scholarly journals Amnion signals are essential for mesoderm formation in primates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Yang ◽  
Alexander Goedel ◽  
Yu Kang ◽  
Chenyang Si ◽  
Chu Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Mesoderm Formation ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractEmbryonic development is largely conserved among mammals. However, certain genes show divergent functions. By generating a transcriptional atlas containing >30,000 cells from post-implantation non-human primate embryos, we uncover that ISL1, a gene with a well-established role in cardiogenesis, controls a gene regulatory network in primate amnion. CRISPR/Cas9-targeting of ISL1 results in non-human primate embryos which do not yield viable offspring, demonstrating that ISL1 is critically required in primate embryogenesis. On a cellular level, mutant ISL1 embryos display a failure in mesoderm formation due to reduced BMP4 signaling from the amnion. Via loss of function and rescue studies in human embryonic stem cells we confirm a similar role of ISL1 in human in vitro derived amnion. This study highlights the importance of the amnion as a signaling center during primate mesoderm formation and demonstrates the potential of in vitro primate model systems to dissect the genetics of early human embryonic development.

scholarly journals Amnion signals are essential for mesoderm formation in primates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Yang ◽  
Alexander Goedel ◽  
Yu Kang ◽  
Chenyang Si ◽  
Chu Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Mesoderm Formation ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractEssential genes for murine embryonic development can demonstrate a disparate phenotype in human cohorts. By generating a transcriptional atlas containing >30,000 cells from postimplantation non-human primate embryos, we discovered that ISL1, a gene with a well-established role in cardiogenesis, controls a gene regulatory network in primate amnion. CRISPR/Cas9-targeting of ISL1 resulted in non-human primate embryos which did not yield viable offspring, demonstrating that ISL1 is critically required in primate embryogenesis. On a cellular level, mutant ISL1 embryos displayed a failure in mesoderm formation due to reduced BMP4 signaling from the amnion. Via loss of function and rescue studies in human embryonic stem cells we confirmed a similar role of ISL1 in human in vitro derived amnion. This study highlights the importance of the amnion as a signaling center during primate mesoderm formation and demonstrates the potential of in vitro primate model systems to dissect the genetics of early human embryonic development.

scholarly journals Chromatin and Epigenetic Rearrangements in Embryonic Stem Cell Fate Transitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Sun ◽  
Xiuling Fu ◽  
Gang Ma ◽  
Andrew P. Hutchins
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Somatic Genome ◽  
Mouse Cells ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Organismal Development ◽  
Human And Mouse

A major event in embryonic development is the rearrangement of epigenetic information as the somatic genome is reprogrammed for a new round of organismal development. Epigenetic data are held in chemical modifications on DNA and histones, and there are dramatic and dynamic changes in these marks during embryogenesis. However, the mechanisms behind this intricate process and how it is regulating and responding to embryonic development remain unclear. As embryos develop from totipotency to pluripotency, they pass through several distinct stages that can be captured permanently or transiently in vitro. Pluripotent naïve cells resemble the early epiblast, primed cells resemble the late epiblast, and blastomere-like cells have been isolated, although fully totipotent cells remain elusive. Experiments using these in vitro model systems have led to insights into chromatin changes in embryonic development, which has informed exploration of pre-implantation embryos. Intriguingly, human and mouse cells rely on different signaling and epigenetic pathways, and it remains a mystery why this variation exists. In this review, we will summarize the chromatin rearrangements in early embryonic development, drawing from genomic data from in vitro cell lines, and human and mouse embryos.

scholarly journals EOMES is responsible for WNT memory and can substitute for WNT in mesendoderm specification

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Yoney ◽  
Lu Bai ◽  
Ali H. Brivanlou ◽  
Eric D Siggia
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Mechanistic Basis ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Transcriptional Output ◽  
Accessible Chromatin ◽  
Pluripotency Maintenance

Embryogenesis is guided by a limited set of signaling pathways that are reused at different times and places throughout development. How a context dependent signaling response is generated has been a central question of developmental biology, which can now be addressed with in vitro model systems. Our previous work in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) established that pre-exposure of cells to WNT/β-catenin signaling is sufficient to switch the output of ACTIVIN/SMAD2 signaling from pluripotency maintenance to mesendoderm (ME) differentiation. A body of previous literature has established the role of both pathways in ME differentiation. However, our work demonstrated that the two signals do not need to be present simultaneously and that hESCs have a means to record WNT signals. Here we demonstrate that hESCs have accessible chromatin at SMAD2 binding sites near pluripotency and ME-associated target genes and that WNT priming does not alter SMAD2 binding. Rather our results indicate that stable transcriptional output at ME genes results from WNT-dependent production of an additional SMAD2 co-factor, EOMES. We show that expression of EOMES can replace WNT signaling in ME differentiation, providing a mechanistic basis for WNT-priming and memory in early development.

Abstract P482: Elucidating And Characterizing The Molecular Mechanistic Role Of Phospholamban L39 Stop In The Pathophysiology Of Cardiomyopathy Using Patient-derived Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells And Humanized Knock-in Mouse Model Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anichavezhi Devendran ◽  
Rasheed Bailey ◽  
Sumanta Kar ◽  
Francesca Stillitano ◽  
Irene Turnbull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical condition associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The contractile dysfunction and arrhythmogenesis related to HF has been linked to the remodelling of calcium (Ca ++ ) handling. Phospholamban (PLN) has emerged as a key regulator of intracellular Ca ++ concentration. Of the PLN mutations, L39X is intriguing as it has not been fully characterized. This mutation is believed to be functionally equivalent to PLN null (KO) but contrary to PLN KO mice, L39X carriers develop a lethal cardiomyopathy (CMP). Our study aims at using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) from homozygous L39X carriers to elucidate the role of L39X in human pathophysiology. Our plan also involves the characterization of humanized L39X knock-in mice (KM), which we hypothesize will develop a CMP from mis-localization of PLN and disruption of Ca ++ signalling. Methodology and Results: Mononuclear cells from Hom L39X carriers were obtained to generate 11 integration-free patient-specific iPSC clones. The iPSC-CMs were derived using established protocols. Compared to the WT iPSC-CMs, the Hom L39X derived-CMs PLN had an abnormal cytoplasmic distribution and formed intracellular aggregates, with the loss of perinuclear localization. There was also a 70% and 50% reduction of mRNA and protein expression of PLN respectively in L39X compared to WT iPSC-CMs. These findings indicated that L39X PLN is both under-expressed and mis-localized within the cell. To validate this observation in-vivo, we genetically modified FVB mice to harbour the human L39X. Following electroporation, positively transfected mouse embryonic stem cells were injected into host blastocysts to make humanized KM that were subsequently used to generate either a protamine-Cre (endogenous PLN driven expression) or a cardiac TNT mouse (i.e., CMP specific). Conclusion: Our data confirm an abnormal intracellular distribution of PLN, with the loss of perinuclear accumulation and mis-localization, suggestive of ineffective targeting to or retention of L39X. The mouse model will be critically important to validate the in-vitro observations and provides an ideal platform for future studies centred on the development of novel therapeutic strategies including virally delivered CRISPR/Cas9 for in-vivo gene editing and testing of biochemical signalling pathways.

scholarly journals Modulation of VEGFR-2–mediated endothelial-cell activity by VEGF-C/VEGFR-3

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 1367-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyoshi Matsumura ◽  
Masanori Hirashima ◽  
Minetaro Ogawa ◽  
Hajime Kubo ◽  
Hiroshi Hisatsune ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Vegf Receptor ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Vascular Integrity ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 3 (VEGFR-3), a receptor for VEGF-C, was shown to be essential for angiogenesis as well as for lymphangiogenesis. Targeted disruption of theVEGFR-3 gene in mice and our previous study using an antagonistic monoclonal antibody (MoAb) for VEGFR-3 suggested that VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signals might be involved in the maintenance of vascular integrity. In this study we used an in vitro embryonic stem (ES) cell culture system to maintain the VEGFR-3+ endothelial cell (EC) and investigated the role of VEGFR-3 signals at the cellular level. In this system packed clusters of ECs were formed. Whereas addition of exogenous VEGF-A induced EC dispersion, VEGF-C, which can also stimulate VEGFR-2, promoted EC growth without disturbing the EC clusters. Moreover, addition of AFL4, an antagonistic MoAb for VEGFR-3, resulted in EC dispersion. Cytological analysis showed that VEGF-A– and AFL4-treated ECs were indistinguishable in many aspects but were distinct from the cytological profile induced by antagonistic MoAb for VE-cadherin (VECD-1). As AFL4- induced EC dispersion requires VEGF-A stimulation, it is likely that VEGFR-3 signals negatively modulate VEGFR-2. This result provides new insights into the involvement of VEGFR-3 signals in the maintenance of vascular integrity through modulation of VEGFR-2 signals. Moreover, our findings suggest that the mechanisms underlying AFL4-induced EC dispersion are distinct from those underlying VECD-1–induced dispersion for maintenance of EC integrity.

scholarly journals The Lysine Methylase SMYD3 Modulates Mesendodermal Commitment during Development

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1233
Author(s):  
Raffaella Fittipaldi ◽  
Pamela Floris ◽  
Valentina Proserpio ◽  
Franco Cotelli ◽  
Monica Beltrame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
In Vitro Differentiation ◽  
Cancer Models ◽  
Lineage Markers

SMYD3 (SET and MYND domain containing protein 3) is a methylase over-expressed in cancer cells and involved in oncogenesis. While several studies uncovered key functions for SMYD3 in cancer models, the SMYD3 role in physiological conditions has not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we dissect the role of SMYD3 at early stages of development, employing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and zebrafish as model systems. We report that SMYD3 depletion promotes the induction of the mesodermal pattern during in vitro differentiation of ESCs and is linked to an upregulation of cardiovascular lineage markers at later stages. In vivo, smyd3 knockdown in zebrafish favors the upregulation of mesendodermal markers during zebrafish gastrulation. Overall, our study reveals that SMYD3 modulates levels of mesendodermal markers, both in development and in embryonic stem cell differentiation.

scholarly journals The TGFβ Family in Human Placental Development at the Fetal-Maternal Interface

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 453
Author(s):  
Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes ◽  
Marta S. Alexdottir ◽  
Gudrun Valdimarsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Placental Development

Emerging data suggest that a trophoblast stem cell (TSC) population exists in the early human placenta. However, in vitro stem cell culture models are still in development and it remains under debate how well they reflect primary trophoblast (TB) cells. The absence of robust protocols to generate TSCs from humans has resulted in limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate human placental development and TB lineage specification when compared to other human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). As placentation in mouse and human differ considerably, it is only with the development of human-based disease models using TSCs that we will be able to understand the various diseases caused by abnormal placentation in humans, such as preeclampsia. In this review, we summarize the knowledge on normal human placental development, the placental disease preeclampsia, and current stem cell model systems used to mimic TB differentiation. A special focus is given to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) family as it has been shown that the TGFβ family has an important role in human placental development and disease.

scholarly journals Neonatal Immune System Ontogeny: The Role of Maternal Microbiota and Associated Factors. How Might the Non-Human Primate Model Enlighten the Path?

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Natalia Nunez ◽  
Louis Réot ◽  
Elisabeth Menu
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Neonatal Immune System ◽  
Gastrointestinal Colonization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Human Primate

Interactions between the immune system and the microbiome play a crucial role on the human health. These interactions start in the prenatal period and are critical for the maturation of the immune system in newborns and infants. Several factors influence the composition of the infant’s microbiota and subsequently the development of the immune system. They include maternal infection, antibiotic treatment, environmental exposure, mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and food introduction. In this review, we focus on the ontogeny of the immune system and its association to microbial colonization from conception to food diversification. In this context, we give an overview of the mother–fetus interactions during pregnancy, the impact of the time of birth and the mode of delivery, the neonate gastrointestinal colonization and the role of breastfeeding, weaning, and food diversification. We further review the impact of the vaccination on the infant’s microbiota and the reciprocal case. Finally, we discuss several potential therapeutic interventions that might help to improve the newborn and infant’s health and their responses to vaccination. Throughout the review, we underline the main scientific questions that are left to be answered and how the non-human primate model could help enlighten the path.

scholarly journals Stimulatory Role of Glycated Fetal Bovine Serum Along with Iron on In Vitro Production of Insulin by Differentiated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-361
Author(s):  
Ikuo Nishigaki ◽  
Gowri Rangasamy Gunassekaran ◽  
Panjan Nagappan Venkatesan ◽  
Mandupal Chaco Sabu ◽  
Sabu Priya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Bovine Serum ◽  
Fetal Bovine Serum ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
In Vitro Production ◽  
Fetal Bovine ◽  
Vitro Production

scholarly journals Mechanism of LIN28B in Trophoblastic Villous Cells of Unexplained Recurrent Abortion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
QiaoYao Huang ◽  
YanRu Niu ◽  
LiJun Song ◽  
JinZhi Huang ◽  
Chenxi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Control ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Cellular Migration ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Villous Trophoblast

Abstract Background: LIN28B plays an important role in early embryonic development, but its role in villous trophoblast implantation and differentiation remains unknown. To verify the role of LIN28B in trophoblastic villous tissue and cells from women with URSA(unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion)and artificial termination of pregnancy (negative control, NC). Methods:The Lin28b gene and its protein expression level were detected with real-time quantitative PCR, Western immunoblotting analysis, and immunocytochemistry. The gene was also overexpressed in chorionic villous cell lines (HTR-8/SVneo and BeWo) to examine its effect on trophoblast function.Results: The expression of LIN28B mRNA and protein of URSA villi was lower than that in the NC group. At the cellular level, overexpression of LIN28B enhanced cellular migration, and invasion, and inhibited apoptosis. LIN28B may inhibit apoptosis by promoting Akt phosphorylation and by inhibiting Bad phosphorylation and Bcl-2 expression. In addition, LIN28B inhibited cell fusion and reduced cellular syncytia. Conclusions: LIN28B can inhibit cell proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro, and promote apoptosis and fusion. The low expression of LIN28B in URSA villous trophoblast cells may be one of the causes of abortion. The role of LIN28B in villous trophoblasts needs further study.

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