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Wang L, Li J. 'Artificial spermatid'-mediated genome editing†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:538-548. [PMID: 31077288 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For years, extensive efforts have been made to use mammalian sperm as the mediator to generate genetically modified animals; however, the strategy of sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) is unable to produce stable and diversified modifications in descendants. Recently, haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) have been successfully derived from haploid embryos carrying the genome of highly specialized gametes, and can stably maintain haploidy (through periodic cell sorting based on DNA quantity) and both self-renewal and pluripotency in long-term cell culture. In particular, haESCs derived from androgenetic haploid blastocysts (AG-haESCs), carrying only the sperm genome, can support the generation of live mice (semi-cloned, SC mice) through oocyte injection. Remarkably, after removal of the imprinted control regions H19-DMR (differentially methylated region of DNA) and IG-DMR in AG-haESCs, the double knockout (DKO)-AG-haESCs can stably produce SC animals with high efficiency, and so can serve as a sperm equivalent. Importantly, DKO-AG-haESCs can be used for multiple rounds of gene modifications in vitro, followed by efficient generation of live and fertile mice with the expected genetic traits. Thus, DKO-AG-haESCs (referred to as 'artificial spermatids') combed with CRISPR-Cas technology can be used as the genetically tractable fertilization agent, to efficiently create genetically modified offspring, and is a versatile genetic tool for in vivo analyses of gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Darbey A, Smith LB. Deliverable transgenics & gene therapy possibilities for the testes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 468:81-94. [PMID: 29191697 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility and hypogonadism are clinically prevalent conditions with a high socioeconomic burden and are both linked to an increased risk in cardiovascular-metabolic diseases and earlier mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the causes and develop new treatments for these conditions that affect millions of men. The accelerating advancement in gene editing and delivery technologies promises improvements in both diagnosis as well as affording the opportunity to develop bespoke treatment options which would both prove beneficial for the millions of individuals afflicted with these reproductive disorders. In this review, we summarise the systems developed and utilised for the delivery of gene therapy and discuss how each of these systems could be applied for the development of a gene therapy system in the testis and how they could be of use for the future diagnosis and repair of common male reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalucia Darbey
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lee B Smith
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Sato M, Ohtsuka M, Watanabe S, Gurumurthy CB. Nucleic acids delivery methods for genome editing in zygotes and embryos: the old, the new, and the old-new. Biol Direct 2016; 11:16. [PMID: 27037013 PMCID: PMC4815204 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-016-0115-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the recent years, sequence-specific nucleases such as ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas9 have revolutionzed the fields of animal genome editing and transgenesis. However, these new techniques require microinjection to deliver nucleic acids into embryos to generate gene-modified animals. Microinjection is a delicate procedure that requires sophisticated equipment and highly trained and experienced technicians. Though over a dozen alternate approaches for nucleic acid delivery into embryos were attempted during the pre-CRISPR era, none of them became routinely used as microinjection. The addition of CRISPR/Cas9 to the genome editing toolbox has propelled the search for novel delivery approaches that can obviate the need for microinjection. Indeed, some groups have recently developed electroporation-based methods that have the potential to radically change animal transgenesis. This review provides an overview of the old and new delivery methods, and discusses various strategies that were attempted during the last three decades. In addition, several of the methods are re-evaluated with respect to their suitability to deliver genome editing components, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, to embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Section of Gene Expression Regulation, Frontier Science Research Center, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, Kagoshima, 890-8544 Japan
| | - Masato Ohtsuka
- Division of Basic Molecular Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, 259 1193 Japan
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Animal Genome Research Unit, Division of Animal Science, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Ibaraki, 305-8602 Japan
| | - Channabasavaiah B. Gurumurthy
- Developmental Neuroscience, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
- Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198 USA
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Chen X, Zhang Z, Chang X, Niu Y, Cui H. Production of transgenic mice expressing tumor virus A under ovarian‑specific promoter 1 control using testis‑mediated gene transfer. Mol Med Rep 2013; 9:955-60. [PMID: 24366307 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to produce transgenic mice expressing tumor virus A (TVA) in the ovary under ovarian specific promoter 1 (OSP1) control. A transgenic mouse model was established in which TVA, an avian retroviral receptor gene driven by OSP1, was selectively expressed in the ovary. A recombinant plasmid containing TVA cDNA and an OSP1 promoter was constructed. The DNA fragment was repeatedly injected into male mouse testes at multiple sites. At 4‑7, 7‑10 and 10‑13 weeks following the final injection, two DNA‑injected male mice were mated with four wild‑type female mice to produce transgenic mice. The transgenic positive rate in mouse F1 offspring was 39.69%. When the positive F1 individuals were mated with wild‑type Imprinting Control Region mice (PxW) or with positive F1 individuals (PxP), the F2 individuals had a transgenic rate of 12.44%. The transgenic rates in the F1 offspring, produced following mating at the three time intervals, were 55.71 (39/70), 30.77 (4/13) and 18.75% (9/48), respectively. The transgenic rates of the F2 offspring decreased with the age of the F1 offspring, from 26.67% when PxP were mated at 6‑8 weeks of age to 6.52% when PxW were mated at 5‑6 months of age. The results indicate a high efficiency of gene transfer to F1 offspring using testis‑mediated gene transfer (TMGT). The transgenic rate in the F2 offspring was lower than that in the F1 offspring. The results reveal that TMGT is suitable for creating transgenic animals among F1 offspring. Semi‑quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results showed that TVA was expressed in the mice ovaries. The results demonstrate the importance of using the replication‑competent avian sarcoma‑leukosis virus long terminal repeat with a splice acceptor‑TVA system in ovarian tumorigenesis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhua Chen
- Gynecologic Oncology Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Zujuan Zhang
- Gynecologic Oncology Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohong Chang
- Gynecologic Oncology Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Yidong Niu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
| | - Heng Cui
- Gynecologic Oncology Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
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Chen Y, Niu Y, Ji W. Transgenic nonhuman primate models for human diseases: approaches and contributing factors. J Genet Genomics 2012; 39:247-51. [PMID: 22749011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 04/29/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nonhuman primates (NHPs) provide powerful experimental models to study human development, cognitive functions and disturbances as well as complex behavior, because of their genetic and physiological similarities to humans. Therefore, NHPs are appropriate models for the study of human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, which occur as a result of genetic mutations. However, such diseases afflicting humans do not occur naturally in NHPs. So transgenic NHPs need to be established to understand the etiology of disease pathology and pathogenesis. Compared to rodent genetic models, the generation of transgenic NHPs for human diseases is inefficient, and only a transgenic monkey model for Huntington's disease has been reported. This review focuses on potential approaches and contributing factors for generating transgenic NHPs to study human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchang Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
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Zhang Y, Xi Q, Ding J, Cai W, Meng F, Zhou J, Li H, Jiang Q, Shu G, Wang S, Zhu X, Gao P, Wu Z. Production of transgenic pigs mediated by pseudotyped lentivirus and sperm. PLoS One 2012; 7:e35335. [PMID: 22536374 PMCID: PMC3335058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm-mediated gene transfer can be a very efficient method to produce transgenic pigs, however, the results from different laboratories had not been widely repeated. Genomic integration of transgene by injection of pseudotyped lentivirus to the perivitelline space has been proved to be a reliable route to generate transgenic animals. To test whether transgene in the lentivirus can be delivered by sperm, we studied incubation of pseudotyped lentiviruses and sperm before insemination. After incubation with pig spermatozoa, 62±3 lentiviral particles were detected per 100 sperm cells using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The association of lentivirus with sperm was further confirmed by electron microscopy. The sperm incubated with lentiviral particles were artificially inseminated into pigs. Of the 59 piglets born from inseminated 5 sows, 6 piglets (10.17%) carried the transgene based on the PCR identification. Foreign gene and EGFP was successfully detected in ear tissue biopsies from two PCR-positive pigs, revealed via in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Offspring of one PCR-positive boar with normal sows showed PCR-positive. Two PCR-positive founders and offsprings of PCR-positive boar were further identified by Southern-blot analysis, out of which the two founders and two offsprings were positive in Southern blotting, strongly indicating integration of foreign gene into genome. The results indicate that incubation of sperm with pseudotyped lentiviruses can incorporated with sperm-mediated gene transfer to produce transgenic pigs with improved efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qianyun Xi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (QYX); (ZFW)
| | - Jinghua Ding
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiguang Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fanmin Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyun Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyi Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingyan Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Shu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songbo Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (QYX); (ZFW)
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Liu L, Cao F, Cai K, Zhang Y, Ding Z, Li J. Generation of Sperms Containing EGFP-LacZ Following Transfection of Chicken Testis with a Eukaryotic Dual Reporter Vector. Reprod Domest Anim 2011; 46:e39-45. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01625.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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PEREYRA-BONNET F, GIBBONS A, CUETO M, SIPOWICZ P, FERNÁNDEZ-MARTÍN R, SALAMONE D. Efficiency of Sperm-Mediated Gene Transfer in the Ovine by Laparoscopic Insemination, In Vitro Fertilization and ICSI. J Reprod Dev 2011; 57:188-96. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.10-063a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro GIBBONS
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
| | - Marcela CUETO
- Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
| | - Pablo SIPOWICZ
- Laboratorio de Neuro y Citogénetica Molecular, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín
| | | | - Daniel SALAMONE
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to test if intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated gene transfer was an effective method in the production of transgenic rabbit embryos. Rabbit sperm diluted in different media with various pH were treated by freezing without cryoprotectant, and their ability for DNA uptake was determined. In these experiments using production of transgenic rabbit embryos by ICSI, exogenous genes at three concentrations and of two conformation types were used. The rate of DNA association to the sperm seen by rhodamine-tagged DNA encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was 90.0%, 92.7%, 91.0%, 91.7%, and 92.3%, respectively in TCM199, DM, DPBS, CZB, and HCZB media. The DNA attachment to sperm was not affected by media pH within the range of 5.4-9.4 (p > 0.05). Expression of GFP first occurred at the 2-cell stage and continued to blastocyst formation. DNA concentration (between 5, 10, and 20 ng/μl) or conformation (linear and circular) had no effect on the production rate of transgenic embryos. These results indicated that genetically modified rabbit blastocysts can be efficiently produced by ICSI technique.
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Coward K, Kubota H, Parrington J. In vivoGene Transfer into Testis and Sperm: Developments and Future Application. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 53:187-97. [PMID: 17852043 DOI: 10.1080/01485010701426455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in the treatment of infertility via assisted reproductive technology (ART), the underlying causes of idiopathic male infertility still remain unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that disorders associated with testicular gene expression may play an important role in male infertility. To be able to fully study the molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and fertilization, it is necessary to manipulate gene expression in male germ cells. Since there is still no reliable method of recapitulating spermatogenesis culture, the development of alternative transgenic approaches is paramount in the study of gene function in testis and sperm. Established methods of creating transgenic animals rely heavily upon injection of DNA into the pronucleus or the injection of transfected embryonic stem cells into blastocysts to form chimeras. Despite the success of these two approaches for making transgenic and knockout animals, concerns remain over costs and the efficiency of transgene integration. Consequently, efforts are in hand to evaluate alternative methodologies. At present, there is much interest in developing approaches that utilize spermatozoa as vectors for gene transfer. These approaches, including testis mediated gene transfer (TMGT) and sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT), have great potential as tools for infertility research and in the creation of transgenic animals. The aim of this short review is to briefly describe developments in this field and discuss how these gene transfer methods might be used effectively in future research and clinical arenas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Coward
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Niu Y, Liang S. Progress in gene transfer by germ cells in mammals. J Genet Genomics 2009; 35:701-14. [PMID: 19103425 DOI: 10.1016/s1673-8527(08)60225-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2008] [Revised: 10/21/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Use of germ cells as vectors for transgenesis in mammals has been well developed and offers exciting prospects for experimental and applied biology, agricultural and medical sciences. Such approach is referred to as either male germ cell mediated gene transfer (MGCMGT) or female germ cell mediated gene transfer (FGCMGT) technique. Sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), including its alternative method, testis-mediated gene transfer (TMGT), becomes an established and reliable method for transgenesis. They have been extensively used for producing transgenic animals. The newly developed approach of FGCMGT, ovary-mediated gene transfer (OMGT) is also a novel and useful tool for efficient transgenesis. This review highlights an overview of the recent progress in germ cell mediated gene transfer techniques, methods developed and mechanisms of nucleic acid uptake by germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidong Niu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
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12
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Efficient generation of transgenic chickens using the spermatogonial stem cells in vivo and ex vivo transfection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 51:734-42. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-008-0100-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2007] [Accepted: 05/23/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Wu Z, Li Z, Yang J. Transient transgene transmission to piglets by intrauterine insemination of spermatozoa incubated with DNA fragments. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:26-32. [PMID: 17546633 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
An efficient and low-cost production of transgenic pigs has significant applications to the pig industry and biomedical science. Generation of transgenic pig by sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) was inexpensive and convenient, and reported with high efficiency. To test the method of SMGT in pigs, we employed deep post-cervical intrauterine insemination of incubated spermatozoa in this study. A test of sperm motility of semen from nine Landrace boars after incubation with radioactively labeled DNA construct indicated that DNA uptake of the sperm was highly correlated with sperm motility at the time of collection. DNA concentration of 50 and 300 microg per one billion sperm was incubated with washed high-motility sperm at 17 degrees C for 2 hr. Twenty one hybrid gilts and sows of Meishan crossed with Large White were inseminated with transgene-incubated sperm and produced 156 piglets. Transgene DNA sequences were identified in 31 piglets by PCR amplification of genomic DNA isolated from piglet ears at the age of 3 days. The deep intrauterine insemination had a higher rate of positive transgenic piglets than regular insemination (29.6% of 98 piglets vs. 3.4% of 58 piglets). However, the exogenous transgene DNA was not detected in any piglets at the age of 70-100 days. Therefore, the results further demonstrated that transgene through incubation with spermatozoa was mostly transiently transmitted to the offspring at early growing stage and lost in adulthood, which may result from episomal DNA replications during cell divisions only at the early stage of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfang Wu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Pereyra-Bonnet F, Fernández-Martín R, Olivera R, Jarazo J, Vichera G, Gibbons A, Salamone D. A unique method to produce transgenic embryos in ovine, porcine, feline, bovine and equine species. Reprod Fertil Dev 2008; 20:741-9. [DOI: 10.1071/rd07172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2007] [Accepted: 04/21/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenesis is an essential tool in many biotechnological applications. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated gene transfer is a powerful technique to obtain transgenic pups; however, most domestic animal embryos do not develop properly after ICSI. An additional step in the protocol, namely assistance by haploid chemical activation, permits the use of ICSI-mediated gene transfer to generate transgenic preimplantation embryos in a wide range of domestic species, including ovine, porcine, feline, equine and bovine. In the present study, spermatozoa from five species were coincubated with pCX-EGFP plasmid and injected into metaphase II oocytes. The chemical activation protocol consisted of ionomycin plus 6-dimethylaminopurine. We detected high proportions of fluorescent EGFP embryos for all five species (23–60%), but with a high frequency of mosaic expression (range 60–85%). To our knowledge, this is the first study to produce exogenous DNA expression in feline and equine embryos. Chemical activation reduces the lag phase of egfp expression in ovine embryos. Our results show that this unique method could be used to obtain ovine, porcine, feline, bovine and equine transgenic preimplantation embryos.
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Sato M. Direct gene delivery to murine testis as a possible means of transfection of mature sperm and epithelial cells lining epididymal ducts. Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5:1-7. [PMID: 29699231 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0578.2006.00117.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of a sperm cell to introduce exogenous DNA into an oocyte at the time of fertilization is of interest for the simple production of transgenic mice, and is now called 'sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT)'. In vivo transfection of sperm cells has been developed as an alternative method for SMGT and can be carried out by direct gene delivery into an interstitial space in a testis (now called 'testis-mediated gene transfer [TMGT]'), into the vas deferens, or into seminiferous tubules. This review summarizes what has been achieved in the field of in vivo gene transfer using sperm cells. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 1-7).
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Division of Basic Molecular Science and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
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Shen W, Li L, Pan Q, Min L, Dong H, Deng J. Efficient and simple production of transgenic mice and rabbits using the new DMSO-sperm mediated exogenous DNA transfer method. Mol Reprod Dev 2006; 73:589-94. [PMID: 16450410 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A high efficient and simple transgenic technology on mice and rabbits to transfect spermatozoa with exogenous DNA/DMSO complex to obtain transgenic offspring, which is namely called DMSO-sperm mediated gene transfer (SMGT). Mouse sperm could be either directly transfected via injection into testis or cultured in vitro with the plasmed DNA containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) that could be expressed in the embryos and offspring. Then, 36 living transgenic rabbits were produced using the same technology, and the transgenic ratio of 56.3% was detected using PCR and Southern blot. As the controls, the transgenic ratios of 39.6% and 47.8% have also been tested using the liposomes mediated technology of Tfx-50 Reagent or Lipefectamin-2000, respectively. The results show that the female transgenic rabbits, as the mammary gland bioreactor models, could express the human tissue plasminogen activator mutant (htPAm) in their mammary cells when they are adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shen
- Department of Life Science, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Lavitrano M, Busnelli M, Cerrito MG, Giovannoni R, Manzini S, Vargiolu A. Sperm-mediated gene transfer. Reprod Fertil Dev 2006; 18:19-23. [PMID: 16478599 DOI: 10.1071/rd05124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2005] [Accepted: 01/21/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 1989, a new method for the production of transgenic animals has been available, namely sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT), based on the intrinsic ability of sperm cells to bind and internalise exogenous DNA molecules and to transfer them into the oocyte at fertilisation. We first described the SMGT procedure in a small animal model, with high efficiency reported in the mouse. In addition, we successfully adapted and optimised the technique for use in large animals; it was, in fact, highly efficient in the generation of human decay accelerating factor transgenic pig lines, as well as multigene transgenic pigs in which three different reporter genes, namely enhanced green fluorescent protein, enhanced blue fluorescent protein and red fluorescent protein, were introduced. The major benefits of the SMGT technique were found to be its high efficiency, low cost and ease of use compared with other methods. Furthermore, SMGT does not require embryo handling or expensive equipment. Sperm-mediated gene transfer could also be used to generate multigene transgenic pigs that would be of benefit as large animal models for medical research, for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications and, in particular, for xenotransplantation, which requires extensive genetic manipulation of donor pigs to make them suitable for grafting to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialuisa Lavitrano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Terapia Intensiva, Università di Milano, Bicocca, 20052 Milano, Italy.
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Li L, Shen W, Min L, Dong H, Sun Y, Pan Q. Human lactoferrin transgenic rabbits produced efficiently using dimethylsulfoxide - sperm-mediated gene transfer. Reprod Fertil Dev 2006; 18:689-95. [PMID: 16930515 DOI: 10.1071/rd06001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2006] [Accepted: 05/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenic animal mammary gland bioreactors are used to produce recombinant proteins. However, it is difficult to validate whether these transgenic domestic animals are able to express the recombinant protein efficiently in their mammary glands before the birth of transgenic offspring. In the present study, a simple and efficient method was established to evaluate the functionality of animal mammary gland tissue-expressed cassettes. The gene transfer vector pGBC2LF was constructed, and the expression of human lactoferrin (LF) gene was controlled by the goat β-casein gene 5′ flanking sequence. To obtain the most efficient transfection, the influence of DNA concentration, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) concentration, and the ratio of linear-to-circular DNA required for associating DNA with spermatozoa were evaluated. Transfection of exogenous DNA into rabbit spermatozoa was found to be efficient using 30 μg mL–1 DNA, DMSO at a final concentration of 3%, and a 3 : 1 ratio of linear-to-circular DNA, with 29 of 85 (34.1%) in vitro-fertilised embryos being transgenic. Using DMSO–sperm-mediated gene transfer (DMSO-SMGT), 89 rabbit offspring were produced, with 46 of these (57.1%) being transgenic. As mammary gland bioreactor models, 17 of 21 (81%) transgenic female rabbits could express human LF protein in their glands. During lactation of the transgenic rabbits, the highest level of human LF protein expressed was 153 ± 31 μg mL–1, and the mean expression level in all of the transgenic rabbits was 103 ± 20 μg mL–1 in the third week, declining gradually after this time. Our results demonstrate that transgenic rabbits produced by DMSO–SMGT were able to express human LF protein in the correct tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Li
- Institute of Animal Reproduction, Development and Genetic Engineering, Department of Animal Sciences and Technology, Laiyang Agricultural University, Chengyang, Qingdao 266109, China
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Abstract
Contents Transgenic animals are more widely used for various purposes. Applications of animal transgenesis may be divided into three major categories: (i) to obtain information on gene function and regulation as well as on human diseases, (ii) to obtain high value products (recombinant pharmaceutical proteins and xeno-organs for humans) to be used for human therapy, and (iii) to improve animal products for human consumption. All these applications are directly or not related to human health. Animal transgenesis started in 1980. Important improvement of the methods has been made and are still being achieved to reduce cost as well as killing of animals and to improve the relevance of the models. This includes gene transfer and design of reliable vectors for transgene expression. This review describes the state of the art of animal transgenesis from a technical point of view. It also reports some of the applications in the medical field based on the use of transgenic animal models. The advance in the generation of pigs to be used as the source of organs for patients and in the preparation of pharmaceutical proteins from milk and other possible biological fluids from transgenic animals is described. The projects in course aiming at improving animal production by transgenesis are also depicted. Some the specific biosafety and bioethical problems raised by the different applications of transgenesis, including consumption of transgenic animal products are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L-M Houdebine
- Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France.
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20
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Abstract
Current and emerging technologies in reproductive biology, including assisted reproductive technologies and animal cloning, are discussed in the context of the impact of genomics era biology. The discussion focuses on the endocrinology associated with establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, fetal-placental development, lactation, and neonatal survival. Various aspects of uterine biology, including development during the neonatal period and function in adult females, are discussed with respect to reproductive efficiency. It is clear that combining strategies for use of conventional animal models for studying the reproductive system with new genomics technologies will provide exceptional opportunities in discovery research involving data integration and application of functional genomics to benefit animal agriculture and the biomedical community. New and emerging biotechnologies and comparative genomics approaches will greatly advance our understanding of genes that are critical to development of the reproductive system and to key events at each stage of the reproductive cycle of females and males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science and Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA.
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21
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Abstract
Recent developments in studies of sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) now provide solid ground for the notion that sperm cells can act as vectors for exogenous genetic sequences. A substantive body of evidence indicates that SMGT is potentially useable in animal transgenesis, but also suggests that the final fate of the exogenous sequences transferred by sperm is not always predictable. The analysis of SMGT-derived offspring has shown the existence of integrated foreign sequences in some cases, while in others stable modifications of the genome are difficult to detect. The appearance of SMGT-derived modified offspring on the one hand and, on the other hand, the rarity of actual modification of the genome, suggest inheritance as extrachromosomal structures. Several specific factors have been identified that mediate distinct steps in SMGT. Among those, a prominent role is played by an endogenous reverse transcriptase of retrotransposon origin. Mature spermatozoa are naturally protected against the intrusion of foreign nucleic acid molecules; however, particular environmental conditions, such as those occurring during human assisted reproduction, can abolish this protection. The possibility that sperm cells under these conditions carry genetic sequences affecting the integrity or identity of the host genome should be critically considered. These considerations further suggest the possibility that SMGT events may occasionally take place in nature, with profound implications for evolutionary processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Smith
- School of Contemporary Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee, UK.
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Oatley JM, de Avila DM, Reeves JJ, McLean DJ. Spermatogenesis and Germ Cell Transgene Expression in Xenografted Bovine Testicular Tissue1. Biol Reprod 2004; 71:494-501. [PMID: 15070832 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.027953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the development of spermatogenesis and utility of using electroporation to stably transfect germ cells with the beta-galactosidase gene in neonatal bovine testicular tissue ectopically xenografted onto the backs of recipient nude mice. Bull testicular tissue from 4-wk donor calves, which contains a germ cell population consisting solely of gonocytes or undifferentiated spermatogonia, was grafted onto the backs of castrated adult recipient nude mice. Testicular grafts significantly increased in weight throughout the grafting period and the timing of germ cell differentiation in grafted tissue was consistent with postnatal testis development in vivo relative to the bull. Seminiferous tubule diameter also significantly increased with advancing time after grafting. At 1 wk after grafting, gonocytes in the seminiferous cords completed migration to the basement membrane and differentiated germ cell types could be observed 24 wk after grafting. The presence of elongating spermatids at 24 wk confirmed that germ cell differentiation occurred in the bovine tissue. Leydig cells in the grafted bovine tissue were also capable of producing testosterone in the castrated recipient mice from 4 wk to 24 wk after grafting at concentrations that were similar to levels in intact, nongrafted control mice. The testicular tissue that had been electroporated with a beta-galactosidase expression vector showed tubule-specific transgene expression 24 wk after grafting. Histological analysis showed that transgene expression was present in both Sertoli and differentiated germ cells but not in interstitial cells. The system reported here has the potential to be used for generation of transgenic bovine spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon M Oatley
- Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Smith KR. Gene Therapy: The Potential Applicability of Gene Transfer Technology to the Human Germline. Int J Med Sci 2004; 1:76-91. [PMID: 15912200 PMCID: PMC1074716 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.1.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2004] [Accepted: 05/14/2004] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The theoretical possibility of applying gene transfer methodologies to the human germline is explored. Transgenic methods for genetically manipulating embryos may in principle be applied to humans. In particular, microinjection of retroviral vector appears to hold the greatest promise, with transgenic primates already obtained from this approach. Sperm-mediated gene transfer offers potentially the easiest route to the human germline, however the requisite methodology is presently underdeveloped. Nuclear transfer (cloning) offers an alternative approach to germline genetic modification, however there are major health concerns associated with current nuclear transfer methods. It is concluded that human germline gene therapy remains for all practical purposes a future possibility that must await significant and important advances in gene transfer technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Smith
- School of Contemporary Sciences, University of Abertay, Dundee, DD1 1HG, United Kingdom
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Celebi C, Guillaudeux T, Auvray P, Vallet-Erdtmann V, Jégou B. The making of "transgenic spermatozoa". Biol Reprod 2003; 68:1477-83. [PMID: 12606451 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.102.009340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The processes of making transgenic animals by microinjecting DNA into the pronucleus of a fertilized oocyte or after the transfection of embryonic stem cells are now well established. However, attempts have also been made, with varying degrees of success, to use spermatozoa as a vector for transgenesis in mammals and other vertebrates during the last decade. A number of different approaches for making transgenic spermatozoa have been developed. These include directly incubating mature, isolated spermatozoa with DNA or pretreating mature, isolated spermatozoa before assisted fertilization. Microinjection procedures have also been established to transfect male germ cells directly in vivo within the seminiferous tubules or to reimplant previously isolated male germ cells submitted to in vitro transfection into a recipient testis. The latter two techniques present the advantage of being able to create transgenic progeny simply by mating with wild-type females, which avoids the possibility of interference or damage as a result of assisted fertilization or the manipulation of embryos. The different aspects of sperm-mediated transgenesis are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Celebi
- Groupe d'Etude de la Reproduction chez le Mâle, INSERM U.435, Université de Rennes I, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, Bretagne, France
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