1
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Huang B, Peng X, Zhai X, Hu J, Chen J, Yang S, Huang Q, Deng E, Li H, Barakat TS, Chen J, Pei D, Fan X, Chambers I, Zhang M. Inhibition of HDAC activity directly reprograms murine embryonic stem cells to trophoblast stem cells. Dev Cell 2024; 59:2101-2117.e8. [PMID: 38823394 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate into all cell types of the embryonic germ layers. ESCs can also generate totipotent 2C-like cells and trophectodermal cells. However, these latter transitions occur at low frequency due to epigenetic barriers, the nature of which is not fully understood. Here, we show that treating mouse ESCs with sodium butyrate (NaB) increases the population of 2C-like cells and enables direct reprogramming of ESCs into trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) without a transition through a 2C-like state. Mechanistically, NaB inhibits histone deacetylase activities in the LSD1-HDAC1/2 corepressor complex. This increases acetylation levels in the regulatory regions of both 2C- and TSC-specific genes, promoting their expression. In addition, NaB-treated cells acquire the capacity to generate blastocyst-like structures that can develop beyond the implantation stage in vitro and form deciduae in vivo. These results identify how epigenetics restrict the totipotent and trophectoderm fate in mouse ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Huang
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Peng
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Xuzhao Zhai
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China; Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jie Hu
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China; School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Suming Yang
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingpei Huang
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Enze Deng
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Huanhuan Li
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tahsin Stefan Barakat
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jiekai Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510525, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Duanqing Pei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510525, China
| | - Xiaoying Fan
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China.
| | - Ian Chambers
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland.
| | - Man Zhang
- GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China; Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou, China.
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2
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Linneberg-Agerholm M, Sell AC, Redó-Riveiro A, Perera M, Proks M, Knudsen TE, Barral A, Manzanares M, Brickman JM. The primitive endoderm supports lineage plasticity to enable regulative development. Cell 2024; 187:4010-4029.e16. [PMID: 38917790 PMCID: PMC11290322 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian blastocyst formation involves the specification of the trophectoderm followed by the differentiation of the inner cell mass into embryonic epiblast and extra-embryonic primitive endoderm (PrE). During this time, the embryo maintains a window of plasticity and can redirect its cellular fate when challenged experimentally. In this context, we found that the PrE alone was sufficient to regenerate a complete blastocyst and continue post-implantation development. We identify an in vitro population similar to the early PrE in vivo that exhibits the same embryonic and extra-embryonic potency and can form complete stem cell-based embryo models, termed blastoids. Commitment in the PrE is suppressed by JAK/STAT signaling, collaborating with OCT4 and the sustained expression of a subset of pluripotency-related transcription factors that safeguard an enhancer landscape permissive for multi-lineage differentiation. Our observations support the notion that transcription factor persistence underlies plasticity in regulative development and highlight the importance of the PrE in perturbed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Linneberg-Agerholm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Annika Charlotte Sell
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Alba Redó-Riveiro
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Marta Perera
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Martin Proks
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Teresa E Knudsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Antonio Barral
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Manzanares
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM), CSIC-UAM, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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3
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Pal S, Dhar R. Living in a noisy world-origins of gene expression noise and its impact on cellular decision-making. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:1673-1691. [PMID: 38724715 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The expression level of a gene can vary between genetically identical cells under the same environmental condition-a phenomenon referred to as gene expression noise. Several studies have now elucidated a central role of transcription factors in the generation of expression noise. Transcription factors, as the key components of gene regulatory networks, drive many important cellular decisions in response to cellular and environmental signals. Therefore, a very relevant question is how expression noise impacts gene regulation and influences cellular decision-making. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular origins of expression noise, highlighting the role of transcription factors in this process, and discuss the ways in which noise can influence cellular decision-making. As advances in single-cell technologies open new avenues for studying expression noise as well as gene regulatory circuits, a better understanding of the influence of noise on cellular decisions will have important implications for many biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sampriti Pal
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur, India
| | - Riddhiman Dhar
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, IIT Kharagpur, India
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4
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Driscoll CS, Kim J, Knott JG. The explosive discovery of TNT in early mouse embryos. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:852-855. [PMID: 38789683 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Chad S Driscoll
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jaehwan Kim
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jason G Knott
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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5
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Zhu M, Meglicki M, Lamba A, Wang P, Royer C, Turner K, Jauhar MA, Jones C, Child T, Coward K, Na J, Zernicka-Goetz M. Tead4 and Tfap2c generate bipotency and a bistable switch in totipotent embryos to promote robust lineage diversification. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:964-976. [PMID: 38789684 PMCID: PMC11189297 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01311-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The mouse and human embryo gradually loses totipotency before diversifying into the inner cell mass (ICM, future organism) and trophectoderm (TE, future placenta). The transcription factors TFAP2C and TEAD4 with activated RHOA accelerate embryo polarization. Here we show that these factors also accelerate the loss of totipotency. TFAP2C and TEAD4 paradoxically promote and inhibit Hippo signaling before lineage diversification: they drive expression of multiple Hippo regulators while also promoting apical domain formation, which inactivates Hippo. Each factor activates TE specifiers in bipotent cells, while TFAP2C also activates specifiers of the ICM fate. Asymmetric segregation of the apical domain reconciles the opposing regulation of Hippo signaling into Hippo OFF and the TE fate, or Hippo ON and the ICM fate. We propose that the bistable switch established by TFAP2C and TEAD4 is exploited to trigger robust lineage diversification in the developing embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhu
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maciej Meglicki
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adiyant Lamba
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peizhe Wang
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Christophe Royer
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Karen Turner
- Oxford Fertility, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Oxford, UK
| | - Muhammad Abdullah Jauhar
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Celine Jones
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tim Child
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kevin Coward
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Level 3, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jie Na
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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6
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Govorova IA, Nikitochkina SY, Vorotelyak EA. Influence of intersignaling crosstalk on the intracellular localization of YAP/TAZ in lung cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:289. [PMID: 38802925 PMCID: PMC11129370 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01662-2] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
A cell is a dynamic system in which various processes occur simultaneously. In particular, intra- and intercellular signaling pathway crosstalk has a significant impact on a cell's life cycle, differentiation, proliferation, growth, regeneration, and, consequently, on the normal functioning of an entire organ. Hippo signaling and YAP/TAZ nucleocytoplasmic shuttling play a pivotal role in normal development, homeostasis, and tissue regeneration, particularly in lung cells. Intersignaling communication has a significant impact on the core components of the Hippo pathway and on YAP/TAZ localization. This review describes the crosstalk between Hippo signaling and key lung signaling pathways (WNT, SHH, TGFβ, Notch, Rho, and mTOR) using lung cells as an example and highlights the remaining unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Govorova
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str, 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
| | - S Y Nikitochkina
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str, 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - E A Vorotelyak
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str, 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia
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7
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Zhang P, Zhang H, Li C, Yang B, Feng X, Cao J, Du W, Shahzad M, Khan A, Sun SC, Zhao X. Effects of Regulating Hippo and Wnt on the Development and Fate Differentiation of Bovine Embryo. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3912. [PMID: 38612721 PMCID: PMC11011455 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073912] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The improvement of in vitro embryo development is a gateway to enhance the output of assisted reproductive technologies. The Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways are crucial for the early development of bovine embryos. This study investigated the development of bovine embryos under the influence of a Hippo signaling agonist (LPA) and a Wnt signaling inhibitor (DKK1). In this current study, embryos produced in vitro were cultured in media supplemented with LPA and DKK1. We comprehensively analyzed the impact of LPA and DKK1 on various developmental parameters of the bovine embryo, such as blastocyst formation, differential cell counts, YAP fluorescence intensity and apoptosis rate. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to elucidate the in vitro embryonic development. Our results revealed that LPA and DKK1 improved the blastocyst developmental potential, total cells, trophectoderm (TE) cells and YAP fluorescence intensity and decreased the apoptosis rate of bovine embryos. A total of 1203 genes exhibited differential expression between the control and LPA/DKK1-treated (LD) groups, with 577 genes upregulated and 626 genes downregulated. KEGG pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with TGF-beta signaling, Wnt signaling, apoptosis, Hippo signaling and other critical developmental pathways. Our study shows the role of LPA and DKK1 in embryonic differentiation and embryo establishment of pregnancy. These findings should be helpful for further unraveling the precise contributions of the Hippo and Wnt pathways in bovine trophoblast formation, thus advancing our comprehension of early bovine embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chongyang Li
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Baigao Yang
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaoyi Feng
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jianhua Cao
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Weihua Du
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Muhammad Shahzad
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adnan Khan
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Shao-Chen Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Western Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
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Castro Colabianchi AM, González Pérez NG, Franchini LF, López SL. A maternal dorsoventral prepattern revealed by an asymmetric distribution of ventralizing molecules before fertilization in Xenopus laevis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1365705. [PMID: 38572484 PMCID: PMC10987785 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1365705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The establishment of the embryonic dorsoventral axis in Xenopus occurs when the radial symmetry around the egg's animal-vegetal axis is broken to give rise to the typical symmetry of Bilaterians. We have previously shown that the Notch1 protein is ventrally enriched during early embryogenesis in Xenopus laevis and zebrafish and exerts ventralizing activity through β-Catenin destabilization and the positive regulation of ventral center genes in X. laevis. These findings led us to further investigate when these asymmetries arise. In this work, we show that the asymmetrical distribution of Notch1 protein and mRNA precedes cortical rotation and even fertilization in X. laevis. Moreover, we found that in unfertilized eggs transcripts encoded by the ventralizing gene bmp4 are also asymmetrically distributed in the animal hemisphere and notch1 transcripts accumulate consistently on the same side of the eccentric maturation point. Strikingly, a Notch1 asymmetry orthogonal to the animal-vegetal axis appears during X. laevis oogenesis. Thus, we show for the first time a maternal bias in the distribution of molecules that are later involved in ventral patterning during embryonic axialization, strongly supporting the hypothesis of a dorsoventral prepattern or intrinsic bilaterality of Xenopus eggs before fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitana M. Castro Colabianchi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular “Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nicolás G. González Pérez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular “Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía F. Franchini
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular (INGEBI) “Dr. Héctor N. Torres”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia L. López
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología / 1° U.A. Departamento de Histología, Embriología, Biología Celular y Genética, Laboratorio de Embriología Molecular “Prof. Dr. Andrés E. Carrasco”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET–Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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He C, Karpavičiūtė N, Hariharan R, Lees L, Jacques C, Ferrand T, Chambost J, Wouters K, Malmsten J, Miller R, Zaninovic N, Vasconcelos F, Hickman C. Seeking arrangements: cell contact as a cleavage-stage biomarker. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103654. [PMID: 38246064 PMCID: PMC11139661 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What can three-dimensional cell contact networks tell us about the developmental potential of cleavage-stage human embryos? DESIGN This pilot study was a retrospective analysis of two Embryoscope imaging datasets from two clinics. An artificial intelligence system was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of embryos from 11-plane focal stacks. Networks of cell contacts were extracted from the resulting embryo three-dimensional models and each embryo's mean contacts per cell was computed. Unpaired t-tests and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to statistically analyse mean cell contact outcomes. Cell contact networks from different embryos were compared with identical embryos with similar cell arrangements. RESULTS At t4, a higher mean number of contacts per cell was associated with greater rates of blastulation and blastocyst quality. No associations were found with biochemical pregnancy, live birth, miscarriage or ploidy. At t8, a higher mean number of contacts was associated with increased blastocyst quality, biochemical pregnancy and live birth. No associations were found with miscarriage or aneuploidy. Mean contacts at t4 weakly correlated with those at t8. Four-cell embryos fell into nine distinct cell arrangements; the five most common accounted for 97% of embryos. Eight-cell embryos, however, displayed a greater degree of variation with 59 distinct cell arrangements. CONCLUSIONS Evidence is provided for the clinical relevance of cleavage-stage cell arrangement in the human preimplantation embryo beyond the four-cell stage, which may improve selection techniques for day-3 transfers. This pilot study provides a strong case for further investigation into spatial biomarkers and three-dimensional morphokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe He
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London 43-45 Foley St, London, W1W 7TY, UK.; Department of Computer Science, University College London, 66-72 Gower St, London WC1E 6EA, UK.; AI Team, Apricity, 14 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1 X 8HN, UK..
| | | | | | - Lilly Lees
- AI Team, Apricity, 14 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1 X 8HN, UK
| | | | | | | | - Koen Wouters
- Brussels IVF, University Hospital Brussels, Jette Bldg R, Laarbeeklaan 101 1090 Jette, Belgium, Brussels
| | - Jonas Malmsten
- Ronald O Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave 6th floor, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ryan Miller
- Ronald O Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave 6th floor, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Nikica Zaninovic
- Ronald O Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1305 York Ave 6th floor, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Francisco Vasconcelos
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London 43-45 Foley St, London, W1W 7TY, UK.; Department of Computer Science, University College London, 66-72 Gower St, London WC1E 6EA, UK
| | - Cristina Hickman
- AI Team, Apricity, 14 Grays Inn Rd, London WC1 X 8HN, UK.; Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
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10
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Kałafut J, Czerwonka A, Czapla K, Przybyszewska-Podstawka A, Hermanowicz JM, Rivero-Müller A, Borkiewicz L. Regulation of Notch1 Signalling by Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancers and Other Health Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12579. [PMID: 37628760 PMCID: PMC10454443 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch1 signalling plays a multifaceted role in tissue development and homeostasis. Currently, due to the pivotal role of Notch1 signalling, the relationship between NOTCH1 expression and the development of health disorders is being intensively studied. Nevertheless, Notch1 signalling is not only controlled at the transcriptional level but also by a variety of post-translational events. First is the ligand-dependent mechanical activation of NOTCH receptors and then the intracellular crosstalk with other signalling molecules-among those are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the specific role of lncRNAs in the modulation of Notch1 signalling, from expression to activity, and their connection with the development of health disorders, especially cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kałafut
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Arkadiusz Czerwonka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Karolina Czapla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Alicja Przybyszewska-Podstawka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Justyna Magdalena Hermanowicz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2C, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland;
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Adolfo Rivero-Müller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
| | - Lidia Borkiewicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Raławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland; (J.K.); (A.C.); (K.C.); (A.P.-P.)
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11
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Kim M, Lee J, Cai L, Choi H, Oh D, Jawad A, Hyun SH. Neurotrophin-4 promotes the specification of trophectoderm lineage after parthenogenetic activation and enhances porcine early embryonic development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1194596. [PMID: 37519302 PMCID: PMC10373506 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1194596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), a neurotrophic factor, appears to affect early embryonic development because it is secreted not only by neurons but also by oviductal and uterine epithelial cells. However, no studies have characterized the effects of NT-4 on early embryonic development in pigs. In this study, we applied the experimental model of parthenogenetic-activation (PA)-derived embryos. Herein, we investigated the effect of NT-4 supplementation during the in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos, analyzed the transcription levels of specific genes, and outlined the first cell lineage specification for porcine PA-derived blastocysts. We confirmed that NT-4 and its receptor proteins were localized in both the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) in porcine blastocysts. Across different concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) of NT-4 supplementation, the optimal concentration of NT-4 to improve the developmental competence of porcine parthenotes was 10 ng/mL. NT-4 supplementation during porcine IVC significantly (p < 0.05) increased the proportion of TE cells by inducing the transcription of TE lineage markers (CDX2, PPAG3, and GATA3 transcripts). NT-4 also reduced blastocyst apoptosis by regulating the transcription of apoptosis-related genes (BAX and BCL2L1 transcripts) and improved blastocyst quality via the interaction of neurotrophin-, Hippo-yes-associated protein (Hippo-YAP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. Additionally, NT-4 supplementation during IVC significantly (p < 0.05) increased YAP1 transcript levels and significantly (p < 0.01) decreased LATS2 transcript levels, respectively, in the porcine PA-derived blastocysts. We also confirmed through fluorescence intensity that the YAP1 protein was significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the NT-4-treated blastocysts compared with that in the control. NT-4 also promoted differentiation into the TE lineage rather than into the ICM lineage during porcine early embryonic development. In conclusion, 10 ng/mL NT-4 supplementation enhanced blastocyst quality by regulating the apoptosis- and TE lineage specification-related genes and interacting with neurotrophin-, Hippo-YAP-, and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway during porcine in vitro embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirae Kim
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyeong Lee
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Lian Cai
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyerin Choi
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjin Oh
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ali Jawad
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
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12
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Pennarossa G, Arcuri S, De Iorio T, Ledda S, Gandolfi F, Brevini TAL. Combination of epigenetic erasing and mechanical cues to generate human epiBlastoids from adult dermal fibroblasts. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1015-1027. [PMID: 36933093 PMCID: PMC10024007 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02773-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study is to develop a new protocol that combines the use of epigenetic cues and mechanical stimuli to assemble 3D spherical structures, arbitrarily defined "epiBlastoids," whose phenotype is remarkably similar to natural embryos. METHODS A 3-step approach is used to generate epiBlastoids. In the first step, adult dermal fibroblasts are converted into trophoblast (TR)-like cells, combining the use of 5-azacytidine, to erase the original phenotype, with an ad hoc induction protocol, to drive cells towards TR lineage. In the second step, epigenetic erasing is applied once again, in combination with mechanosensing-related cues, to generate inner cell mass (ICM)-like organoids. Specifically, erased cells are encapsulated into micro-bioreactors to promote 3D cell rearrangement and boost pluripotency. In the third step, TR-like cells are co-cultured with ICM-like spheroids in the same micro-bioreactors. Subsequently, the newly generated embryoids are transferred to microwells to favor epiBlastoid formation. RESULTS Adult dermal fibroblasts are successfully readdressed towards TR lineage. Cells subjected to epigenetic erasing and encapsulated into micro-bioreactors rearrange in 3D ICM-like structures. Co-culture of TR-like cells and ICM-like spheroids into micro-bioreactors and microwells induces the formation of single structures with uniform shape reminiscent in vivo embryos. CDX2+ cells localized in the out layer of the spheroids, while OCT4+ cells in the inner of the structures. TROP2+ cells display YAP nuclear accumulation and actively transcribed for mature TR markers, while TROP2- cells showed YAP cytoplasmic compartmentalization and expressed pluripotency-related genes. CONCLUSION We describe the generation of epiBlastoids that may find useful application in the assisted reproduction field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Pennarossa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Center for Stem Cell Research, Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sharon Arcuri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Center for Stem Cell Research, Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Teresina De Iorio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Center for Stem Cell Research, Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Ledda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Center for Stem Cell Research, Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
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13
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Roy A, Patra SK. Lipid Raft Facilitated Receptor Organization and Signaling: A Functional Rheostat in Embryonic Development, Stem Cell Biology and Cancer. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2-25. [PMID: 35997871 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10448-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Molecular views of plasma membrane organization and dynamics are gradually changing over the past fifty years. Dynamics of plasma membrane instigate several signaling nexuses in eukaryotic cells. The striking feature of plasma membrane dynamics is that, it is internally transfigured into various subdomains of clustered macromolecules. Lipid rafts are nanoscale subdomains, enriched with cholesterol and sphingolipids, reside as floating entity mostly on the exoplasmic leaflet of the lipid bilayer. In terms of functionality, lipid rafts are unique among other membrane subdomains. Herein, advances on the roles of lipid rafts in cellular physiology and homeostasis are discussed, precisely, on how rafts dynamically harbor signaling proteins, including GPCRs, catalytic receptors, and ionotropic receptors within it and orchestrate multiple signaling pathways. In the developmental proceedings signaling are designed for patterning of overall organism and they differ from the somatic cell physiology and signaling of fully developed organisms. Some of the developmental signals are characteristic in maintenance of stemness and activated during several types of tumor development and cancer progression. The harmony between extracellular signaling and lineage specific transcriptional programs are extremely important for embryonic development. The roles of plasma membrane lipid rafts mediated signaling in lineage specificity, early embryonic development, stem cell maintenance are emerging. In view of this, we have highlighted and analyzed the roles of lipid rafts in receptor organization, cell signaling, and gene expression during embryonic development; from pre-implantation through the post-implantation phase, in stem cell and cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India
| | - Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India.
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14
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Chowdhary S, Hadjantonakis AK. Journey of the mouse primitive endoderm: from specification to maturation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210252. [PMID: 36252215 PMCID: PMC9574636 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0252] [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] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The blastocyst is a conserved stage and distinct milestone in the development of the mammalian embryo. Blastocyst stage embryos comprise three cell lineages which arise through two sequential binary cell fate specification steps. In the first, extra-embryonic trophectoderm (TE) cells segregate from inner cell mass (ICM) cells. Subsequently, ICM cells acquire a pluripotent epiblast (Epi) or extra-embryonic primitive endoderm (PrE, also referred to as hypoblast) identity. In the mouse, nascent Epi and PrE cells emerge in a salt-and-pepper distribution in the early blastocyst and are subsequently sorted into adjacent tissue layers by the late blastocyst stage. Epi cells cluster at the interior of the ICM, while PrE cells are positioned on its surface interfacing the blastocyst cavity, where they display apicobasal polarity. As the embryo implants into the maternal uterus, cells at the periphery of the PrE epithelium, at the intersection with the TE, break away and migrate along the TE as they mature into parietal endoderm (ParE). PrE cells remaining in association with the Epi mature into visceral endoderm. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the PrE from its specification to its maturation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Extraembryonic tissues: exploring concepts, definitions and functions across the animal kingdom'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayali Chowdhary
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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15
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Yamakawa T, Yuslimatin Mujizah E, Matsuno K. Notch Signalling Under Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition. Fly (Austin) 2022; 16:347-359. [PMID: 36346359 PMCID: PMC9645253 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2022.2139981] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of all animal embryos is initially directed by the gene products supplied by their mothers. With the progression of embryogenesis, the embryo's genome is activated to command subsequent developments. This transition, which has been studied in many model animals, is referred to as the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition (MZT). In many organisms, including flies, nematodes, and sea urchins, genes involved in Notch signaling are extensively influenced by the MZT. This signaling pathway is highly conserved across metazoans; moreover, it regulates various developmental processes. Notch signaling defects are commonly associated with various human diseases. The maternal contribution of its factors was first discovered in flies. Subsequently, several genes were identified from mutant embryos with a phenotype similar to Notch mutants only upon the removal of the maternal contributions. Studies on these maternal genes have revealed various novel steps in the cascade of Notch signal transduction. Among these genes, pecanex and almondex have been functionally characterized in recent studies. Therefore, in this review, we will focus on the roles of these two maternal genes in Notch signaling and discuss future research directions on its maternal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Yamakawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan,CONTACT Tomoko Yamakawa Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Matsuno
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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16
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Portela M, Jimenez-Carretero D, Labrador V, Andreu MJ, Arza E, Caiolfa VR, Manzanares M. Chromatin dynamics through mouse preimplantation development revealed by single molecule localisation microscopy. Biol Open 2022; 11:275915. [PMID: 35876820 PMCID: PMC9346283 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Most studies addressing chromatin behaviour during preimplantation development are based on biochemical assays that lack spatial and cell-specific information, crucial during early development. Here, we describe the changes in chromatin taking place at the transition from totipotency to lineage specification, by using direct stochastical optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) in whole-mount embryos during the first stages of mouse development. Through the study of two post-translational modifications of Histone 3 related to active and repressed chromatin, H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 respectively, we obtained a time-course of chromatin states, showing spatial differences between cell types, related to their differentiation state. This analysis adds a new layer of information to previous biochemical studies and provides novel insight to current models of chromatin organisation during the first stages of development. SUMMARY: We have applied super-resolution microscopy to analyse changes in the state of chromatin during the first stages of mouse development, from the two-cell stage to the blastocyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Portela
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid 28049, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Daniel Jimenez-Carretero
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Veronica Labrador
- Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Andreu
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Elvira Arza
- Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Valeria R Caiolfa
- Microscopy and Dynamic Imaging Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain.,Center for Experimental Imaging, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Miguel Manzanares
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid 28049, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28029, Spain
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17
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Multicolor strategies for investigating clonal expansion and tissue plasticity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:141. [PMID: 35187598 PMCID: PMC8858928 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the generation of complexity in living organisms requires the use of lineage tracing tools at a multicellular scale. In this review, we describe the different multicolor strategies focusing on mouse models expressing several fluorescent reporter proteins, generated by classical (MADM, Brainbow and its multiple derivatives) or acute (StarTrack, CLoNe, MAGIC Markers, iOn, viral vectors) transgenesis. After detailing the multi-reporter genetic strategies that serve as a basis for the establishment of these multicolor mouse models, we briefly mention other animal and cellular models (zebrafish, chicken, drosophila, iPSC) that also rely on these constructs. Then, we highlight practical applications of multicolor mouse models to better understand organogenesis at single progenitor scale (clonal analyses) in the brain and briefly in several other tissues (intestine, skin, vascular, hematopoietic and immune systems). In addition, we detail the critical contribution of multicolor fate mapping strategies in apprehending the fine cellular choreography underlying tissue morphogenesis in several models with a particular focus on brain cytoarchitecture in health and diseases. Finally, we present the latest technological advances in multichannel and in-depth imaging, and automated analyses that enable to better exploit the large amount of data generated from multicolored tissues.
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18
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Buonaiuto S, Biase ID, Aleotti V, Ravaei A, Marino AD, Damaggio G, Chierici M, Pulijala M, D'Ambrosio P, Esposito G, Ayub Q, Furlanello C, Greco P, Capalbo A, Rubini M, Biase SD, Colonna V. Prioritization of putatively detrimental variants in euploid miscarriages. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1997. [PMID: 35132093 PMCID: PMC8821623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05737-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Miscarriage is the spontaneous termination of a pregnancy before 24 weeks of gestation. We studied the genome of euploid miscarried embryos from mothers in the range of healthy adult individuals to understand genetic susceptibility to miscarriage not caused by chromosomal aneuploidies. We developed GP , a pipeline that we used to prioritize 439 unique variants in 399 genes, including genes known to be associated with miscarriages. Among the prioritized genes we found STAG2 coding for the cohesin complex subunit, for which inactivation in mouse is lethal, and TLE4 a target of Notch and Wnt, physically interacting with a region on chromosome 9 associated to miscarriages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valentina Aleotti
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | - Amin Ravaei
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Madhuri Pulijala
- Monash University Malaysia Genomics Facility, Tropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Qasim Ayub
- Monash University Malaysia Genomics Facility, Tropical Medicine and Biology Multidisciplinary Platform, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
- School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | | | - Pantaleo Greco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | | | - Michele Rubini
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy
| | | | - Vincenza Colonna
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, 80111, Italy.
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19
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Engel-Pizcueta C, Pujades C. Interplay Between Notch and YAP/TAZ Pathways in the Regulation of Cell Fate During Embryo Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:711531. [PMID: 34490262 PMCID: PMC8417249 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.711531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells in growing tissues receive both biochemical and physical cues from their microenvironment. Growing evidence has shown that mechanical signals are fundamental regulators of cell behavior. However, how physical properties of the microenvironment are transduced into critical cell behaviors, such as proliferation, progenitor maintenance, or differentiation during development, is still poorly understood. The transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus in response to multiple inputs and have emerged as important regulators of tissue growth and regeneration. YAP/TAZ sense and transduce physical cues, such as those from the extracellular matrix or the actomyosin cytoskeleton, to regulate gene expression, thus allowing them to function as gatekeepers of progenitor behavior in several developmental contexts. The Notch pathway is a key signaling pathway that controls binary cell fate decisions through cell-cell communication in a context-dependent manner. Recent reports now suggest that the crosstalk between these two pathways is critical for maintaining the balance between progenitor maintenance and cell differentiation in different tissues. How this crosstalk integrates with morphogenesis and changes in tissue architecture during development is still an open question. Here, we discuss how progenitor cell proliferation, specification, and differentiation are coordinated with morphogenesis to construct a functional organ. We will pay special attention to the interplay between YAP/TAZ and Notch signaling pathways in determining cell fate decisions and discuss whether this represents a general mechanism of regulating cell fate during development. We will focus on research carried out in vertebrate embryos that demonstrate the important roles of mechanical cues in stem cell biology and discuss future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Engel-Pizcueta
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Pujades
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Karasek C, Ashry M, Driscoll CS, Knott JG. A tale of two cell-fates: role of the Hippo signaling pathway and transcription factors in early lineage formation in mouse preimplantation embryos. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:653-664. [PMID: 32647873 PMCID: PMC7473788 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the first cell-fate decision occurs during preimplantation embryo development when the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) lineages are established. The ICM develops into the embryo proper, while the TE lineage forms the placenta. The underlying molecular mechanisms that govern lineage formation involve cell-to-cell interactions, cell polarization, cell signaling and transcriptional regulation. In this review, we will discuss the current understanding regarding the cellular and molecular events that regulate lineage formation in mouse preimplantation embryos with an emphasis on cell polarity and the Hippo signaling pathway. Moreover, we will provide an overview on some of the molecular tools that are used to manipulate the Hippo pathway and study cell-fate decisions in early embryos. Lastly, we will provide exciting future perspectives on transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that modulate the activity of the Hippo pathway in preimplantation embryos to ensure robust lineage segregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Challis Karasek
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Mohamed Ashry
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Chad S Driscoll
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jason G Knott
- Developmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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21
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Gerri C, Menchero S, Mahadevaiah SK, Turner JMA, Niakan KK. Human Embryogenesis: A Comparative Perspective. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2021; 36:411-440. [PMID: 33021826 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-022020-024900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Understanding human embryology has historically relied on comparative approaches using mammalian model organisms. With the advent of low-input methods to investigate genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and efficient techniques to assess gene function, we can now study the human embryo directly. These advances have transformed the investigation of early embryogenesis in nonrodent species, thereby providing a broader understanding of conserved and divergent mechanisms. Here, we present an overview of the major events in human preimplantation development and place them in the context of mammalian evolution by comparing these events in other eutherian and metatherian species. We describe the advances of studies on postimplantation development and discuss stem cell models that mimic postimplantation embryos. A comparative perspective highlights the importance of analyzing different organisms with molecular characterization and functional studies to reveal the principles of early development. This growing field has a fundamental impact in regenerative medicine and raises important ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gerri
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;
| | - Sergio Menchero
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;
| | - Shantha K Mahadevaiah
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;
| | - James M A Turner
- Sex Chromosome Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;
| | - Kathy K Niakan
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom;
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22
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Building Pluripotency Identity in the Early Embryo and Derived Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082049. [PMID: 34440818 PMCID: PMC8391114 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fusion of two highly differentiated cells, an oocyte with a spermatozoon, gives rise to the zygote, a single totipotent cell, which has the capability to develop into a complete, fully functional organism. Then, as development proceeds, a series of programmed cell divisions occur whereby the arising cells progressively acquire their own cellular and molecular identity, and totipotency narrows until when pluripotency is achieved. The path towards pluripotency involves transcriptome modulation, remodeling of the chromatin epigenetic landscape to which external modulators contribute. Both human and mouse embryos are a source of different types of pluripotent stem cells whose characteristics can be captured and maintained in vitro. The main aim of this review is to address the cellular properties and the molecular signature of the emerging cells during mouse and human early development, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species and between the embryos and their cognate stem cells.
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23
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Wurtz T. Nested information processing in the living world. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1500:5-16. [PMID: 34042190 PMCID: PMC8518751 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms create, copy, and make use of information, the content depending on the level of organization. In cells, a network of signal chain proteins regulates gene expression and other cell functions. Incoming information is encoded through signal reception, processed by the network, and decoded by the synthesis of new gene products and other biological functions. Signaling proteins represent nodes, and signal transmission proceeds via allosteric binding, chemical and structural modifications, synthesis, sequestering, and degradation. The induction of the gene caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2) in the mammalian preimplantation embryo is outlined as a demonstration of this concept. CDX2 is involved in the decision of cells to enter the trophoblast lineage. Two signal chains are coordinated into an information processing model with the help of logic gates. The model introduces a formal structure that incorporates experimental and morphological data. Above the cell level, information flow relates to tissue formation and functioning, and whole cells play the role of network nodes. This is described for the anatomical patterning of bone with implications for bone formation and homeostasis. The information usage in cells and tissues is set into a context of the nervous system and the interaction of human individuals in societies, both established scenes of information processing.
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24
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Mani S, Tlusty T. A comprehensive survey of developmental programs reveals a dearth of tree-like lineage graphs and ubiquitous regeneration. BMC Biol 2021; 19:111. [PMID: 34020630 PMCID: PMC8140435 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01013-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Multicellular organisms are characterized by a wide diversity of forms and complexity despite a restricted set of key molecules and mechanisms at the base of organismal development. Development combines three basic processes—asymmetric cell division, signaling, and gene regulation—in a multitude of ways to create this overwhelming diversity of multicellular life forms. Here, we use a generative model to test the limits to which such processes can be combined to generate multiple differentiation paths during development, and attempt to chart the diversity of multicellular organisms generated. Results We sample millions of biologically feasible developmental schemes, allowing us to comment on the statistical properties of cell differentiation trajectories they produce. We characterize model-generated “organisms” using the graph topology of their cell type lineage maps. Remarkably, tree-type lineage differentiation maps are the rarest in our data. Additionally, a majority of the “organisms” generated by our model appear to be endowed with the ability to regenerate using pluripotent cells. Conclusions Our results indicate that, in contrast to common views, cell type lineage graphs are unlikely to be tree-like. Instead, they are more likely to be directed acyclic graphs, with multiple lineages converging on the same terminal cell type. Furthermore, the high incidence of pluripotent cells in model-generated organisms stands in line with the long-standing hypothesis that whole body regeneration is an epiphenomenon of development. We discuss experimentally testable predictions of our model and some ways to adapt the generative framework to test additional hypotheses about general features of development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s12915-021-01013-4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Somya Mani
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea.
| | - Tsvi Tlusty
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea. .,Department of Physics, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea.
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25
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Li S, Shi Y, Dang Y, Luo L, Hu B, Wang S, Wang H, Zhang K. NOTCH signaling pathway is required for bovine early embryonic development†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:332-344. [PMID: 33763686 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The NOTCH signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating various biological processes, including lineage specification and apoptosis. Multiple components of the NOTCH pathway have been identified in mammalian preimplantation embryos. However, the precise role of the NOTCH pathway in early embryonic development is poorly understood, especially in large animals. Here, we show that the expression of genes encoding key transcripts of the NOTCH pathway is dynamic throughout early embryonic development. We also confirm the presence of active NOTCH1 and RBPJ. By using pharmacological and RNA interference tools, we demonstrate that the NOTCH pathway is required for the proper development of bovine early embryos. This functional consequence could be partly attributed to the major transcriptional mediator, Recombination Signal Binding Protein For Immunoglobulin Kappa J Region (RBPJ), whose deficiency also compromised the embryo quality. Indeed, both NOTCH1 and RBPJ knockdown cause a significant increase of histone H3 serine 10 phosphorylation (pH3S10, a mitosis marker) positive blastomeres, suggesting a cell cycle arrest at mitosis. Importantly, RNA sequencing analyses reveal that either NOTCH1 or RBPJ depletion triggers a reduction in H1FOO that encodes the oocyte-specific linker histone H1 variant. Interestingly, depleting H1FOO results in detrimental effects on the developmental competence of early embryos, similar with NOTCH1 inhibition. Overall, our results reveal a crucial role for NOTCH pathway in regulating bovine preimplantation development, likely by controlling cell proliferation and maintaining H1FOO expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanna Dang
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Luo
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bingjie Hu
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huanan Wang
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Embryology, College of Animal Sciences, Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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26
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Toyooka Y. Pluripotent stem cells in the research for extraembryonic cell differentiation. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 63:127-139. [PMID: 33583019 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are pluripotent stem cell populations derived from the preimplantation embryo and are used to study the differentiation of many types of somatic and germ cells in developing embryos. They are also used to study cell lineages of extraembryonic tissues, such as the trophectoderm (TE) and the primitive endoderm (PrE). mESC cultures are suitable systems for reproducing cellular and molecular events occurring during the differentiation of these cell types, such as changes in gene expression patterns, signaling events, and genome rearrangements although the consistency between the results obtained using mESCs and those of in vivo studies on embryos should be carefully taken into account. Since TE and PrE cells can be induced from mESCs in vitro, mESC cultures are useful systems to study differentiation of these cell lineages during development, if used appropriately. In addition, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), are capable of generating extraembryonic lineages in vitro and are promising tools to study the differentiation of these lineages in the human embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayoi Toyooka
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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27
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Fiorentino J, Torres-Padilla ME, Scialdone A. Measuring and Modeling Single-Cell Heterogeneity and Fate Decision in Mouse Embryos. Annu Rev Genet 2020; 54:167-187. [PMID: 32867543 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-021920-110200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cellular heterogeneity is a property of any living system; however, its relationship with cellular fate decision remains an open question. Recent technological advances have enabled valuable insights, especially in complex systems such as the mouse embryo. In this review, we discuss recent studies that characterize cellular heterogeneity at different levels during mouse development, from the two-cell stage up to gastrulation. In addition to key experimental findings, we review mathematical modeling approaches that help researchers interpret these findings. Disentangling the role of heterogeneity in cell fate decision will likely rely on the refined integration of experiments, large-scale omics data, and mathematical modeling, complemented by the use of synthetic embryos and gastruloids as promising in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Fiorentino
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-81377 München, Germany; .,Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE) and Institute of Computational Biology (ICB), Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-81377 München, Germany; .,Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Antonio Scialdone
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells (IES), Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-81377 München, Germany; .,Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE) and Institute of Computational Biology (ICB), Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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28
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Saiz N, Hadjantonakis AK. Coordination between patterning and morphogenesis ensures robustness during mouse development. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190562. [PMID: 32829684 PMCID: PMC7482220 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian preimplantation embryo is a highly tractable, self-organizing developmental system in which three cell types are consistently specified without the need for maternal factors or external signals. Studies in the mouse over the past decades have greatly improved our understanding of the cues that trigger symmetry breaking in the embryo, the transcription factors that control lineage specification and commitment, and the mechanical forces that drive morphogenesis and inform cell fate decisions. These studies have also uncovered how these multiple inputs are integrated to allocate the right number of cells to each lineage despite inherent biological noise, and as a response to perturbations. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of how these processes are coordinated to ensure a robust and precise developmental outcome during early mouse development. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Contemporary morphogenesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néstor Saiz
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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29
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Płusa B, Piliszek A. Common principles of early mammalian embryo self-organisation. Development 2020; 147:147/14/dev183079. [PMID: 32699138 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pre-implantation mammalian development unites extreme plasticity with a robust outcome: the formation of a blastocyst, an organised multi-layered structure ready for implantation. The process of blastocyst formation is one of the best-known examples of self-organisation. The first three cell lineages in mammalian development specify and arrange themselves during the morphogenic process based on cell-cell interactions. Despite decades of research, the unifying principles driving early mammalian development are still not fully defined. Here, we discuss the role of physical forces, and molecular and cellular mechanisms, in driving self-organisation and lineage formation that are shared between eutherian mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenika Płusa
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Anna Piliszek
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Postepu 36A, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland
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30
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Batista MR, Diniz P, Torres A, Murta D, Lopes-da-Costa L, Silva E. Notch signaling in mouse blastocyst development and hatching. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2020; 20:9. [PMID: 32482162 PMCID: PMC7265256 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-020-00216-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Mammalian early embryo development requires a well-orchestrated interplay of cell signaling pathways. Notch is a major regulatory pathway involved in cell-fate determination in embryonic and adult scenarios. However, the role of Notch in embryonic pre-implantation development is controversial. In particular, Notch role on blastocyst development and hatching remains elusive, and a complete picture of the transcription and expression patterns of Notch components during this time-period is not available. Results This study provided a comprehensive view on the dynamics of individual embryo gene transcription and protein expression patterns of Notch components (receptors Notch1–4; ligands Dll1 and Dll4, Jagged1–2; and effectors Hes1–2), and their relationship with transcription of gene markers of pluripotency and differentiation (Sox2, Oct4, Klf4, Cdx2) during mouse blastocyst development and hatching. Transcription of Notch1–2, Jagged1–2 and Hes1 was highly prevalent and dynamic along stages of development, whereas transcription of Notch3–4, Dll4 and Hes2 had a low prevalence among embryos. Transcription levels of Notch1, Notch2, Jagged2 and Hes1 correlated with each other and with those of pluripotency and differentiation genes. Gene transcription was associated to protein expression, except for Jagged2, where high transcription levels in all embryos were not translated into protein. Presence of Notch signaling activity was confirmed through nuclear NICD and Hes1 detection, and downregulation of Hes1 transcription following canonical signaling blockade with DAPT. In vitro embryo culture supplementation with Jagged1 had no effect on embryo developmental kinetics. In contrast, supplementation with Jagged2 abolished Jagged1 transcription, downregulated Cdx2 transcription and inhibited blastocyst hatching. Notch signaling blockade by DAPT downregulated transcription of Sox2, and retarded embryo hatching. Conclusion Transcription of Notch genes showed a dynamic pattern along blastocyst development and hatching. Data confirmed Notch signaling activity, and lead to the suggestion that Notch canonical signaling may be operating through Notch1, Notch3, Jagged1 and Hes1. Embryo culture supplementation with Jagged1 and Jagged2 unveiled a possible regulatory effect between Jagged1, Cdx2 and blastocyst hatching. Overall, results indicate that a deregulation in Notch signaling, either by its over or under-activation, affects blastocyst development and hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana R Batista
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Diniz
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Torres
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniel Murta
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.,CBIOS - Research Centre for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Lopes-da-Costa
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Elisabete Silva
- Reproduction and Development Laboratory, CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477, Lisbon, Portugal
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31
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White MD, Plachta N. Specification of the First Mammalian Cell Lineages In Vivo and In Vitro. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a035634. [PMID: 31615786 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a035634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of how the first mammalian cell lineages arise has been shaped largely by studies of the preimplantation mouse embryo. Painstaking work over many decades has begun to reveal how a single totipotent cell is transformed into a multilayered structure representing the foundations of the body plan. Here, we review how the first lineage decision is initiated by epigenetic regulation but consolidated by the integration of morphological features and transcription factor activity. The establishment of pluripotent and multipotent stem cell lines has enabled deeper analysis of molecular and epigenetic regulation of cell fate decisions. The capability to assemble these stem cells into artificial embryos is an exciting new avenue of research that offers a long-awaited window into cell fate specification in the human embryo. Together, these approaches are poised to profoundly increase our understanding of how the first lineage decisions are made during mammalian embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie D White
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore 138673
| | - Nicolas Plachta
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore 138673
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32
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Zimmerlin L, Zambidis ET. Pleiotropic roles of tankyrase/PARP proteins in the establishment and maintenance of human naïve pluripotency. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111935. [PMID: 32151493 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Tankyrase 1 (TNKS1; PARP-5a) and Tankyrase 2 (TNKS2; PARP-5b) are poly-ADP-ribosyl-polymerase (PARP)-domain-containing proteins that regulate the activities of a wide repertoire of target proteins via post-translational addition of poly-ADP-ribose polymers (PARylation). Although tankyrases were first identified as regulators of human telomere elongation, important and expansive roles of tankyrase activity have recently emerged in the development and maintenance of stem cell states. Herein, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the various tankyrase-mediated activities that may promote human naïve and 'extended' pluripotency'. We review the putative role of tankyrase and PARP inhibition in trophectoderm specification, telomere elongation, DNA repair and chromosomal segregation, metabolism, and PTEN-mediated apoptosis. Importantly, tankyrases possess PARP-independent activities that include regulation of MDC1-associated DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) and autophagy/pexophagy, which is an essential mechanism of protein synthesis in the preimplantation embryo. Additionally, tankyrases auto-regulate themselves via auto-PARylation which augments their cellular protein levels and potentiates their non-PARP tankyrase functions. We propose that these non-PARP-related activities of tankyrase proteins may further independently affect both naïve and extended pluripotency via mechanisms that remain undetermined. We broadly outline a hypothetical framework for how inclusion of a tankyrase/PARP inhibitor in small molecule cocktails may stabilize and potentiate naïve and extended pluripotency via pleiotropic routes and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Zimmerlin
- Institute for Cell Engineering, And Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Miller Research Building, Room 755, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
| | - Elias T Zambidis
- Institute for Cell Engineering, And Division of Pediatric Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Miller Research Building, Room 755, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
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33
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Frum T, Watts JL, Ralston A. TEAD4, YAP1 and WWTR1 prevent the premature onset of pluripotency prior to the 16-cell stage. Development 2019; 146:dev.179861. [PMID: 31444221 PMCID: PMC6765126 DOI: 10.1242/dev.179861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In mice, pluripotent cells are thought to derive from cells buried inside the embryo around the 16-cell stage. Sox2 is the only pluripotency gene known to be expressed specifically within inside cells at this stage. To understand how pluripotency is established, we therefore investigated the mechanisms regulating the initial activation of Sox2 expression. Surprisingly, Sox2 expression initiated normally in the absence of both Nanog and Oct4 (Pou5f1), highlighting differences between embryo and stem cell models of pluripotency. However, we observed precocious ectopic expression of Sox2 prior to the 16-cell stage in the absence of Yap1, Wwtr1 and Tead4. Interestingly, the repression of premature Sox2 expression was sensitive to LATS kinase activity, even though LATS proteins normally do not limit activity of TEAD4, YAP1 and WWTR1 during these early stages. Finally, we present evidence for direct transcriptional repression of Sox2 by YAP1, WWTR1 and TEAD4. Taken together, our observations reveal that, while embryos are initially competent to express Sox2 as early as the four-cell stage, transcriptional repression prevents the premature expression of Sox2, thereby restricting the pluripotency program to the stage when inside cells are first created. Highlighted Article: The pluripotency marker SOX2 is not initially regulated by OCT4 and NANOG, but by HIPPO pathway members during the first 2 days of mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Frum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jennifer L Watts
- Physiology Graduate Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.,Reproductive and Developmental Biology Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Amy Ralston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA .,Reproductive and Developmental Biology Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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34
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Ajduk A, Duncan EJ. From genes to environment in shaping of an embryo: understanding embryonic-extraembryonic interactions at the BSDB autumn meeting in Oxford. Dev Genes Evol 2019; 229:83-87. [PMID: 30798362 PMCID: PMC6500506 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-019-00628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The British Society for Developmental Biology Autumn Meeting, held in Oxford in September 2018, was the third in a series of international workshops which have been focussed on development at the extraembryonic-embryonic interface. This workshop, entitled "Embryonic-Extraembryonic Interactions: from Genetics to Environment" built on the two previous workshops held in 2011 (Leuven, Belgium) and 2015 (Göttingen, Germany). This workshop brought together researchers utilising a diverse range of organisms (including both vertebrate and invertebrate species) and a range of experimental approaches to answer core questions in developmental biology. This meeting report highlights some of the major themes emerging from the workshop including an evolutionary perspective as well as recent advances that have been made through the adoption of emerging techniques and technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ajduk
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elizabeth J Duncan
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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35
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Menchero S, Rollan I, Lopez-Izquierdo A, Andreu MJ, Sainz de Aja J, Kang M, Adan J, Benedito R, Rayon T, Hadjantonakis AK, Manzanares M. Transitions in cell potency during early mouse development are driven by Notch. eLife 2019; 8:42930. [PMID: 30958266 PMCID: PMC6486152 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch signalling pathway plays fundamental roles in diverse developmental processes in metazoans, where it is important in driving cell fate and directing differentiation of various cell types. However, we still have limited knowledge about the role of Notch in early preimplantation stages of mammalian development, or how it interacts with other signalling pathways active at these stages such as Hippo. By using genetic and pharmacological tools in vivo, together with image analysis of single embryos and pluripotent cell culture, we have found that Notch is active from the 4-cell stage. Transcriptomic analysis in single morula identified novel Notch targets, such as early naïve pluripotency markers or transcriptional repressors such as TLE4. Our results reveal a previously undescribed role for Notch in driving transitions during the gradual loss of potency that takes place in the early mouse embryo prior to the first lineage decisions. We start life as a single cell, which immediately begins to divide to form an embryo that will eventually contain all the different kinds of cells found in the adult body. During the first few rounds of cell division, embryonic cells can become any type of adult cells, but also form the placenta, the organ that sustains the embryo while in the womb. As cells keep on dividing, they lose this ability, called potency, and they take on more specific and inflexible roles. The first choice embryonic cells must make is whether to become part of the placenta or part of the future body. These types of decisions are controlled by molecular cascades known as signalling pathways, which relay information from the cells surface to its control centre. There, specific genes get turned on or off in response to an outside signal. Previous research showed that two signalling pathways, Hippo and Notch, help separate placenta cells from those that will form the rest of the body. However, it was not known whether the two pathways worked independently, or if they were overlapping. Menchero et al. therefore wanted to find out when exactly the Notch pathway started to be active, and examine how it helped cells to either become the placenta or part of the future body. Experiments with developing mouse embryos showed that the Notch pathway was activated after the very first two cell divisions, when the embryo consists of only four cells. Genetic manipulations combined with drug treatments that changed the activity of the Notch pathway confirmed that Notch and Hippo acted independently at this stage. Further, larger-scale analysis of gene activity in these embryos also revealed that Notch signalling was working in a previously unknown way: it turned off the genes that maintain potency, pushing the cells to become more specialised. Ultimately, identifying this new mode of action for the Notch pathway in the early embryo may help to understand how the signalling cascade acts in other types of processes. This knowledge could be useful, for example, to push embryonic cells grown in the laboratory towards a desired fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Menchero
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Rollan
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Maria Jose Andreu
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio Sainz de Aja
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Minjung Kang
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States
| | - Javier Adan
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rui Benedito
- Molecular Genetics of Angiogenesis Group, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Rayon
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Miguel Manzanares
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
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