal stem cell homeostasis and colorectal cancer, relatively little is known about its role in colon formation during embryogenesis. The development of the colon starts with the formation and extension of the hindgut. We show that Wnt3a is expressed in the caudal embryo in a dorsal-ventral (DV) gradient across all three germ layers, including the hindgut. Using genetic and lineage-tracing approaches, we describe novel dorsal and ventral hindgut domains, and show that ventrolateral hindgut cells populate the majority of the colonic epithelium. A Wnt3a-β-catenin-Sp5/8 pathway, which is active in the dorsal hindgut endoderm, is required for hindgut extension and colon formation. Interestingly, the absence of Wnt activity in the ventral hindgut is crucial for proper hindgut morphogenesis, as ectopic stabilization of β-catenin in the ventral hindgut via gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Ctnnb1 or Apc, respectively, leads to severe colonic hyperplasia. Thus, the DV Wnt gradient is required to coordinate growth between dorsal and ventral hindgut domains to regulate the extension of the hindgut that leads to colon formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Garriock
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ravindra B Chalamalasetty
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - JianJian Zhu
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mark W Kennedy
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Amit Kumar
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Susan Mackem
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Terry P Yamaguchi
- Center for Cancer Research, Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development Section, NCI-Frederick, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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26
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Durston AJ. A Tribute to Lewis Wolpert and His Ideas on the 50th Anniversary of the Publication of His Paper 'Positional Information and the Spatial Pattern of Differentiation'. Evidence for a Timing Mechanism for Setting Up the Vertebrate Anterior-Posterior (A-P) Axis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E2552. [PMID: 32272563 PMCID: PMC7177403 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This article is a tribute to Lewis Wolpert and his ideas on the occasion of the recent 50th anniversary of the publication of his article 'Positional Information and the Spatial Pattern of Differentiation'. This tribute relates to another one of his ideas: his early 'Progress Zone' timing model for limb development. Recent evidence is reviewed showing a mechanism sharing features with this model patterning the main body axis in early vertebrate development. This tribute celebrates the golden era of Developmental Biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony J Durston
- Institute of Biology, University of Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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27
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Roberts C. Regulating Retinoic Acid Availability during Development and Regeneration: The Role of the CYP26 Enzymes. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8010006. [PMID: 32151018 PMCID: PMC7151129 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the role of the Cytochrome p450 subfamily 26 (CYP26) retinoic acid (RA) degrading enzymes during development and regeneration. Cyp26 enzymes, along with retinoic acid synthesising enzymes, are absolutely required for RA homeostasis in these processes by regulating availability of RA for receptor binding and signalling. Cyp26 enzymes are necessary to generate RA gradients and to protect specific tissues from RA signalling. Disruption of RA homeostasis leads to a wide variety of embryonic defects affecting many tissues. Here, the function of CYP26 enzymes is discussed in the context of the RA signalling pathway, enzymatic structure and biochemistry, human genetic disease, and function in development and regeneration as elucidated from animal model studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Roberts
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL-GOS Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London SW17 0RE, UK
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28
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NOTO Transcription Factor Directs Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesendoderm Progenitors to a Notochordal Fate. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020509. [PMID: 32102328 PMCID: PMC7072849 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The founder cells of the Nucleus pulposus, the centre of the intervertebral disc, originate in the embryonic notochord. After birth, mature notochordal cells (NC) are identified as key regulators of disc homeostasis. Better understanding of their biology has great potential in delaying the onset of disc degeneration or as a regenerative-cell source for disc repair. Using human pluripotent stem cells, we developed a two-step method to generate a stable NC-like population with a distinct molecular signature. Time-course analysis of lineage-specific markers shows that WNT pathway activation and transfection of the notochord-related transcription factor NOTO are sufficient to induce high levels of mesendoderm progenitors and favour their commitment toward the notochordal lineage instead of paraxial and lateral mesodermal or endodermal lineages. This study results in the identification of NOTO-regulated genes including some that are found expressed in human healthy disc tissue and highlights NOTO function in coordinating the gene network to human notochord differentiation.
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29
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Prajapati RS, Mitter R, Vezzaro A, Ish-Horowicz D. Greb1 is required for axial elongation and segmentation in vertebrate embryos. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio047290. [PMID: 31988092 PMCID: PMC7044451 DOI: 10.1242/bio.047290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During vertebrate embryonic development, the formation of axial structures is driven by a population of stem-like cells that reside in a region of the tailbud called the chordoneural hinge (CNH). We have compared the mouse CNH transcriptome with those of surrounding tissues and shown that the CNH and tailbud mesoderm are transcriptionally similar, and distinct from the presomitic mesoderm. Amongst CNH-enriched genes are several that are required for axial elongation, including Wnt3a, Cdx2, Brachyury/T and Fgf8, and androgen/oestrogen receptor nuclear signalling components such as Greb1 We show that the pattern and duration of tailbud Greb1 expression is conserved in mouse, zebrafish and chicken embryos, and that Greb1 is required for axial elongation and somitogenesis in zebrafish embryos. The axial truncation phenotype of Greb1 morphant embryos can be explained by much reduced expression of No tail (Ntl/Brachyury), which is required for axial progenitor maintenance. Posterior segmentation defects in the morphants (including misexpression of genes such as mespb, myoD and papC) appear to result, in part, from lost expression of the segmentation clock gene, her7.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Mitter
- Cancer Research UK Developmental Genetics Laboratory, CRUK London Research Institute
- Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Annalisa Vezzaro
- Cancer Research UK Developmental Genetics Laboratory, CRUK London Research Institute
- Veyrier, 1255, Switzerland
| | - David Ish-Horowicz
- Cancer Research UK Developmental Genetics Laboratory, CRUK London Research Institute
- Cancer Research UK Developmental Genetics Laboratory, and University College London, UK
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30
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Durston AJ. Some Questions and Answers About the Role of Hox Temporal Collinearity in Vertebrate Axial Patterning. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:257. [PMID: 31850338 PMCID: PMC6895010 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate anterior-posterior (A-P = craniocaudal) axis is evidently made by a timing mechanism. Evidence has accumulated that tentatively identifies the A-P timer as being or involving Hox temporal collinearity (TC). Here, I focus on the two current competing models based on this premise. Common features and points of dissent are examined and a common model is distilled from what remains. This is an attempt to make sense of the literature.
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31
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Ferretti E, Hadjantonakis AK. Mesoderm specification and diversification: from single cells to emergent tissues. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 61:110-116. [PMID: 31476530 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The three germ layers - mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm - constituting the cellular blueprint for the tissues and organs that will form during embryonic development, are specified at gastrulation. Cells of mesodermal origin are the most abundant in the human body, representing a great variety of cell types, including the musculoskeletal system (bone, cartilage and muscle), cardiovascular system (heart, blood and blood vessels), as well as the connective tissues found throughout our bodies. A long-standing question pertains how this panoply of mesodermal cell types arises in a stereotypical fashion in time and space. This review discusses the events associated with mesoderm specification, highlighting the reconstruction of putative developmental trajectories facilitated by recent single-cell 'omic' data. We will also discuss the potential of emergent organoid systems to emulate and interrogate the dynamics of lineage specification at cellular resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Ferretti
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
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32
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Durston AJ. What are the roles of retinoids, other morphogens, and Hox genes in setting up the vertebrate body axis? Genesis 2019; 57:e23296. [PMID: 31021058 PMCID: PMC6767176 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This article is concerned with the roles of retinoids and other known anterior-posterior morphogens in setting up the embryonic vertebrate anterior-posterior axis. The discussion is restricted to the very earliest events in setting up the anterior-posterior axis (from blastula to tailbud stages in Xenopus embryos). In these earliest developmental stages, morphogen concentration gradients are not relevant for setting up this axis. It emerges that at these stages, the core patterning mechanism is timing: BMP-anti BMP mediated time space translation that regulates Hox temporal and spatial collinearities and Hox-Hox auto- and cross- regulation. The known anterior-posterior morphogens and signaling pathways--retinoids, FGF's, Cdx, Wnts, Gdf11 and others--interact with this core mechanism at and after space-time defined "decision points," leading to the separation of distinct axial domains. There are also other roles for signaling pathways. Besides the Hox regulated hindbrain/trunk part of the axis, there is a rostral part (including the anterior part of the head and the extreme anterior domain [EAD]) that appears to be regulated by additional mechanisms. Key aspects of anterior-posterior axial patterning, including: the nature of different phases in early patterning and in the whole process; the specificities of Hox action and of intercellular signaling; and the mechanisms of Hox temporal and spatial collinearities, are discussed in relation to the facts and hypotheses proposed above.
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33
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Edri S, Hayward P, Jawaid W, Martinez Arias A. Neuro-mesodermal progenitors (NMPs): a comparative study between pluripotent stem cells and embryo-derived populations. Development 2019; 146:dev180190. [PMID: 31152001 PMCID: PMC6602346 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian embryo's caudal lateral epiblast (CLE) harbours bipotent progenitors, called neural mesodermal progenitors (NMPs), that contribute to the spinal cord and the paraxial mesoderm throughout axial elongation. Here, we performed a single cell analysis of different in vitro NMP populations produced either from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) and compared them with E8.25 CLE mouse embryos. In our analysis of this region, our findings challenge the notion that NMPs can be defined by the exclusive co-expression of Sox2 and T at mRNA level. We analyse the in vitro NMP-like populations using a purpose-built support vector machine (SVM) based on the embryo CLE and use it as a classification model to compare the in vivo and in vitro populations. Our results show that NMP differentiation from ESCs leads to heterogeneous progenitor populations with few NMP-like cells, as defined by the SVM algorithm, whereas starting with EpiSCs yields a high proportion of cells with the embryo NMP signature. We find that the population from which the Epi-NMPs are derived in culture contains a node-like population, which suggests that this population probably maintains the expression of T in vitro and thereby a source of NMPs. In conclusion, differentiation of EpiSCs into NMPs reproduces events in vivo and suggests a sequence of events for the emergence of the NMP population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Edri
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penelope Hayward
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Wajid Jawaid
- Wellcome Trust - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 2XY, UK
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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34
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Edri S, Hayward P, Baillie-Johnson P, Steventon BJ, Martinez Arias A. An epiblast stem cell-derived multipotent progenitor population for axial extension. Development 2019; 146:dev.168187. [PMID: 31023877 DOI: 10.1242/dev.168187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The caudal lateral epiblast of mammalian embryos harbours bipotent progenitors that contribute to the spinal cord and the paraxial mesoderm in concert with the body axis elongation. These progenitors, called neural mesodermal progenitors (NMPs), are identified as cells that co-express Sox2 and T/brachyury, a criterion used to derive NMP-like cells from embryonic stem cells in vitro However, unlike embryonic NMPs, these progenitors do not self-renew. Here, we find that the protocols that yield NMP-like cells in vitro initially produce a multipotent population that, in addition to NMPs, generates progenitors for the lateral plate and intermediate mesoderm. We show that epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are an effective source of these multipotent progenitors, which are further differentiated by a balance between BMP and Nodal signalling. Importantly, we show that NMP-like cells derived from EpiSCs exhibit limited self-renewal in vitro and a gene expression signature like their embryonic counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomit Edri
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Penny Hayward
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Peter Baillie-Johnson
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Benjamin J Steventon
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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