scholarly journals Dynamic Conversion of Cell Sorting Patterns in Aggregates of Embryonic Stem Cells with Differential Adhesive Affinity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D Tse ◽  
Robert Moore ◽  
Yue Meng ◽  
Wensi Tao ◽  
Elizabetg R Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Surface Polarity ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
E Cadherin

Abstract Background Mammalian early development comprises the proliferation, differentiation, and self-assembly of the embryonic cells. The classic experiment undertaken by Townes and Holtfreter demonstrated the ability of dissociated embryonic cells to sort and self-organize spontaneously into the original tissue patterns. Here, we further explored the principles and mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of spontaneous tissue organization by studying aggregation and sorting of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with differential adhesive affinity in culture. Results As observed previously, in aggregates of wild-type and E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, the cell assemblies exhibited an initial sorting pattern showing wild-type cells engulfed by less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, which fits the pattern predicted by the differential adhesive hypothesis proposed by Malcom Steinberg. However, in further study of more mature cell aggregates, the initial sorting pattern reversed, with the highly adhesive wild-type ES cells forming an outer shell enveloping the less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient cells, contradicting Steinberg’s sorting principle. The outer wild-type cells of the more mature aggregates did not differentiate into endoderm, which is known to be able to sort to the exterior from previous studies. In contrast to the naive aggregates, the mature aggregates presented polarized highly adhesive cells at the outer layer. The surface polarity was observed as an actin cap contiguously spanning across apical surface of multiple adjacent cells, though independent of the formation of tight junctions. Conclusions Our experimental findings suggest that the force of differential adhesive affinity can be overcome by even subtle polarity generated from strong bilateral ligation of highly adhesive cells in determining cell sorting patterns.

scholarly journals Dynamic Conversion of Cell Sorting Patterns in Aggregates of Embryonic Stem Cells with Differential Adhesive Affinity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D Tse ◽  
Robert Moore ◽  
Yue Meng ◽  
Wensi Tao ◽  
Elizabetg R Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Surface Polarity ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
E Cadherin

Abstract Background: Mammalian early development comprises the proliferation, differentiation, and self-assembly of the embryonic cells. The classic experiment undertaken by Townes and Holtfreter demonstrated the ability of dissociated embryonic cells to sort and self-organize spontaneously into the original tissue patterns. Here, we further explored the principles and mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of spontaneous tissue organization by studying aggregation and sorting of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with differential adhesive affinity in culture. Results: As observed previously, in aggregates of wild-type and E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, the cell assemblies exhibited an initial sorting pattern showing wild-type cells engulfed by less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, which fits the pattern predicted by the differential adhesive hypothesis proposed by Malcom Steinberg. However, in further study of more mature cell aggregates, the initial sorting pattern reversed, with the highly adhesive wild-type ES cells forming an outer shell enveloping the less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient cells, contradicting Steinberg’s sorting principle. The outer wild-type cells of the more mature aggregates did not differentiate into endoderm, which is known to be able to sort to the exterior from previous studies. In contrast to the naive aggregates, the mature aggregates presented polarized, highly adhesive cells at the outer layer. The surface polarity was observed as an actin cap contiguously spanning across the apical surface of multiple adjacent cells, though independent of the formation of tight junctions. Conclusions: Our experimental findings suggest that the force of differential adhesive affinity can be overcome by even subtle polarity generated from strong bilateral ligation of highly adhesive cells in determining cell sorting patterns.

scholarly journals Dynamic conversion of cell sorting patterns in aggregates of embryonic stem cells with differential adhesive affinity

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Tse ◽  
Robert Moore ◽  
Yue Meng ◽  
Wensi Tao ◽  
Elizabeth R. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Sorting ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Surface Polarity ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
E Cadherin

Abstract Background Mammalian early development comprises the proliferation, differentiation, and self-assembly of the embryonic cells. The classic experiment undertaken by Townes and Holtfreter demonstrated the ability of dissociated embryonic cells to sort and self-organize spontaneously into the original tissue patterns. Here, we further explored the principles and mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of spontaneous tissue organization by studying aggregation and sorting of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells with differential adhesive affinity in culture. Results As observed previously, in aggregates of wild-type and E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, the cell assemblies exhibited an initial sorting pattern showing wild-type cells engulfed by less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient ES cells, which fits the pattern predicted by the differential adhesive hypothesis proposed by Malcom Steinberg. However, in further study of more mature cell aggregates, the initial sorting pattern reversed, with the highly adhesive wild-type ES cells forming an outer shell enveloping the less adhesive E-cadherin-deficient cells, contradicting Steinberg’s sorting principle. The outer wild-type cells of the more mature aggregates did not differentiate into endoderm, which is known to be able to sort to the exterior from previous studies. In contrast to the naive aggregates, the mature aggregates presented polarized, highly adhesive cells at the outer layer. The surface polarity was observed as an actin cap contiguously spanning across the apical surface of multiple adjacent cells, though independent of the formation of tight junctions. Conclusions Our experimental findings suggest that the force of differential adhesive affinity can be overcome by even subtle polarity generated from strong bilateral ligation of highly adhesive cells in determining cell sorting patterns.

scholarly journals Expression of Eph receptors and ephrins is differentially regulated by E-cadherin

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (10) ◽  
pp. 1793-1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Orsulic ◽  
R. Kemler
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Eph Receptors ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
E Cadherin

E-cadherin is the main cell adhesion molecule of early embryonic and adult epithelial cells. Downregulation of E-cadherin is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition during embryonic mesoderm formation and tumor progression. To identify genes whose expression is affected by the loss of E-cadherin, we compared mRNA expression patterns between wild-type and E-cadherin null mutant embryonic stem (ES) cells. We found that expression of several Eph receptors and ephrins is dependent on E-cadherin. Rescue of E-cadherin null ES cells with E-cadherin cDNA restores the wild-type expression pattern of Eph family members. Rescue of E-cadherin null ES cells with N-cadherin cDNA does not restore the wild-type expression pattern, indicating that the regulation of differential expression of Eph family members is specific to E-cadherin. Constitutive ectopic expression of E-cadherin in non-epithelial NIH3T3 cells results in the production of the EphA2 receptor. In epithelial cells, E-cadherin is required for EphA2 receptor localization at cell-cell contacts; in the absence of functional E-cadherin, EphA2 localizes to the perinuclear region. Our results indicate that E-cadherin may be directly or indirectly required for the membrane localization of Eph receptors and their membrane-bound ligands.

Brachyury - a gene affecting mouse gastrulation and early organogenesis

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. P. Beddington ◽  
P. Rashbass ◽  
V. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mesoderm Cell ◽  
Rostrocaudal Axis

Mouse embryos that are homozygous for the Brachyury (T) deletion die at mid-gestation. They have prominent defects in the notochord, the allantois and the primitive streak. Expression of the T gene commences at the onset of gastrulation and is restricted to the primitive streak, mesoderm emerging from the streak, the head process and the notochord. Genetic evidence has suggested that there may be an increasing demand for T gene function along the rostrocaudal axis. Experiments reported here indicate that this may not be the case. Instead, the gradient in severity of the T defect may be caused by defective mesoderm cell movements, which result in a progressive accumulation of mesoderm cells near the primitive streak. Embryonic stem (ES) cells which are homozygous for the T deletion have been isolated and their differentiation in vitro and in vivo compared with that of heterozygous and wild-type ES cell lines. In +/+ ↔ T/T ES cell chimeras the Brachyury phenotype is not rescued by the presence of wild-type cells and high level chimeras show most of the features characteristic of intact T/T mutants. A few offspring from blastocysts injected with T/T ES cells have been born, several of which had greatly reduced or abnormal tails. However, little or no ES cell contribution was detectable in these animals, either as coat colour pigmentation or by isozyme analysis. Inspection of potential +/+ ↔ T/T ES cell chimeras on the 11th or 12th day of gestation, stages later than that at which intact T/T mutants die, revealed the presence of chimeras with caudal defects. These chimeras displayed a gradient of ES cell colonisation along the rostrocaudal axis with increased colonisation of caudal regions. In addition, the extent of chimerism in ectodermal tissues (which do not invaginate during gastrulation) tended to be higher than that in mesodermal tissues (which are derived from cells invaginating through the primitive streak). These results suggest that nascent mesoderm cells lacking the T gene are compromised in their ability to move away from the primitive streak. This indicates that one function of the T genemay be to regulate cell adhesion or cell motility properties in mesoderm cells. Wild-type cells in +/+ ↔ T/T chimeras appear to move normally to populate trunk and head mesoderm, suggesting that the reduced motility in T/T cells is a cell autonomous defect

E-cadherin binding prevents beta-catenin nuclear localization and beta-catenin/LEF-1-mediated transactivation

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (8) ◽  
pp. 1237-1245 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Orsulic ◽  
O. Huber ◽  
H. Aberle ◽  
S. Arnold ◽  
R. Kemler
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Beta Catenin ◽  
Multifunctional Protein ◽  
Colon Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Cell Compartments ◽  
Enhancer Factor ◽  
E Cadherin

Beta-catenin is a multifunctional protein found in three cell compartments: the plasma membrane, the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The cell has developed elaborate ways of regulating the level and localization of beta-catenin to assure its specific function in each compartment. One aspect of this regulation is inherent in the structural organization of beta-catenin itself; most of its protein-interacting motifs overlap so that interaction with one partner can block binding of another at the same time. Using recombinant proteins, we found that E-cadherin and lymphocyte-enhancer factor-1 (LEF-1) form mutually exclusive complexes with beta-catenin; the association of beta-catenin with LEF-1 was competed out by the E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain. Similarly, LEF-1 and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) formed separate, mutually exclusive complexes with beta-catenin. In Wnt-1-transfected C57MG cells, free beta-catenin accumulated and was able to associate with LEF-1. The absence of E-cadherin in E-cadherin-/- embryonic stem (ES) cells also led to an accumulation of free beta-catenin and its association with LEF-1, thereby mimicking Wnt signaling. beta-catenin/LEF-1-mediated transactivation in these cells was antagonized by transient expression of wild-type E-cadherin, but not of E-cadherin lacking the beta-catenin binding site. The potent ability of E-cadherin to recruit beta-catenin to the cell membrane and prevent its nuclear localization and transactivation was also demonstrated using SW480 colon carcinoma cells.

Abstract 361: Creg1 Interacts With Sec8 to Promote Cell-cell Adhesion During Cardiomyogenesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Liu ◽  
Yanmei Qi ◽  
Shu-Chan Hsu ◽  
Siavash Saadat ◽  
Saum Rahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Adhesion Sites ◽  
Cell Cell

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes 1 (CREG1) is a 24 kD glycoprotein essential for early embryonic development. Our immunofluorescence studies revealed that CREG1 is highly expressed at myocyte junctions in both embryonic and adult hearts. To explore it role in cardiomyogenesis, we employed gain- and loss-of-function analyses demonstrating that CREG1 is required for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell into cohesive myocardium-like structures. Chimeric cultures of wild-type and CREG1 knockout ES cells expressing cardiac-specific reporters showed that the cardiomyogenic effect of CREG1 is cell autonomous. Furthermore, we identified a novel interaction between CREG1 and Sec8 of the exocyst complex, which tethers vesicles to the plasma membrane. Mutations of the amino acid residues D141 and P142 to alanine in CREG1 abolished its binding to Sec8. To address the role of the CREG1-Sec8 interaction in cardiomyogenesis, we rescued CREG1 knockout ES cells with wild-type and Sec8-binding mutant CREG1 and showed that CREG1 binding to Sec8 promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation and cohesion. Mechanistically, CREG1, Sec8 and N-cadherin all localize at cell-cell adhesion sites. CREG1 overexpression enhances the assembly of adherens and gap junctions. By contrast, its knockout inhibits the Sec8-N-cadherin interaction and induces their degradation. Finally, shRNA-mediated knockdown of Sec8 leads to cardiomyogenic defects similar to CREG1 knockout. These results suggest that the CREG1 binding to Sec8 enhances the assembly of intercellular junctions and promotes cardiomyogenesis.

Production of chimeras by blastocyst and morula injection of targeted ES cells

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Papaioannou ◽  
Randall Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Targeting ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Cell Potential ◽  
Teratocarcinoma Cell ◽  
Normal Manner ◽  
Mammalian Embryos

The ability of mammalian embryos to incorporate foreign cells and develop as chimeras has been exploited for a variety of purposes including the elucidation of cell lineages, the investigation of cell potential, the perpetuation of mutations produced in embryonic stem (ES) cells by gene targeting, and the subsequent analysis of these mutations. The extent of contribution of the foreign cells depends on their developmental synchrony with the host embryo and their mitotic and developmental potential, which may be severely restricted if the cells bear mutations. If the goal in making chimeras is the transmission of a mutation produced by gene targeting to the next generation, the mutant ES cells must have the capacity to undergo meiosis and gametogenesis. Cells from two different mammalian embryos were first combined experimentally to produce a composite animal, dubbed a chimera, nearly four decades ago. Pairs of cleaving, pre-implantation embryos were mechanically associated in vitro until they aggregated together to make single large morulae; these in turn resulted in chimeric offspring (1). Genetic markers were used to distinguish the contributions of the two embryos in these animals. Since then, various methods for making chimeras have been explored to address different types of questions (2). In 1972 it was reported that highly asynchronous embryonic cells, which had been cultured in vitro, could contribute to chimeras upon re-introduction into pre-implantation embryos (3). Not long afterward, several groups working with teratocarcinomas, tumours derived from germ cells of the gonad, discovered that stem cells from these tumours, known as embryonal carcinoma cells, could contribute to an embryo if introduced into pre-implantation stages (4-6). It appeared that the undifferentiated stem cells of the tumour had enough features in common with early embryonic cells that they could respond to the embryonic environment, differentiating in a normal manner, even after long periods in vitro. Their embryonic potential was limited, however, and many teratocarcinoma cell lines made only meagre contributions to the developing fetus or even produced tumours in chimeras (7). Either their derivation from tumours or their extended sojourn in vitro rendered these cells so dissimilar from early embryonic cells that they rarely, if ever, had full embryonic potential.

scholarly journals A Shortened Life Span of EKLF−/− Adult Erythrocytes, Due to a Deficiency of β-Globin Chains, Is Ameliorated by Human γ-Globin Chains

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 1291-1299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai-Kiang Lim ◽  
James J. Bieker ◽  
Chyuan-Sheng Lin ◽  
Frank Costantini
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mature Erythrocyte ◽  
Heinz Bodies ◽  
Globin Chains

Abstract Using homologous recombination, both EKLF alleles in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells were inactivated. These EKLF−/− ES cells were capable of undergoing in vitro differentiation to form definitive erythroid colonies that were similar in size and number to those formed by wild-type ES cells. However, the EKLF−/− colonies were poorly hemoglobinized and enucleated erythrocytes in these colonies contained numerous Heinz bodies. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses revealed that adult and embryonic globin genes were appropriately regulated, with the exception of βh1-globin, which continued to be expressed at a very low level. The ratio of adult β-globin/α-globin mRNA in the mutant ES cells was 1/15 of that in wild-type ES cells. When the EKLF−/− cells were injected into blastocysts, they did not contribute at a detectable level to the mature erythrocyte compartment of the chimeric animals, based on analysis of glucose phosphate isomerase-1 (GPI-1) isozymes and hemoglobins that distinguish ES cell-derived erythrocytes from host blastocyst-derived erythrocytes. In contrast, semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis of RNA from reticulocytes of the same chimeric animals suggested that the ES cell-derived reticulocytes were present at a level of 6% to 8%. This indicated that the EKLF−/− erythrocytes in adult animals must be short-lived, apparently due to the imbalance of β-versus α-globin chains, leading to the precipitation of excess α-globin chains to form Heinz bodies. Consistent with this hypothesis, the short life span was ameliorated by introduction into the EKLF−/− ES cells of a human LCR/γ-globin gene, as evidenced by the presence of ES cell-derived reticulocytes as well as mature erythrocytes in the blood of the chimeric animals.

scholarly journals c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Is Required for Lineage-Specific Differentiation but Not Stem Cell Self-Renewal

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1329-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Xu ◽  
Roger J. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Chemical Genetic ◽  
Specific Differentiation ◽  
Gene Ablation ◽  
Early Embryonic Lethality

ABSTRACT The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) is implicated in proliferation. Mice with a deficiency of either the Jnk1 or the Jnk2 genes are viable, but a compound deficiency of both Jnk1 and Jnk2 causes early embryonic lethality. Studies using conditional gene ablation and chemical genetic approaches demonstrate that the combined loss of JNK1 and JNK2 protein kinase function results in rapid senescence. To test whether this role of JNK was required for stem cell proliferation, we isolated embryonic stem (ES) cells from wild-type and JNK-deficient mice. We found that Jnk1 −/− Jnk2 −/− ES cells underwent self-renewal, but these cells proliferated more rapidly than wild-type ES cells and exhibited major defects in lineage-specific differentiation. Together, these data demonstrate that JNK is not required for proliferation or self-renewal of ES cells, but JNK plays a key role in the differentiation of ES cells.

scholarly journals Deficiency of the Stress Kinase P38α Results in Embryonic Lethality

2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (5) ◽  
pp. 859-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Allen ◽  
Linne Svensson ◽  
Marsha Roach ◽  
John Hambor ◽  
John McNeish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Antiinflammatory Drugs ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 is a key component of stress response pathways and the target of cytokine-suppressing antiinflammatory drugs (CSAIDs). A genetic approach was employed to inactivate the gene encoding one p38 isoform, p38α. Mice null for the p38α allele die during embryonic development. p38α1/− embryonic stem (ES) cells grown in the presence of high neomycin concentrations demonstrated conversion of the wild-type allele to a targeted allele. p38α−/− ES cells lacked p38α protein and failed to activate MAP kinase–activated protein (MAPKAP) kinase 2 in response to chemical stress inducers. In contrast, p38α1/+ ES cells and primary embryonic fibroblasts responded to stress stimuli and phosphorylated p38α, and activated MAPKAP kinase 2. After in vitro differentiation, both wild-type and p38α−/− ES cells yielded cells that expressed the interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R). p38α1/+ but not p38α−/− IL-1R–positive cells responded to IL-1 activation to produce IL-6. Comparison of chemical-induced apoptosis processes revealed no significant difference between the p38α1/+ and p38α−/− ES cells. Therefore, these studies demonstrate that p38α is a major upstream activator of MAPKAP kinase 2 and a key component of the IL-1 signaling pathway. However, p38α does not serve an indispensable role in apoptosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document