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Dong K, Wu C, Hou X, Zeng Y, Luo L. Prediction of embryo euploidy and pregnancy outcome by blastocyst morphology and development speed for women receiving single embryo transfer. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2024; 44:2338235. [PMID: 38619096 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2024.2338235] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selection of high-quality blastocysts is the most important factor determining the success of assisted reproductive technology. The objective of this study is to assess the values of blastocyst morphological quality and development speed for predicting euploidy and clinical pregnancy outcome. METHODS A total of 155 preimplantation genetic testing cycles including 959 blastocysts and 154 euploid blastocyst transfer cycles conducted between January 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The associations of blastocyst morphological quality and development speed (D) with chromosomal status, clinical pregnancy rate, early miscarriage rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression. RESULTS The euploidy rate of development speed D5 blastocysts was significantly greater than that of D6 blastocysts (61.4% vs. 38.1%, P < 0.001), and the euploid rate of morphologically high-grade blastocysts was significantly greater than that of non-high-grade blastocysts. Development speed D5 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2, P = 0.02) and high-grade morphology (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-2.9, P = 0.01) were independent predictors of euploidy. The ongoing pregnancy rate of D5 blastocysts was significantly higher than that of D6 blastocysts (62.3% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.04). Transfer of euploid blastocysts with high-grade morphology resulted in a greater ongoing pregnancy rate than transfer of non-high-grade euploid blastocysts (60.7% vs. 43.2%, P = 0.049). Alternatively, D6 development speed was an independent risk factor for early pregnancy loss after euploid blastocyst transfer. Multivariate regression analysis adjusting for confounding factors identified maternal age, blastocyst development speed, and blastocyst morphological grade as independent predictors of euploidy but not of clinical pregnancy. CONCLUSION The recommended sequence of embryo transfer based on the present study is D5 high-grade > D6 high-grade > D5 non-high-grade > D6 non-high-grade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Dong
- The Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- The Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xuerong Hou
- The Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Zeng
- The Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Lu Luo
- The Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
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Lei X, Wang X, Li Y, Liu H, Yan G, Jing J, Liang Z, Guo A, Hu M, Liu Y. Comparison of knee joint and temporomandibular joint development in pig embryos. Anim Biotechnol 2024; 35:2337760. [PMID: 38656923 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2024.2337760] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Although the knee joint (KNJ) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) all belong to the synovial joint, there are many differences in developmental origin, joint structure and articular cartilage type. Studies of joint development in embryos have been performed, mainly using poultry and rodents. However, KNJ and TMJ in poultry and rodents differ from those in humans in several ways. Very little work has been done on the embryonic development of KNJ and TMJ in large mammals. Several studies have shown that pigs are ideal animals for embryonic development research. Embryonic day 30 (E30), E35, E45, E55, E75, E90, Postnatal day 0 (P0) and Postnatal day 30 (P30) embryos/fetuses from the pigs were used for this study. The results showed that KNJ develops earlier than TMJ. Only one mesenchymal condensate of KNJ is formed on E30, while two mesenchymal condensates of TMJ are present on E35. All structures of KNJ and TMJ were formed on E45. The growth plate of KNJ begins to develop on E45 and becomes more pronounced from E55 to P30. From E75 to E90, more and more vascular-rich cartilage canals form in the cartilage regions of both joints. The cartilaginous canal of the TMJ divides the condyle into sections along the longitudinal axis of the condyle. This arrangement of cartilaginous canal was not found in the KNJ. The chondrification of KNJ precedes that of TMJ. Ossification of the knee condyle occurs gradually from the middle to the periphery, while that of the TMJ occurs gradually from the base of the mandibular condyle. In the KNJ, the ossification of the articular condyle is evident from P0 to P30, and the growth plate is completely formed on P30. In the TMJ, the cartilage layer of condyle becomes thinner from P0 to P30. There is no growth plate formation in TMJ during its entire development. There is no growth plate formation in the TMJ throughout its development. The condyle may be the developmental center of the TMJ. The chondrocytes and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate are densely arranged. The condylar chondrocytes of TMJ are scattered, while the hypertrophic chondrocytes are arranged. Embryonic development of KNJ and TMJ in pigs is an important bridge for translating the results of rodent studies to medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Lei
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xuewen Wang
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongfeng Li
- Department of Stomatology, Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Huawei Liu
- Department of Stomatology, the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Guoqiang Yan
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jinzhu Jing
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Anyi Guo
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Stomatology, the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yajun Liu
- Beijing Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Beijing, PR China
- Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
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Wu X, Wang S, Guo Y, Zeng S. Overexpression of KAT8 induces a failure in early embryonic development in mice. Theriogenology 2024; 221:31-37. [PMID: 38537319 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.03.014] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Embryo quality is strongly associated with subsequent embryonic developmental efficiency. However, the detailed function of lysine acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8) during early embryonic development in mice remains elusive. In this study, we reported that KAT8 played a pivotal role in the first cleavage of mouse embryos. Immunostaining results revealed that KAT8 predominantly accumulated in the nucleus throughout the entire embryonic developmental process. Kat8 overexpression (Kat8-OE) was correlated with early developmental potential of embryos to the blastocyst stage. We also found that Kat8-OE embryos showed spindle-assembly defects and chromosomal misalignment, and that Kat8-OE in embryos led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), accumulation of phosphorylated γH2AX by affecting the expression of critical genes related to mitochondrial respiratory chain and antioxidation pathways. Subsequently, cellular apoptosis was activated as confirmed by TUNEL (Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling) assay. Furthermore, we revealed that KAT8 was related to regulating the acetylation status of H4K16 in mouse embryos, and Kat8-OE induced the hyperacetylation of H4K16, which might be a key factor for the defective spindle/chromosome apparatus. Collectively, our data suggest that KAT8 constitutes an important regulator of spindle assembly and redox homeostasis during early embryonic development in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yajun Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shenming Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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Senn LK, Peterson KD, Edwards JL, Payton RR, Mathew DJ. Oviduct and endometrial epithelium improve in vitro produced bovine embryo developmental kinetics. Reproduction 2024; 167:e240008. [PMID: 38451876 DOI: 10.1530/rep-24-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
In brief Standard in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryo culture media limit embryonic development. Culturing IVP bovine embryos in standard IVP bovine embryo culture media conditioned with oviduct and/or endometrial cells improves blastocyst formation and reduces the time to formation. Abstract In vitro embryo production in cattle greatly impacts blastomere biochemistry, embryo rate of development and pre- and post-transfer survival. In vivo, the bovine embryo migrates through the oviduct isthmus before entering the uterus on approximately day 4 of development where it remains unattached within the uterine lumen until day 20 of gestation. During this time, the embryo is sequentially exposed to oviduct followed by endometrial secretions that support embryonic development. Considering this, we tested the effect of culturing in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryos sequentially in oviduct epithelial- (OEp; days 1-3) followed by endometrial epithelial- (EEp) or EEp and fibroblast cell (EEp/F; days 4-8)-conditioned media on embryonic development using a time-lapse monitoring system. Compared to control, culturing IVP embryos in EEp- or EEp/F-conditioned media without prior culture in OEp-conditioned media increased blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced the time to blastocyst formation (P < 0.05). Culturing IVP bovine embryos in OEp-conditioned media followed by EEp- or EEp/F-conditioned media, however, had the greatest impact on embryo developmental kinetics and increased morula and blastocyst formation (P < 0.05) and reduced time to formation (P < 0.05). Day 8 blastocyst cell numbers, diameter and quality were not significantly different, although, blastocyst quality scores were less (indicative of better quality) for all cell-conditioned media compared to control. In conclusion, IVP bovine embryo development may be improved using a sequential embryo culture system involving bovine oviduct followed by endometrial cell-conditioned media.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kirsten Senn
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Katheryn D Peterson
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - J Lannett Edwards
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Rebecca R Payton
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Daniel J Mathew
- Department of Animal Science, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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de Araújo Júnior HN, Lopes IRG, de Sousa ACFC, de Oliveira GB, de Oliveira REM, Tertulino MD, Rocha ELB, Firmino PR, Pereira AF, de Oliveira MF. Prenatal post-implantation development of collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1758). Anat Histol Embryol 2024; 53:e13035. [PMID: 38529660 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.13035] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Given the importance of information on intrauterine development in diagnosing anomalies in the gestational development of the species for the development of assisted reproduction technologies as well as understanding the autonomy and responsiveness of the newborn, the aim of the present study was to describe the external morphology of collared peccary conceptuses. For this study, two conceptuses were used per gestational age of 25-120 days post-copulation (dpc) and neonates with 145 dpc, totalling 22 animals. Females were euthanised, and embryos/foetuses were examined, measured, and photographed. During the first third of the gestational period (25-50 dpc, n = 8), a marked body curvature, brain vesicles, somites, internal organs, placid lens, auricular protrusion and limb buds are noted. In the second third of the gestational period (51-100 dpc, n = 10), foetuses lose their body curvature, displaying greater anatomical definition, including skeletal, external ears, nostrils, eyelids and tactile hair formation and cranial suture closure. In addition, dorsal scent gland and genital tubercle differentiation were visualized at 50 days post-copulation. In the third of the gestational period (101-145 dpc, n = 4), the organs become completely formed, alongside skin darkening, eyelid opening, dental eruption, dorsal odorous gland development, sexual organ externalization, and fanero attachment development. These data allowed for the construction of a prenatal growth curve, providing comparative anatomy information for ungulates and further contributing towards rational reproductive management and reproductive biotechnologies for this species.
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Rossant J. Why study human embryo development? Dev Biol 2024; 509:43-50. [PMID: 38325560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.001] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the processes and mechanisms underlying early human embryo development has become an increasingly active and important area of research. It has potential for insights into important clinical issues such as early pregnancy loss, origins of congenital anomalies and developmental origins of adult disease, as well as fundamental insights into human biology. Improved culture systems for preimplantation embryos, combined with the new tools of single cell genomics and live imaging, are providing new insights into the similarities and differences between human and mouse development. However, access to human embryo material is still restricted and extended culture of early embryos has regulatory and ethical concerns. Stem cell-derived models of different phases of human development can potentially overcome these limitations and provide a scalable source of material to explore the early postimplantation stages of human development. To date, such models are clearly incomplete replicas of normal development but future technological improvements can be envisaged. The ethical and regulatory environment for such studies remains to be fully resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rossant
- The Gairdner Foundation and the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, Heritage Building, 101 College Street, Suite 335, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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Hou W, Chen L, Ji J, Xiao S, Linghu H, Zhang L, Ping Y, Wang C, Kong Q, Cai W, Yang X. Maternal factor Trim75 contributes to zygotic genome activation program in mouse early embryos. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:560. [PMID: 38643284 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09349-0] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is an important event in the early embryo development, and human embryo developmental arrest has been highly correlated with ZGA failure in clinical studies. Although a few studies have linked maternal factors to mammalian ZGA, more studies are needed to fully elucidate the maternal factors that are involved in ZGA. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, we utilized published single-cell RNA sequencing data from a Dux-mediated mouse embryonic stem cell to induce a 2-cell-like transition state and selected potential drivers for the transition according to an RNA velocity analysis. CONCLUSIONS An overlap of potential candidate markers of 2-cell-like-cells identified in this research with markers generated by various data sets suggests that Trim75 is a potential driver of minor ZGA and may recruit EP300 and establish H3K27ac in the gene body of minor ZGA genes, thereby contributing to mammalian preimplantation embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibo Hou
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lijun Chen
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingzhang Ji
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Songling Xiao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongye Linghu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lixin Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yue Ping
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, No. 26, hexing Road, Harbin, China
| | - Chunsheng Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, No. 26, hexing Road, Harbin, China
| | - Qingran Kong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Wenpin Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wenzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xu Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Wei C, Kesner B, Yin H, Lee JT. Imprinted X chromosome inactivation at the gamete-to-embryo transition. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1442-1459.e7. [PMID: 38458200 PMCID: PMC11031340 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.013] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
In mammals, dosage compensation involves two parallel processes: (1) X inactivation, which equalizes X chromosome dosage between males and females, and (2) X hyperactivation, which upregulates the active X for X-autosome balance. The field currently favors models whereby dosage compensation initiates "de novo" during mouse development. Here, we develop "So-Smart-seq" to revisit the question and interrogate a comprehensive transcriptome including noncoding genes and repeats in mice. Intriguingly, de novo silencing pertains only to a subset of Xp genes. Evolutionarily older genes and repetitive elements demonstrate constitutive Xp silencing, adopt distinct signatures, and do not require Xist to initiate silencing. We trace Xp silencing backward in developmental time to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in the male germ line and observe that Xm hyperactivation is timed to Xp silencing on a gene-by-gene basis. Thus, during the gamete-to-embryo transition, older Xp genes are transmitted in a "pre-inactivated" state. These findings have implications for the evolution of imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyao Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Barry Kesner
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Camargo GS, de Barros LD, Oliveira-Filho JP, Bromberger CR, Dias-Melicio LA, Alves Dos Santos L, Bergfelt DR, Ferraz de Andrade ER, Canesin HS, de Meira C, Ignácio FS. Evaluation of blastocyst re-expansion, quality in relation to storage temperature, and sexing using blastocoel fluid after manual perforation with a hand-held needle involving in vivo produced equine embryos. Theriogenology 2024; 219:39-48. [PMID: 38382216 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.012] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate equine blastocyst re-expansion rate, quality, and sex following perforation of the blastocoel, collection of blastocoel fluid (BF), and PCR amplification of free DNA. Experiment 1 tested the feasibility of the BF sample collection with a hand-held, small-gauged needle (26g) and subsequent PCR amplification of the TSP-Y gene for males and AMEL-Y gene for males and AMEL-X gene for females. Experiment 2 tested the application of the technique. Equine embryos were collected via uterine flushes 8d after ovulation. Thereafter, embryos (n = 19) were initially assessed and transferred to a 50 μL droplet of holding medium in which the blastocoel was manually perforated as in Experiment 1. Within 1 min of detecting a diameter decrease or collapse, the entire volume of each droplet of medium was collected and stored at -20 °C until PCR. In Experiment 1, amplification of the TSP-Y gene was positive for males at 60% (9/15) and negative for females at 40% (6/15). In Experiment 2, a total of 42 embryos were randomly assigned to a collapsed embryo (CE) or intact embryo (IE) groups and stored at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) or cold temperature (CT, 5 °C) for 24h as follows: 1) CERT, n = 11; 2) CECT n = 11; 3) IERT, n = 10; and 4) IECT, n = 10. After 24h, embryo diameter and quality were reassessed. For all collapsed embryos (n = 19), blastocoel fluid was subjected to double PCR amplification of the TSPY gene with blood from adult male and female horses as controls. Positive gene amplification indicated 57.9% (11/19) of embryos were male and negative amplification indicated 31.6% (6/19) of embryos were female. Relative to the least diameter (0%) after perforation of collapsed embryos or fullest diameter (100%) of intact embryos at T0, percentage change in diameter and quality Grade 1 or 2 embryos after 24h of storage for all groups were, respectively: 31.2% and 54% for CERT group, 28.2% and 0% for CECT group, 25.9% and 100% for IERT group, 4.3% and 80% for IECT group, respectively. Thus, needle-induced leakage and collapse of the blastocoel at T0 resulted in a high rate of blastocyst re-expansion (69%) with many embryos (54%) achieving good quality at T24 with potential for transfer as either male or female embryos. For both collapsed and intact embryos, it was observed that storage for 24h at room temperature (25 °C) was associated with improved embryo growth and morphological quality compared to storage at cold temperature (5 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovana Siqueira Camargo
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Luiz Daniel de Barros
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil
| | - José Paes Oliveira-Filho
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Cristiana Raach Bromberger
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Luciane Alarcao Dias-Melicio
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Infectious Agents-LIAI, UNIPEX-Experimental Research Unity-Sector 5, Medical School of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandro Alves Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunopathology and Infectious Agents-LIAI, UNIPEX-Experimental Research Unity-Sector 5, Medical School of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, 18618-687, SP, Brazil
| | - Don R Bergfelt
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis, USA
| | - Erica Rodrigues Ferraz de Andrade
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Center of the Integrated Faculties of Ourinhos (Unifio), Ourinhos, São Paulo, 19909-100, Brazil
| | | | - Cezinande de Meira
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Saules Ignácio
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, 18618-681, Brazil.
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10
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Hansen PJ, Estrada-Cortés E, Amaral TF, Ramírez-Hernández R. Meta-analysis to determine efficacy of colony-stimulating factor 2 for improving pregnancy success after embryo transfer in cattle. Theriogenology 2024; 219:126-131. [PMID: 38428334 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Results have been inconsistent as to whether addition of colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) to culture medium improves embryo competence for establishment of pregnancy in cattle and humans. The purpose of the current study was to use all available experiments in cattle concerning effects of CSF2 on pregnancy success after transfer into recipient cattle. The approach was to perform a meta-analysis of all published data sets as well as data from an unpublished experiment described for the first time here. Meta-analysis failed to support the hypothesis that addition of CSF2 to embryo culture medium improves competence of bovine blastocysts to increase pregnancy or calving rates after transfer into recipient females. Thus, its general use as a culture medium additive to increase pregnancy success after embryo transfer is not recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA.
| | - Eliab Estrada-Cortés
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA; Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Jalisco, 47600, Mexico
| | - Thiago F Amaral
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA
| | - Rosabel Ramírez-Hernández
- Department of Animal Sciences, D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0910, FL, USA
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11
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Saizonou MA, Kitazawa H, Kanahashi T, Yamada S, Takakuwa T. Epithelial development of the urinary collecting system in the human embryo. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301778. [PMID: 38598450 PMCID: PMC11006188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The urinary collecting system (UCS) consists of organized ducts that collect urine from the nephrons and transport it to the ureter and bladder. Understanding the histogenesis of the UCS is critical. Thirty human embryos between the Carnegie stages (CS) 18 and 23 were selected from the Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Kyoto, Japan. Epithelia of the UCS, ureter, and bladder of each sample were randomly selected. Histological findings of the epithelia were analyzed according to the following criteria: type of epithelium, presence or absence of glycogen, percentage of migrated nuclei, percentage of cells in mitosis, and the surrounding mesenchyme. A thickened epithelium lining a narrow luminal cavity was observed in the pre-expanded pelvic specimens at CS18-CS23. At CS23, after pelvic expansion, the UCS showed a thin epithelium with a large luminal cavity mainly located on the early branches, whereas the epithelium covering the subsequent branches had medium thickness. Histological characteristics differed depending on the UCS part and sample stage. The degree of differentiation was evaluated, revealing that in CS18-CS23 pre-expanded pelvis specimens, the undifferentiated epithelium was found in the zeroth to third/fifth generation, whereas at CS23, after pelvic expansion, a differentiated epithelium covered the UCS zeroth to seventh generation. In a comparison of the urothelial epithelium between the UCS, ureter, and bladder, we found that urinary tract differentiation may be initiated in the bladder, followed by the ureter, UCS zeroth to seventh generations, and finally, UCS eighth to end generations. An understanding of the histogenesis of embryonic stage UCS can aid in the clinical management of congenital urinary tract defects and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Ange Saizonou
- Human Health Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Haruka Kitazawa
- Human Health Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toru Kanahashi
- Human Health Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shigehito Yamada
- Human Health Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Takakuwa
- Human Health Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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12
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Clarke DN, Martin AC. Morphogenesis: Setting the pace of embryo folding. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R286-R288. [PMID: 38593774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Tissue folding is a key process for shape generation during embryonic development. A new study reports how a fold in the Drosophila embryo forms by a propagating trigger wave.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nathaniel Clarke
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Adam C Martin
- Biology Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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13
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Villalba A, Rueda J, de Miguel Beriain Í. Human stem-cell-derived embryo models: When bioethical normativity meets biological ontology. Dev Biol 2024; 508:88-92. [PMID: 38286184 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The use of human stem-cell-derived embryo models in biomedical research has recently sparked intense bioethical debates. In this article, we delve into the ethical complexities surrounding these models and advocate for a deeper exploration of their biological ontology to discuss their bioethical normativity. We examine the ethical considerations arising from the implementation of these models, emphasizing varying viewpoints on their ethical standing and the ethical obligations associated with their development and utilization. We contend that a nuanced comprehension of their biological ontology is crucial for navigating these ethical quandaries. Furthermore, we underscore the indispensability of interdisciplinary cooperation among bioethicists, biologists, and philosophers to unravel the complex interplay between biological ontology and the normative framework of bioethics. Moreover, this article introduces a novel combinatorial approach to resolve the ethical dilemma surrounding these models. We propose a distinction between models that closely emulate natural embryos, based on the status of synthetic embryos, and those capable of reproducing specific dimensions of embryonic development. Such differentiation allows for nuanced ethical considerations while harnessing the value of these models in scientific research, paving the way for a more comprehensive ethical framework in the context of evolving biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Villalba
- Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Department of Philosophy I, University of Granada, Spain.
| | - Jon Rueda
- Department of Philosophy I, University of Granada, Spain; Institute for Practical Ethics, University of California-San Diego, USA
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14
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Aiello S, Benigni A, Remuzzi G. Tissue-Resident Macrophages in Solid Organ Transplantation: Harmful or Protective? J Immunol 2024; 212:1051-1061. [PMID: 38498808 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Transplanted organs carry donor immune cells into the recipient, the majority of which are tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs). The role they play in guiding the fate of the transplanted organ toward acceptance or rejection remains elusive. TRMs originate from both embryonic and bone marrow-derived precursors. Embryo-derived TRMs retain the embryonic capability to proliferate, so they are able to self-renew and, theoretically, persist for extended periods of time after transplantation. Bone marrow-derived TRMs do not proliferate and must constantly be replenished by adult circulating monocytes. Recent studies have aimed to clarify the different roles and interactions between donor TRMs, recipient monocytes, and monocyte-derived macrophages (MFs) after organ transplantation. This review aims to shed light on how MFs affect the fate of a transplanted organ by differentiating between the role of donor TRMs and that of MFs derived from graft infiltrating monocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sistiana Aiello
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ariela Benigni
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Bergamo, Italy
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15
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Machado AF, Facioni Guimarães SE, Lollobrigida de S Netto D, Guimarães JD, Alves Torres CA, Sanglard LP, Gomez-Leon VE. Phenotypic and genetic relationships among anogenital distance, anti-Müllerian hormone, and in vitro embryo production in Gyr dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:2512-2523. [PMID: 37863293 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23497] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and number of recovered oocytes (ROOC) are phenotypic parameters associated with in vitro embryo production (IVEP). More recently, anogenital distance (AGD) has been proposed as a proxy for fertility in dairy cattle that is easy to collect at a low cost. The aim of this study was to characterize the AGD and its phenotypic and genetic associations with AMH and IVEP in Bos indicus Gyr dairy cattle. The hypothesis was that the number of ROOC, in vitro-produced embryos, and AMH concentration would increase as the AGD decreases. From July to December 2021, a single morphometrical measurement of AGD was collected in 552 donors from 6 herds in Brazil. A subset of donors had AMH assayed on the same day. Only ovum pick-up events that occurred up to 12 mo preceding and 7 mo succeeding the AGD measurement were used to assess the association between AGD, AMH, and IVEP. Thus, 472 donors (1,551 ovum pick-up events and 140 donors with AMH) were considered in the analysis. A raw average was calculated for each individual donor's ROOC, viable oocytes, total produced embryos, viability rate, and embryo rate (defined as total produced embryos/viable oocytes). Comparisons were conducted within the age categories of 3 to <6 yr or 6 to <10 yr. Phenotypic associations were performed in SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Genetic correlations were estimated using the BLUPF90 family of programs. The AGD (128.7 mm ± 14; mean ± standard deviation) had a normal distribution and was highly variable (83 to 172 mm) among the Gyr population. Our experimental hypothesis was partially supported by a phenotypic association of a greater number of total produced embryos (R2 = 0.023) as AGD decreased. Our results failed to support an increase in AMH concentration along with a decrease in AGD. In addition, positive and low genetic correlations were observed between AGD and viable oocytes (r = 0.08), and embryo rate (r = 0.20). A greater number of viable oocytes and embryos were observed in donors in the high compared with intermediate and low ROOC categories within both age categories. The age interval of 3 to <6 yr showed a greater number of recovered and viable oocytes for the high AMH compared with the low category, but no differences were observed among the AGD categories. In summary, for the Gyr breed, AGD was phenotypically inversely associated with a quantity-related parameter, such as the total number of produced embryos. In contrast, AGD showed a low genetic correlation with qualitative-related outcomes such as viable oocytes and embryo rate. Further studies should be performed to validate these retrospective analyses and to better understand the association between AGD and IVEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréia Ferreira Machado
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506; Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | | | | | - José Domingos Guimarães
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Ciro A Alves Torres
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil 36570
| | - Leticia P Sanglard
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Victor E Gomez-Leon
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
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16
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Gebreyesus G, Secher JB, Lund MS, Kupisiewicz K, Ivask M, Hallap T, Pärn P, Su G. Genetic parameters for bull effects on in vitro embryo production (IVP) and relationship between semen quality traits and IVP performance. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107436. [PMID: 38417313 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107436] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In vitro production of embryos (IVP) is increasingly applied in dairy cattle breeding and promises widespread use of females of superior genetic merits. One of the current challenges with implementation of IVP is the variability in blastocyst rates. Several factors contribute to these variabilities, among which is known to be the bull used for oocytes fertilization. The extent of genetic control of bulls' effect on IVP performances is yet to be investigated. This study estimates genetic parameters for bull effects on IVP performance traits including blastocyst rate, hatching rate and an index trait combining Blastocyst rate, Kinetic Score, and Morphology score (BL_M_K). The IVP experiments were performed using oocytes aspirated from slaughterhouse ovaries from Holstein cows, fertilized with semen from 123 Holstein bulls. A total of 77 in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments with 163 records (different IVF groups) were available for the analysis. The results indicate low to moderate heritability and moderate to high repeatability estimates for bull effects on IVP performance traits. Our study also showed that some semen quality traits had significant effects on IVP performance. This included strong genetic correlations between pre-cryopreservation sperm viability and blastocyst rate as well as BL_M_K score at days 7 and 8. Despite the generally weak bull effect correlations and the high standard errors of the estimates, our results provide initial evidence of a measurable genetic component in the bull's impact on IVP performance traits. However, the high standard errors underscore the need for further studies with a larger sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gebreyesus
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F Møllers Alle 3, Aarhus DK-8000 , Denmark.
| | - J B Secher
- University of Copenhagen, Hoejbakkegaard Alle 5a, Taastrup 2630, Denmark
| | - M S Lund
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F Møllers Alle 3, Aarhus DK-8000 , Denmark
| | - K Kupisiewicz
- Viking Genetics, Ebeltoftvej 16, Randers DK-8960, Denmark
| | - M Ivask
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - T Hallap
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - P Pärn
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - G Su
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F Møllers Alle 3, Aarhus DK-8000 , Denmark
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17
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Oomen ME, Torres-Padilla ME. Jump-starting life: balancing transposable element co-option and genome integrity in the developing mammalian embryo. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1721-1733. [PMID: 38528171 PMCID: PMC11015026 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00118-5] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Remnants of transposable elements (TEs) are widely expressed throughout mammalian embryo development. Originally infesting our genomes as selfish elements and acting as a source of genome instability, several of these elements have been co-opted as part of a complex system of genome regulation. Many TEs have lost transposition ability and their transcriptional potential has been tampered as a result of interactions with the host throughout evolutionary time. It has been proposed that TEs have been ultimately repurposed to function as gene regulatory hubs scattered throughout our genomes. In the early embryo in particular, TEs find a perfect environment of naïve chromatin to escape transcriptional repression by the host. As a consequence, it is thought that hosts found ways to co-opt TE sequences to regulate large-scale changes in chromatin and transcription state of their genomes. In this review, we discuss several examples of TEs expressed during embryo development, their potential for co-option in genome regulation and the evolutionary pressures on TEs and on our genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies E Oomen
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany
| | - Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla
- Institute of Epigenetics and Stem Cells, Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany.
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München, Germany.
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18
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Fluks M, Milewski R, Tamborski S, Szkulmowski M, Ajduk A. Spindle shape and volume differ in high- and low-quality metaphase II oocytes. Reproduction 2024; 167:e230281. [PMID: 38401264 DOI: 10.1530/rep-23-0281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
In brief Optical coherence microscopy non-invasively visualizes metaphase II spindles allowing for quantitative analysis of their volume and shape, which may prove useful in the assessment of the oocyte quality. Using a mouse model, we showed also that analysis of spindle length combined with morphokinetics improves the evaluation of the resulting embryos. Abstract The proper development of embryos strongly depends on the quality of oocytes, so the evaluation of oocytes may be a useful initial step in IVF procedures. Additionally, it enables embryologists to make more informed decisions regarding the treatments chosen for the patients and better manage patients' expectations. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) allows for non-invasive 3D visualization of intracellular structures, such as spindles or nuclei, which have been linked to the success of embryonic development. Here, we applied a mouse model to examine whether OCM imaging could be used in the quality assessment of metaphase II (MII) oocytes. We showed that quantitative parameters describing the shape and volume of the MII spindle were associated with the quality of the resulting embryos, including the likelihood of blastocyst formation and the embryos' ability to differentiate the trophectoderm and primitive endoderm, but not the epiblast. We also created a multivariate linear regression model, combining OCM-based quantification of MII spindles with morphokinetic analysis of the embryos, that allowed for improved evaluation of the embryo quality. Finally, we proved that OCM does not interfere with the viability of the scanned cells, at least during the preimplantation development. Therefore, we believe that OCM-based quantitative assessment of MII spindles can improve the oocyte and embryo selection in IVF procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fluks
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Milewski
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Szymon Tamborski
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Toruń, Poland
| | - Maciej Szkulmowski
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Toruń, Poland
| | - Anna Ajduk
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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19
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Zha H, Yang X, Jiang F, Chen Y, Liang Y, Zhang Z, Yang J. Interleukin-6 Concentration in Single-Embryo Medium Is Associated with Blastocyst Formation. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1139-1145. [PMID: 38040897 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01414-6] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
IL-6 plays an important role in oogenesis in humans. However, at the preimplantation stage, IL-6 production and the role in embryo development remain unclear. In this study, IL-6 concentrations in single-embryo media were analyzed. In addition, the association between IL-6 production and blastocyst formation was investigated. Single-embryo culture media from 194 embryos were collected on day 6 after fertilization and divided into four groups according to the developmental stage of the corresponding embryo, as follows: cleavage stage group, morula-early blastocyst group, unavailable full blastocyst group, and available full blastocyst group. IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower in the cleavage stage group than in the morula-early blastocyst group (p = 0.009), in the unavailable full blastocyst group (p = 0.003), and in the available full blastocyst group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that IL-6 concentration in single-embryo medium was significantly associated with blastocyst formation (odds ratios β1 = 1.876, 95% CI 1.433 to 2.644, p < 0.0001). Therefore, IL-6 was produced by human preimplantation embryos throughout the preimplantation stage and may play a role in embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zha
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaolin Yang
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Fangjie Jiang
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Yabin Chen
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu Liang
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhaoqin Zhang
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Reproductive Center the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Dianmian Road 374, Kunming, 650101, Yunnan, China.
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20
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Zhao H, Kong F, Yu W, Zhao H, Zhang J, Zhou J, Meng X. Locational and functional characterization of PI4KB in the mouse embryo. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31195. [PMID: 38230579 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31195] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase beta (PI4KB) is a member of the PI4K family, which is mainly enriched and functions in the Golgi apparatus. The kinase domain of PI4KB catalyzes the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol to form phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, a process that regulates various sub-cellular events, such as non-vesicular cholesterol and ceramide transport, protein glycosylation, and vesicle transport, as well as cytoplasmic division. In this study, a strain of PI4KB knockout mouse, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and microinjection were used to characterize the cytological location and biological function of PI4KB in the mouse embryos. we found that knocking down Pi4kb in mouse embryos resulted in embryonic lethality at around embryonic day (E) 7.5. Additionally, we observed dramatic fluctuations in PI4KB expression during the development of preimplantation embryos, with high expression in the 4-cell and morula stages. PI4KB colocalized with the Golgi marker protein TGN46 in the perinuclear and cytoplasmic regions in early blastomeres. Postimplantation, PI4KB was highly expressed in the epiblast of E7.5 embryos. Treatment of embryos with PI4KB inhibitors was found to inhibit the development of the morula into a blastocyst and the normal progression of cytoplasmic division during the formation of a 4-cell embryo. These findings suggest that PI4KB plays an important role in mouse embryogenesis by regulating various intracellular vital functions of embryonic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengyun Kong
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Weikai Yu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Huijie Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University & Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoqian Meng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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21
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Miladinovic O, Canto PY, Pouget C, Piau O, Radic N, Freschu P, Megherbi A, Brujas Prats C, Jacques S, Hirsinger E, Geeverding A, Dufour S, Petit L, Souyri M, North T, Isambert H, Traver D, Jaffredo T, Charbord P, Durand C. A multistep computational approach reveals a neuro-mesenchymal cell population in the embryonic hematopoietic stem cell niche. Development 2024; 151:dev202614. [PMID: 38451068 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202614] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The first hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) emerge in the Aorta-Gonad-Mesonephros (AGM) region of the mid-gestation mouse embryo. However, the precise nature of their supportive mesenchymal microenvironment remains largely unexplored. Here, we profiled transcriptomes of laser micro-dissected aortic tissues at three developmental stages and individual AGM cells. Computational analyses allowed the identification of several cell subpopulations within the E11.5 AGM mesenchyme, with the presence of a yet unidentified subpopulation characterized by the dual expression of genes implicated in adhesive or neuronal functions. We confirmed the identity of this cell subset as a neuro-mesenchymal population, through morphological and lineage tracing assays. Loss of function in the zebrafish confirmed that Decorin, a characteristic extracellular matrix component of the neuro-mesenchyme, is essential for HSPC development. We further demonstrated that this cell population is not merely derived from the neural crest, and hence, is a bona fide novel subpopulation of the AGM mesenchyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivera Miladinovic
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Canto
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Claire Pouget
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0380, USA
| | - Olivier Piau
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine-Team Proliferation and Differentiation of Stem Cells, Institut Universitaire de Cancérologie, Sorbonne Université, Inserm, UMR-S 938,F-75012 Paris, France
| | - Nevenka Radic
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Priscilla Freschu
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Megherbi
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Carla Brujas Prats
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sebastien Jacques
- Plateforme de génomique, Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Inserm, CNRS, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Estelle Hirsinger
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Audrey Geeverding
- Service de microscopie électronique, Fr3631 Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 7-9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Dufour
- Université Paris-Est Créteil, Inserm, IMRB, F94010 Créteil, France
| | - Laurence Petit
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Michele Souyri
- Université de Paris, Inserm UMR 1131, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Hôpital Saint Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Trista North
- Stem Cell Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hervé Isambert
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Paris, France
| | - David Traver
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0380, USA
| | - Thierry Jaffredo
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Charbord
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Charles Durand
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement/UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Inserm U1156, 9 Quai St-Bernard, 75005 Paris, France
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22
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Aksit MA, Yu B, Roelen BAJ, Migeon BR. Silencing XIST on the future active X: Searching human and bovine preimplantation embryos for the repressor. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:399-406. [PMID: 35585273 PMCID: PMC10999447 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01115-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
X inactivation is the means of equalizing the dosage of X chromosomal genes in male and female eutherian mammals, so that only one X is active in each cell. The XIST locus (in cis) on each additional X chromosome initiates the transcriptional silence of that chromosome, making it an inactive X. How the active X in both males and females is protected from inactivation by its own XIST locus is not well understood in any mammal. Previous studies of autosomal duplications suggest that gene(s) on the short arm of human chromosome 19 repress XIST on the active X. Here, we examine the time of transcription of some candidate genes in preimplantation embryos using single-cell RNA sequencing data from human embryos and qRT-PCR from bovine embryos. The candidate genes assayed are those transcribed from 19p13.3-13.2, which are widely expressed and can remodel chromatin. Our results confirm that XIST is expressed at low levels from the future active X in embryos of both sexes; they also show that the XIST locus is repressed in both sexes when pluripotency factors are being upregulated, during the 4-8 cell and morula stages in human and bovine embryos - well before the early blastocyst (E5) when XIST on the inactive X in females starts to be upregulated. Our data suggest a role for DNMT1, UHRF1, SAFB and SAFB2 in XIST repression; they also exclude XACT and other 19p candidate genes and provide the transcriptional timing for some genes not previously assayed in human or bovine preimplantation embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melis A Aksit
- McKusick Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bo Yu
- Farm Animal Health, Department of Population Health Sciences, and Utrecht University, 3584CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard A J Roelen
- Embryology, Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara R Migeon
- McKusick Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine and Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- The Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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23
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Song Y, Zhang N, Yue Y, Chen D, Chou C, An L, Cheng L, Zhang J, Tian J. Field outcomes of laparoscopic ovum pick-up combined with in vitro embryo production in sheep: Effects of long-acting recombinant ovine FSH pre-stimulation, collection frequency, and donor breed. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2024; 87:106826. [PMID: 38043389 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2023.106826] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) combined with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) is a technology platform that improves the utilization rate of the elite ewe's ovarian oocytes and increases the number of obtained offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FSH pre-stimulation, serial oocyte collection, and breed on LOPU-IVEP under field conditions. Donors were randomly assigned to five groups (group A: decreasing doses of pituitary FSH (p-FSH); group B: constant doses of p-FSH; group C: two doses of long-acting recombinant ovine FSH (ro-FSH); group D: single administration of a long-acting ro-FSH in; group E: no FSH stimulation). Oocyte yield following LOPU (average recovered oocytes: 20.9 ± 0.5; average viable oocytes: 17.2 ± 0.4) and oocyte developmental competence (average blastocysts: 7.0 ± 0.2) in group C were significantly better than these of group D and group E, and similar to these of groups A and B. Meanwhile, there were no differences in oocyte yield and developmental capacity using repeated LOPU session at 1-, 2-, and 3-month intervals (p > 0.05). Finally, we compared LOPU-IVEP outcomes among five sheep breeds. The results indicated that East Friesian × Chinese Mongolian crossbred sheep and purebred East Friesian sheep had the more recovered oocytes and viable oocytes compared with the Suffolk, Dorper, and Texel breeds, and average number of blastocysts in East Friesian × Chinese Mongolian sheep group was also highest among the groups (8.1 ±0.3, p < 0.05). In summary, the results of this study indicate long-acting ro-FSH pre-stimulation combined with 12 times LOPU sessions over one year maximizes embryo production of elite donor ewes under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Song
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China
| | - Yuan Yue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dayong Chen
- Inner Mongolia Sino Sheep Technology Co. Ltd., Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia 011800, China
| | - Chunjuan Chou
- Inner Mongolia Sino Sheep Technology Co. Ltd., Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia 011800, China
| | - Lei An
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Xilingol Vocational College, Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia 026000, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, China.
| | - Jianhui Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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24
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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25
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Liu Y, Shi L, Chen Y, Luo S, Chen Y, Chen H, Lan W, Lu X, Cao Z, Ye Z, Li J, Yu B, Dzierzak E, Li Z. Autophagy regulates the maturation of hematopoietic precursors in the embryo. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2255. [PMID: 38490977 PMCID: PMC10943005 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46453-y] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
An understanding of the mechanisms regulating embryonic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) development would facilitate their regeneration. The aorta-gonad-mesonephros region is the site for HSC production from hemogenic endothelial cells (HEC). While several distinct regulators are involved in this process, it is not yet known whether macroautophagy (autophagy) plays a role in hematopoiesis in the pre-liver stage. Here, we show that different states of autophagy exist in hematopoietic precursors and correlate with hematopoietic potential based on the LC3-RFP-EGFP mouse model. Deficiency of autophagy-related gene 5 (Atg5) specifically in endothelial cells disrupts endothelial to hematopoietic transition (EHT), by blocking the autophagic process. Using combined approaches, including single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we have confirmed that Atg5 deletion interrupts developmental temporal order of EHT to further affect the pre-HSC I maturation, and that autophagy influences hemogenic potential of HEC and the formation of pre-HSC I likely via the nucleolin pathway. These findings demonstrate a role for autophagy in the formation/maturation of hematopoietic precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linjuan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yifan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sifan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuehang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongtian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenlang Lan
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhan Cao
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zehua Ye
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinping Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Elaine Dzierzak
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zhuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Functional Proteomics of Guangdong Province, Department of Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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26
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Pranomphon T, Mahé C, Demattei MV, Papillier P, Vitorino Carvalho A, Reynaud K, Almiñana C, Bauersachs S, Parnpai R, Mermillod P, Saint-Dizier M. Characterization of oviduct epithelial spheroids for the study of embryo-maternal communication in cattle. Theriogenology 2024; 217:113-126. [PMID: 38271765 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.022] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Most in vitro models of oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) used thus far to gain insights into embryo-maternal communication induce cell dedifferentiation or are technically challenging. Moreover, although the presence of developing embryos has been shown to alter gene expression in OEC, the effect of embryos on OEC physiology remains largely unknown. Here, we propose a model based on bovine oviduct epithelial spheroids (OES) with specific shape and diameter (100-200 μm) criteria. The aims of this study were to i) determine the appropriate culture conditions of bovine OES cultured in suspension by evaluating their morphology, total cell number, viability, and activity of ciliated cells; ii) monitor gene expression in OES at the time of their formation (day 0) and over the 10 days of culture; and iii) test whether the vicinity of developing embryos affects OES quality criteria. On day 10, the proportions of vesicle-shaped OES (V-OES) were higher in M199/500 (500 μl of HEPES-buffered TCM-199) and synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF)/25 (25-μL droplet of SOF medium under mineral oil) than in M199/25 (25-μL droplet of M199 under mineral oil). The proportion of viable cells in V-OES was not affected by culture conditions and remained high (>80%) through day 10. The total number of cells per V-OES decreased over time except in SOF/25, while the proportions of ciliated cells increased over time in M199/500 but decreased in M199/25 and SOF/25. The movement amplitude of OES in suspension decreased over time under all culture conditions. Moreover, the gene expression of ANXA1, ESR1, HSPA8, and HSPA1A in OES remained stable during culture, while that of PGR and OVGP1 decreased from day 0 to day 10. Last, the co-culture of developing embryos with OES in SOF/25 increased the rates of blastocysts on days 7 and 8 compared to embryos cultured alone, and increased the proportion of V-OES compared to OES cultured alone. In conclusion, M199/500 and SOF/25 provided the optimal conditions for the long-time culture of OES. The supporting effect of OES on embryo development and of developing embryos on OES morphology was evidenced for the first time. Altogether, these results point OES as an easy-to-use, standardizable, and physiological model to study embryo-maternal interactions in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanya Pranomphon
- CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, 37380, France; Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Coline Mahé
- CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, 37380, France
| | | | | | | | - Karine Reynaud
- CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, 37380, France
| | - Carmen Almiñana
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8315, Lindau (ZH), Switzerland
| | - Stefan Bauersachs
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8315, Lindau (ZH), Switzerland
| | - Rangsun Parnpai
- Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
| | | | - Marie Saint-Dizier
- CNRS, INRAE, University of Tours, PRC, Nouzilly, 37380, France; Tours University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Tours, 37200, France.
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27
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Amstislavsky S, Okotrub S, Rozhkova I, Rakhmanova T, Igonina T, Brusentsev E, Kozeneva V, Lebedeva D, Omelchenko A, Okotrub K. Program freezing of diapausing embryos in the mouse. Theriogenology 2024; 217:1-10. [PMID: 38219408 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.006] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Embryonal diapause is a characteristic feature of about 130 mammalian species. However, very few studies have addressed cryopreservation of diapausing embryos. This work is aimed to apply program freezing to blastocysts obtained from CD1 mice, which were at diapause state after ovariectomy and the subsequent hormonal therapy. Blastocysts collected from non-operated mice of the same strain served as controls. Some diapausing as well as non-diapausing frozen-thawed blastocysts demonstrated blastocoel re-expansion after 24 h of in vitro culture (IVC) indicating their viability after cryopreservation. Raman spectroscopy assessment of phenylalanine accumulation revealed that the fraction of new synthesized proteins was lower for non-frozen as well as for frozen-thawed diapausing blastocysts compared to non-diapausing ones. Although protein metabolism was reduced in diapausing embryos, most of the protein synthesis remained active. Cell number increased after 24 h of IVC in non-frozen as well as in the frozen-thawed blastocysts of the control but not of the diapause group. However, cell numbers were increased in frozen-thawed diapausing blastocysts after 47 h of IVC in a medium supplemented with putrescine. This indicates viability of frozen-thawed diapausing embryos after cryopreservation. Besides, protein metabolism was not affected by cryopreservation in diapausing and non-diapausing murine embryos indicating their viability. Our results demonstrated the possibility of successful cryopreservation of diapausing murine embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Amstislavsky
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Svetlana Okotrub
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Irina Rozhkova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Tamara Rakhmanova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Tatyana Igonina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Eugeny Brusentsev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Varvara Kozeneva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Daria Lebedeva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Anastasia Omelchenko
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia; Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Konstantin Okotrub
- Institute of Automation and Electrometry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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28
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Andreas E, Cummins B, Gedeon T. Quantifying robustness of the gap gene network. J Theor Biol 2024; 580:111720. [PMID: 38211890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111720] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Early development of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) facilitated by the gap gene network has been shown to be incredibly robust, and the same patterns emerge even when the process is seriously disrupted. We investigate this robustness using a previously developed computational framework called DSGRN (Dynamic Signatures Generated by Regulatory Networks). Our mathematical innovations include the conceptual extension of this established modeling technique to enable modeling of spatially monotone environmental effects, as well as the development of a collection of graph theoretic robustness scores for network models. This allows us to rank order the robustness of network models of cellular systems where each cell contains the same genetic network topology but operates under a parameter regime that changes continuously from cell to cell. We demonstrate the power of this method by comparing the robustness of two previously introduced network models of gap gene expression along the anterior-posterior axis of the fruit fly embryo, both to each other and to a random sample of networks with same number of nodes and edges. We observe that there is a substantial difference in robustness scores between the two models. Our biological insight is that random network topologies are in general capable of reproducing complex patterns of expression, but that using measures of robustness to rank order networks permits a large reduction in hypothesis space for highly conserved systems such as developmental networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Andreas
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59718, MT, USA.
| | - Breschine Cummins
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59718, MT, USA
| | - Tomáš Gedeon
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59718, MT, USA
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29
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Papamentzelopoulou MS, Prifti IN, Mavrogianni D, Tseva T, Soyhan N, Athanasiou A, Athanasiou A, Athanasiou A, Vogiatzi P, Konomos G, Loutradis D, Sakellariou M. Assessment of artificial intelligence model and manual morphokinetic annotation system as embryo grading methods for successful live birth prediction: a retrospective monocentric study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:27. [PMID: 38443941 PMCID: PMC10913268 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01198-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The introduction of the time-lapse monitoring system (TMS) and the development of predictive algorithms could contribute to the optimal embryos selection for transfer. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating the efficiency of KIDScore and iDAScore systems for blastocyst stage embryos in predicting live birth events. METHODS The present retrospective study was conducted in a private IVF Unit setting throughout a 10-month period from October 2021 to July 2022, and included the analysis of 429 embryos deriving from 91 IVF/ICSI cycles conducted due to infertility of various etiologies. Embryos incubated at the Embryoscope+ timelapse incubator were analyzed through the established scoring systems: KIDScore and iDAScore®. The main outcome measure was the comparison of the two scoring systems in terms of live birth prediction. Embryos with the higher scores at day 5 (KID5 score/iDA5 score) were transferred or cryopreserved for later use. RESULTS Embryos with high KID5 and iDA5 scores positively correlated with the probability of successful live birth, with KID5 score yielding a higher efficiency in predicting a successful reproductive outcome compared to a proportionally high iDA5 score. KID5 demonstrated conservative performance in successfully predicting live birth compared to iDA5 score, indicating that an efficient prediction can be either provided by a relatively lower KID5 score or a relatively higher iDA5 score. CONCLUSION The developed artificial intelligence tools should be implemented in clinical practice in conjunction with the conventional morphological assessment for the conduction of optimized embryo transfer in terms of a successful live birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrto-Sotiria Papamentzelopoulou
- Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80, Vasilissis Sofias Ave., Athens, 11528, Greece.
| | | | - Despoina Mavrogianni
- Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80, Vasilissis Sofias Ave., Athens, 11528, Greece
| | - Thomais Tseva
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
| | - Ntilay Soyhan
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Athanasiou
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
- HUG (Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève), Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Genève 14, Genève, 1211, Switzerland
| | - Antonia Athanasiou
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
- RHNe (Réseau hospitalier neuchâtelois), Chasseral 20, La Chaux-de-Fonds, 2303, Switzerland
| | - Adamantios Athanasiou
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Agios Savvas, General Anti-Cancer Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Vogiatzi
- IVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanassiou, Maroussi, Greece
- Andromed Health & Reproduction, Fertility Diagnostics Laboratory, Maroussi, Greece
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Goswami N, Winston N, Choi W, Lai NZE, Arcanjo RB, Chen X, Sobh N, Nowak RA, Anastasio MA, Popescu G. EVATOM: an optical, label-free, machine learning assisted embryo health assessment tool. Commun Biol 2024; 7:268. [PMID: 38443460 PMCID: PMC10915136 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05960-w] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The combination of a good quality embryo and proper maternal health factors promise higher chances of a successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure leading to clinical pregnancy and live birth. Of these two factors, selection of a good embryo is a controllable aspect. The current gold standard in clinical practice is visual assessment of an embryo based on its morphological appearance by trained embryologists. More recently, machine learning has been incorporated into embryo selection "packages". Here, we report EVATOM: a machine-learning assisted embryo health assessment tool utilizing an optical quantitative phase imaging technique called artificial confocal microscopy (ACM). We present a label-free nucleus detection method with, to the best of our knowledge, novel quantitative embryo health biomarkers. Two viability assessment models are presented for grading embryos into two classes: healthy/intermediate (H/I) or sick (S) class. The models achieve a weighted F1 score of 1.0 and 0.99 respectively on the in-distribution test set of 72 fixed embryos and a weighted F1 score of 0.9 and 0.95 respectively on the out-of-distribution test dataset of 19 time-instances from 8 live embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Goswami
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Nicola Winston
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Wonho Choi
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Nastasia Z E Lai
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Rachel B Arcanjo
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Nahil Sobh
- NCSA Center for Artificial Intelligence Innovation, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Romana A Nowak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Mark A Anastasio
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Gabriel Popescu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute of Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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31
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Davenport M, Wang Y, Fedorov LM. Influence of the storage conditions of embryo culture media on mouse development. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:300-306. [PMID: 38506940 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00884-5] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The culture of preimplantation embryos in vitro is an important method for human and mouse reproductive technology. This study aims to investigate the influence of different conditions of culture media on the preimplantation stage of mouse embryos cultured in vitro, and monitor the post-implantation development of new mice after embryo transfer to surrogate females. We demonstrated here that mouse embryos cultured in vitro in fresh M16, KSOM, Global, and HTF embryo culture media from one cell to the blastocyst stage and the subsequent embryo transfer to surrogate females are able to proceed through post-implantation development and, after birth, develop into healthy mice. However, culture of embryos in differently aged media shows various (often unpredictable) results. To find the optimal storage conditions of culture media, we suggest that the freezing and long-term storage of these media at - 80°C will not influence the quality of the media. To test this hypothesis, we grew embryos from one cell to blastocysts in vitro in the selected media after thawing and subsequently transferring them to surrogate females. Embryo culture in these four media after thawing does not affect preimplantation and postnatal mouse development. Thus, we have shown that storage of embryo culture media at low temperature (- 80°C) does not impact the quality of the media, and subsequently, it can be used for the culture of embryos for the full preimplantation period, the same as in fresh media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marten Davenport
- Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Yingming Wang
- Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Lev M Fedorov
- Transgenic Mouse Models Shared Resource, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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Podico G, Canisso IF. Mule embryos share identical morphological features to horse embryos. Theriogenology 2024; 216:196-202. [PMID: 38194755 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.026] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the morphometry of horse and mule embryos. The study's hypothesis was that the micronuclei and nuclear fragmentation indexes are higher in mule embryos than in horse embryos. Twenty-two mares were randomly assigned in a crossover design to receive semen from a horse and a donkey; thirteen horse and thirteen mule embryos were obtained. Embryos were recovered eight days post-ovulation and classified according to the stage of development and quality with a score from 1 (excellent) to 4 (degenerate). Embryos were stained with Hoechst33342, and images were acquired with a fluorescence microscope. Nuclei were categorized as compact, mitotic, or fragmented; the fragmented and mitotic indexes were calculated based on their proportion over the total amount of nuclei counted. Embryo size and nuclear morphometry were assessed through ImageJ. Data analyses were carried out with GraphPad using ANOVA and T-test; significance was set at P < 0.05. The number of positive flushes in cycles bred with donkey or stallion semen did not differ when compared per cycle or per ovulation (13 vs. 12) (P > 0.05). One set of twins was recovered from a mare bred to the stallion that had a double ovulation; a mule and horse embryos were both recovered from eight mares. There was no difference in size between mule and horse embryos (915.5 ± 288 μm vs. 575.8 ± 69.6 μm) (P > 0.05) size of the study. The mule embryos scored between grade 1 (n = 9) and grade 2 (n = 4); similarly, the horse embryos scored between grade 1 (n = 6) and grade 2 (n = 7). The evaluation of the nuclear morphometry revealed that horse and mule embryos have a similar number of compact nuclei per sector (148.7 ± 6.8 nuclei/sector in mule embryos vs. 156.5 ± 8.5 nuclei/sector in horse embryos) (P > 0.05); however, the number of mitotic nuclei tended to be higher in mule embryos (5.2 ± 0.82) than in horse embryos (3.3 ± 0.3) (P = 0.08). The fragmented nuclei index was similar between mule (0.25 ± 0.1%) and horse (0.22 ± 0.1%) embryos (P = 0.4); the mitotic nuclei index was higher in mule embryos (3.2 ± 0.4%) than in horse embryos (2.2 ± 0.2%) (P = 0.02). In conclusion, embryo morphology of mares bred to a donkey and a horse shares similar nuclear ultrastructure features, except that mule embryos have a higher mitotic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Podico
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Igor F Canisso
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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Masuda Y, Hasebe R, Kuromi Y, Matsuo M, Hishinuma M, Ohbayashi T, Nishimura R. Three-dimensional morphology of bovine blastocysts hatched against lipopolysaccharide exposure in vitro. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100843. [PMID: 38160585 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100843] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Embryo transfer in cattle is globally becoming more ubiquitous, but the pregnancy rate is lower than that of artificial insemination. The uterus contains its own bacteria, and concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria are higher in uteri affected by endometritis than in healthy uteri and they suppress embryogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of bovine embryos with a higher viability and implantability, by analyzing the morphology of bovine blastocysts that successfully hatched under challenge of LPS, using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Developing embryos produced by in vitro fertilization that had reached the blastocyst stage on Day 7 were three-dimensionally scanned using an OCT system, then were continued to culture with or without LPS until Day 9, when the presence or absence of hatching was determined. The OCT-captured three-dimensional images were used to quantify 20 different metrics, including inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm, blastocoel, and total embryo volume; each of the parameters was compared between the hatched and unhatched embryos. Under the LPS challenge, hatched embryos had higher ICM thickness and volume, and lower trophectoderm thickness than unhatched embryos. Furthermore, hatched embryos under LPS challenge had higher ICM thickness and ICM volume than hatched embryos without LPS challenge. The present results suggest the possibility that ICM thickness and ICM volume calculated by OCT system could be indices for good quality bovine embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasumitsu Masuda
- Department of Animal Science, Tottori Livestock Research Center, Tottori, Japan
| | | | | | - Minami Matsuo
- Department of Animal Science, Tottori Livestock Research Center, Tottori, Japan
| | - Mitsugu Hishinuma
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ohbayashi
- Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
| | - Ryo Nishimura
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Joint Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan,.
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Xia Q, Ding T, Chang T, Ruan J, Yang J, Ma M, Liu J, Liu Z, Jiao S, Wu J, Ren J, Lu S, Li Y, Yao Z. Nanopore sequencing with T2T-CHM13 for accurate detection and preventing the transmission of structural rearrangements in highly repetitive heterochromatin regions in human embryos. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1612. [PMID: 38445430 PMCID: PMC10915734 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1612] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural rearrangements in highly repetitive heterochromatin regions can result in miscarriage or foetal malformations; however, detecting and preventing the transmission of these rearrangements has been challenging. Recently, the completion of sequencing of the complete human genome (T2T-CHM13) has made it possible to accurately characterise structural rearrangements in these regions. We developed a method based on T2T-CHM13 and nanopore sequencing to detect and block structural rearrangements in highly repetitive heterochromatin sequences. METHODS T2T-CHM13-based "Mapping Allele with Resolved Carrier Status" was performed for couples who carry structural rearrangements in heterochromatin regions. Using nanopore sequencing and the T2T-CHM13 reference genome, the precise breakpoints of inversions and translocations close to the centromere were detected and haplotypes were constructed using flanking single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Haplotype linkage analysis was then performed by comparing consistent parental SNPs with embryonic SNPs to determine whether the embryos carried hereditary inversions or balanced translocations. Based on copy number variation and haplotype linkage analysis, we transplanted normal embryos, which were further verified by an amniotic fluid test. RESULTS To validate this approach, we used nanopore sequencing of families with inversions and reciprocal translocations close to the centromere. Using the T2T-CHM13 reference genome, we accurately detected inversions and translocations in centromeres, constructed haplotypes and prevented the transmission of structural rearrangements in the offspring. CONCLUSIONS This study represents the first successful application of T2T-CHM13 in human reproduction and provides a feasible protocol for detecting and preventing the transmission of structural rearrangements of heterochromatin in embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuping Xia
- Reproductive Medicine CenterXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | | | - Tianli Chang
- Reproductive Medicine CenterXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | | | - Ji Yang
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | | | - Jiaqi Liu
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | - Zhen Liu
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | | | - Jian Wu
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | - Jun Ren
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | - Sijia Lu
- Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd.SuzhouChina
| | - Yanping Li
- Reproductive Medicine CenterXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Zhongyuan Yao
- Reproductive Medicine CenterXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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35
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Pereira Daoud AM, Dondorp WJ, Bredenoord AL, De Wert GMWR. Potentiality switches and epistemic uncertainty: the Argument from Potential in times of human embryo-like structures. Med Health Care Philos 2024; 27:37-48. [PMID: 37902931 PMCID: PMC10904491 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-023-10181-9] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in developmental biology enable the creation of embryo-like structures from human stem cells, which we refer to as human embryo-like structures (hELS). These structures provide promising tools to complement-and perhaps ultimately replace-the use of human embryos in clinical and fundamental research. But what if these hELS-when further improved-also have a claim to moral status? What would that imply for their research use? In this paper, we explore these questions in relation to the traditional answer as to why human embryos should be given greater protection than other (non-)human cells: the so-called Argument from Potential (AfP). According to the AfP, human embryos deserve special moral status because they have the unique potential to develop into persons. While some take the development of hELS to challenge the very foundations of the AfP, the ongoing debate suggests that its dismissal would be premature. Since the AfP is a spectrum of views with different moral implications, it does not need to imply that research with human embryos or hELS that (may) have 'active' potential should be completely off-limits. However, the problem with determining active potential in hELS is that this depends on development passing through 'potentiality switches' about the precise coordinates of which we are still in the dark. As long as this epistemic uncertainty persists, extending embryo research regulations to research with specific types of hELS would amount to a form of regulative precaution that as such would require further justification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Pereira Daoud
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Medical Humanities, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Wybo J Dondorp
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Care and Public Health Research (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Socrates chair Ethics of Reproductive Genetics endowed by the Dutch Humanist Association, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Guido M W R De Wert
- Department of Health Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Care and Public Health Research (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Bulger EA, McDevitt TC, Bruneau BG. CDX2 dose-dependently influences the gene regulatory network underlying human extraembryonic mesoderm development. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060323. [PMID: 38451093 PMCID: PMC10979512 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060323] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of Cdx2 in vivo leads to stunted development of the allantois, an extraembryonic mesoderm-derived structure critical for nutrient delivery and waste removal in the early embryo. Here, we investigate how CDX2 dose-dependently influences the gene regulatory network underlying extraembryonic mesoderm development. By engineering human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) consisting of wild-type (WT), heterozygous (CDX2-Het), and homozygous null CDX2 (CDX2-KO) genotypes, differentiating these cells in a 2D gastruloid model, and subjecting these cells to single-nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing, we identify several pathways that are dose-dependently regulated by CDX2 including VEGF and non-canonical WNT. snATAC-seq reveals that CDX2-Het cells retain a WT-like chromatin accessibility profile, suggesting accessibility alone is not sufficient to drive this variability in gene expression. Because the loss of CDX2 or TBXT phenocopy one another in vivo, we compared differentially expressed genes in our CDX2-KO to those from TBXT-KO hiPSCs differentiated in an analogous experiment. This comparison identifies several communally misregulated genes that are critical for cytoskeletal integrity and tissue permeability. Together, these results clarify how CDX2 dose-dependently regulates gene expression in the extraembryonic mesoderm and reveal pathways that may underlie the defects in vascular development and allantoic elongation seen in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Bulger
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Todd C. McDevitt
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Benoit G. Bruneau
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Roddenberry Center for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine at Gladstone, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
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37
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Kang JS, Joo MD, Lee SH, Kang SM, Haider Z, Perera CD, Idrees M, Jin Y, Kong IK. Effect of additional cytoplasm injection on the cloned bovine embryo organelle distribution and stress mitigation. Theriogenology 2024; 216:12-19. [PMID: 38147714 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Although somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a critical component of animal cloning, this approach has several issues. We previously introduced the cytoplasm injection cloning technology (CICT), which significantly improves the quality and quantity of cloned embryos. This study examined the residual status of fused cytoplasmic organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lysosomes, in the CICT group during early embryo development. We found that extra-cytoplasmic organelles stained using the ER-Tracker™ Green dye and LysoTracker™ Deep Red probe were fused and dispersed throughout the recipient oocyte and were still visible in day 8 blastocysts. We screened for ER stress, autophagy, and apoptosis-related genes to elucidate the association between the added organelles and improved embryo quality in CICT-cloned embryos. We found that CHOP, ATF4, ATG5, ATG7, and LC3 genes showed non-significantly up- or downregulated expression between CICT- and in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived embryos but showed significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated expression in SCNT-cloned embryos. Surprisingly, a non-significant difference in the expression of some genes, such as ATF6 and caspase-3, was observed between the CICT- and SCNT-cloned embryos. Our findings imply that compared to conventional SCNT cloning, CICT-derived cloned embryos with additional cytoplasm have much higher organelle activity, lower autophagy, lower rates of apoptosis, and higher embryo development rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Su Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Myeong-Don Joo
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seo-Hyeon Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Min Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Zaheer Haider
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Chalani Dilshani Perera
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Muhammad Idrees
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongxun Jin
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, PR China.
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, PR China; Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea; Thekingkong Co. Ltd., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea.
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38
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Luo H, Weng X, Zhong Z, Shan X, Lin W, Li S, Gu C. Spindle cell embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate in an adult patient: a case report and review of the literature. J Int Med Res 2024; 52:3000605241234755. [PMID: 38501994 PMCID: PMC10953018 DOI: 10.1177/03000605241234755] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate is a rare mesenchymal tumor that originates from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells. Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma is a variant of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The vast majority of these two pathological types occur in children, with only a few adult cases reported to date, and both are associated with poor clinical outcomes. We herein report a case involving a man in his early 40s with spindle cell embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate. His chief complaint was difficult urination. The diagnosis was confirmed by puncture biopsy of the prostate, and pelvic lymph node metastasis was already present at the time of diagnosis. The patient underwent three courses of chemotherapy. However, his response to the treatment was very poor, and he died of the disease 4 months after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanwen Luo
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiangtao Weng
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zibin Zhong
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiongwei Shan
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenli Lin
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Siyi Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chiming Gu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Hu B, Jin H, Shi Y, Yu H, Wu X, Wang S, Zhang K. Single-cell RNA-Seq reveals the earliest lineage specification and X chromosome dosage compensation in bovine preimplantation embryos. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23492. [PMID: 38363564 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302035rr] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Lineage specification and X chromosome dosage compensation are two crucial biological processes that occur during preimplantation embryonic development. Although extensively studied in mice, the timing and regulation of these processes remain elusive in other species, including humans. Previous studies have suggested conserved principles of human and bovine early development. This study aims to provide fundamental insights into these programs and the regulation using a bovine embryo model by employing single-cell transcriptomics and genome editing approaches. The study analyzes the transcriptomes of 286 individual cells and reveals that bovine trophectoderm/inner cell mass transcriptomes diverge at the early blastocyst stage, after cavitation but before blastocyst expansion. The study also identifies transcriptomic markers and provides the timing of lineage specification events in the bovine embryo. Importantly, we find that SOX2 is required for the first cell decision program in bovine embryos. Moreover, the study shows the occurrence of X chromosome dosage compensation from morula to late blastocyst and reveals that this compensation results from downregulation of X-linked genes in female embryonic cells. The transcriptional atlas generated by this study is expected to be widely useful in improving our understanding of mammalian early embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Hu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Jin
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haotian Yu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaotong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Cow Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research of Zhejiang Province, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Salilew-Wondim D, Hoelker M, Held-Hoelker E, Rings F, Tholen E, Große-Brinkhaus C, Shellander K, Blaschka C, Besenfelder U, Havlicek V, Tesfaye D. Sexual dimorphic miRNA-mediated response of bovine elongated embryos to the maternal microenvironment. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298835. [PMID: 38422042 PMCID: PMC10903816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A skewed male-to-female ratio in cattle is believed to be due to the biased embryo losses during pregnancy. The changes in biochemical secretion such as miRNAs by the embryo due to altered maternal environment could cause a sex biased selective implantation resulting in a skewed male to female ratio at birth. Nevertheless, it is still not clear whether the male and female embryos could modify their miRNA expression patterns differently in response to altered physiological developmental conditions. Therefore, this study was focused on identifying sex specific miRNA expression patterns induced in the embryo during the elongation period in response to the maternal environment. For this, in vitro produced day female and male embryos were transferred to Holsteins Frisian cows and heifers. The elongated female and male embryos were then recovered at day 13 of the gestation period. Total RNA including the miRNAs was isolated from each group of elongated embryo samples were subjected to the next generation miRNA sequencing. Sequence alignment, identification and quantification of miRNAs were done using the miRDeep2 software package and differential miRNA expression analyses were performed using the edgeR bioconductor package. The recovery rate of viable elongating embryos at day 13 of the gestation period was 26.6%. In cows, 2.8 more viable elongating male embryos were recovered than female embryos, while in heifers the sex ratio of the recovered elongating embryos was close to one (1.05). The miRNA analysis showed that 254 miRNAs were detected in both male and female elongated embryos developed either in cows or heifers, of which 14 miRNAs including bta-miR-10b, bta-miR-148a, bta-miR-26a, and bta-miR-30d were highly expressed. Moreover, the expression level of 32 miRNAs including bta-let-7c, bta-let-7b, bta-let-7g, bta-let-7d and bta-let-7e was significantly different between the male and female embryos developed in cows, but the expression level of only 4 miRNAs (bta-miR-10, bta-mR-100, bta-miR-155 and bta-miR-6119-5p) was different between the male and female embryos that were developed in heifers. Furthermore, 19 miRNAs including those involved in cellular energy homeostasis pathways were differentially expressed between the male embryos developed in cows and heifers, but no significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were detected between the female embryos of cows and heifers. Thus, this study revealed that the sex ratio skewed towards males in embryos developed in cows was accompanied by increased embryonic sexual dimorphic miRNA expression divergence in embryos developed in cows compared to those developed in heifers. Moreover, male embryos are more sensitive to respond to the maternal reproductive microenvironment by modulating their miRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dessie Salilew-Wondim
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Reproduction of Farm Animals, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hoelker
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Reproduction of Farm Animals, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eva Held-Hoelker
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franca Rings
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ernst Tholen
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Karl Shellander
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Carina Blaschka
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Reproduction of Farm Animals, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Urban Besenfelder
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vita Havlicek
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dawit Tesfaye
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
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41
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Vega-Sendino M, Ruiz S. Transition from totipotency to pluripotency in mice: insights into molecular mechanisms. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:231-239. [PMID: 38288760 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230442] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Totipotency is the ability of a single cell to develop into a full organism and, in mammals, is strictly associated with the early stages of development following fertilization. This unlimited developmental potential becomes quickly restricted as embryonic cells transition into a pluripotent state. The loss of totipotency seems a consequence of the zygotic genome activation (ZGA), a process that determines the switch from maternal to embryonic transcription, which in mice takes place following the first cleavage. ZGA confers to the totipotent cell a transient transcriptional profile characterized by the expression of stage-specific genes and a set of transposable elements that prepares the embryo for subsequent development. The timely silencing of this transcriptional program during the exit from totipotency is required to ensure proper development. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms regulating the transition from totipotency to pluripotency have remained elusive due to the scarcity of embryonic material. However, the development of new in vitro totipotent-like models together with advances in low-input genome-wide technologies, are providing a better mechanistic understanding of how this important transition is achieved. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular determinants that regulate the exit from totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vega-Sendino
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, U.S.A
| | - Sergio Ruiz
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814, U.S.A
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Chousal JN, Morey R, Srinivasan S, Lee K, Zhang W, Yeo AL, To C, Cho K, Garzo VG, Parast MM, Laurent LC, Cook-Andersen H. Molecular profiling of human blastocysts reveals primitive endoderm defects among embryos of decreased implantation potential. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113701. [PMID: 38277271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113701] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human embryo implantation is remarkably inefficient, and implantation failure remains among the greatest obstacles in treating infertility. Gene expression data from human embryos have accumulated rapidly in recent years; however, identification of the subset of genes that determine successful implantation remains a challenge. We leverage clinical morphologic grading-known for decades to correlate with implantation potential-and transcriptome analyses of matched embryonic and abembryonic samples to identify factors and pathways enriched and depleted in human blastocysts of good and poor morphology. Unexpectedly, we discovered that the greatest difference was in the state of extraembryonic primitive endoderm (PrE) development, with relative deficiencies in poor morphology blastocysts. Our results suggest that implantation success is most strongly influenced by the embryonic compartment and that deficient PrE development is common among embryos with decreased implantation potential. Our study provides a valuable resource for those investigating the markers and mechanisms of human embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N Chousal
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Srimeenakshi Srinivasan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Katherine Lee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ana Lisa Yeo
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cuong To
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kyucheol Cho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - V Gabriel Garzo
- Reproductive Partners Fertility Center - San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Louise C Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Heidi Cook-Andersen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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43
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Lee K, Cho K, Morey R, Cook-Andersen H. An extended wave of global mRNA deadenylation sets up a switch in translation regulation across the mammalian oocyte-to-embryo transition. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113710. [PMID: 38306272 PMCID: PMC11034814 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113710] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Without new transcription, gene expression across the oocyte-to-embryo transition (OET) relies instead on regulation of mRNA poly(A) tails to control translation. However, how tail dynamics shape translation across the OET in mammals remains unclear. We perform long-read RNA sequencing to uncover poly(A) tail lengths across the mouse OET and, incorporating published ribosome profiling data, provide an integrated, transcriptome-wide analysis of poly(A) tails and translation across the entire transition. We uncover an extended wave of global deadenylation during fertilization in which short-tailed, oocyte-deposited mRNAs are translationally activated without polyadenylation through resistance to deadenylation. Subsequently, in the embryo, mRNAs are readenylated and translated in a surge of global polyadenylation. We further identify regulation of poly(A) tail length at the isoform level and stage-specific enrichment of mRNA sequence motifs among regulated transcripts. These data provide insight into the stage-specific mechanisms of poly(A) tail regulation that orchestrate gene expression from oocyte to embryo in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kyucheol Cho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Heidi Cook-Andersen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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44
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Gurung S, Restrepo NK, Sumanas S. Endocardium gives rise to blood cells in zebrafish embryos. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113736. [PMID: 38308842 PMCID: PMC10993658 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113736] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that the endocardium contributes to hematopoiesis in murine embryos, although definitive evidence to demonstrate the hematopoietic potential of the endocardium is still missing. Here, we use a zebrafish embryonic model to test the emergence of hematopoietic progenitors from the endocardium. By using a combination of expression analysis, time-lapse imaging, and lineage-tracing approaches, we demonstrate that myeloid cells emerge from the endocardium in zebrafish embryos. Inhibition of Etv2/Etsrp or Scl/Tal1, two known master regulators of hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis, does not affect the emergence of endocardial-derived myeloid cells, while inhibition of Hedgehog signaling results in their reduction. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis followed by experimental validation suggests that the endocardium is the major source of neutrophilic granulocytes. These findings will promote our understanding of alternative mechanisms involved in hematopoiesis, which are likely to be conserved between zebrafish and mammalian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Gurung
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA; Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pathology, Advanced Diagnostics Laboratories, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Nicole K Restrepo
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA
| | - Saulius Sumanas
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, USF Health Heart Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602, USA; Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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45
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Pettersen AK, Metcalfe NB, Seebacher F. Intergenerational plasticity aligns with temperature-dependent selection on offspring metabolic rates. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220496. [PMID: 38186279 PMCID: PMC10772613 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0496] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rates are linked to key life-history traits that are thought to set the pace of life and affect fitness, yet the role that parents may have in shaping the metabolism of their offspring to enhance survival remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of temperature (24°C or 30°C) and feeding frequency experienced by parent zebrafish (Danio rerio) on offspring phenotypes and early survival at different developmental temperatures (24°C or 30°C). We found that embryo size was larger, but survival lower, in offspring from the parental low food treatment. Parents exposed to the warmer temperature and lower food treatment also produced offspring with lower standard metabolic rates-aligning with selection on embryo metabolic rates. Lower metabolic rates were correlated with reduced developmental and growth rates, suggesting selection for a slow pace of life. Our results show that intergenerational phenotypic plasticity on offspring size and metabolic rate can be adaptive when parent and offspring temperatures are matched: the direction of selection on embryo size and metabolism aligned with intergenerational plasticity towards lower metabolism at higher temperatures, particularly in offspring from low-condition parents. These findings provide evidence for adaptive parental effects, but only when parental and offspring environments match. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolutionary significance of variation in metabolic rates'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K. Pettersen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine,, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Neil B. Metcalfe
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine,, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Shibata S, Endo S, Nagai LAE, H. Kobayashi E, Oike A, Kobayashi N, Kitamura A, Hori T, Nashimoto Y, Nakato R, Hamada H, Kaji H, Kikutake C, Suyama M, Saito M, Yaegashi N, Okae H, Arima T. Modeling embryo-endometrial interface recapitulating human embryo implantation. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadi4819. [PMID: 38394208 PMCID: PMC10889356 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The initiation of human pregnancy is marked by the implantation of an embryo into the uterine environment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we developed hormone-responsive endometrial organoids (EMO), termed apical-out (AO)-EMO, which emulate the in vivo architecture of endometrial tissue. The AO-EMO comprise an exposed apical epithelium surface, dense stromal cells, and a self-formed endothelial network. When cocultured with human embryonic stem cell-derived blastoids, the three-dimensional feto-maternal assembloid system recapitulates critical implantation stages, including apposition, adhesion, and invasion. Endometrial epithelial cells were subsequently disrupted by syncytial cells, which invade and fuse with endometrial stromal cells. We validated this fusion of syncytiotrophoblasts and stromal cells using human blastocysts. Our model provides a foundation for investigating embryo implantation and feto-maternal interactions, offering valuable insights for advancing reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Shibata
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Research and Development Division, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka 544-8666, Japan
| | - Shun Endo
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Luis A. E. Nagai
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Eri H. Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Oike
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akane Kitamura
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hori
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yuji Nashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Chie Kikutake
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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Fisher J, Verhagen M, Long Z, Moissidis M, Yan Y, He C, Wang J, Micoli E, Alastruey CM, Moors R, Marín O, Mi D, Lim L. Cortical somatostatin long-range projection neurons and interneurons exhibit divergent developmental trajectories. Neuron 2024; 112:558-573.e8. [PMID: 38086373 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.013] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian cerebral cortex contains an extraordinary diversity of cell types that emerge by implementing different developmental programs. Delineating when and how cellular diversification occurs is particularly challenging for cortical inhibitory neurons because they represent a small proportion of all cortical cells and have a protracted development. Here, we combine single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to characterize the emergence of neuronal diversity among somatostatin-expressing (SST+) cells in mice. We found that SST+ inhibitory neurons segregate during embryonic stages into long-range projection (LRP) neurons and two types of interneurons, Martinotti cells and non-Martinotti cells, following distinct developmental trajectories. Two main subtypes of LRP neurons and several subtypes of interneurons are readily distinguishable in the embryo, although interneuron diversity is likely refined during early postnatal life. Our results suggest that the timing for cellular diversification is unique for different subtypes of SST+ neurons and particularly divergent for LRP neurons and interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine Fisher
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, SE1 1UL London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, SE1 1UL, London, UK
| | - Marieke Verhagen
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Zhen Long
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Monika Moissidis
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, SE1 1UL London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, SE1 1UL, London, UK
| | - Yiming Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chenyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Elia Micoli
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Clara Milían Alastruey
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rani Moors
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oscar Marín
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, SE1 1UL London, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, SE1 1UL, London, UK.
| | - Da Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Lynette Lim
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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48
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Miyashita N, Akagi S, Somfai T, Hirao Y. Serum-free spontaneously immortalized bovine oviduct epithelial cell conditioned medium promotes the early development of bovine in vitro fertilized embryos. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:42-48. [PMID: 38246613 PMCID: PMC10902639 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-031] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic transfer of bovine blastocysts produced using in vitro fertilization (IVF) is widely used, although the challenge of compromised conception rates remains. Using bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) to improve embryo culture conditions has attracted attention, particularly since the recent discovery of extracellular vesicles from BOEC. The selection of embryos for transfer has also been the subject of various studies, and a set of evaluation criteria to predict pregnancy success has been suggested, in which the embryos are judged by their kinetics and morphology at the early stages. In the present study, we established a spontaneously immortalized BOEC line (SI-BOEC) and examined the effects of conditioned medium on IVF embryos, focusing on the results of the recommended criteria. A modified KSOM (mKSOM) was used to prepare conditioned media. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in mKSOM (control), SI-BOEC-conditioned medium, mKSOM supplemented with sediment (pellet) collected after the ultracentrifugation of the conditioned medium (mKSOM/sediment), and the supernatant. A significantly higher percentage of embryos satisfied the recommended criteria when grown in the conditioned medium than in the mKSOM. A higher proportion of embryos developed into blastocysts after achieving the four criteria. A similar tendency was observed when grown in mKSOM/sediment compared to mKSOM; however, this was not observed in the supernatant. Vesicles with a size similar to that of exosomes were observed in the sediment. In conclusion, the culture medium conditioned by SI-BOEC promoted the production of bovine blastocysts that satisfied the four evaluation criteria recommended for embryo selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norikazu Miyashita
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akagi
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
| | - Tamas Somfai
- Division of Biomaterial Sciences, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO, Ibaraki 305-8518, Japan
| | - Yuji Hirao
- Division of Dairy Cattle Feeding and Breeding Research, Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Ibaraki 305-0901, Japan
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Schulte SJ, Fornace ME, Hall JK, Shin GJ, Pierce NA. HCR spectral imaging: 10-plex, quantitative, high-resolution RNA and protein imaging in highly autofluorescent samples. Development 2024; 151:dev202307. [PMID: 38415752 PMCID: PMC10941662 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202307] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Signal amplification based on the mechanism of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) provides a unified framework for multiplex, quantitative, high-resolution imaging of RNA and protein targets in highly autofluorescent samples. With conventional bandpass imaging, multiplexing is typically limited to four or five targets owing to the difficulty in separating signals generated by fluorophores with overlapping spectra. Spectral imaging has offered the conceptual promise of higher levels of multiplexing, but it has been challenging to realize this potential in highly autofluorescent samples, including whole-mount vertebrate embryos. Here, we demonstrate robust HCR spectral imaging with linear unmixing, enabling simultaneous imaging of ten RNA and/or protein targets in whole-mount zebrafish embryos and mouse brain sections. Further, we demonstrate that the amplified and unmixed signal in each of the ten channels is quantitative, enabling accurate and precise relative quantitation of RNA and/or protein targets with subcellular resolution, and RNA absolute quantitation with single-molecule resolution, in the anatomical context of highly autofluorescent samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. Schulte
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mark E. Fornace
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - John K. Hall
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Grace J. Shin
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Niles A. Pierce
- Division of Biology & Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
- Division of Engineering & Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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The people behind the papers - Ayumi Fukuoka and Gerry Graham. Development 2024; 151:dev202767. [PMID: 38391387 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Chemokines are perhaps best known for their role in immune responses, but they can also regulate cell migration during embryonic development. A new paper in Development shows that an atypical chemokine receptor sequesters maternal CXCL12 in the placenta to prevent it from entering the embryonic bloodstream, thus ensuring proper haematopoiesis in the embryo. To learn more about the story behind the paper, we caught up with first author Ayumi Fukuoka and corresponding author Gerry Graham, the Gardiner Chair of Immunology at the University of Glasgow, UK.
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