Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Delayed by E-cad to Promote Tissue Formation in Hepatic Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro

The DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (Dgcr8) knockout strategy has been widely used to study the function of canonical microRNAs (miRNAs) in vitro and in vivo. However, primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts are accumulated in Dgcr8 knockout cells due to interrupted processing. Whether abnormally accumulated pri-miRNAs have any function is unknown. Here, using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats system/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), we successfully knocked out the primary microRNA-290~295 (pri-miR-290~295) cluster, the most highly expressed miRNA cluster in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), in Dgcr8 knockout background. We found that the major defects associated with Dgcr8 knockout in mouse ESCs, including higher expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, slower proliferation, G1 accumulation, and defects in silencing self-renewal, were not affected by the deletion of pri-miR-290~290 cluster. Interestingly, the transcription of neighboring gene nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 12(Nlrp12) was upregulated upon the deletion of the pri-miR-290~295 cluster. Together, our results suggested that the major defects in Dgcr8 knockout ESCs were not due to the accumulation of pri-miR-290~295, and the deletion of miRNA genes could affect the transcription of neighboring DNA elements.

Download Full-text

64 EPITHELIAL MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF STEROIDOGENIC FACTOR 1 MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS INTO THE STEROIDOGENIC CELLS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv28n2ab64 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 162

Author(s):

H. Y. Kang ◽

Y.-K. Choi ◽

J.-U. Hwang ◽

E.-B. Jeung

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Embryonic Stem Cells ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Primitive Streak ◽

Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Forkhead Transcription Factor ◽

Steroidogenic Factor 1 ◽

Mesenchymal Transition

Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is essential for the development and function of steroidogenic tissues. Stable incorporation of SF-1 into embryonic stem cells has been reported to prime the cells for steroidogenesis. In this study, we transfected mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with the mouse SF1 gene (SF1-mESCs) by using the nucleofector (Lonza), and selected SF1-mESCs by G418 250 μg mL–1. The selected cells were differentiated into granulosa-like cells through hanging-drops for 3 days, suspension culture for 1 day, then attachment onto 6-well plates. Expression of steroidogenesis-related genes and gonadal lineage-markers was analysed by real-time PCR. To test the phenotype for granulosa-like cells, transcripts of specific forkhead transcription factor (Foxl2) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (Fshr) were measured. Also, expression of EMT-related genes, such as E-Cadherin (Cdh1), N-Cadherin (Cdh2), Snai1, Snai2 (Slug), Twist, and Vimentin, was monitored. SF1-mESCs were differentiated into the primitive streak‐mesendoderm and the steroidogenic enzymes such as 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Hsd3b1), cytochrome P450-containing enzyme (Cyp)-11a1, and Cyp19a1 were time-dependently changed. Next, the mRNA levels of Foxl2 and Fshr representing granulosa-like cell were increased during differentiation of SF1-mESCs. Especially, the level of oestradiol and Cdh2 was increased at a specific differentiation time. We induced differentiation of mESCs into the functional granulosa-like cells through transfection of the mouse SF1 gene. These cells will be useful for further study and potential application of these cells in steroidogenesis. This research was supported by a grant (15182MFDS460) from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2015.

Download Full-text