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Ashok A, Kalthur G, Kumar A. Degradation meets development: Implications in β-cell development and diabetes. Cell Biol Int 2024. [PMID: 38499517 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic development is orchestrated by timely synthesis and degradation of stage-specific transcription factors (TFs). The transition from one stage to another stage is dependent on the precise expression of the developmentally relevant TFs. Persistent expression of particular TF would impede the exit from the progenitor stage to the matured cell type. Intracellular protein degradation-mediated protein turnover contributes to a major extent to the turnover of these TFs and thereby dictates the development of different tissues. Since even subtle changes in the crucial cellular pathways would dramatically impact pancreatic β-cell performance, it is generally acknowledged that the biological activity of these pathways is tightly regulated by protein synthesis and degradation process. Intracellular protein degradation is executed majorly by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and Lysosomal degradation pathway. As more than 90% of the TFs are targeted to proteasomal degradation, this review aims to examine the crucial role of UPS in normal pancreatic β-cell development and how dysfunction of these pathways manifests in metabolic syndromes such as diabetes. Such understanding would facilitate designing a faithful approach to obtain a therapeutic quality of β-cells from stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Ashok
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Anujith Kumar
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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2
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Nakamura M, Kyoda T, Yoshida H, Takebayashi-Suzuki K, Koike R, Takahashi E, Moriyama Y, Wlizla M, Horb ME, Suzuki A. Injury-induced cooperation of InhibinβA and JunB is essential for cell proliferation in Xenopus tadpole tail regeneration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3679. [PMID: 38355764 PMCID: PMC10867027 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54280-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In animal species that have the capability of regenerating tissues and limbs, cell proliferation is enhanced after wound healing and is essential for the reconstruction of injured tissue. Although the ability to induce cell proliferation is a common feature of such species, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the transition from wound healing to regenerative cell proliferation remain unclear. Here, we show that upon injury, InhibinβA and JunB cooperatively function for this transition during Xenopus tadpole tail regeneration. We found that the expression of inhibin subunit beta A (inhba) and junB proto-oncogene (junb) is induced by injury-activated TGF-β/Smad and MEK/ERK signaling in regenerating tails. Similarly to junb knockout (KO) tadpoles, inhba KO tadpoles show a delay in tail regeneration, and inhba/junb double KO (DKO) tadpoles exhibit severe impairment of tail regeneration compared with either inhba KO or junb KO tadpoles. Importantly, this impairment is associated with a significant reduction of cell proliferation in regenerating tissue. Moreover, JunB regulates tail regeneration via FGF signaling, while InhibinβA likely acts through different mechanisms. These results demonstrate that the cooperation of injury-induced InhibinβA and JunB is critical for regenerative cell proliferation, which is necessary for re-outgrowth of regenerating Xenopus tadpole tails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Nakamura
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, 555 Mission Bay Boulevard South, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Tatsuya Kyoda
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Yoshida
- National Xenopus Resource and Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
| | - Kimiko Takebayashi-Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Ryota Koike
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Eri Takahashi
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Yuka Moriyama
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan
| | - Marcin Wlizla
- National Xenopus Resource and Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
- Embryology, Charles River Laboratories, Wilmington, MA, 01887, USA
| | - Marko E Horb
- National Xenopus Resource and Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Amphibian Research Center, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan.
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Li Q, Li J, Wang P, He X, Hong M, Liu F. A Comparative Study of Endoderm Differentiation Between Activin A and Small Molecules. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2023; 131:667-675. [PMID: 38056491 DOI: 10.1055/a-2182-8936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules such as ROCK inhibitors (Fasudil) and inducer of definitive endoderm 1 (IDE1) can promote differentiation of definitive endoderm, but their effects remain controversial. Therefore, we attempted to verify the effect of these small molecules on promoting definitive endoderm differentiation and found that Fasudil or IDE1 alone could not achieve a similar effect as activin A. On the contrary, CHIR99021 could efficiently promote definitive endoderm differentiation. Nearly 43.4% of experimental cells were SRY-box transcription factor 17 (SOX17)-positive under the synergistic effect of IDE1 and CHIR99021, but its ability to differentiate towards definitive endoderm was still insufficient. Transcriptional analysis and comparison of IDE1 and CHIR99021 synergistic groups (IC) and activin A and CHIR99021 synergistic groups (AC) showed significantly down-regulated definitive endoderm markers in the IC group compared with those in the AC group and the differences between the two groups were mainly due to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP4) and fibroblast growth factor 17 (FGF17). Further single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed lower expression of BMP4 in SOX17-positive populations, while mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) protein translation signal and FGF17 in the AC group were higher than that in the IC group. Western blot analysis showed a significant difference in levels of p-SMAD2/3 between AC and IC groups, which suggests that regulating p-SMAD2/3 may provide a reference to improve the differentiation of definitive endoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jin Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqun He
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhao Hong
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
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4
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Kim J, Rothová MM, Madan E, Rhee S, Weng G, Palma AM, Liao L, David E, Amit I, Hajkarim MC, Vudatha V, Gutiérrez-García A, Moreno E, Winn R, Trevino J, Fisher PB, Brickman JM, Gogna R, Won KJ. Neighbor-specific gene expression revealed from physically interacting cells during mouse embryonic development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2205371120. [PMID: 36595695 PMCID: PMC9926237 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205371120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of multicellular organisms is orchestrated by persistent cell-cell communication between neighboring partners. Direct interaction between different cell types can induce molecular signals that dictate lineage specification and cell fate decisions. Current single-cell RNA-seq technology cannot adequately analyze cell-cell contact-dependent gene expression, mainly due to the loss of spatial information. To overcome this obstacle and resolve cell-cell contact-specific gene expression during embryogenesis, we performed RNA sequencing of physically interacting cells (PIC-seq) and assessed them alongside similar single-cell transcriptomes derived from developing mouse embryos between embryonic day (E) 7.5 and E9.5. Analysis of the PIC-seq data identified gene expression signatures that were dependent on the presence of specific neighboring cell types. Our computational predictions, validated experimentally, demonstrated that neural progenitor (NP) cells upregulate Lhx5 and Nkx2-1 genes, when exclusively interacting with definitive endoderm (DE) cells. Moreover, there was a reciprocal impact on the transcriptome of DE cells, as they tend to upregulate Rax and Gsc when in contact with NP cells. Using individual cell transcriptome data, we formulated a means of computationally predicting the impact of one cell type on the transcriptome of its neighboring cell types. We have further developed a distinctive spatial-t-distributed stochastic neighboring embedding to display the pseudospatial distribution of cells in a 2-dimensional space. In summary, we describe an innovative approach to study contact-specific gene regulation during embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junil Kim
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N2200, Denmark
- School of Systems Biomedical Science, Soongsil University, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Michaela Mrugala Rothová
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen2200, Denmark
| | - Esha Madan
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon1400-038, Portugal
| | - Siyeon Rhee
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Guangzheng Weng
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N2200, Denmark
| | | | - Linbu Liao
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N2200, Denmark
| | - Eyal David
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot7610001, Israel
| | - Ido Amit
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot7610001, Israel
| | | | - Vignesh Vudatha
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
| | | | - Eduardo Moreno
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon1400-038, Portugal
| | - Robert Winn
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
| | - Jose Trevino
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
| | - Paul B. Fisher
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
- School of Medicine, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
| | - Joshua M. Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen2200, Denmark
| | - Rajan Gogna
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
- School of Medicine, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298-0033
| | - Kyoung Jae Won
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N2200, Denmark
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90069
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5
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Role of TGFβ1 and WNT6 in FGF2 and BMP4-driven endothelial differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells. Angiogenesis 2021; 25:113-128. [PMID: 34478025 PMCID: PMC8813801 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09815-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ES) are a valuable source of endothelial cells. By co-culturing ES cells with the stromal PA6 cells, the endothelial commitment can be achieved by adding exogenous FGF2 or BMP4. In this work, the molecular pathways that direct the differentiation of ES cells toward endothelium in response to FGF2 are evaluated and compared to those activated by BMP4. To this purpose the genes expression profiles of both ES/PA6 co-cultures and of pure cultures of PA6 cells were obtained by microarray technique at different time points. The bioinformatics processing of the data indicated TGFβ1 as the most represented upstream regulator in FGF2-induced endothelial commitment while WNT pathway as the most represented in BMP4-activated endothelial differentiation. Loss of function experiments were performed to validate the importance of TGFβ1 and WNT6 respectively in FGF2 and BMP4-induced endothelial differentiation. The loss of TGFβ1 expression significantly impaired the accomplishment of the endothelial commitment unless exogenous recombinant TGFβ1 was added to the culture medium. Similarly, silencing WNT6 expression partially affected the endothelial differentiation of the ES cells upon BMP4 stimulation. Such dysfunction was recovered by the addition of recombinant WNT6 to the culture medium. The ES/PA6 co-culture system recreates an in vitro complete microenvironment in which endothelial commitment is accomplished in response to alternative signals through different mechanisms. Given the importance of WNT and TGFβ1 in mediating the crosstalk between tumor and stromal cells this work adds new insights in the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis and of its possible inhibition.
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Oss-Ronen L, Redden RA, Lelkes PI. Enhanced Induction of Definitive Endoderm Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in Simulated Microgravity. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1275-1284. [PMID: 32731794 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Directed in vitro differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward definitive endoderm (DE) offers great research and therapeutic potential since these cells can further differentiate into cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, as well as associated organs such as pancreas, liver, and thyroid. We hypothesized that culturing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) under simulated microgravity (SMG) conditions in rotary bioreactors (BRs) will enhance the induction of directed DE differentiation. To test our hypothesis, we cultured the cells for 6 days in two-dimensional monolayer colony cultures or as embryoid bodies (EBs) in either static conditions or, dynamically, in the rotary BRs. We used flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression of marker proteins and genes, respectively, for pluripotency (Oct3/4) and mesendodermal (Brachyury T), endodermal (FoxA2, Sox17, CxCr4), and mesodermal (Vimentin, Meox1) lineages. Culture in the form of EBs in maintenance media in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor, in static or SMG conditions, induced expression of some of the differentiation markers, suggesting heterogeneity of the cells. This is in line with previous studies showing that differentiation is initiated as cells are aggregated into EBs even without supplementing differentiation factors to the media. Culturing EBs in static conditions in differentiation media (DM) in the presence of activin A reduced Oct3/4 expression and significantly increased Brachyury T and CxCr4 expression, but downregulated FoxA2 and Sox17. However, culturing in SMG BRs in DM upregulated Brachyury T and all of the DE markers and reduced Oct3/4 expression, indicating the advantage of dynamic cultures in BRs to specifically enhance directed DE differentiation. Given the potential discrepancies between the SMG conditions on earth and actual microgravity conditions, as observed in other studies, future experiments in space flight are required to validate the effects of reduced gravity on mESC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Oss-Ronen
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert A Redden
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter I Lelkes
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Naumovska E, Aalderink G, Wong Valencia C, Kosim K, Nicolas A, Brown S, Vulto P, Erdmann KS, Kurek D. Direct On-Chip Differentiation of Intestinal Tubules from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144964. [PMID: 32674311 PMCID: PMC7404294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal organoids have emerged as the new paradigm for modelling the healthy and diseased intestine with patient-relevant properties. In this study, we show directed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells towards intestinal-like phenotype within a microfluidic device. iPSCs are cultured against a gel in microfluidic chips of the OrganoPlate, in which they undergo stepwise differentiation. Cells form a tubular structure, lose their stem cell markers and start expressing mature intestinal markers, including markers for Paneth cells, enterocytes and neuroendocrine cells. Tubes develop barrier properties as confirmed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Lastly, we show that tubules respond to pro-inflammatory cytokine triggers. The whole procedure for differentiation lasts 14 days, making it an efficient process to make patient-specific organoid tubules. We anticipate the usage of the platform for disease modelling and drug candidate screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Naumovska
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; (C.W.V.); (S.B.)
| | - Germaine Aalderink
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
| | - Christian Wong Valencia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; (C.W.V.); (S.B.)
| | - Kinga Kosim
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; (C.W.V.); (S.B.)
| | - Arnaud Nicolas
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
| | - Stephen Brown
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; (C.W.V.); (S.B.)
| | - Paul Vulto
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
| | - Kai S. Erdmann
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; (C.W.V.); (S.B.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.E.); (D.K.)
| | - Dorota Kurek
- Mimetas BV, Model Development, J.H. Oortweg 16, 2333 CH Leiden, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (G.A.); (K.K.); (A.N.); (P.V.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.E.); (D.K.)
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Zhang Y, Que J. BMP Signaling in Development, Stem Cells, and Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Annu Rev Physiol 2020; 82:251-273. [PMID: 31618602 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-021119-034500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway is essential for the morphogenesis of multiple organs in the digestive system. Abnormal BMP signaling has also been associated with disease initiation and progression in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and associated organs. Recent studies using animal models, tissue organoids, and human pluripotent stem cells have significantly expanded our understanding of the roles played by BMPs in the development and homeostasis of GI organs. It is clear that BMP signaling regulates GI function and disease progression that involve stem/progenitor cells and inflammation in a tissue-specific manner. In this review we discuss these new findings with a focus on the esophagus, stomach, and intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Zhang
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; .,Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jianwen Que
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; .,Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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9
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Abstract
TGF-β family ligands function in inducing and patterning many tissues of the early vertebrate embryonic body plan. Nodal signaling is essential for the specification of mesendodermal tissues and the concurrent cellular movements of gastrulation. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling patterns tissues along the dorsal-ventral axis and simultaneously directs the cell movements of convergence and extension. After gastrulation, a second wave of Nodal signaling breaks the symmetry between the left and right sides of the embryo. During these processes, elaborate regulatory feedback between TGF-β ligands and their antagonists direct the proper specification and patterning of embryonic tissues. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the function and regulation of TGF-β family signaling in these processes. Although we cover principles that are involved in the development of all vertebrate embryos, we focus specifically on three popular model organisms: the mouse Mus musculus, the African clawed frog of the genus Xenopus, and the zebrafish Danio rerio, highlighting the similarities and differences between these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Zinski
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Benjamin Tajer
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
| | - Mary C Mullins
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6058
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10
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Al-Khawaga S, Memon B, Butler AE, Taheri S, Abou-Samra AB, Abdelalim EM. Pathways governing development of stem cell-derived pancreatic β cells: lessons from embryogenesis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Al-Khawaga
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
| | - Bushra Memon
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
| | - Alexandra E. Butler
- Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine; University of California; Los Angeles CA 90095 U.S.A
| | - Shahrad Taheri
- Department of Medicine; Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO BOX 24144; Doha Qatar
- Department of Medicine; Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation; Doha Qatar
| | - Abdul B. Abou-Samra
- Department of Medicine; Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO BOX 24144; Doha Qatar
- Department of Medicine; Qatar Metabolic Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation; Doha Qatar
| | - Essam M. Abdelalim
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute; Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City; Doha Qatar
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11
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Activin A Modulates CRIPTO-1/HNF4 α+ Cells to Guide Cardiac Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:4651238. [PMID: 28163723 PMCID: PMC5253508 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4651238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of human pluripotent stem cells in basic and translational cardiac research requires efficient differentiation protocols towards cardiomyocytes. In vitro differentiation yields heterogeneous populations of ventricular-, atrial-, and nodal-like cells hindering their potential applications in regenerative therapies. We described the effect of the growth factor Activin A during early human embryonic stem cell fate determination in cardiac differentiation. Addition of high levels of Activin A during embryoid body cardiac differentiation augmented the generation of endoderm derivatives, which in turn promoted cardiomyocyte differentiation. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in the coreceptor expression of the TGF-β superfamily member CRIPTO-1 was observed in response to Activin A. We hypothesized that interactions between cells derived from meso- and endodermal lineages in embryoid bodies contributed to improved cell maturation in early stages of cardiac differentiation, improving the beating frequency and the percentage of contracting embryoid bodies. Activin A did not seem to affect the properties of cardiomyocytes at later stages of differentiation, measuring action potentials, and intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. These findings are relevant for improving our understanding on human heart development, and the proposed protocol could be further explored to obtain cardiomyocytes with functional phenotypes, similar to those observed in adult cardiac myocytes.
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12
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Hepatocyte-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Hepatol Int 2016; 11:54-69. [PMID: 27530815 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-016-9757-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The discovery that coordinated expression of a limited number of genes can reprogram differentiated somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) has opened novel possibilities for developing cell-based models of diseases and regenerative medicine utilizing cell reprogramming or cell transplantation. Directed differentiation of iPSCs can potentially generate differentiated cells belonging to any germ layer, including cells with hepatocyte-like morphology and function. Such cells, termed iHeps, can be derived by sequential cell signaling using available information on embryological development or by forced expression of hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors. In addition to the translational aspects of iHeps, the experimental findings have provided insights into the mechanisms of cell plasticity that permit one cell type to transition to another. However, iHeps generated by current methods do not fully exhibit all characteristics of mature hepatocytes, highlighting the need for additional research in this area. Here we summarize the current approaches and achievements in this field and discuss some existing hurdles and emerging approaches for improving iPSC differentiation, as well as maintaining such cells in culture for increasing their utility in disease modeling and drug development.
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13
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Fu Y, Deng J, Jiang Q, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Cheng F, Chen X, Xu F, Huang M, Yang Y, Zhang S, Yu D, Zhao RC, Wei Y, Deng H. Rapid generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from human adipose-derived stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2016; 7:105. [PMID: 27495937 PMCID: PMC4974756 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-016-0364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver disease is a major cause of death worldwide. Orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) represents the only effective treatment for patients with liver failure, but the increasing demand for organs is unfortunately so great that its application is limited. Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising alternative to OLT for the treatment of some liver-based metabolic disorders or acute liver failure. Unfortunately, the lack of donor livers also makes it difficult to obtain enough viable hepatocytes for hepatocyte-based therapies. Currently, a fundamental solution to this key problem is still lacking. Here we show a novel non-transgenic protocol that facilitates the rapid generation of functional induced hepatocytes (iHeps) from human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs), providing a source of available cells for autologous hepatocytes to treat liver disease. METHODS We used collagenase digestion to isolate hADSCs. The surface marker was detected by flow cytometry. The multipotential differentiation potency was detected by induction into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. Passage 3-7 hADSCs were induced into iHeps using an induction culture system composed of small molecule compounds and cell factors. RESULTS Primary cultured hADSCs presented a fusiform or polygon appearance that became fibroblast-like after passage 3. More than 95 % of the cells expressed the mesenchymal cell markers CD29, CD44, CD166, CD105, and CD90. hADSCs possessed multipotential differentiation towards adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. We rapidly induced hADSCs into iHeps within 10 days in vitro; the cellular morphology changed from fusiform to close-connected cubiform, which was similar to hepatocytes. After induction, most of the iHeps co-expressed albumin and alpha-1 antitrypsin; they also expressed mature hepatocyte special genes and achieved the basic functions of hepatocyte. Moreover, iHep transplantation could improve the liver function of acute liver-injured NPG mice and prolong life. CONCLUSIONS We isolated highly purified hADSCs and rapidly induced them into functional hepatocyte-like cells within 10 days. These results provide a source of available cells for autologous hepatocytes to treat liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Qingyuan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics, Sichuan Provincial Hospital For Women and Children, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunqi Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuyi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Fen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Meijuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Dechao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Robert Chunhua Zhao
- Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory of Beijing, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongxin Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Ke-yuan Road 4, No. 1, Gao-peng Street, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 People’s Republic of China
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PTF1a Activity in Enriched Posterior Foregut Endoderm, but Not Definitive Endoderm, Leads to Enhanced Pancreatic Differentiation in an In Vitro Mouse ESC-Based Model. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:6939438. [PMID: 27066080 PMCID: PMC4811216 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6939438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are tools repetitively used by the embryo to generate a variety of lineages. Hence, their context of activation is an important determinant of their ability to specifically trigger certain cell fates, but not others. The context is also consequential when considering directing differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In this study, we sought to assess the context of pancreatic transcription factor 1a (PTF1a) activation in reference to its propancreatic effects in mouse ESCs (mESCs). We hypothesized that an enriched endodermal population would respond to PTF1a and trigger the pancreatic program more effectively than a spontaneously differentiated population. Using an in vitro model of pancreas development that we recently established, we found that inducing PTF1a in highly enriched definitive endoderm did not promote pancreatic differentiation but induction in more differentiated endoderm, specifically posterior foregut endoderm, did form pancreatic progenitors. These progenitors never underwent terminal differentiation to endocrine or acinar phenotype. However, a short 3D culture period, prior to PTF1a induction, led to the generation of monohormonal insulin(+) cells and amylase-expressing cells. Our findings suggest that enriched posterior foregut endoderm is competent to respond to PTF1a's propancreatic activity; but a 3D culture environment is essential for terminal differentiation of pancreatic progenitors.
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15
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Agapova OA, Fang Y, Sugatani T, Seifert ME, Hruska KA. Ligand trap for the activin type IIA receptor protects against vascular disease and renal fibrosis in mice with chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int 2016; 89:1231-43. [PMID: 27165838 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The causes of cardiovascular mortality associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are partly attributed to the CKD-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD). The causes of the early CKD-MBD are not well known. Our discovery of Wnt (portmanteau of wingless and int) inhibitors, especially Dickkopf 1, produced during renal repair as participating in the pathogenesis of the vascular and skeletal components of the CKD-MBD implied that additional pathogenic factors are critical. In the search for such factors, we studied the effects of activin receptor type IIA (ActRIIA) signaling by using a ligand trap for the receptor, RAP-011 (a soluble extracellular domain of ActRIIA fused to a murine IgG-Fc fragment). In a mouse model of CKD that stimulated atherosclerotic calcification, RAP-011 significantly increased aortic ActRIIA signaling assessed by the levels of phosphorylated Smad2/3. Furthermore, RAP-011 treatment significantly reversed CKD-induced vascular smooth muscle dedifferentiation as assessed by smooth muscle 22α levels, osteoblastic transition, and neointimal plaque calcification. In the diseased kidneys, RAP-011 significantly stimulated αklotho levels and it inhibited ActRIIA signaling and decreased renal fibrosis and proteinuria. RAP-011 treatment significantly decreased both renal and circulating Dickkopf 1 levels, showing that Wnt activation was downstream of ActRIIA. Thus, ActRIIA signaling in CKD contributes to the CKD-MBD and renal fibrosis. ActRIIA signaling may be a potential therapeutic target in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Agapova
- Department of Pediatrics, Renal Division, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yifu Fang
- Department of Pediatrics, Renal Division, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Toshifumi Sugatani
- Department of Pediatrics, Renal Division, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael E Seifert
- Department of Pediatrics, Renal Division, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Renal Division, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Keith A Hruska
- Department of Pediatrics, Renal Division, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Hhex Is Necessary for the Hepatic Differentiation of Mouse ES Cells and Acts via Vegf Signaling. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146806. [PMID: 26784346 PMCID: PMC4718667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the differentiation of stem cells to hepatic cells is critical for both understanding normal developmental processes as well as for optimizing the generation of functional hepatic cells for therapy. We performed in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with a null mutation in the homeobox gene Hhex and show that Hhex-/- mESCs fail to differentiate from definitive endoderm (Sox17+/Foxa2+) to hepatic endoderm (Alb+/Dlk+). In addition, hepatic culture elicited a >7-fold increase in Vegfa mRNA expression in Hhex-/- cells compared to Hhex+/+ cells. Furthermore, we identified VEGFR2+/ALB+/CD34- in early Hhex+/+ hepatic cultures. These cells were absent in Hhex-/- cultures. Finally, through manipulation of Hhex and Vegfa expression, gain and loss of expression experiments revealed that Hhex shares an inverse relationship with the activity of the Vegf signaling pathway in supporting hepatic differentiation. In summary, our results suggest that Hhex represses Vegf signaling during hepatic differentiation of mouse ESCs allowing for cell-type autonomous regulation of Vegfr2 activity independent of endothelial cells.
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17
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Abdelalim EM, Emara MM. Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic β Cells: From In Vitro Maturation to Clinical Application. RECENT ADVANCES IN STEM CELLS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33270-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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18
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Müller M, Schröer J, Azoitei N, Eiseler T, Bergmann W, Köhntop R, Lin Q, Costa IG, Zenke M, Genze F, Weidgang C, Seufferlein T, Liebau S, Kleger A. A time frame permissive for Protein Kinase D2 activity to direct angiogenesis in mouse embryonic stem cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11742. [PMID: 26148697 PMCID: PMC4493579 DOI: 10.1038/srep11742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein kinase D isoenzymes PKD1/2/3 are prominent downstream targets of PKCs (Protein Kinase Cs) and phospholipase D in various biological systems. Recently, we identified PKD isoforms as novel mediators of tumour cell-endothelial cell communication, tumour cell motility and metastasis. Although PKD isoforms have been implicated in physiological/tumour angiogenesis, a role of PKDs during embryonic development, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis still remains elusive. We investigated the role of PKDs in germ layer segregation and subsequent vasculogenesis and angiogenesis using mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We show that mouse ESCs predominantly express PKD2 followed by PKD3 while PKD1 displays negligible levels. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PKD2 is specifically phosphorylated/activated at the time of germ layer segregation. Time-restricted PKD2-activation limits mesendoderm formation and subsequent cardiovasculogenesis during early differentiation while leading to branching angiogenesis during late differentiation. In line, PKD2 loss-of-function analyses showed induction of mesendodermal differentiation in expense of the neuroectodermal germ layer. Our in vivo findings demonstrate that embryoid bodies transplanted on chicken chorioallantoic membrane induced an angiogenic response indicating that timed overexpression of PKD2 from day 4 onwards leads to augmented angiogenesis in differentiating ESCs. Taken together, our results describe novel and time-dependent facets of PKD2 during early cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jana Schröer
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ninel Azoitei
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tim Eiseler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wendy Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ralf Köhntop
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Qiong Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan G Costa
- IZKF Computational Biology Research Group, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Zenke
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Clair Weidgang
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Both BMP4 and serum have significant roles in differentiation of embryonic stem cells to primitive and definitive endoderm. Cytotechnology 2015; 68:1315-24. [PMID: 26008149 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-015-9891-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is a heterogeneous process which is influenced by different parameters, including growth and differentiation factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) signaling on differentiation of mouse ES cells to endodermal lineages. For this purpose, differentiation of the ES cells was induced by embryoid body (EB) formation through hanging drop method. During the suspension stage, EBs were treated with BMP4 in a medium containing either fetal bovine serum (FBS) or knockout serum replacement (KoSR). After plating, EBs showed differentiation to a heterogeneous population of specialized cell types. Two weeks after plating, all the experimental groups expressed three germ layer markers and some primitive and definitive endoderm-specific genes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed higher expression levels of Sox17, Pdx1, Cdx2 and Villin mRNAs in the KoSR plus BMP4 condition and higher Gata4 and Afp expression levels in the FBS plus BMP4 condition. Formation of visceral endoderm and derivatives of definitive endoderm was detected in the BMP4 treated EBs. In conclusion, we demonstrated that both BMP4 signaling and serum composition have significant roles in differentiation of mouse ES cells towards endodermal lineages.
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20
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Brachyury cooperates with Wnt/β-catenin signalling to elicit primitive-streak-like behaviour in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells. BMC Biol 2014; 12:63. [PMID: 25115237 PMCID: PMC4171571 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-014-0063-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The formation of the primitive streak is the first visible sign of gastrulation, the process by which the three germ layers are formed from a single epithelium during early development. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide a good system for understanding the molecular and cellular events associated with these processes. Previous work, both in embryos and in culture, has shown how converging signals from both nodal/TGFβR and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways specify cells to adopt a primitive-streak-like fate and direct them to undertake an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, many of these approaches have relied on genetic analyses without taking into account the temporal progression of events within single cells. In addition, it is still unclear to what extent events in the embryo are able to be reproduced in culture. Results Here, we combine flow cytometry and a quantitative live single-cell imaging approach to demonstrate how the controlled differentiation of mouse ESCs towards a primitive streak fate in culture results in cells displaying many of the characteristics observed during early mouse development including transient brachyury expression, EMT and increased motility. We also find that the EMT initiates the process, and this is both fuelled and terminated by the action of brachyury, whose expression is dependent on the EMT and β-catenin activity. Conclusions As a consequence of our analysis, we propose that a major output of brachyury expression is in controlling the velocity of the cells that are transiting out of the primitive streak. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-014-0063-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Xu H, Tsang KS, Wang Y, Chan JC, Xu G, Gao WQ. Unfolded protein response is required for the definitive endodermal specification of mouse embryonic stem cells via Smad2 and β-catenin signaling. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:26290-26301. [PMID: 25092289 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.572560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tremendous efforts have been made to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control the specification of definitive endoderm cell fate in gene knockout mouse models and ES cell (ESC) differentiation models. However, the impact of the unfolded protein response (UPR), because of the stress of the endoplasmic reticulum on endodermal specification, is not well addressed. We employed UPR-inducing agents, thapsigargin and tunicamycin, in vitro to induce endodermal differentiation of mouse ESCs. Apart from the endodermal specification of ESCs, Western blotting demonstrated the enhanced phosphorylation of Smad2 and nuclear translocation of β-catenin in ESC-derived cells. The inclusion of the endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid to the induction cultures prevented the differentiation of ESCs into definitive endodermal cells even when Activin A was supplemented. Also, the addition of the TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 and the Wnt/β-catenin antagonist IWP-2 negated the endodermal differentiation of ESCs mediated by thapsigargin and tunicamycin. These data suggest that the activation of the UPR appears to orchestrate the induction of the definitive endodermal cell fate of ESCs via both the Smad2 and β-catenin signaling pathways. The prospective regulatory machinery may be helpful for directing ESCs to differentiate into definitive endodermal cells for cellular therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and
| | - Kam Sze Tsang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and
| | - Juliana Cn Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering and Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China and.
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Turner DA, Trott J, Hayward P, Rué P, Martinez Arias A. An interplay between extracellular signalling and the dynamics of the exit from pluripotency drives cell fate decisions in mouse ES cells. Biol Open 2014; 3:614-26. [PMID: 24950969 PMCID: PMC4154298 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20148409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic Stem cells derived from the epiblast tissue of the mammalian blastocyst retain the capability to differentiate into any adult cell type and are able to self-renew indefinitely under appropriate culture conditions. Despite the large amount of knowledge that we have accumulated to date about the regulation and control of self-renewal, efficient directed differentiation into specific tissues remains elusive. In this work, we have analysed in a systematic manner the interaction between the dynamics of loss of pluripotency and Activin/Nodal, BMP4 and Wnt signalling in fate assignment during the early stages of differentiation of mouse ES cells in culture. During the initial period of differentiation, cells exit from pluripotency and enter an Epi-like state. Following this transient stage, and under the influence of Activin/Nodal and BMP signalling, cells face a fate choice between differentiating into neuroectoderm and contributing to Primitive Streak fates. We find that Wnt signalling does not suppress neural development as previously thought and that it aids both fates in a context dependent manner. Our results suggest that as cells exit pluripotency they are endowed with a primary neuroectodermal fate and that the potency to become endomesodermal rises with time. We suggest that this situation translates into a “race for fates” in which the neuroectodermal fate has an advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Turner
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Jamie Trott
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Penelope Hayward
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Pau Rué
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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Kraushaar DC, Dalton S, Wang L. Heparan sulfate: a key regulator of embryonic stem cell fate. Biol Chem 2014; 394:741-51. [PMID: 23370908 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2012-0353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) belongs to a class of glycosaminoglycans and is a highly sulfated, linear polysaccharide. HS biosynthesis and modification involves numerous enzymes. HS exists as part of glycoproteins named HS proteoglycans, which are expressed abundantly on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. HS interacts with numerous proteins, including growth factors, morphogens, and adhesion molecules, and thereby regulates important developmental processes in invertebrates and vertebrates. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are distinguished by their characteristics of self-renewal and pluripotency. Self-renewal allows ESCs to proliferate indefinitely in their undifferentiated state, whereas pluripotency implies their capacity to differentiate into the three germ layers and ultimately all cell types of the adult body. Both traits are tightly regulated by numerous cell signaling pathways. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of HS in the modulation of ESC functions, specifically their lineage fate. Here, we review the current advances that have been made in understanding the structural changes of HS during ESC differentiation and in deciphering the molecular mechanisms by which HS modulates cell fate. Finally, we discuss the applications of heparinoids and chemical inhibitors of HS biosynthesis for the manipulation of ESC culture and directed differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Kraushaar
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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LI YAQING, XU WULIN, YAN JIANPING, XIA YINGJIE, GU CHAO, MA YINGYU, TAO HOUQUAN. Differentiation of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells into type II alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. Int J Mol Med 2014; 33:1507-13. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Sauer V, Roy-Chowdhury N, Guha C, Roy-Chowdhury J. Induced pluripotent stem cells as a source of hepatocytes. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2014; 2:11-20. [PMID: 25650171 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-013-0039-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During the past decade, a series of discoveries has established the potential of the so called terminally differentiated cells to transition to more primitive progenitor cells. The dramatic demonstration of the ability to reprogram differentiated somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that can then give rise to cells of all three germ layers has opened the possibility of generating virtually any cell type in culture, from any given individual. Taking advantage of these concepts, researchers have generated iPSCs by reprogramming a wide variety of somatic cells. In addition to their practical implications, these studies have provided crucial insights into the mechanism of cell plasticity that underlies the transition from one cell type to another. Using concepts derived from research on embryological development, investigators have differentiated iPSCs to cells resembling hepatocytes in many ways. Such hepatocyte-like cells could be of enormous value in disease modeling, drug discovery and regenerative medicine. However, the currently available methods do not yield cells that fully reproduce the characteristics of adult primary hepatocytes. Thus generating hepatocytes from iPSCs is very much a work in progress. In addition to chronicling these exciting developments, this review will discuss the emergent new approaches to generating iPSCs, improving their differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells and maintaining the hepatocyte-like cells in culture for longer survival and better function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Sauer
- Department of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
| | - Namita Roy-Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
| | - Chandan Guha
- Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Department of Radiation Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
| | - Jayanta Roy-Chowdhury
- Department of Medicine (Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York ; Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
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26
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Loh KM, Ang LT, Zhang J, Kumar V, Ang J, Auyeong JQ, Lee KL, Choo SH, Lim CYY, Nichane M, Tan J, Noghabi MS, Azzola L, Ng ES, Durruthy-Durruthy J, Sebastiano V, Poellinger L, Elefanty AG, Stanley EG, Chen Q, Prabhakar S, Weissman IL, Lim B. Efficient endoderm induction from human pluripotent stem cells by logically directing signals controlling lineage bifurcations. Cell Stem Cell 2014; 14:237-52. [PMID: 24412311 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) differentiation typically yields heterogeneous populations. Knowledge of signals controlling embryonic lineage bifurcations could efficiently yield desired cell types through exclusion of alternate fates. Therefore, we revisited signals driving induction and anterior-posterior patterning of definitive endoderm to generate a coherent roadmap for endoderm differentiation. With striking temporal dynamics, BMP and Wnt initially specified anterior primitive streak (progenitor to endoderm), yet, 24 hr later, suppressed endoderm and induced mesoderm. At lineage bifurcations, cross-repressive signals separated mutually exclusive fates; TGF-β and BMP/MAPK respectively induced pancreas versus liver from endoderm by suppressing the alternate lineage. We systematically blockaded alternate fates throughout multiple consecutive bifurcations, thereby efficiently differentiating multiple hPSC lines exclusively into endoderm and its derivatives. Comprehensive transcriptional and chromatin mapping of highly pure endodermal populations revealed that endodermal enhancers existed in a surprising diversity of "pre-enhancer" states before activation, reflecting the establishment of a permissive chromatin landscape as a prelude to differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Loh
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore; Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Lay Teng Ang
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore.
| | - Jingyao Zhang
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Vibhor Kumar
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Jasmin Ang
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Jun Qiang Auyeong
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Kian Leong Lee
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Siew Hua Choo
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Christina Y Y Lim
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Massimo Nichane
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Junru Tan
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Monireh Soroush Noghabi
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Lisa Azzola
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Elizabeth S Ng
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Jens Durruthy-Durruthy
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vittorio Sebastiano
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lorenz Poellinger
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Andrew G Elefanty
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Edouard G Stanley
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Qingfeng Chen
- Humanized Mouse Unit, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Singapore 138673, Singapore; Interdisciplinary Research Group in Infectious Diseases, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore 138602, Singapore; Department of Microbiology, Yong Yoo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Shyam Prabhakar
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | - Irving L Weissman
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bing Lim
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Group, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore 138672, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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27
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Villegas SN, Rothová M, Barrios-Llerena ME, Pulina M, Hadjantonakis AK, Le Bihan T, Astrof S, Brickman JM. PI3K/Akt1 signalling specifies foregut precursors by generating regionalized extra-cellular matrix. eLife 2013; 2:e00806. [PMID: 24368729 PMCID: PMC3871052 DOI: 10.7554/elife.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryonic development signalling pathways act repeatedly in different contexts to pattern the emerging germ layers. Understanding how these different responses are regulated is a central question for developmental biology. In this study, we used mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) differentiation to uncover a new mechanism for PI3K signalling that is required for endoderm specification. We found that PI3K signalling promotes the transition from naïve endoderm precursors into committed anterior endoderm. PI3K promoted commitment via an atypical activity that delimited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Akt1 transduced this activity via modifications to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and appropriate ECM could itself induce anterior endodermal identity in the absence of PI3K signalling. PI3K/Akt1-modified ECM contained low levels of Fibronectin (Fn1) and we found that Fn1 dose was key to specifying anterior endodermal identity in vivo and in vitro. Thus, localized PI3K activity affects ECM composition and ECM in turn patterns the endoderm. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00806.001 From conception to birth, a single fertilised egg will multiply into trillions of cells, with each cell becoming one of the 200 or so different types of cell that are found in the human body. The development of an embryo is complex and dynamic, with cells giving up their ability to become any cell type and committing to becoming a specific cell type within a given tissue. At the same time, different groups of cells migrate to the appropriate locations within the developing embryo. Although it is challenging to decipher the roles of the individual signalling pathways that control an embryo’s development, several important components have been found. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a protein that regulates the formation of the endoderm: this is the innermost of the three layers of cells that form in the early embryo, and it gives rise to internal organs such as the gut, liver and pancreas. As well as ‘telling’ cells to become the front part, or anterior, of the endoderm, FGF also controls the migration of these cells within the embryo. However, uncoupling these two roles has been a major challenge, and the molecular mechanisms behind them are unclear. Now, Villegas et al. have discovered that FGF activates a signalling cascade involving two enzymes called PI3K and Akt1. In lab-grown embryonic stem cells—cells that can be coaxed to become any of the cell types formed during development—this signalling cascade is essential for FGF to trigger differentiation of the cell types found in the anterior endoderm. The PI3K/Akt1 signalling cascade achieves this by reducing the level of a protein called fibronectin in the ‘extracellular matrix’ that surrounds the cells. This low level of fibronectin will in turn induce cells to stick together in an organized layer; and this rearrangement of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions appears linked to triggering the differentiation of anterior endoderm cell types. Villegas et al. showed that the PI3K/Akt1 pathway was also essential for endoderm formation in living mouse embryos. As a normal embryo develops, the anterior endoderm cells move into a ‘groove’ at the front the embryo, where the level of fibronectin is lower than it is at the posterior end of the embryo. These findings highlight the importance of the extracellular matrix in the regulation of embryonic development, and should assist in the effort to turn lab-grown stem cells into the useful cell types found in internal organs. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00806.002
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nahuel Villegas
- Institute for Stem Cell Research, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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28
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Mfopou JK, Geeraerts M, Dejene R, Van Langenhoven S, Aberkane A, Van Grunsven LA, Bouwens L. Efficient definitive endoderm induction from mouse embryonic stem cell adherent cultures: a rapid screening model for differentiation studies. Stem Cell Res 2013; 12:166-77. [PMID: 24239964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) monolayer cultures has been limited by poor cell survival or low efficiency. Recently, a combination of TGFβ and Wnt activation with BMP inhibition improved DE induction in embryoid bodies cultured in suspension. Based on these observations we developed a protocol to efficiently induce DE cells in monolayer cultures of mESCs. We obtained a good cell yield with 54.92% DE induction as shown by Foxa2, Sox17, Cxcr4 and E-Cadherin expression. These DE-cells could be further differentiated into posterior foregut and pancreatic phenotypes using a culture protocol initially developed for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation. In addition, this mESC-derived DE gave rise to hepatocyte-like cells after exposure to BMP and FGF ligands. Our data therefore indicate a substantial improvement of monolayer DE induction from mESCs and support the concept that differentiation conditions for mESC-derived DE are similar to those for hESCs. As mESCs are easier to maintain and manipulate in culture compared to hESCs, and considering the shorter duration of embryonic development in the mouse, this method of efficient DE induction on monolayer will promote the development of new differentiation protocols to obtain DE-derivatives, like pancreatic beta-cells, for future use in cell replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Kunjom Mfopou
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.
| | - Marloes Geeraerts
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Roba Dejene
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van Langenhoven
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Asma Aberkane
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Leo A Van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology, Department of Cell Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
| | - Luc Bouwens
- Cell Differentiation Unit, Diabetes Research Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
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29
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Narayanan K, Lim VY, Shen J, Tan ZW, Rajendran D, Luo SC, Gao S, Wan ACA, Ying JY. Extracellular matrix-mediated differentiation of human embryonic stem cells: differentiation to insulin-secreting beta cells. Tissue Eng Part A 2013; 20:424-33. [PMID: 24020641 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have tremendous potential for treating various human diseases. Protocols have been established to differentiate stem cells into specific lineages through the provision of signals in the form of growth factors, cytokines, or small molecules. Herein we investigate an alternative strategy for directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)--extracellular-matrix (ECM) mediated differentiation. Decellularized ECM and conditioned media from the appropriate committed cell lines are used to differentiate stem cells to the required phenotype. Applying this strategy to differentiate hESCs to pancreatic beta cells, we have obtained functional cells that secreted insulin in a glucose-responsive manner, and were able to recover normoglycemia in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. ECM-mediated differentiation was also demonstrated to be effective for the differentiation of hESCs into kidney tubule cells and cardiomyocytes. Gene expression studies suggested the involvement of integrins and catenins in the beta cell differentiation process; in particular, α1, αv, and β1 integrins, and β-catenin showed the highest upregulation. To further elucidate the biochemical and mechanical cues that have led to effective hESC differentiation to beta cells, we have employed an artificial system that allowed for variation of matrix stiffness and combination of individual ECM proteins at various ratios. The differentiation response of hESCs to the native ECM could be approximated by optimizing this system.
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30
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Trott J, Martinez Arias A. Single cell lineage analysis of mouse embryonic stem cells at the exit from pluripotency. Biol Open 2013; 2:1049-56. [PMID: 24167715 PMCID: PMC3798188 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20135934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how interactions between extracellular signalling pathways and transcription factor networks influence cellular decision making will be crucial for understanding mammalian embryogenesis and for generating specialised cell types in vitro. To this end, pluripotent mouse Embryonic Stem (mES) cells have proven to be a useful model system. However, understanding how transcription factors and signalling pathways affect decisions made by individual cells is confounded by the fact that measurements are generally made on groups of cells, whilst individual mES cells differentiate at different rates and towards different lineages, even in conditions that favour a particular lineage. Here we have used single-cell measurements of transcription factor expression and Wnt/β-catenin signalling activity to investigate their effects on lineage commitment decisions made by individual cells. We find that pluripotent mES cells exhibit differing degrees of heterogeneity in their expression of important regulators from pluripotency, depending on the signalling environment to which they are exposed. As mES cells differentiate, downregulation of Nanog and Oct4 primes cells for neural commitment, whilst loss of Sox2 expression primes cells for primitive streak commitment. Furthermore, we find that Wnt signalling acts through Nanog to direct cells towards a primitive streak fate, but that transcriptionally active β-catenin is associated with both neural and primitive streak commitment. These observations confirm and extend previous suggestions that pluripotency genes influence lineage commitment and demonstrate how their dynamic expression affects the direction of lineage commitment, whilst illustrating two ways in which the Wnt signalling pathway acts on this network during cell fate assignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Trott
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 3EH , UK ; Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research, University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1QR , UK ; Present address: Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, No. 06-06 Immunos, Singapore 138648
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31
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Cheng P, Andersen P, Hassel D, Kaynak BL, Limphong P, Juergensen L, Kwon C, Srivastava D. Fibronectin mediates mesendodermal cell fate decisions. Development 2013; 140:2587-96. [PMID: 23715551 DOI: 10.1242/dev.089052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Non-cell-autonomous signals often play crucial roles in cell fate decisions during animal development. Reciprocal signaling between endoderm and mesoderm is vital for embryonic development, yet the key signals and mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that endodermal cells efficiently promote the emergence of mesodermal cells in the neighboring population through signals containing an essential short-range component. The endoderm-mesoderm interaction promoted precardiac mesoderm formation in mouse embryonic stem cells and involved endodermal production of fibronectin. In vivo, fibronectin deficiency resulted in a dramatic reduction of mesoderm accompanied by endodermal expansion in zebrafish embryos. This event was mediated by regulation of Wnt signaling in mesodermal cells through activation of integrin-β1. Our findings highlight the importance of the extracellular matrix in mediating short-range signals and reveal a novel function of endoderm, involving fibronectin and its downstream signaling cascades, in promoting the emergence of mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cheng
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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32
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Faunes F, Hayward P, Descalzo SM, Chatterjee SS, Balayo T, Trott J, Christoforou A, Ferrer-Vaquer A, Hadjantonakis AK, Dasgupta R, Arias AM. A membrane-associated β-catenin/Oct4 complex correlates with ground-state pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells. Development 2013; 140:1171-83. [PMID: 23444350 PMCID: PMC3585656 DOI: 10.1242/dev.085654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The maintenance of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) relies on the activity of a transcriptional network that is fuelled by the activity of three transcription factors (Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2) and balanced by the repressive activity of Tcf3. Extracellular signals modulate the activity of the network and regulate the differentiation capacity of the cells. Wnt/β-catenin signaling has emerged as a significant potentiator of pluripotency: increases in the levels of β-catenin regulate the activity of Oct4 and Nanog, and enhance pluripotency. A recent report shows that β-catenin achieves some of these effects by modulating the activity of Tcf3, and that this effect does not require its transcriptional activation domain. Here, we show that during self-renewal there is negligible transcriptional activity of β-catenin and that this is due to its tight association with membranes, where we find it in a complex with Oct4 and E-cadherin. Differentiation triggers a burst of Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional activity that coincides with the disassembly of the complex. Our results establish that β-catenin, but not its transcriptional activity, is central to pluripotency acting through a β-catenin/Oct4 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Faunes
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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33
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Abstract
The embryonic foregut of the mouse embryo is lined by a layer of endoderm cells whose architecture changes during development. The transition from a squamous to columnar epithelial morphology is accompanied by the upregulation of an atypical Rho GTPase, Rhou. Subsequently, multi-layering of the epithelium at the site of organ bud formation is associated with the downregulation of Rhou. Rho-related small GTPases are known to play multiple roles in establishing and maintaining epithelial polarity, cytoskeletal organization, morphogenesis and differentiation of epithelial tissues, but their role in the early development of the endoderm in mammals is largely unexplored. Our recent study has shown that Rhou is required for maintaining F-actin polarization, epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation of the endoderm. Rhou expression responds to canonical WNT signaling and its activity influences the cytoskeletal organization and differentiation of endodermal cells, possibly via activation of JNK-mediated pathways. In this context, Rhou provides a possible link between β-catenin dependent WNT signaling and cellular processes normally associated with WNT/PCP pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A F Loebel
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute and Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
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34
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Chen AE, Borowiak M, Sherwood RI, Kweudjeu A, Melton DA. Functional evaluation of ES cell-derived endodermal populations reveals differences between Nodal and Activin A-guided differentiation. Development 2013; 140:675-86. [PMID: 23293299 DOI: 10.1242/dev.085431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells hold great promise with respect to their potential to be differentiated into desired cell types. Of interest are organs derived from the definitive endoderm, such as the pancreas and liver, and animal studies have revealed an essential role for Nodal in development of the definitive endoderm. Activin A is a related TGFβ member that acts through many of the same downstream signaling effectors as Nodal and is thought to mimic Nodal activity. Detailed characterization of ES cell-derived endodermal cell types by gene expression analysis in vitro and functional analysis in vivo reveal that, despite their similarity in gene expression, Nodal and Activin-derived endodermal cells exhibit a distinct difference in functional competence following transplantation into the developing mouse embryo. Pdx1-expressing cells arising from the respective endoderm populations exhibit extended differences in their competence to mature into insulin/c-peptide-expressing cells in vivo. Our findings underscore the importance of functional cell-type evaluation during stepwise differentiation of stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice E Chen
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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35
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Sui L, Mfopou JK, Geens M, Sermon K, Bouwens L. FGF signaling via MAPK is required early and improves Activin A-induced definitive endoderm formation from human embryonic stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 426:380-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.08.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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36
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Norrman K, Strömbeck A, Semb H, Ståhlberg A. Distinct gene expression signatures in human embryonic stem cells differentiated towards definitive endoderm at single-cell level. Methods 2012; 59:59-70. [PMID: 22503774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2012.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells towards therapeutically relevant cell types, including pancreatic beta-cells and hepatocytes, depends on molecular markers and assays that resolve the signature of individual cells. Pancreas and liver both have a common origin of anterior definitive endoderm (DE). Here, we differentiated human embryonic stem cells towards DE using three different activin A based treatments. Differentiation efficiencies were evaluated by gene expression profiling over time at cell population level. A panel of key markers was used to study DE formation. Final DE differentiation was also analyzed with immunocytochemistry and single-cell gene expression profiling. We found that cells treated with activin A in combination with sodium butyrate and B27 serum-free supplement medium generated the most mature DE cells. Cell population studies were useful to monitor the temporal expression of genes involved in primitive streak formation and endoderm formation, while single-cell analysis allowed us to study cell culture heterogeneity and fingerprint individual cells. In addition, single-cell analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns for the three activin A based protocols applied. Our data provide novel insights in DE gene expression at the cellular level of in vitro differentiated human embryonic stem cells, and illustrate the power of using single-cell gene expression profiling to study differentiation heterogeneity and to characterize cell types and subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Norrman
- Stem Cell and Pancreas Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, BMC B10, Klinikgatan 26, SE-22184 Lund, Sweden.
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37
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Wang P, McKnight KD, Wong DJ, Rodriguez RT, Sugiyama T, Gu X, Ghodasara A, Qu K, Chang HY, Kim SK. A molecular signature for purified definitive endoderm guides differentiation and isolation of endoderm from mouse and human embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:2273-87. [PMID: 22236333 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic definitive endoderm (DE) generates the epithelial compartment of vital organs such as liver, pancreas, and intestine. However, purification of DE in mammals has not been achieved, limiting the molecular "definition" of endoderm, and hindering our understanding of DE development and attempts to produce endoderm from sources such as embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, we describe purification of mouse DE using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and mice harboring a transgene encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) inserted into the Sox17 locus, which is expressed in the embryonic endoderm. Comparison of patterns of signaling pathway activation in native mouse DE and endoderm-like cells generated from ES cells produced novel culture modifications that generated Sox17-eGFP⁺ progeny whose gene expression resembled DE more closely than achieved with standard methods. These studies also produced new FACS methods for purifying DE from nontransgenic mice and mouse ES cell cultures. Parallel studies of a new human SOX17-eGFP ES cell line allowed analysis of endoderm differentiation in vitro, leading to culture modifications that enhanced expression of an endoderm-like signature. This work should accelerate our understanding of mechanisms regulating DE development in mice and humans, and guide further use of ES cells for tissue replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Califorina, USA
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38
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Kim PTW, Ong CJ. Differentiation of definitive endoderm from mouse embryonic stem cells. Results Probl Cell Differ 2012; 55:303-19. [PMID: 22918814 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-30406-4_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Efficient production of definitive endoderm from embryonic stem (ES) cells opens doors to the possibilities of differentiation of endoderm-derived tissues such as the intestines, pancreas, and liver that could address the needs of people with chronic diseases involving these organs. The lessons learned from developmental biology have contributed significantly to in vitro differentiation of definitive endoderm. Gastrulation, a process that results in the production of all three embryonic germ cell layers, definitive endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm, is an important step in embryonic development. Gastrulation occurs as a result of the events that are orchestrated by the signaling pathways involving Nodal, FGF, Wnt, and BMP. Understanding these signaling pathways has led to the introduction of key ingredients such as Activin A, FGF, Wnt, and BMP to the differentiation protocols that have been able to produce definitive endoderm from ES cells. Efficient production of definitive endoderm needs to meet the specific criteria that include (a) increase in the production of markers of definitive endoderm such as Sox 17, FOXA2, GSC, and Mixl1; (b) decrease in the production of markers of primitive/visceral/parietal endoderm, Sox 7 and OCT4; and (c) decrease in the mesoderm markers (Brachyury, MEOX) and ectoderm markers (Sox1 and ZIC1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T W Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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39
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Wolf XA, Klein T, Garcia R, Hyttel P, Serup P. Identification of a conserved cis-acting region driving expression of mouse Eomesodermin to the primitive streak, node, and definitive endoderm. Gene Expr Patterns 2012; 12:85-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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40
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Kalisz M, Winzi M, Bisgaard HC, Serup P. EVEN-SKIPPED HOMEOBOX 1 controls human ES cell differentiation by directly repressing GOOSECOID expression. Dev Biol 2011; 362:94-103. [PMID: 22178155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
TGFß signaling patterns the primitive streak, yet little is known about transcriptional effectors that mediate the cell fate choices during streak-like development in mammalian embryos and in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here we demonstrate that cross-antagonistic actions of EVEN-SKIPPED HOMEOBOX 1 (EVX1) and GOOSECOID (GSC) regulate cell fate decisions in streak-like progenitors derived from human ES cells exposed to BMP4 and/or activin. We found that EVX1 repressed GSC expression and promoted formation of posterior streak-like progeny in response to BMP4, and conversely that GSC repressed EVX1 expression and was required for development of anterior streak-like progeny in response to activin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that EVX1 bound to the GSC 5'-flanking region in BMP4 treated human ES cells, and band shift assays identified two EVX1 binding sites in the GSC 5'-region. Significantly, we found that intact EVX1 binding sites were required for BMP4-mediated repression of GSC reporter constructs. We conclude that BMP4-induced EVX1 repress GSC directly and the two genes form the core of a gene regulatory network (GRN) controlling cell fates in streak-like human ES cell progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Kalisz
- Department of Developmental Biology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark.
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Involvement of histone acetylation of Sox17 and Foxa2 promoters during mouse definitive endoderm differentiation revealed by microRNA profiling. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27965. [PMID: 22132182 PMCID: PMC3223193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of hepatocyte from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) holds great promise for hepatocyte replacement therapy to treat liver diseases. Achieving high efficiency of directed differentiation of ESCs to hepatocyte is of critical importance. Previously, Wnt3a has been reported to promote Activin A-induced human definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation, the early stage of hepatocyte differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. Growing evidence demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators involved in various important biological processes including the regulation of stem cell differentiation. In the present study, we profiled genome wide miRNA expression during Wnt3a and Activin A induced mouse DE differentiation. We uncovered distinct miRNA expression patterns during DE differentiation with the identification of a subset of miRNAs whose expression is synergistically regulated by Wnt3a/Activin A treatment at different stages of DE differentiation. Forced expression of a pool of such synergistically regulated miRNAs alone could partially promote DE differentiation, indicating a regulatory role of them. Using TargetScan and GeneGO pathway analyses, the synergistically regulated miRNAs are predicted to regulate key pathways involved in DE differentiation; among them includes the regulation of histone acetylation. Consistently, Wnt3a and Activin A treatment increased global histone acetylation which can be partially mimicked by over expression of the pooled miRNAs. Chromatin IP (ChIP) experiments demonstrated that the promoter regions of Sox17 and Foxa2 are subjected to histone acetylation regulation. Administration of Hdac inhibitors greatly augmented DE differentiation. Our data uncovered a novel epigenetic mechanism of Wnt3a and Activin A induced DE differentiation, whereby the treatment of growth factors induced histone acetylation at least in part by the regulation of miRNA expression.
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Funakoshi N, Duret C, Pascussi JM, Blanc P, Maurel P, Daujat-Chavanieu M, Gerbal-Chaloin S. Comparison of hepatic-like cell production from human embryonic stem cells and adult liver progenitor cells: CAR transduction activates a battery of detoxification genes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2011; 7:518-31. [PMID: 21210253 PMCID: PMC3137774 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-010-9225-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In vitro production of human hepatocytes is of primary importance in basic research, pharmacotoxicology and biotherapy of liver diseases. We have developed a protocol of differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ES) towards hepatocyte-like cells (ES-Hep). Using a set of human adult markers including CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPalpha), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4/7 ratio (HNF4alpha1/HNF4alpha7), cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), CYP3A4 and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), and fetal markers including alpha-fetoprotein, CYP3A7 and glutathione S-transferase P1, we analyzed the expression of a panel of 41 genes in ES-Hep comparatively with human adult primary hepatocytes, adult and fetal liver. The data revealed that after 21 days of differentiation, ES-Hep are representative of fetal hepatocytes at less than 20 weeks of gestation. The glucocorticoid receptor pathway was functional in ES-Hep. Extending protocols of differentiation to 4 weeks did not improve cell maturation. When compared with hepatocyte-like cells derived from adult liver non parenchymal epithelial (NPE) cells (NPE-Hep), ES-Hep expressed several adult and fetal liver makers at much greater levels (at least one order of magnitude), consistent with greater expression of liver-enriched transcription factors Forkhead box A2, C/EBPalpha, HNF4alpha and HNF6. It therefore seems that ES-Hep reach a better level of differentiation than NPE-Hep and that these cells use different lineage pathways towards the hepatic phenotype. Finally we showed that lentivirus-mediated expression of xenoreceptor CAR in ES-Hep induced the expression of several detoxification genes including CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP3A4, UDP-glycosyltransferase 1A1, solute carriers 21A6, as well as biotransformation of midazolam, a CYP3A4-specific substrate.
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Petersen DR, Gustavsen C, Lindskog SR, Magnuson MA, Zaret KS, Serup P. Engineering artificial signaling centers to polarize embryoid body differentiation. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 21:647-53. [PMID: 21958075 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiating as aggregates self-organize dependent on Wnt signaling that is initially localized to discrete sites in the aggregate. As differentiation proceeds, Wnt signaling expands to most of the aggregates, thus resulting in widespread differentiation of mesendodermal progenitors. This process resembles primitive streak formation, but the lack of organized positional information makes the differentiating aggregates develop in a disorganized fashion. Here, we report that exogenous, cellular signaling sources can control the site where differentiation initiates in ES cell aggregates. Fibroblasts engineered to express cadherins are assembled with ES cells to form composite aggregates where the fibroblasts are positioned as a discrete pole. When engineered to express secreted Wnt agonists or antagonists, this pole functions to localize signaling in a way that polarizes the differentiating aggregates. The use of cell adhesion molecules to control morphology of developing stem cell aggregates should be widely applicable in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorthe R Petersen
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark
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Loebel DAF, Studdert JB, Power M, Radziewic T, Jones V, Coultas L, Jackson Y, Rao RS, Steiner K, Fossat N, Robb L, Tam PPL. Rhou maintains the epithelial architecture and facilitates differentiation of the foregut endoderm. Development 2011; 138:4511-22. [PMID: 21903671 DOI: 10.1242/dev.063867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Rhou encodes a Cdc42-related atypical Rho GTPase that influences actin organization in cultured cells. In mouse embryos at early-somite to early-organogenesis stages, Rhou is expressed in the columnar endoderm epithelium lining the lateral and ventral wall of the anterior intestinal portal. During foregut development, Rhou is downregulated in regions where the epithelium acquires a multilayered morphology heralding the budding of organ primordia. In embryos generated from Rhou knockdown embryonic stem (ES) cells, the embryonic foregut displays an abnormally flattened shape. The epithelial architecture of the endoderm is disrupted, the cells are depleted of microvilli and the phalloidin-stained F-actin content of their sub-apical cortical domain is reduced. Rhou-deficient cells in ES cell-derived embryos and embryoid bodies are less efficient in endoderm differentiation. Impaired endoderm differentiation of Rhou-deficient ES cells is accompanied by reduced expression of c-Jun/AP-1 target genes, consistent with a role for Rhou in regulating JNK activity. Downregulation of Rhou in individual endoderm cells results in a reduced ability of these cells to occupy the apical territory of the epithelium. Our findings highlight epithelial morphogenesis as a required intermediate step in the differentiation of endoderm progenitors. In vivo, Rhou activity maintains the epithelial architecture of the endoderm progenitors, and its downregulation accompanies the transition of the columnar epithelium in the embryonic foregut to a multilayered cell sheet during organ formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A F Loebel
- Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
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Sherwood RI, Maehr R, Mazzoni EO, Melton DA. Wnt signaling specifies and patterns intestinal endoderm. Mech Dev 2011; 128:387-400. [PMID: 21854845 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2011.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling has been implicated in many developmental processes, but its role in early endoderm development is not well understood. Wnt signaling is active in posterior endoderm as early as E7.5. Genetic and chemical activation show that the Wnt pathway acts directly on endoderm to induce the intestinal master regulator Cdx2, shifting global gene away from anterior endoderm and toward a posterior, intestinal program. In a mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation platform that yields pure populations of definitive endoderm, Wnt signaling induces intestinal gene expression in all cells. We have identified a set of genes specific to the anterior small intestine, posterior small intestine, and large intestine during early development, and show that Wnt, through Cdx2, activates large intestinal gene expression at high doses and small intestinal gene expression at lower doses. These findings shed light on the mechanism of embryonic intestinal induction and provide a method to manipulate intestinal development from embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I Sherwood
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Xu X, Browning VL, Odorico JS. Activin, BMP and FGF pathways cooperate to promote endoderm and pancreatic lineage cell differentiation from human embryonic stem cells. Mech Dev 2011; 128:412-27. [PMID: 21855631 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The study of how human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into insulin-producing beta cells has twofold significance: first, it provides an in vitro model system for the study of human pancreatic development, and second, it serves as a platform for the ultimate production of beta cells for transplantation into patients with diabetes. The delineation of growth factor interactions regulating pancreas specification from hESCs in vitro is critical to achieving these goals. In this study, we describe the roles of growth factors bFGF, BMP4 and Activin A in early hESC fate determination. The entire differentiation process is carried out in serum-free chemically-defined media (CDM) and results in reliable and robust induction of pancreatic endoderm cells, marked by PDX1, and cell clusters co-expressing markers characteristic of beta cells, including PDX1 and insulin/C-peptide. Varying the combinations of growth factors, we found that treatment of hESCs with bFGF, Activin A and BMP4 (FAB) together for 3-4days resulted in strong induction of primitive-streak and definitive endoderm-associated genes, including MIXL1, GSC, SOX17 and FOXA2. Early proliferative foregut endoderm and pancreatic lineage cells marked by PDX1, FOXA2 and SOX9 expression are specified in EBs made from FAB-treated hESCs, but not from Activin A alone treated cells. Our results suggest that important tissue interactions occur in EB-based suspension culture that contribute to the complete induction of definitive endoderm and pancreas progenitors. Further differentiation occurs after EBs are embedded in Matrigel and cultured in serum-free media containing insulin, transferrin, selenium, FGF7, nicotinamide, islet neogenesis associated peptide (INGAP) and exendin-4, a long acting GLP-1 agonist. 21-28days after embedding, PDX1 gene expression levels are comparable to those of human islets used for transplantation, and many PDX1(+) clusters are formed. Almost all cells in PDX1(+) clusters co-express FOXA2, HNF1ß, HNF6 and SOX9 proteins, and many cells also express CPA1, NKX6.1 and PTF1a. If cells are then switched to medium containing B27 and nicotinamide for 7-14days, then the number of insulin(+) cells increases markedly. Our study identifies a new chemically defined culture protocol for inducing endoderm- and pancreas-committed cells from hESCs and reveals an interplay between FGF, Activin A and BMP signaling in early hESC fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Xu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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Targeting angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2011; 38:272-83. [PMID: 21764518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2011.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2010] [Revised: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Results of standard chemotherapy in ovarian cancer are hampered by the development of drug resistance leading to disease recurrence. This prompted interest in the development of therapies targeting critical pathways responsible for tumor progression. Angiogenesis is a key process that enables ovarian cancer growth and metastasis in the peritoneal space. Its regulation relies on signaling mechanisms initiated by the vascular endothelial growth factor, the platelet-derived growth factor, the fibroblast growth factor, angiopoietins, and others. These pathways are not only important to the modulation of the tumor microenvironment and vasculature, but also control cancer cell proliferation and survival. In this review, we discuss preclinical evidence supporting the rationale for inhibiting these pathways and provide an overview for the clinical development of agents targeting them. Clinical trials evaluating such agents alone and in combination with chemotherapy are ongoing. Early clinical results position antiangiogenic therapy at the forefront of change to the standard treatment of difficult to treat ovarian cancer.
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Maloum F, Allaire JM, Gagné-Sansfaçon J, Roy E, Belleville K, Sarret P, Morisset J, Carrier JC, Mishina Y, Kaestner KH, Perreault N. Epithelial BMP signaling is required for proper specification of epithelial cell lineages and gastric endocrine cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2011; 300:G1065-79. [PMID: 21415412 PMCID: PMC3119118 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00176.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling within the gastrointestinal tract is complex. BMP ligands and their receptors are expressed in both epithelial and mesenchymal compartments, suggesting bidirectional signaling between these two entities. Despite an increasing interest in BMP signaling in gut physiology and pathologies, the distinct contribution of BMP signaling in the epithelium vs. the mesenchyme in gastrointestinal homeostasis remains to be established. We aimed to investigate the role of epithelial BMP signaling in gastric organogenesis, gland morphogenesis, and maintenance of epithelial cell functions. Using the Cre/loxP system, we generated a mouse model with an early deletion during development of BMP receptor 1A (Bmpr1a) exclusively in the foregut endoderm. Bmpr1a(ΔGEC) mice showed no severe abnormalities in gastric organogenesis, gland epithelial proliferation, or morphogenesis, suggesting only a minor role for epithelial BMP signaling in these processes. However, early loss of BMP signaling in foregut endoderm did impact on gastric patterning, leading to an anteriorization of the stomach. In addition, numbers of parietal cells were reduced in Bmpr1a(ΔGEC) mice. Epithelial BMP deletion significantly increased the numbers of chromogranin A-, ghrelin-, somatostatin-, gastrin-, and serotonin-expressing gastric endocrine cells. Cancer never developed in young adult (<100 days) Bmpr1a-inactivated mice although a marker of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia was upregulated. Using this model, we have uncovered that BMP signaling negatively regulates the proliferation and commitment of endocrine precursor cells. Our data also indicate that loss of BMP signaling in epithelial gastric cells alone is not sufficient to induce gastric neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faïza Maloum
- Départements 1d'Anatomie et Biologie Cellulaire,
| | | | | | - Evelyne Roy
- Départements 1d'Anatomie et Biologie Cellulaire,
| | - Karine Belleville
- 5de Biophysique, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada;
| | - Philippe Sarret
- 5de Biophysique, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada;
| | | | | | - Yuji Mishina
- 3Department of Biologic and Material Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
| | - Klaus H. Kaestner
- 4Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Peterslund JM, Serup P. Activation of FGFR(IIIc) isoforms promotes activin-induced mesendoderm development in mouse embryonic stem cells and reduces Sox17 coexpression in EpCAM+ cells. Stem Cell Res 2011; 6:262-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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50
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Winzi MK, Hyttel P, Dale JK, Serup P. Isolation and characterization of node/notochord-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2011; 20:1817-27. [PMID: 21351873 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The homeobox gene Noto is expressed in the node and its derivative the notochord. Here we use a targeted Noto-GFP reporter to isolate and characterize node/notochord-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. We find very few Noto-expressing cells after spontaneous differentiation. However, the number of Noto-expressing cells was increased when using Activin A to induce a Foxa2- and Brachyury-expressing progenitor population, whose further differentiation into Noto-expressing cells was improved by simultaneous inhibition of BMP, Wnt, and retinoic acid signaling. Noto-GFP(+) cells expressed the node/notochord markers Noto, Foxa2, Shh, Noggin, Chordin, Foxj1, and Brachyury; showed a vacuolarization characteristic of notochord cells; and can integrate into midline structures when grafted into Hensen's node of gastrulating chicken embryos. The ability to generate node/notochord-like cells in vitro will aid the biochemical characterization of these developmentally important structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Winzi
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Hagedorn Research Institute, Gentofte, Denmark
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