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Villalba A, Gitton Y, Inoue M, Aiello V, Blain R, Toupin M, Mazaud-Guittot S, Rachdi L, Semb H, Chédotal A, Scharfmann R. A 3D atlas of the human developing pancreas to explore progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Diabetologia 2024; 67:1066-1078. [PMID: 38630142 PMCID: PMC11058870 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-024-06143-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Rodent pancreas development has been described in great detail. On the other hand, there are still gaps in our understanding of the developmental trajectories of pancreatic cells during human ontogenesis. Here, our aim was to map the spatial and chronological dynamics of human pancreatic cell differentiation and proliferation by using 3D imaging of cleared human embryonic and fetal pancreases. METHODS We combined tissue clearing with light-sheet fluorescence imaging in human embryonic and fetal pancreases during the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, we validated an explant culture system enabling in vitro proliferation of pancreatic progenitors to determine the mitogenic effect of candidate molecules. RESULTS We detected the first insulin-positive cells as early as five post-conceptional weeks, two weeks earlier than previously observed. We observed few insulin-positive clusters at five post-conceptional weeks (mean ± SD 9.25±5.65) with a sharp increase to 11 post-conceptional weeks (4307±152.34). We identified a central niche as the location of onset of the earliest insulin cell production and detected extra-pancreatic loci within the adjacent developing gut. Conversely, proliferating pancreatic progenitors were located in the periphery of the epithelium, suggesting the existence of two separated pancreatic niches for differentiation and proliferation. Additionally, we observed that the proliferation ratio of progenitors ranged between 20% and 30%, while for insulin-positive cells it was 1%. We next unveiled a mitogenic effect of the platelet-derived growth factor AA isoform (PDGFAA) in progenitors acting through the pancreatic mesenchyme by increasing threefold the number of proliferating progenitors. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION This work presents a first 3D atlas of the human developing pancreas, charting both endocrine and proliferating cells across early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Villalba
- Institut Cochin, CNRS, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Yorick Gitton
- Inserm, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Megumi Inoue
- Inserm, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Aiello
- Institut Cochin, CNRS, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Blain
- Inserm, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Maryne Toupin
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, Université Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Séverine Mazaud-Guittot
- Inserm, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, Université Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Latif Rachdi
- Institut Cochin, CNRS, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Henrik Semb
- Institute of Translational Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Alain Chédotal
- Inserm, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
- Institut de pathologie, groupe hospitalier Est, hospices civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.
- MeLiS, CNRS UMR5284, Inserm U1314, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Luo HT, He Q, Yang W, He F, Dong J, Hu CF, Yang XF, Li N, Li FR. Single-cell analyses reveal distinct expression patterns and roles of long non-coding RNAs during hESC differentiation into pancreatic progenitors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:38. [PMID: 36907881 PMCID: PMC10010006 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03259-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep understanding the differentiation process of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is essential for developing cell-based therapeutic strategy. Substantial efforts have been made to investigate protein-coding genes, yet it remains lacking comprehensive characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during this process. METHODS hESCs were passaged every 5-6 days and had maintained stable karyotype even until the 50th generation. Pancreatic progenitor specification of in vitro differentiation from hESCs was performed and modified. The nuclei were stained with 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Droplet-based platform (10X Genomics) was applied to generate the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. The quality of the filtered read pairs was evaluated by using FastQC. Batch effects were removed using the size factor method. Dimension reduction and unsupervised clustering analyses were performed using Seurat R package. The Monocle 2 and MetaCell algorithms were used to order single cells on a pseudotime course and partition the scRNA-seq data into metacells, respectively. Co-expression network was constructed using WGCNA. Module- and hub-based methods were adopted to predict the functions of lncRNAs. RESULTS A total of 77,382 cells during the differentiation process of hESCs toward pancreatic progenitors were sequenced. According to the single-cell map, the cells from different time points were authenticated to constitute a relatively homogeneous population, in which a total of 7382 lncRNAs could be detected. Through further analyzing the time course data, conserved and specific expression features of lncRNAs during hESC differentiation were revealed. Based upon pseudotime analysis, 52 pseudotime-associated lncRNAs that grouped into three distinct expression patterns were identified. We also implemented MetaCell algorithm and network-based methods to explore the functional mechanisms of these lncRNAs. Totally, 464 lncRNAs, including 49 pseudotime-associated lncRNAs were functionally annotated by either module-based or hub-based methods. Most importantly, we demonstrated that the lncRNA HOTAIRM1, which co-localized and co-expressed with several HOX genes, may play crucial role in the generation of pancreatic progenitors through regulation of exocytosis and retinoic acid receptor signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our single-cell analyses provide valuable data resources for biological researchers and novel insights into hESC differentiation processes, which will guide future endeavors to further elucidate the roles of lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Tao Luo
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China.,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Qian He
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.,School of Food and Drug, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China.,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China.,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Fei He
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China.,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jun Dong
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chao-Feng Hu
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Yang
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China. .,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Ning Li
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China. .,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Fu-Rong Li
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, 518020, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center of Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Transformation, Shenzhen Immune Cell Therapy Public Service Platform, Shenzhen, 518020, China. .,Health Medicine Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Agrawal A, Narayan G, Gogoi R, Thummer RP. Recent Advances in the Generation of β-Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Potential Cure for Diabetes Mellitus. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021; 1347:1-27. [PMID: 34426962 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The present-day solution to diabetes mellitus includes regular administration of insulin, which brings about many medical complications in diabetic patients. Although islet transplantation from cadaveric subjects was proposed to be a permanent cure, the increased risk of infections, the need for immunosuppressive drugs, and their unavailability had restricted its use. To overcome this, the generation of renewable and transplantable β-cells derived from autologous induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has gained enormous interest as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat diabetes mellitus permanently. To date, extensive research has been undertaken to derive transplantable insulin-producing β-cells (iβ-cells) from iPSCs in vitro by recapitulating the in vivo developmental process of the pancreas. This in vivo developmental process relies on transcription factors, signaling molecules, growth factors, and culture microenvironment. This review highlights the various factors facilitating the generation of mature β-cells from iPSCs. Moreover, this review also describes the generation of pancreatic progenitors and β-cells from diabetic patient-specific iPSCs, exploring the potential of the diabetes disease model and drug discovery. In addition, the applications of genome editing strategies have also been discussed to achieve patient-specific diabetes cell therapy. Last, we have discussed the current challenges and prospects of iPSC-derived β-cells to improve the relative efficacy of the available treatment of diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti Agrawal
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Gloria Narayan
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ranadeep Gogoi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Guwahati, Changsari, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Rajkumar P Thummer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India.
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Zhang Y, Xu J, Ren Z, Meng Y, Liu W, Lu L, Zhou Z, Chen G. Nicotinamide promotes pancreatic differentiation through the dual inhibition of CK1 and ROCK kinases in human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:362. [PMID: 34172095 PMCID: PMC8235863 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) plays important roles in metabolism as well as in SIRT and PARP pathways. It is also recently reported as a novel kinase inhibitor with multiple targets. Nicotinamide promotes pancreatic cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). However, its molecular mechanism is still unclear. In order to understand the molecular mechanism involved in pancreatic cell fate determination, we analyzed the downstream pathways of nicotinamide in the derivation of NKX6.1+ pancreatic progenitors from hESCs. Methods We applied downstream modulators of nicotinamide during the induction from posterior foregut to pancreatic progenitors, including niacin, PARP inhibitor, SIRT inhibitor, CK1 inhibitor and ROCK inhibitor. The impact of those treatments was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometry and immunostaining of pancreatic markers. Furthermore, CK1 isoforms were knocked down to validate CK1 function in the induction of pancreatic progenitors. Finally, RNA-seq was used to demonstrate pancreatic induction on the transcriptomic level. Results First, we demonstrated that nicotinamide promoted pancreatic progenitor differentiation in chemically defined conditions, but it did not act through either niacin-associated metabolism or the inhibition of PARP and SIRT pathways. In contrast, nicotinamide modulated differentiation through CK1 and ROCK inhibition. We demonstrated that CK1 inhibitors promoted the generation of PDX1/NKX6.1 double-positive pancreatic progenitor cells. shRNA knockdown revealed that the inhibition of CK1α and CK1ε promoted pancreatic progenitor differentiation. We then showed that nicotinamide also improved pancreatic progenitor differentiation through ROCK inhibition. Finally, RNA-seq data showed that CK1 and ROCK inhibition led to pancreatic gene expression, similar to nicotinamide treatment. Conclusions In this report, we revealed that nicotinamide promotes generation of pancreatic progenitors from hESCs through CK1 and ROCK inhibition. Furthermore, we discovered the novel role of CK1 in pancreatic cell fate determination. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02426-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Zhang
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Jiaqi Xu
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Zhili Ren
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Ya Meng
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.,Bioimaging and Stem Cell Core Facility, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Ligong Lu
- Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Jinan University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory for Molecular Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases, Diagnostic Laboratory Service, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guokai Chen
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China. .,Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China. .,MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China.
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Haellman V, Saxena P, Jiang Y, Fussenegger M. Rational design and optimization of synthetic gene switches for controlling cell-fate decisions in pluripotent stem cells. Metab Eng 2021; 65:99-110. [PMID: 33744461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have enabled robust control of cell behavior by using tunable genetic circuits to regulate gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner. Such circuits can be used to direct the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) towards desired cell types, but rational design of synthetic gene circuits in PSCs is challenging due to the variable intracellular environment. Here, we provide a framework for implementing synthetic gene switches in PSCs based on combinations of tunable transcriptional, structural, and posttranslational elements that can be engineered as required, using the vanillic acid-controlled transcriptional activator (VanA) as a model system. We further show that the VanA system can be multiplexed with the well-established reverse tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (rtTA) system to enable independent control of the expression of different transcription factors in human induced PSCs in order to enhance lineage specification towards early pancreatic progenitors. This work represents a first step towards standardizing the design and construction of synthetic gene switches for building robust gene-regulatory networks to guide stem cell differentiation towards a desired cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Haellman
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pratik Saxena
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yanrui Jiang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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Wang KL, Tao M, Wei TJ, Wei R. Pancreatic β cell regeneration induced by clinical and preclinical agents. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:64-77. [PMID: 33584980 PMCID: PMC7859987 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i1.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, one of the most common chronic diseases in the modern world, has pancreatic β cell deficiency as a major part of its pathophysiological mechanism. Pancreatic regeneration is a potential therapeutic strategy for the recovery of β cell loss. However, endocrine islets have limited regenerative capacity, especially in adult humans. Almost all hypoglycemic drugs can protect β cells by inhibiting β cell apoptosis and dedifferentiation via correction of hyperglycemia and amelioration of the consequent inflammation and oxidative stress. Several agents, including glucagon-like peptide-1 and γ-aminobutyric acid, have been shown to promote β cell proliferation, which is considered the main source of the regenerated β cells in adult rodents, but with less clarity in humans. Pancreatic progenitor cells might exist and be activated under particular circumstances. Artemisinins and γ-aminobutyric acid can induce α-to-β cell conversion, although some disputes exist. Intestinal endocrine progenitors can transdeterminate into insulin-producing cells in the gut after FoxO1 deletion, and pharmacological research into FoxO1 inhibition is ongoing. Other cells, including pancreatic acinar cells, can transdifferentiate into β cells, and clinical and preclinical strategies are currently underway. In this review, we summarize the clinical and preclinical agents used in different approaches for β cell regeneration and make some suggestions regarding future perspectives for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Li Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ming Tao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tian-Jiao Wei
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Rui Wei
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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Aigha II, Abdelalim EM. NKX6.1 transcription factor: a crucial regulator of pancreatic β cell development, identity, and proliferation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:459. [PMID: 33121533 PMCID: PMC7597038 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01977-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the biology underlying the mechanisms and pathways regulating pancreatic β cell development is necessary to understand the pathology of diabetes mellitus (DM), which is characterized by the progressive reduction in insulin-producing β cell mass. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can potentially offer an unlimited supply of functional β cells for cellular therapy and disease modeling of DM. Homeobox protein NKX6.1 is a transcription factor (TF) that plays a critical role in pancreatic β cell function and proliferation. In human pancreatic islet, NKX6.1 expression is exclusive to β cells and is undetectable in other islet cells. Several reports showed that activation of NKX6.1 in PSC-derived pancreatic progenitors (MPCs), expressing PDX1 (PDX1+/NKX6.1+), warrants their future commitment to monohormonal β cells. However, further differentiation of MPCs lacking NKX6.1 expression (PDX1+/NKX6.1−) results in an undesirable generation of non-functional polyhormonal β cells. The importance of NKX6.1 as a crucial regulator in MPC specification into functional β cells directs attentions to further investigating its mechanism and enhancing NKX6.1 expression as a means to increase β cell function and mass. Here, we shed light on the role of NKX6.1 during pancreatic β cell development and in directing the MPCs to functional monohormonal lineage. Furthermore, we address the transcriptional mechanisms and targets of NKX6.1 as well as its association with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idil I Aigha
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar.,Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Essam M Abdelalim
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), Doha, Qatar. .,Diabetes Research Center (DRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation (QF), PO Box 34110, Doha, Qatar.
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Maloy MH, Ferrer MA, Parashurama N. In Vivo Differentiation of Stem Cell-derived Human Pancreatic Progenitors to Treat Type 1 Diabetes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020; 16:1139-1155. [PMID: 32844324 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that results from the loss of the pancreatic β-cells. The autoimmune destruction of the β-cells causes the loss of insulin production from the islets of the pancreas, resulting in the loss of blood glucose regulation. This loss of regulation, if not treated, can lead to a plethora of long-term complications in patients. Subsequently, T1DM patients rely on the administration of exogenous insulin sources to maintain their blood glucose levels. In this review, we summarize the history of T1DM therapy and current treatment options. Although treatments for T1DM have progressed substantially, none of the available treatment options allow the patient to live autonomously. Therefore, the challenge to develop a therapy that will fully reverse the disease still remains. A promising field of T1DM therapies is cell replacement therapies derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Here, we specifically review studies that employ stem-cell derived pancreatic progenitors transplanted for in vivo differentiation/maturation and discuss, in detail, the complications that arise post transplantation, including heterogeneity, graft immaturity, and host foreign bodyresponse. We also discuss efforts to induce human stem cell-derived mature β-cells in vitro and compare strategies regarding transplantation of pancreatic progenitors versus mature β-cells cells. Finally, we review key approaches that address critical limitations of in vivo progenitor differentiation including vascularization, oxygenation, and transplant location. The field of islet replacement therapy has made tremendous progress in the last two decades. If the strengths and limitations of the field continue to be identified and addressed, future studies will lead to an ideal treatment for T1DM. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell H Maloy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo (State University of New York), 907 Furnas Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Matthew A Ferrer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo (State University of New York), 907 Furnas Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Natesh Parashurama
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo (State University of New York), 907 Furnas Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, (State University of New York), 323 Bonner Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA. .,Clinical and Translation Research Center (CTRC), University at Buffalo (State University of New York), 875 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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Bakhti M, Scheibner K, Tritschler S, Bastidas-Ponce A, Tarquis-Medina M, Theis FJ, Lickert H. Establishment of a high-resolution 3D modeling system for studying pancreatic epithelial cell biology in vitro. Mol Metab 2019; 30:16-29. [PMID: 31767167 PMCID: PMC6812400 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Translation of basic research from bench-to-bedside relies on a better understanding of similarities and differences between mouse and human cell biology, tissue formation, and organogenesis. Thus, establishing ex vivo modeling systems of mouse and human pancreas development will help not only to understand evolutionary conserved mechanisms of differentiation and morphogenesis but also to understand pathomechanisms of disease and design strategies for tissue engineering. METHODS Here, we established a simple and reproducible Matrigel-based three-dimensional (3D) cyst culture model system of mouse and human pancreatic progenitors (PPs) to study pancreatic epithelialization and endocrinogenesis ex vivo. In addition, we reanalyzed previously reported single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of mouse and human pancreatic lineages to obtain a comprehensive picture of differential expression of key transcription factors (TFs), cell-cell adhesion molecules and cell polarity components in PPs during endocrinogenesis. RESULTS We generated mouse and human polarized pancreatic epithelial cysts derived from PPs. This system allowed to monitor establishment of pancreatic epithelial polarity and lumen formation in cellular and sub-cellular resolution in a dynamic time-resolved fashion. Furthermore, both mouse and human pancreatic cysts were able to differentiate towards the endocrine fate. This differentiation system together with scRNA-seq analysis revealed how apical-basal polarity and tight and adherens junctions change during endocrine differentiation. CONCLUSIONS We have established a simple 3D pancreatic cyst culture system that allows to tempo-spatial resolve cellular and subcellular processes on the mechanistical level, which is otherwise not possible in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Bakhti
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Katharina Scheibner
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophie Tritschler
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany
| | - Aimée Bastidas-Ponce
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Marta Tarquis-Medina
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Department of Mathematics, Munich, Germany
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, D-85764, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.
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10
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Giannios I, Serafimidis I, Anastasiou V, Pezzolla D, Lesche M, Andree C, Bickle M, Gavalas A. Protein Methyltransferase Inhibition Decreases Endocrine Specification Through the Upregulation of Aldh1b1 Expression. Stem Cells 2019; 37:640-651. [PMID: 30681750 PMCID: PMC6850398 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that promote the specification of pancreas progenitors and regulate their self-renewal and differentiation will help to maintain and expand pancreas progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem (hPS) cells. This will improve the efficiency of current differentiation protocols of hPS cells into β-cells and bring such cells closer to clinical applications for the therapy of diabetes. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1b1 (Aldh1b1) is a mitochondrial enzyme expressed specifically in progenitor cells during mouse pancreas development, and we have shown that its functional inactivation leads to accelerated differentiation and deficient β-cells. In this report, we aimed to identify small molecule inducers of Aldh1b1 expression taking advantage of a mouse embryonic stem (mES) cell Aldh1b1 lacZ reporter line and a pancreas differentiation protocol directing mES cells into pancreatic progenitors. We identified AMI-5, a protein methyltransferase inhibitor, as an Aldh1b1 inducer and showed that it can maintain Aldh1b1 expression in embryonic pancreas explants. This led to a selective reduction in endocrine specification. This effect was due to a downregulation of Ngn3, and it was mediated through Aldh1b1 since the effect was abolished in Aldh1b1 null pancreata. The findings implicated methyltransferase activity in the regulation of endocrine differentiation and showed that methyltransferases can act through specific regulators during pancreas differentiation. Stem Cells 2019;37:640-651.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Giannios
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Vivian Anastasiou
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Pezzolla
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany.,Biotechnology Center (Biotec), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cordula Andree
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Bickle
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anthony Gavalas
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU Dresden, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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11
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Abstract
Type 1 diabetes, characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, affects 41 million people worldwide. Beta cell replacement therapies have immense potential as a treatment option because pancreatic progenitors derived from human pluripotent stem cells can provide a near limitless supply of transplantable tissue. The key limitation of this approach is the need for lifelong use of immunosuppressive drugs that have undesirable side effects. Microencapsulation is an option for providing protection for transplanted cells from mechanical stress and immune attack. Traditionally, pluripotent cells are differentiated on a 2D matrix before being transferred into an immunoisolation device. Here, we describe a method of differentiating pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic progenitors while the cells are encapsulated in alginate microspheres. This method provides several advantages including the need for fewer steps compared to the traditional approach, protection against mechanical/physical damage during differentiation in bioreactors, and immune-protection of cells once transplanted into the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Carroll
- School of Medical Sciences, Discipline Physiology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Auvro R Mridha
- School of Medical Sciences, Discipline Physiology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bernard E Tuch
- School of Medical Sciences, Discipline Physiology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Australian Foundation for Diabetes Research, Maroubra, NSW, Australia.
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12
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Aigha II, Memon B, Elsayed AK, Abdelalim EM. Differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into two distinct NKX6.1 populations of pancreatic progenitors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:83. [PMID: 29615106 PMCID: PMC5883581 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0834-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of a specific combination of transcription factors (TFs) in the multipotent progenitor cells (MPCs) is critical for determining pancreatic cell fate. NKX6.1 expression in PDX1+ MPCs is required for functional β cell generation. We have recently demonstrated the generation of a novel population of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived MPCs that exclusively express NKX6.1, independently of PDX1 (PDX1-/NKX6.1+). Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize this novel population to elucidate its role in pancreatic development. METHODS The hPSCs were exposed to two differentiation protocols to generate MPCs that were analyzed using different techniques. RESULTS Based on the expression of PDX1 and NKX6.1, we generated three different populations of MPCs, two of them were NKX6.1+. One of these NKX6.1 populations coexpressed PDX1 (PDX1+/NKX6.1+) which is known to mature into functional β cells, and an additional novel population did not express PDX1 (PDX1-/NKX6.1+) with an undefined role in pancreatic cell fate. This novel population was enriched using our recently established protocol, allowing their reorganization in three-dimensional (3D) structures. Since NKX6.1 induction in MPCs can direct them to endocrine and/or ductal cells in humans, we examined the coexpression of endocrine and ductal markers. We found that the expression of the pancreatic endocrine progenitor markers chromogranin A (CHGA) and neurogenin 3 (NGN3) was not detected in the NKX6.1+ 3D structures, while few structures were positive for NKX2.2, another endocrine progenitor marker, thereby shedding light on the origin of this novel population and its role in pancreatic endocrine development. Furthermore, SOX9 was highly expressed in the 3D structures, but cytokeratin 19, a main ductal marker, was not detected in these structures. CONCLUSIONS These data support the existence of two independent NKX6.1+ MPC populations during human pancreatic development and the novel PDX1-/NKX6.1+ population may be involved in a unique trajectory to generate β cells in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idil I Aigha
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Bushra Memon
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed K Elsayed
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Essam M Abdelalim
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar.
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13
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Ma D, Tang S, Song J, Wu Q, Zhang F, Xing Y, Pan Y, Zhang Y, Jiang J, Zhang Y, Jin L. Culturing and transcriptome profiling of progenitor-like colonies derived from adult mouse pancreas. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:172. [PMID: 28747214 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0626-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transplantation of insulin-producing cells is considered an important diabetes therapy. Many research studies have shown that insulin-producing cells can be derived from the in-vitro cultured pancreatic colonies with self-renewal ability and multilineage potential. Even though these progenitor-like colonies have been prepared from adult pancreas cells, the efficient culture method is hardly established and regulation of the colonies is rarely known. We confirmed previously that single cells acquired from adult mouse pancreas could form cyst-like colonies in a 3D semi-solid system containing Matrigel and methylcellulose. These colonies could be passaged continuously without losing progenitor-like capacity. In the previous culturing system, however, conditioned medium from murine embryonic-stem-cell-derived pancreatic-like cells was used. This unregulated ingredient may reduce repeatability and affect following study. Thus, a new culturing system with certain components needs to be developed. Methods Single cell suspension was acquired from adult mouse pancreas and cultured in a Matrigel-based 3D system with epidermal growth factor, Nicotinamide, B27, and Noggin to form ring colonies. Serial-passage assay was performed to evaluate self-renewal ability. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining were used to detect the expression of progenitor-related genes. A 2D differentiation method was used to testify the multilineage potency of the colonies. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of the colonies was performed to profile the differentially expressed genes. Results We developed a 3D culturing system deprived of conditioned medium to propagate those colonies with high proliferative efficiency. HTS of the transcriptome of mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) showed differentially expressed genes compared to the whole pancreas (as control). In mRNAs, several surface marker genes were identified in the colonies. Moreover in noncoding RNAs, miR-21a, miR-31 and miR-155 were upregulated and miR-217, miR-802 and miR-375 were downregulated in colonies along with a number of other miRNAs and lncRNAs. Conclusions Our results offer an efficient culture system for pancreatic progenitor-like colonies and HTS of the colonies serves as a target resource for following study of in-vitro cultured pancreatic progenitors. These findings should also contribute to our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of these progenitor-like colonies and the mechanisms behind their functions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0626-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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14
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is defined by an autoimmune destruction of insulin producing β-cells located in the endocrine part of the pancreas, the islets of Langerhans. As exogenous insulin administration fails at preventing severe complications associated with this disease, cell replacement therapies are being considered as a means to treat T1D. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the challenges associated with current strategies and discuss the potential of stem cell therapy for the treatment of T1D. RECENT FINDINGS The most prominent therapy offered to T1D patients is exogenous insulin administration which, despite formulations improvement, remains a suboptimal treatment, due to the frequency of injections and the issues associated with precise dosing. As immunotherapy approaches have remained unsuccessful, the only cure for T1D is transplantation of donor-derived pancreas or islets. However, donor scarcity, graft loss, and immune response to the foreign tissue are issues challenging this approach and limiting the number of patients who can benefit from such treatments. In this review, we discuss the causes of T1D and the shortcomings of the current treatments. Furthermore, we summarize the cutting edge research that aims to tackle the current challenges in reaching a quality-controlled product with long-term effects, with a focus on regenerative medicine approaches using human pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Aghazadeh
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Toronto, Canada
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Maria Cristina Nostro
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Toronto, Canada.
- University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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15
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Korostylev A, Mahaddalkar PU, Keminer O, Hadian K, Schorpp K, Gribbon P, Lickert H. A high-content small molecule screen identifies novel inducers of definitive endoderm. Mol Metab 2017; 6:640-650. [PMID: 28702321 PMCID: PMC5485240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can generate any given cell type in the human body. One challenge for cell-replacement therapy is the efficient differentiation and expansion of large quantities of progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells produced under good manufacturing practice (GMP). FOXA2 and SOX17 double positive definitive endoderm (DE) progenitor cells can give rise to all endoderm-derived cell types in the thymus, thyroid, lung, pancreas, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. FOXA2 is a pioneer transcription factor in DE differentiation that is also expressed and functionally required during pancreas development and islet cell homeostasis. Current differentiation protocols can successfully generate endoderm; however, generation of mature glucose-sensitive and insulin-secreting β-cells is still a challenge. As a result, it is of utmost importance to screen for small molecules that can improve DE and islet cell differentiation for cell-replacement therapy for diabetic patients. Methods The aim of this study was to identify and validate small molecules that can induce DE differentiation and further enhance pancreatic progenitor differentiation. Therefore, we developed a large scale, high-content screen for testing a chemical library of 23,406 small molecules to identify compounds that induce FoxA2 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Results Based on our high-content screen algorithm, we selected 84 compounds that directed differentiation of mESCs towards the FoxA2 lineage. Strikingly, we identified ROCK inhibition (ROCKi) as a novel mechanism of endoderm induction in mESCs and hESCs. DE induced by the ROCK inhibitor Fasudil efficiently gives rise to PDX1+ pancreatic progenitors from hESCs. Conclusion Taken together, DE induction by ROCKi can simplify and improve current endoderm and pancreatic differentiation protocols towards a GMP-grade cell product for β-cell replacement. High content screen of 23,406 small molecules identifies novel definitive endoderm inducers Fasudil and RKI-1447 in mESCs. Fasudil and RKI-1447 induce anterior definitive endoderm differentiation in mESCs and hESCs through ROCK inhibition. Fasudil and RKI-1447 further differentiates the ADE cells into PDX1+ pancreatic progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Korostylev
- Institute for Diabetes and Regeneration, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Keminer
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Ökologie IME, ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kamyar Hadian
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Kenji Schorpp
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Philip Gribbon
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Molekularbiologie und Angewandte Ökologie IME, ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heiko Lickert
- Institute for Diabetes and Regeneration, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany.,Institute for Stem Cell Research, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
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16
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Abstract
In this chapter, we describe a highly efficient genetic modification strategy for human pancreatic progenitor cells using modified mRNA-encoding GFP and Neurogenin-3. The properties of modified mRNA offer an invaluable platform to drive protein expression, which has broad applicability in pathway regulation, directed differentiation, and lineage specification. This approach can also be used to regulate expression of other pivotal transcription factors during pancreas development and might have potential therapeutic values in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Christie C Chow
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Junwei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Po Sing Leung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Stephen K Tsui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Kathy O Lui
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China. .,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Princes of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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