scholarly journals Transcriptome Analysis of Dnmt3l Knock-Out Mice Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells During Osteogenic Differentiation

Author(s):  
Chih-Yi Yang ◽  
Rita Jui-Hsien Lu ◽  
Ming-Kang Lee ◽  
Felix Shih-Hsian Hsiao ◽  
Ya-Ping Yen ◽  
...  

Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit great potential for cell-based therapy. Proper epigenomic signatures in MSCs are important for the maintenance and the subsequent differentiation potential. The DNA methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) that was mainly expressed in the embryonic stem (ES) cells and the developing germ cells plays an important role in shaping the epigenetic landscape. Here, we report the reduced colony forming ability and impaired in vitro osteogenesis in Dnmt3l-knockout-mice-derived MSCs (Dnmt3l KO MSCs). By comparing the transcriptome between undifferentiated Dnmt3l KO MSCs and the MSCs from the wild-type littermates, some of the differentially regulated genes (DEGs) were found to be associated with bone-morphology-related phenotypes. On the third day of osteogenic induction, differentiating Dnmt3l KO MSCs were enriched for genes associated with nucleosome structure, peptide binding and extracellular matrix modulation. Differentially expressed transposable elements in many subfamilies reflected the change of corresponding regional epigenomic signatures. Interestingly, DNMT3L protein is not expressed in cultured MSCs. Therefore, the observed defects in Dnmt3l KO MSCs are unlikely a direct effect from missing DNMT3L in this cell type; instead, we hypothesized them as an outcome of the pre-deposited epigenetic signatures from the DNMT3L-expressing progenitors. We observed that 24 out of the 107 upregulated DEGs in Dnmt3l KO MSCs were hypermethylated in their gene bodies of DNMT3L knock-down ES cells. Among these 24 genes, some were associated with skeletal development or homeostasis. However, we did not observe reduced bone development, or reduced bone density through aging in vivo. The stronger phenotype in vitro suggested the involvement of potential spreading and amplification of the pre-deposited epigenetic defects over passages, and the contribution of oxidative stress during in vitro culture. We demonstrated that transient deficiency of epigenetic co-factor in ES cells or progenitor cells caused compromised property in differentiating cells much later. In order to facilitate safer practice in cell-based therapy, we suggest more in-depth examination shall be implemented for cells before transplantation, even on the epigenetic level, to avoid long-term risk afterward.

Author(s):  
Sangeetha Vadakke-Madathil ◽  
Gina LaRocca ◽  
Koen Raedschelders ◽  
Jesse Yoon ◽  
Sarah J. Parker ◽  
...  

The extremely limited regenerative potential of adult mammalian hearts has prompted the need for novel cell-based therapies that can restore contractile function in heart disease. We have previously shown the regenerative potential of mixed fetal cells that were naturally found migrating to the injured maternal heart. Exploiting this intrinsic mechanism led to the current hypothesis that Caudal-type homeobox-2 (Cdx2) cells in placenta may represent a novel cell type for cardiac regeneration. Using a lineage-tracing strategy, we specifically labeled fetal-derived Cdx2 cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Cdx2-eGFP cells from end-gestation placenta were assayed for cardiac differentiation in vitro and in vivo using a mouse model of myocardial infarction. We observed that these cells differentiated into spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes (CMs) and vascular cells in vitro, indicating multipotentiality. When administered via tail vein to infarcted wild-type male mice, they selectively and robustly homed to the heart and differentiated to CMs and blood vessels, resulting in significant improvement in contractility as noted by MRI. Proteomics and immune transcriptomics studies of Cdx2-eGFP cells compared with embryonic stem (ES) cells reveal that they appear to retain “stem”-related functions of ES cells but exhibit unique signatures supporting roles in homing and survival, with an ability to evade immune surveillance, which is critical for cell-based therapy. Cdx2-eGFP cells may potentially represent a therapeutic advance in allogeneic cell therapy for cardiac repair.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
M. L. Lim ◽  
I. Vassiliev ◽  
P. J. Verma

Teratoma formation is commonly used as a model for examining the in vivo differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells. We wanted to investigate the teratoma-forming ability of bovine ES cells; however, there are no reports of teratoma-forming ability of bovine pluripotent cells including pre-implantation embryos. In vivo-produced bovine embryos at stages earlier than Day 14 failed to develop teratomas when transplanted into one of the kidneys of immuno-deficient mice (Anderson et al. 1996 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 45, 231–240), and this prompted questions about the ability of bovine embryos to form teratomas. Bovine oocytes were cultured for 20 to 22 h after aspiration at 39�C (5% CO2/95% air) in TCM-199-bicarbonate medium supplemented with GlutaMax6" (Invitrogen Australia Pty Ltd., Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia), penicillin/streptomycin, β-mercaptoethanol, 17β-estradiol, fetal calf serum, LH, follicle stimulating hormone, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, glycine, and l-cysteine. Oocytes were fertilized with IVF media (Cook Australia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) and kept for 7 days at 39�C in 5% CO2/95% air to generate blastocysts. The zona pellucida of Day 7 blastocysts was enzymatically removed, and one or two zona-free embryos were injected into each testis of 5-week-old immunodeficient (SCID) mice (CB-17/ICR-Prkdcscid strain; Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, Australia). Eight weeks post-injection, teratomas partially expelled from testes were identified. Histological analysis has confirmed the derivatives of all 3 germ layers in teratomas. In conclusion, we report that Day 7 in vitro-produced embryos can form teratomas when injected into testes of SCID mice.


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Tielens ◽  
B Verhasselt ◽  
J Liu ◽  
M Dhont ◽  
J Van Der Elst ◽  
...  

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are the source of all embryonic germ layer tissues. Oct-4 is essential for their pluripotency. Sincein vitroculture may influence Oct-4 expression, we investigated to what extent blastocysts culturedin vitrofrom the zygote stage are capable of expressing Oct-4 and generating ES cell lines. We comparedin vivowithin vitroderived blastocysts from B6D2 mice with regard to Oct-4 expression in inner cell mass (ICM) outgrowths and blastocysts. ES cells were characterized by immunostaining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) and Oct-4. Embryoid bodies were made to evaluate the ES cells’ differentiation potential. ICM outgrowths were immunostained for Oct-4 after 6 days in culture. A quantitative real-time PCR assay was performed on individual blastocysts. Of thein vitroderived blastocysts, 17% gave rise to ES cells vs 38% of thein vivoblastocysts. Six-day old outgrowths fromin vivodeveloped blastocysts expressed Oct-4 in 55% of the cases vs 31% of thein vitroderived blastocysts. The amount of Oct-4 mRNA was significantly higher for freshly collectedin vivoblastocysts compared toin vitrocultured blastocysts.In vitrocultured mouse blastocysts retain the capacity to express Oct-4 and to generate ES cells, be it to a lower level thanin vivoblastocysts.


2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (19) ◽  
pp. 3463-3472
Author(s):  
F. Langa ◽  
C. Kress ◽  
E. Colucci-Guyon ◽  
H. Khun ◽  
S. Vandormael-Pournin ◽  
...  

Vimentin is a class III intermediate filament protein widely expressed in the developing embryo and in cells of mesenchymal origin in the adult. Vimentin knock-out mice develop and reproduce without any obvious defect. This is an unexpected finding in view of the high degree of conservation of the vimentin gene among vertebrates. However, it does not exclude the possibility of a role for vimentin in pathological conditions, like tumorigenesis. To address this question directly, we have used a teratocarcinoma model involving the injection of ES cells into syngeneic mice. ES cells lacking vimentin were generated from 129/Sv Vim-/- mice with high efficiency. The absence of vimentin did not affect ES cell morphology, viability or growth rate in vitro. Tumours were induced by subcutaneous injection of either Vim-/- or Vim+/+ ES cells into Vim+/+ and Vim-/- mice, in order to analyse the effect of the absence of vimentin in either the tumorigenic cells or the host mice. No significant differences were found in either tumour incidence, size or vascularization of teratocarcinomas obtained with all possible combinations. Vim-/- ES-derived tumours showed the same cellular composition typical of teratocarcinomas induced by wild-type ES cells together with a very similar apoptotic pattern. Taken together, these results demonstrate that in this model vimentin is not essential for efficient tumour growth and differentiation in vivo.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia López-Anguita ◽  
Seher Ipek Gassaloglu ◽  
Maximilian Stötzel ◽  
Marina Typou ◽  
Iiris Virta ◽  
...  

The cellular microenvironment together with intrinsic regulators shapes stem cell identity and differentiation capacity. Mammalian early embryos are exposed to hypoxia in vivo and appear to benefit from hypoxic culture in vitro. Yet, components of the hypoxia response and how their interplay impacts stem cell transcriptional networks and lineage choices remain poorly understood. Here we investigated the molecular effects of acute and prolonged hypoxia on distinct embryonic and extraembryonic stem cell types as well as the functional impact on differentiation potential. We find a temporal and cell type-specific transcriptional response including an early primitive streak signature in hypoxic embryonic stem (ES) cells. Using a 3D gastruloid differentiation model, we show that hypoxia-induced T expression enables symmetry breaking and axial elongation in the absence of exogenous WNT activation. Importantly, hypoxia also modulates T levels in conventional gastruloids and enhances representation of endodermal and neural markers. Mechanistically, we identify Hif1α as a central factor that mediates the transcriptional response to hypoxia in balance with epigenetic and metabolic rewiring. Our findings directly link the microenvironment to stem cell function and provide a rationale supportive of applying physiological conditions in models of embryo development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaifang Wang ◽  
Maryam Farzaneh

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) is one of the main diseases causing female infertility that occurs in about 1% of women between 30-40 years of age. There are few effective methods for the treatment of women with POI. In the past few years, stem cell-based therapy as one of the most highly investigated new therapies has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of POI. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can self-renew indefinitely and differentiate into any type of cell. Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) as a type of pluripotent stem cells are the most powerful candidate for the treatment of POI. Human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) are derived from adult somatic cells by the treatment with exogenous defined factors to create an embryonic-like pluripotent state. Both hiPSCs and hESCs can proliferate and give rise to ectodermal, mesodermal, endodermal, and germ cell lineages. After ovarian stimulation, the number of available oocytes is limited and the yield of total oocytes with high quality is low. Therefore, a robust and reproducible in-vitro culture system that supports the differentiation of human oocytes from PSCs is necessary. Very few studies have focused on the derivation of oocyte-like cells from hiPSCs and the details of hPSCs differentiation into oocytes have not been fully investigated. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the differentiation potential of hPSCs into human oocyte-like cells.


Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 157-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. P. Beddington ◽  
P. Rashbass ◽  
V. Wilson

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


2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 3509-3517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Okada ◽  
Woong-Kyung Suh ◽  
Jianping Jin ◽  
Minna Woo ◽  
Chunying Du ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The mitochondrial proapoptotic protein Smac/DIABLO has recently been shown to potentiate apoptosis by counteracting the antiapoptotic function of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). In response to apoptotic stimuli, Smac is released into the cytosol and promotes caspase activation by binding to IAPs, thereby blocking their function. These observations have suggested that Smac is a new regulator of apoptosis. To better understand the physiological function of Smac in normal cells, we generated Smac-deficient (Smac−/− ) mice by using homologous recombination in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Smac−/− mice were viable, grew, and matured normally and did not show any histological abnormalities. Although the cleavage in vitro of procaspase-3 was inhibited in lysates of Smac−/− cells, all types of cultured Smac−/− cells tested responded normally to all apoptotic stimuli applied. There were also no detectable differences in Fas-mediated apoptosis in the liver in vivo. Our data strongly suggest the existence of a redundant molecule or molecules capable of compensating for a loss of Smac function.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Weidong Zhu ◽  
Ichiro Shiojima ◽  
Li Zhi ◽  
Hiroyuki Ikeda ◽  
Masashi Yoshida ◽  
...  

Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) bind to and modulate the actions of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Although some of the effects of IGFBPs appear to be independent of IGFs, the precise mechanisms of IGF-independent actions of IGFBPs are largely unknown. In this study we demonstrate that IGFBP-4 is a novel cardiogenic growth factor. IGFBP-4 enhanced cardiomyocyte differentiation of P19CL6 embryonal carcinoma cells and embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro. Conversely, siRNA-mediated knockdown of IGFBP-4 in P19CL6 cells or ES cells attenuated cardiomyocyte differentiation, and morpholino-mediated knockdown of IGFBP-4 in Xenopus embryos resulted in severe cardiac defects and complete absence of the heart in extreme cases. We also demonstrate that the cardiogenic effect of IGFBP-4 was independent of its IGF-binding activity but was mediated by the inhibitory effect on canonical Wnt signaling. IGFBP-4 physically interacted with a Wnt receptor Frizzled 8 (Frz8) and a Wnt co-receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), and inhibited the binding of Wnt3A to Frz8 and LRP6. Moreover, the cardiogenic defects induced by IGFBP-4 knockdown both in vitro and in vivo was rescued by simultaneous inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling. Thus, IGFBP-4 is an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt signaling, and Wnt inhibition by IGFBP-4 is required for cardiogenesis. The present study provides a molecular link between IGF signaling and Wnt signaling, and suggests that IGFBP-4 may be a novel therapeutic target for heart diseases.


Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (12) ◽  
pp. 2273-2282 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Dean ◽  
L. Bowden ◽  
A. Aitchison ◽  
J. Klose ◽  
T. Moore ◽  
...  

In vitro manipulation of preimplantation mammalian embryos can influence differentiation and growth at later stages of development. In the mouse, culture of embryonic stem (ES) cells affects their totipotency and may give rise to fetal abnormalities. To investigate whether this is associated with epigenetic alterations in imprinted genes, we analysed two maternally expressed genes (Igf2r, H19) and two paternally expressed genes (Igf2, U2af1-rs1) in ES cells and in completely ES cell-derived fetuses. Altered allelic methylation patterns were detected in all four genes, and these were consistently associated with allelic changes in gene expression. All the methylation changes that had arisen in the ES cells persisted on in vivo differentiation to fetal stages. Alterations included loss of methylation with biallelic expression of U2af1-rs1, maternal methylation and predominantly maternal expression of Igf2, and biallelic methylation and expression of Igf2r. In many of the ES fetuses, the levels of H19 expression were strongly reduced, and this biallelic repression was associated with biallellic methylation of the H19 upstream region. Surprisingly, biallelic H19 repression was not associated with equal levels of Igf2 expression from both parental chromosomes, but rather with a strong activation of the maternal Igf2 allele. ES fetuses derived from two of the four ES lines appeared developmentally compromised, with polyhydramnios, poor mandible development and interstitial bleeding and, in chimeric fetuses, the degree of chimerism correlated with increased fetal mass. Our study establishes a model for how early embryonic epigenetic alterations in imprinted genes persist to later developmental stages, and are associated with aberrant phenotypes.


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