scholarly journals Committing Embryonic Stem Cells to Differentiate into Thyrocyte-Like Cells in Vitro

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (6) ◽  
pp. 2644-2649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reigh-Yi Lin ◽  
Atsushi Kubo ◽  
Gordon M. Keller ◽  
Terry F. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Basic Study ◽  
Thyroid Cells ◽  
Thyroid Transcription Factor

Abstract The derivation of thyrocyte-like cells in culture is of importance in the basic study of early thyroid embryogenesis and the generation of an unlimited clinical source of thyrocytes for genetic manipulation and cell transplantation. We have established an experimental system, which shows that 6-d-old embryoid bodies (EBs) differentiated from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells expressed a set of genes traditionally associated with thyroid cells. The genes analyzed included the thyroid transcription factor PAX8, the Na+/I− symporter, thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin, and the TSH receptor (TSHR). Immunofluorescent analysis demonstrated the presence of TSHR-positive cells as outgrowths from 8-d-old EBs cultured on chamber slides. Accordingly, this area of cells also expressed PAX8 and another thyroid transcription factor TTF2. Of importance, TSH, the main regulator of the thyroid gland, was necessary to maintain the expression of PAX8 and TSHR genes during EB differentiation. Furthermore, thyroid-specific function, such as cAMP generation by TSH, was maintained in this model. Together, these results suggested that the developmental program associated with thyrocyte development is recapitulated in the ES/EB model system. The differentiation of mouse ES cells into thyrocyte-like cells provides a powerful model for the study of thyrocyte developmental diseases associated with this lineage and contributes to the development of thyroid hormone-secreting cell lines.

Cardiomyocyte differentiation by GATA-4-deficient embryonic stem cells

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (19) ◽  
pp. 3755-3764 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Narita ◽  
M. Bielinska ◽  
D.B. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Differentiation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cell Stage

In situ hybridization studies, promoter analyses and antisense RNA experiments have implicated transcription factor GATA-4 in the regulation of cardiomyocyte differentiation. In this study, we utilized Gata4−/− embryonic stem (ES) cells to determine whether this transcription factor is essential for cardiomyocyte lineage commitment. First, we assessed the ability of Gata4−/− ES cells form cardiomyocytes during in vitro differentiation of embryoid bodies. Contracting cardiomyocytes were seen in both wild-type and Gata4−/− embryoid bodies, although cardiomyocytes were observed more often in wild type than in mutant embryoid bodies. Electron microscopy of cardiomyocytes in the Gata4−/− embryoid bodies revealed the presence of sarcomeres and junctional complexes, while immunofluorescence confirmed the presence of cardiac myosin. To assess the capacity of Gata4−/− ES cells to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vivo, we prepared and analyzed chimeric mice. Gata4−/− ES cells were injected into 8-cell-stage embryos derived from ROSA26 mice, a transgenic line that expresses beta-galactosidase in all cell types. Chimeric embryos were stained with X-gal to discriminate ES cell- and host-derived tissue. Gata4−/− ES cells contributed to endocardium, myocardium and epicardium. In situ hybridization showed that myocardium derived from Gata4−/− ES cells expressed several cardiac-specific transcripts, including cardiac alpha-myosin heavy chain, troponin C, myosin light chain-2v, Nkx-2.5/Csx, dHAND, eHAND and GATA-6. Taken together these results indicate that GATA-4 is not essential for terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes and suggest that additional GATA-binding proteins known to be in cardiac tissue, such as GATA-5 or GATA-6, may compensate for a lack of GATA-4.

Targeted mutagenesis of the transcription factor GATA-4 gene in mouse embryonic stem cells disrupts visceral endoderm differentiation in vitro

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (11) ◽  
pp. 3877-3888 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Soudais ◽  
M. Bielinska ◽  
M. Heikinheimo ◽  
C.A. MacArthur ◽  
N. Narita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Yolk Sac ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Targeted Mutagenesis ◽  
Clonal Variation ◽  
Chimeric Mouse ◽  
Visceral Endoderm

Transcription factor GATA-4 belongs to a family of zinc finger proteins involved in lineage determination. GATA-4 is first expressed in yolk sac endoderm of the developing mouse and later in cardiac tissue, gut epithelium and gonads. To delineate the role of this transcription factor in differentiation and early development, we studied embryoid bodies derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in which both copies of the Gata-4 gene were disrupted. Light and electron microscopy demonstrated that embryoid bodies formed from wild-type and heterozygous deficient ES cells were covered with a layer of visceral yolk sac endoderm, whereas no yolk sac endoderm was evident on the surface of the homozygous deficient embryoid bodies. Independently selected homozygous deficient cell lines displayed this distinctive phenotype, suggesting that it was not an artifact of clonal variation. Biochemical markers of visceral endoderm formation, such as alpha-feto-protein, hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 and binding sites for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, were absent from the homozygous deficient embryoid bodies. Examination of other differentiation markers in the mutant embryoid bodies, studies of ES cell-derived teratocarcinomas and chimeric mouse analysis demonstrated that GATA-4-deficient ES cells have the capacity to differentiate along other lineages. We conclude that, under in vitro conditions, disruption of the Gata-4 gene results in a specific block in visceral endoderm formation. These homozygous deficient cells should yield insights into the regulation of yolk sac endoderm development and the factors expressed by visceral endoderm that influence differentiation of adjoining ectoderm/mesoderm.

scholarly journals Erythroid-cell-specific properties of transcription factor GATA-1 revealed by phenotypic rescue of a gene-targeted cell line.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 1642-1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Weiss ◽  
C Yu ◽  
S H Orkin
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Erythroid Cell ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Erythroid Maturation

The zinc finger transcription factor GATA-1 is essential for erythropoiesis. In its absence, committed erythroid precursors arrest at the proerythroblast stage of development and undergo apoptosis. To study the function of GATA-1 in an erythroid cell environment, we generated an erythroid cell line from in vitro-differentiated GATA-1- murine embryonic stem (ES) cells. These cells, termed G1E for GATA-1- erythroid, proliferate as immature erythroblasts yet complete differentiation upon restoration of GATA-1 function. We used rescue of terminal erythroid maturation in G1E cells as a stringent cellular assay system in which to evaluate the functional relevance of domains of GATA-1 previously characterized in nonhematopoietic cells. At least two major differences were established between domains required in G1E cells and those required in nonhematopoietic cells. First, an obligatory transactivation domain defined in conventional nonhematopoietic cell transfection assays is dispensable for terminal erythroid maturation. Second, the amino (N) zinc finger, which is nonessential for binding to the vast majority of GATA DNA motifs, is strictly required for GATA-1-mediated erythroid differentiation. Our data lead us to propose a model in which a nuclear cofactor(s) interacting with the N-finger facilitates transcriptional action by GATA-1 in erythroid cells. More generally, our experimental approach highlights critical differences in the action of cell-specific transcription proteins in different cellular environments and the power of cell lines derived from genetically modified ES cells to elucidate gene function.

scholarly journals Transcription Factor Lbx1 Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Phenotypes

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Schmitteckert ◽  
Cornelia Ziegler ◽  
Liane Kartes ◽  
Alexandra Rolletschek
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Cardiac Cells ◽  
Cell Stage

Transcription factor Lbx1 is known to play a role in the migration of muscle progenitor cells in limb buds and also in neuronal determination processes. In addition, involvement of Lbx1 in cardiac neural crest-related cardiogenesis was postulated. Here, we used mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells which have the capacity to develop into cells of all three primary germ layers. Duringin vitrodifferentiation, ES cells recapitulate cellular developmental processes and gene expression patterns of early embryogenesis. Transcript analysis revealed a significant upregulation ofLbx1at the progenitor cell stage. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the expression of Lbx1 in skeletal muscle cell progenitors and GABAergic neurons. To verify the presence of Lbx1 in cardiac cells, triple immunocytochemistry of ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes and a quantification assay were performed at different developmental stages. Colabeling of Lbx1 and cardiac specific markers troponin T, α-actinin, GATA4, and Nkx2.5 suggested a potential role in early myocardial development.

Mouse GATA-4: a retinoic acid-inducible GATA-binding transcription factor expressed in endodermally derived tissues and heart

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2235-2246
Author(s):  
R J Arceci ◽  
A A King ◽  
M C Simon ◽  
S H Orkin ◽  
D B Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Intestinal Epithelium ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Primitive Endoderm ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
The Family

We report the cDNA cloning and characterization of mouse GATA-4, a new member of the family of zinc finger transcription factors that bind a core GATA motif. GATA-4 cDNA was identified by screening a 6.5-day mouse embryo library with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to a highly conserved region of the finger domains. Like other proteins of the family, GATA-4 is approximately 50 kDa in size and contains two zinc finger domains of the form C-X-N-C-(X17)-C-N-X-C. Cotransfection assays in heterologous cells demonstrate that GATA-4 trans activates reporter constructs containing GATA promoter elements. Northern (RNA) analysis and in situ hybridization show that GATA-4 mRNA is expressed in the heart, intestinal epithelium, primitive endoderm, and gonads. Retinoic acid-induced differentiation of mouse F9 cells into visceral or parietal endoderm is accompanied by increased expression of GATA-4 mRNA and protein. In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into embryoid bodies is also associated with increased GATA-4 expression. We conclude that GATA-4 is a tissue-specific, retinoic acid-inducible, and developmentally regulated transcription factor. On the basis of its tissue distribution, we speculate that GATA-4 plays a role in gene expression in the heart, intestinal epithelium, primitive endoderm, and gonads.

Overexpression of HOXB4 enhances the hematopoietic potential of embryonic stem cells differentiated in vitro

Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 87 (7) ◽  
pp. 2740-2749 ◽  
Author(s):  
CD Helgason ◽  
G Sauvageau ◽  
HJ Lawrence ◽  
C Largman ◽  
RK Humphries
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Homeobox Genes ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling primitive hematopoietic stem cells, especially during embryogenesis. Homeobox genes encode a family of transcription factors that have gained increasing attention as master regulators of developmental processes and recently have been implicated in the differentiation and proliferation of hematopoietic cells. Several Hox homeobox genes are now known to be differentially expressed in various subpopulations of human hematopoietic cells and one such gene, HOXB4, has recently been shown to positively determine the proliferative potential of primitive murine bone marrow cells, including cells with long-term repopulating ability. To determine if this gene might influence hematopoiesis at the earliest stages of development, embryonic stem (ES) cells were genetically modified by retroviral gene transfer to overexpress HOXB4 and the effect on their in vitro differentiation was examined. HOXB4 overexpression significantly increased the number of progenitors of mixed erythroid/myeloid colonies and definitive, but not primitive, erythroid colonies derived from embryoid bodies (EBs) at various stages after induction of differentiation. There appeared to be no significant effect on the generation of granulocytic or monocytic progenitors, nor on the efficiency of EB formation or growth rate. Analysis of mRNA from EBs derived from HOXB4-transduced ES cells on different days of primary differentiation showed a significant increase in adult beta-globin expression, with no detectable effect on GATA-1 or embryonic globin (beta H-1). Thus, HOXB4 enhances the erythropoietic, and possibly more primitive, hematopoietic differentiative potential of ES cells. These results provide new evidence implicating Hox genes in the control of very early stages in the development of the hematopoietic system and highlight the utility of the ES model for gaining insights into the molecular genetic regulation of differentiation and proliferation events.

scholarly journals Isolation, Characterization and Differentiation Potential of Chicken Spermatogonial Stem Cell Derived Embryoid Bodies

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Luan Nguyen ◽  
Jae Gyu Yoo ◽  
Neelesh Sharma ◽  
Sung Woo Kim ◽  
Yong Jun Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Connexin 43 ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Periodic Acid ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Differentiation Potential

Abstract Human, murine and monkey spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have the capability to undergo self-renewal and differentiation into different body cell types in vitro, which are expected to serve as a powerful tool and resource for the developmental biology and regenerative medicine. We have successfully isolated and characterized the chicken SSCs from 3-day-old chicken testicular cells. The pluripotency was using Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS ) staining or alkaline phosphatase staining, and antibodies to stage-specific embryonic antigens. In suspension culture conditions SSCs formed embryoid bodies (EBs) like embryonic stem (ES) cells. Subsequently EB differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes and most importantly into cardiomyocytes under induced differentiation conditions. The differentiation potential of EBs into cardiomyocyte-like cells was confirmed by using antibodies against sarcomeric α-actinin, cardiac troponin T and connexin 43. Cardiomyocytes-like cells were also confirmed by RT-PCR analysis for several cardiac cell genes like GATA-4, Nkx2-5, α-MHC, and ANF. We have successfully established an in vitro differentiation system for chicken SSCs into different body cells such as osteoblasts, adipocytes and cardiomyocytes. The most significant finding of this study is the differentiation potential of chicken SSCs into cardiomyocytes. Our findings may have implication in developmental biology and regenerative medicine by using chicken as the most potential animal model.

scholarly journals Mouse GATA-4: a retinoic acid-inducible GATA-binding transcription factor expressed in endodermally derived tissues and heart.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2235-2246 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Arceci ◽  
A A King ◽  
M C Simon ◽  
S H Orkin ◽  
D B Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Intestinal Epithelium ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Primitive Endoderm ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
The Family

We report the cDNA cloning and characterization of mouse GATA-4, a new member of the family of zinc finger transcription factors that bind a core GATA motif. GATA-4 cDNA was identified by screening a 6.5-day mouse embryo library with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to a highly conserved region of the finger domains. Like other proteins of the family, GATA-4 is approximately 50 kDa in size and contains two zinc finger domains of the form C-X-N-C-(X17)-C-N-X-C. Cotransfection assays in heterologous cells demonstrate that GATA-4 trans activates reporter constructs containing GATA promoter elements. Northern (RNA) analysis and in situ hybridization show that GATA-4 mRNA is expressed in the heart, intestinal epithelium, primitive endoderm, and gonads. Retinoic acid-induced differentiation of mouse F9 cells into visceral or parietal endoderm is accompanied by increased expression of GATA-4 mRNA and protein. In vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells into embryoid bodies is also associated with increased GATA-4 expression. We conclude that GATA-4 is a tissue-specific, retinoic acid-inducible, and developmentally regulated transcription factor. On the basis of its tissue distribution, we speculate that GATA-4 plays a role in gene expression in the heart, intestinal epithelium, primitive endoderm, and gonads.

Targeted Disruption of the Mouse Mitoferrin (Slc25A37) Mitochondrial Solute Carrier Results in Defective Primitive and Definitive Erythropoiesis.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 265-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry H. Paw ◽  
Babette Gwynn ◽  
Nathaniel B. Langer ◽  
George C. Shaw ◽  
Amy J. Lambert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aminolevulinic Acid ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Embryonic Lethality ◽  
In Vitro Differentiation ◽  
Mitochondrial Iron ◽  
Solute Carrier ◽  
Definitive Erythropoiesis

Abstract We previously described a zebrafish mutant, frascati (frs), which exhibits profound hypochromic anemia and erythroid maturation arrest due to defects in mitochondrial iron uptake. Through positional cloning, we showed that the frs gene encodes a novel member of the vertebrate mitochondrial solute carrier family (SLC25), mitoferrin (mfrn, slc25a37). Mfrn, which is highly expressed in fetal and adult hematopoietic tissues of zebrafish and mouse, functions as the major mitochondrial iron importer essential for heme biosynthesis in vertebrate erythroblasts (Shaw GC, et al. 2006 Nature 440:96–100). To study the function of Mfrn in mammalian organisms, we identified an embryonic stem (ES) cell clone that harbors a gene trap b-geo cassette in intron 1 that inactivates the Mfrn locus. Homozygous disruption of the Mfrn locus results in embryonic lethality at E11.5 from profound anemia due to a failure of primitive erythropoiesis, confirming the requirement of Mfrn in mammalian development . Circumventing the embryonic lethality, we generated Mfrn−/− ES cells to study the role of Mfrn in definitive erythropoiesis by in vitro differentiation of embryoid bodies and mixed chimera assays. Mfrn−/− ES cells were defective in promoting the growth, differentiation, and hemoglobinization of both primitive and definitive erythroblasts by in vitro differentiation of embryoid bodies. In mixed chimera studies, Mfrn−/− ES cells failed to contribute to the erythroid compartment of adult mosaic mice, whereas measurable contribution of Mfrn−/− donor cells could be assayed in the non-erythroid, leukocyte compartment. Transcriptome microarray analysis, using the mouse Affymetrix GeneChip and the custom IronChip, revealed unexpected down-regulation of transcripts for heme-biosynthetic enzymes in Mfrn−/− erythroblasts. The block in protoprophyrin synthesis, as well as mitochondrial heme synthesis, could be partially rescued by the addition of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to Mfrn−/− erythroblasts in vitro. Our data demonstrate that mitochondrial iron homeostasis, working through the Mfrn iron importer, coordinately regulates the synthetic pathways for porphyrin and heme in developing mammalian erythroblasts.

scholarly journals Lentivirus Vector Gene Expression during ES Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Development In Vitro

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (22) ◽  
pp. 10778-10784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isao Hamaguchi ◽  
Niels-Bjarne Woods ◽  
Ioannis Panagopoulos ◽  
Elisabet Andersson ◽  
Hanna Mikkola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Lentivirus Vector ◽  
Gfp Gene ◽  
Development In Vitro

ABSTRACT The murine embryonal stem (ES) cell virus (MESV) can express transgenes from the long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter/enhancer in undifferentiated ES cells, but expression is turned off upon differentiation to embryoid bodies (EBs) and hematopoietic cells in vitro. We examined whether a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-based lentivirus vector pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G) could transduce ES cells efficiently and express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene from an internal phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoter throughout development to hematopoietic cells in vitro. An oncoretrovirus vector containing the MESV LTR and the GFP gene was used for comparison. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of transduced CCE ES cells showed 99.8 and 86.7% GPF-expressing ES cells in the VSV-G-pseudotyped lentivirus (multiplicity of infection [MOI] = 59)- and oncoretrovirus (MOI = 590)-transduced cells, respectively. Therefore, VSV-G pseudotyping of lentiviral and oncoretrovirus vectors leads to efficient transduction of ES cells. Lentivirus vector integration was verified in the ES cell colonies by Southern blot analysis. When the transduced ES cells were differentiated in vitro, expression from the oncoretrovirus LTR was severely reduced or extinct in day 6 EBs and ES cell-derived hematopoietic colonies. In contrast, many lentivirus-transduced colonies, expressing the GFP gene in the undifferentiated state, continued to express the transgene throughout in vitro development to EBs at day 6, and many continued to express in cells derived from hematopoietic colonies. This experimental system can be used to analyze lentivirus vector design for optimal expression in hematopoietic cells and for gain-of-function experiments during ES cell development in vitro.

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