An efficient system for conditional gene expression in embryonic stem cells and in their in vitro and in vivo differentiated derivatives

Two new genetically modified mouse alleles labeling distinct phases of retinal ganglion cell development by fluorescent proteins

BACKGROUND

During development, all retinal cell types arise from retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) in a step-wise fashion. Atoh7 and Pou4f2 mark, and function in, two phases of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genesis; Atoh7 functions in a subpopulation of RPCs to render them competent for the RGC fate, whereas Pou4f2 participates in RGC fate specification and RGC differentiation. Despite extensive research on their roles, the properties of the two phases represented by these two factors have not been well studied, likely due to the retinal cellular heterogeneity.

RESULTS

In this report, we describe two novel knock-in mouse alleles, Atoh7zsGreenCreERT2 and Pou4f2FlagtdTomato , which labeled retinal cells in the two phases of RGC development by fluorescent proteins. Also, the Atoh7zsGreenCreERT2 allele allowed for indirect labeling of RGCs and other cell types upon tamoxifen induction in a dose-dependent manner. Further, these alleles could be used to purify retinal cells in the different phases by fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). Single cell RNA-seq analysis of purified cells from Atoh7zsGreenCreERT2 retinas further validated that this allele labeled both transitional/competent RPCs and their progenies including RGCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, these two alleles are very useful tools for studying the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying RGC formation.

How to Choose the Right Inducible Gene Expression System for Mammalian Studies?

Inducible gene expression systems are favored over stable expression systems in a wide variety of basic and applied research areas, including functional genomics, gene therapy, tissue engineering, biopharmaceutical protein production and drug discovery. This is because they are mostly reversible and thus more flexible to use. Furthermore, compared to constitutive expression, they generally exhibit a higher efficiency and have fewer side effects, such as cell death and delayed growth or development. Empowered by decades of development of inducible gene expression systems, researchers can now efficiently activate or suppress any gene, temporarily and quantitively at will, depending on experimental requirements and designs. Here, we review a number of most commonly used mammalian inducible expression systems and provide basic standards and criteria for the selection of the most suitable one.

Generation of multipotent foregut stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) could provide an infinite source of clinically relevant cells with potential applications in regenerative medicine. However, hPSC lines vary in their capacity to generate specialized cells, and the development of universal protocols for the production of tissue-specific cells remains a major challenge. Here, we have addressed this limitation for the endodermal lineage by developing a defined culture system to expand and differentiate human foregut stem cells (hFSCs) derived from hPSCs. hFSCs can self-renew while maintaining their capacity to differentiate into pancreatic and hepatic cells. Furthermore, near-homogenous populations of hFSCs can be obtained from hPSC lines which are normally refractory to endodermal differentiation. Therefore, hFSCs provide a unique approach to bypass variability between pluripotent lines in order to obtain a sustainable source of multipotent endoderm stem cells for basic studies and to produce a diversity of endodermal derivatives with a clinical value.

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Multipotent foregut stem cells are derived from pluripotent cells

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Foregut stem cells can be expanded and retain their differentiation potential

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Foregut stem cells differentiate into liver and pancreatic cells

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Foregut stem cells decrease differentiation variability between cell lines

Forced expression of LIM homeodomain transcription factor 1b enhances differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into serotonergic neurons

The LIM homeodomain transcription factor 1b (Lmx1b) is a key factor in the specification of the serotonergic neurotransmitter phenotype. Here, we explored the capacity of Lmx1b to direct differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells into serotonergic neurons. mES cells stably expressing human Lmx1b were generated by lentiviral vector infection. Clones expressing Lmx1b at a low level showed increased neurogenesis and elevated production of neurons expressing serotonin, serotonin transporter, tryptophan hydroxylase 2, and transcription factor Pet1, the landmarks of serotonergic differentiation. To explore the role of Lmx1b in the specification of the serotonin neurotransmission phenotype further, a conditional system making use of a floxed inducible vector targeted into the ROSA26 locus and a hormone-dependent Cre recombinase was engineered. This novel strategy was tested with the reporter gene encoding human placental alkaline phosphatase, and demonstrated its capacity to drive transgene expression in nestin(+) neural progenitors (NPs) and in Tuj1(+) neurons. When it was applied to inducible expression of human Lmx1b, it resulted in elevated expression of serotonergic markers. Treatment of neural precursors with the floor plate signal Sonic hedgehog further enhanced differentiation of Lmx1b-overexpressing NPs into neurons expressing 5-HT, serotonin transporter, tryptophan hydroxylase 2, and Pet1, when compared with Lmx1b-nonexpressing progenitors. Together, our results demonstrate the capacity of Lmx1b to specify a serotonin neurotransmitter phenotype when overexpressed in mES cell-derived NPs.

Novel STAT3 target genes exert distinct roles in the inhibition of mesoderm and endoderm differentiation in cooperation with Nanog

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) activates the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which results in the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells in the pluripotent state by inhibiting both mesodermal and endodermal differentiation. How the LIF/STAT3 pathway inhibits commitment to both mesoderm and endoderm lineages is presently unknown. Using a hormone-dependent STAT3 and with microarray analysis, we identified 58 targets of STAT3 including 20 unknown genes. Functional analysis showed that 22 among the 23 STAT3 target genes analyzed contribute to the maintenance of the undifferentiated state, as evidenced by an increase in the frequency of differentiated colonies in a self-renewal assay and a concomitant elevation of early differentiation markers upon knockdown. Fourteen of them, including Dact1, Klf4, Klf5, Rgs16, Smad7, Ccrn4l, Cnnm1, Ocln, Ier3, Pim1, Cyr61, and Sgk, were also regulated by Nanog. Analysis of lineage-specific markers showed that the STAT3 target genes fell into three distinct categories, depending on their capacity to inhibit either mesoderm or endoderm differentiation or both. The identification of genes that harness self-renewal and are downstream targets of both STAT3 and Nanog shed light on the mechanisms underlying functional redundancy between STAT3 and Nanog in mouse embryonic stem cells.

An inducible and reversible mouse genetic rescue system

Inducible and reversible regulation of gene expression is a powerful approach for uncovering gene function. We have established a general method to efficiently produce reversible and inducible gene knockout and rescue in mice. In this system, which we named iKO, the target gene can be turned on and off at will by treating the mice with doxycycline. This method combines two genetically modified mouse lines: a) a KO line with a tetracycline-dependent transactivator replacing the endogenous target gene, and b) a line with a tetracycline-inducible cDNA of the target gene inserted into a tightly regulated (TIGRE) genomic locus, which provides for low basal expression and high inducibility. Such a locus occurs infrequently in the genome and we have developed a method to easily introduce genes into the TIGRE site of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells by recombinase-mediated insertion. Both KO and TIGRE lines have been engineered for high-throughput, large-scale and cost-effective production of iKO mice. As a proof of concept, we have created iKO mice in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene, which allows for sensitive and quantitative phenotypic analyses. The results demonstrated reversible switching of ApoE transcription, plasma cholesterol levels, and atherosclerosis progression and regression. The iKO system shows stringent regulation and is a versatile genetic system that can easily incorporate other techniques and adapt to a wide range of applications.

We describe a technology for the creation of inducible and reversible gene inactivation in mice. It combines two genetically modified mouse lines: a knock-out line with a tetracycline transactivator replacing the endogenous target gene, and a line in which a tetracycline-inducible cDNA of the target gene has been inserted into a specific genomic locus. A critical component of this system is the unique chromosomal loci we have identified and engineered that offer a platform for easy insertion of any gene of interest for tightly controlled expression. Because of its simple binary nature, allowing independent modification of each of the two components and possibility of use in a high-throughput mode, we believe that our system will be useful for multiple applications, such as introducing mutant or humanized form of the target gene as well as functional manipulating tools. We have applied this technology to the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene and have demonstrated that: a) the expression of ApoE is strictly dependent on the presence of doxycycline, a tetracycline group antibiotic, in the mouse diet, b) in the absence of doxycycline (ApoE repressed) atherosclerotic plaques are formed, confirming the importance of ApoE in the process, and c) upon re-induction of ApoE in the animals with doxicyclin, atherosclerosis regressed.

Transposable elements in fish functional genomics: technical challenges and perspectives

The recent introduction of several transposable elements in zebrafish opens new frontiers for genetic manipulation in this important vertebrate model. This review discusses transposable elements as mutagenesis tools for fish functional genomics. We review various mutagenesis strategies that were previously applied in other genetic models, such as Drosophila, Arabidopsis, and mouse, that may be beneficial if applied in fish. We also discuss the forthcoming challenges of high-throughput functional genomics in fish.

HCN4 provides a 'depolarization reserve' and is not required for heart rate acceleration in mice

Cardiac pacemaking involves a variety of ion channels, but their relative importance is controversial and remains to be determined. Hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, which underlie the I(f) current of sinoatrial cells, are thought to be key players in cardiac automaticity. In addition, the increase in heart rate following beta-adrenergic stimulation has been attributed to the cAMP-mediated enhancement of HCN channel activity. We have now studied mice in which the predominant sinoatrial HCN channel isoform HCN4 was deleted in a temporally controlled manner. Here, we show that deletion of HCN4 in adult mice eliminates most of sinoatrial I(f) and results in a cardiac arrhythmia characterized by recurrent sinus pauses. However, the mutants show no impairment in heart rate acceleration during sympathetic stimulation. Our results reveal that unexpectedly the channel does not play a role for the increase of the heart rate; however, HCN4 is necessary for maintaining a stable cardiac rhythm, especially during the transition from stimulated to basal cardiac states.

Self-renewal of murine embryonic stem cells is supported by the serine/threonine kinases Pim-1 and Pim-3

pim-1 and pim-3 encode serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in response to cytokine stimulation. We analyzed the regulation of pim-1 and pim-3 by the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)/gp130/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) pathway and the role of Pim-1 and Pim-3 kinases in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal. Making use of ES cells expressing a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor:gp130 chimeric receptor and a hormone-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 estrogen receptor (STAT3-ER(T2)), we showed that expression of pim-1 and pim-3 was upregulated by LIF/gp130-dependent signaling and the STAT3 transcription factor. ES cells overexpressing pim-1 and pim-3 had a greater capacity to self-renew and displayed a greater resistance to LIF starvation based on a clonal assay. In contrast, knockdown of pim-1 and pim-3 increased the rate of spontaneous differentiation in a self-renewal assay. Knockdown of pim-1 and pim-3 was also detrimental to the growth of undifferentiated ES cell colonies and increased the rate of apoptosis. These findings provide a novel role of Pim-1 and Pim-3 kinases in the control of self-renewal of ES cells. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Enzymatic engineering of the porcine genome with transposons and recombinases

Background

Swine is an important agricultural commodity and biomedical model. Manipulation of the pig genome provides opportunity to improve production efficiency, enhance disease resistance, and add value to swine products. Genetic engineering can also expand the utility of pigs for modeling human disease, developing clinical treatment methodologies, or donating tissues for xenotransplantation. Realizing the full potential of pig genetic engineering requires translation of the complete repertoire of genetic tools currently employed in smaller model organisms to practical use in pigs.

Results

Application of transposon and recombinase technologies for manipulation of the swine genome requires characterization of their activity in pig cells. We tested four transposon systems- Sleeping Beauty, Tol2, piggyBac, and Passport in cultured porcine cells. Transposons increased the efficiency of DNA integration up to 28-fold above background and provided for precise delivery of 1 to 15 transgenes per cell. Both Cre and Flp recombinase were functional in pig cells as measured by their ability to remove a positive-negative selection cassette from 16 independent clones and over 20 independent genomic locations. We also demonstrated a Cre-dependent genetic switch capable of eliminating an intervening positive-negative selection cassette and activating GFP expression from episomal and genome-resident transposons.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated for the first time that transposons and recombinases are capable of mobilizing DNA into and out of the porcine genome in a precise and efficient manner. This study provides the basis for developing transposon and recombinase based tools for genetic engineering of the swine genome.

Conditional Gene Expression in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess unique properties for studying mechanisms controlling cell fate commitment during early mammalian development. Gain of function is a common strategy to study the function of specific genes involved in these mechanisms. However, transgene toxicity can be a major limitation, especially with factors influencing proliferation or differentiation. Here, we describe an efficient method based on the inducible recombinase Cre-ERT2 for conditional gene expression in hESCs and their differentiated derivatives. Using this approach, we have established several hESC sublines inducible for the expression of the enhanced green fluorescent protein and the transforming growth factor beta family member Nodal. Together, these results demonstrate that Cre-ERT2 can be used to control gene expression in undifferentiated and differentiated cells, thereby providing the first conditional transgene expression system that works effectively in hESCs. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Human embryonic stem cells: an in vitro model to study mechanisms controlling pluripotency in early mammalian development

The property of pluripotency confers the capacity for differentiation into a large number of cell types including extra-embryonic, somatic and germinal cells. During normal development, pluripotency is acquired by the cells of the early embryo, which shortly thereafter undergo differentiation, whereas embryonic stem cells (ESCs) uniquely maintain pluripotency while undergoing extensive in vitro proliferation. Studies using ESCs have begun to unravel the network of cytokines and transcription factors responsible for their maintenance of pluripotency. Surprisingly, mouse and human ESCs display significant differences in such mechanisms despite their similar embryonic origins. In this review, we compare the properties of pluripotent embryonic cells with those of ESCs to establish a general model for the mechanisms maintaining pluripotency. We first consider whether mouse and human ESCs represent comparable stages of early embryonic development. We then describe how human embryoid body (EB) differentiation could be used as a model of embryonic development. Finally, to concretely illustrate the discussion, we discuss our recent results concerning Nodal function in controlling cell fate at early stages of human EB development. With the new perspective of these findings, we suggest a previously unrecognized role of TGF-beta pathway signaling in maintaining pluripotency at early stages of mammalian embryonic development.

Regulation of Nanog expression by phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent signaling in murine embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cell pluripotency is regulated by a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Previously we have demonstrated that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent signaling is required for efficient self-renewal of murine ES cells. In the study presented here, we have investigated the downstream molecular mechanisms that contribute to the ability of PI3Ks to regulate pluripotency. We show that inhibition of PI3K activity with either pharmacological or genetic tools results in decreased expression of RNA for the homeodomain transcription factor Nanog and decreased Nanog protein levels. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) activity by PI3Ks plays a key role in regulation of Nanog expression, because blockade of GSK-3 activity effectively reversed the effects of PI3K inhibition on Nanog RNA, and protein expression and self-renewal under these circumstances were restored. Furthermore, GSK-3 mutants mimicked the effects of PI3K or GSK-3 inhibition on Nanog expression. Importantly, expression of an inducible form of Nanog prevented the loss of self-renewal observed upon inhibition of PI3Ks, supporting a functional relationship between PI3Ks and Nanog expression. In addition, expression of a number of putative Nanog target genes was sensitive to PI3K inhibition. Thus, the new evidence provided in this study shows that PI3K-dependent regulation of ES cell self-renewal is mediated, at least in part, by the ability of PI3K signaling to maintain Nanog expression. Regulation of GSK-3 activity by PI3Ks appears to play a key role in this process.

6-hydroxy-nicotine-inducible multilevel transgene control in mammalian cells

The precise control of transgene expression is essential for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, gene therapy and tissue engineering. We have designed a novel conditional transcription technology, which enables reversible induction, repression and adjustment of desired transgene expression using the clinically inert 6-hydroxy-nicotine (6HNic). The 6-hydroxy-nicotine oxidase (6HNO) repressor (HdnoR), which manages nicotine metabolism in Arthrobacter nicotinovorans pAO1 by binding to a specific operator of the 6-hydroxy-nicotine oxidase (O(NIC)), was fused to the Krueppel-associated box protein of the human kox-1 gene (KRAB) to create a synthetic 6HNic-dependent transsilencer (NS) that controls chimeric mammalian promoters, which are assembled by cloning tandem O(NIC) operators 3' of a constitutive promoter. In the absence of 6HNic, NS binds to O(NIC) and silences the constitutive promoter, which otherwise drives high-level transgene expression when the NS-O(NIC) interaction stops in the presence of 6HNic. Generic NICE(ON) technology was compatible with a variety of constitutive viral and mammalian housekeeping promoters, each of which enabled specific induced, repressed, adjusted and reversible transgene expression profiles in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1), baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) as well as in human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cells. NICE(ON) also proved successful in controlling multicistronic expression units for coordinated transcription of up to three transgenes and in the fine-tuning of transcription-translation networks, in which RNA polymerase II- and III-dependent promoters, engineered for 6HNic responsiveness, drove expression of siRNAs that triggered specific transgene knockdown. NICE(ON) represents a robust and versatile technology for the precise tuning of transgene expression in mammalian cells.

Notch promotes neural lineage entry by pluripotent embryonic stem cells

A central challenge in embryonic stem (ES) cell biology is to understand how to impose direction on primary lineage commitment. In basal culture conditions, the majority of ES cells convert asynchronously into neural cells. However, many cells resist differentiation and others adopt nonneural fates. Mosaic activation of the neural reporter Sox-green fluorescent protein suggests regulation by cell-cell interactions. We detected expression of Notch receptors and ligands in mouse ES cells and investigated the role of this pathway. Genetic manipulation to activate Notch constitutively does not alter the stem cell phenotype. However, upon withdrawal of self-renewal stimuli, differentiation is directed rapidly and exclusively into the neural lineage. Conversely, pharmacological or genetic interference with Notch signalling suppresses the neural fate choice. Notch promotion of neural commitment requires parallel signalling through the fibroblast growth factor receptor. Stromal cells expressing Notch ligand stimulate neural specification of human ES cells, indicating that this is a conserved pathway in pluripotent stem cells. These findings define an unexpected and decisive role for Notch in ES cell fate determination. Limiting activation of endogenous Notch results in heterogeneous lineage commitment. Manipulation of Notch signalling is therefore likely to be a key factor in taking command of ES cell lineage choice.

Genetic manipulations reveal a novel role of Notch signaling in promoting and directing embryonic stem cells toward neural fates and suppressing differentiation into other lineages.

Primate hepatic foetal progenitor cells and their therapeutic potential

Transplantation of genetically modified or unmodified hepatocytes appears to be a less invasive alternative to liver transplantation. However, clinical trials performed for the treatment of metabolic deficiencies resulted in a partial and transitory correction due to an insufficient number of engrafted and functional hepatocytes. In vitro, adult hepatocytes do not proliferate and the lack of organ donors limits their availability. Concomitantly, numerous works on hepatocyte transplantation in rodents have shown that cell engraftment was inefficient in normal livers. It is therefore necessary to explore the therapeutic potential of new cell sources such as stem cells and to develop pre-clinical models of transplantation. Foetal liver progenitor cells (hepatoblasts) are bipotent and express markers of both foetal hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. We have immortalized one clone of primate hepatoblasts using a retroviral vector expressing SV40 Large T and have characterized the cells at different population doublings (PDs). After 500 days in culture, immortalized cells remained bipotent and kept contact inhibition, in spite of numerous chromosomal rearrangements. After transplantation into athymic mice, the cells expressed hepatocyte functions but did not proliferate. We isolated, phenotypically characterized, transduced and cryopreserved early human hepatoblasts. These cells repopulate up to 7% of recipient immunodeficient mouse livers. This indicates that early progenitor cells display molecular characteristics related to proliferation and migration that allow these cells to engraft within hepatic parenchyma more efficiently than adult hepatocytes.

A genetic approach to access serotonin neurons for in vivo and in vitro studies

Serotonin (5HT) is a critical modulator of neural circuits that support diverse behaviors and physiological processes, and multiple lines of evidence implicate abnormal serotonergic signaling in psychiatric pathogenesis. The significance of 5HT underscores the importance of elucidating the molecular pathways involved in serotonergic system development, function, and plasticity. However, these mechanisms remain poorly defined, owing largely to the difficulty of accessing 5HT neurons for experimental manipulation. To address this methodological deficiency, we present a transgenic route to selectively alter 5HT neuron gene expression. This approach is based on the ability of a Pet-1 enhancer region to direct reliable 5HT neuron-specific transgene expression in the CNS. Its versatility is illustrated with several transgenic mouse lines, each of which provides a tool for 5HT neuron studies. Two lines allow Cre-mediated recombination at different stages of 5HT neuron development. A third line in which 5HT neurons are marked with yellow fluorescent protein will have numerous applications, including their electrophysiological characterization. To demonstrate this application, we have characterized active and passive membrane properties of midbrain reticular 5HT neurons, which heretofore have not been reported to our knowledge. A fourth line in which Pet-1 loss of function is rescued by expression of a Pet-1 transgene demonstrates biologically relevant levels of transgene expression and offers a route for investigating serotonergic protein structure and function in a behaving animal. These findings establish a straightforward and reliable approach for developing an array of tools for in vivo and in vitro studies of 5HT neurons.

Long-term controlled immortalization of a primate hepatic progenitor cell line after Simian virus 40 T-Antigen gene transfer

Hepatoblasts are bipotent progenitors of both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. The lack of stable in vitro culture systems for such cells makes it necessary to generate liver progenitor cell lines by means of immortalization. In this study, we describe the long-term behaviour of a clone of simian foetal hepatic progenitor cells immortalized by Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T-antigen (T-Ag) flanked by loxP sites. Immortalization was associated with the re-expression of telomerase activity, which decreased at late passages (population doubling 120) after more than a year in culture. This decrease was concomitant to telomere shortening and karyotypic instability. However, the chromosomes carrying the p53 gene remained intact and long-term immortalized progenitor cells maintained contact inhibition and proliferative properties. They also displayed the features of a normal bipotent phenotype. We constructed a retroviral vector expressing an inducible Cre recombinase and transferred it into the immortalized progenitors. Activation of the Cre recombinase by 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen induced SV40 T-Ag excision, leading to the death of cells expressing Cre recombinase. Immortalized progenitors at late passages stopped growing and eventually disappeared after transplantation into the livers of immunocompromised mice. These cells provide a novel model to study hepatic differentiation and carcinogenesis.

In Vivo and In Vitro Tissue-Specific Expression of Green Fluorescent Protein Using the Cre-Lox System in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells (ES) are pluripotent and may therefore serve as a source for the generation of specific cell types required for future therapies based on cell replacement. The isolation of defined cell populations from a certain lineage or tissue is a prerequisite for the analysis of the potential of such ES-derived cells in animal transplantation studies. Here, using the Cre/loxP system, we report the generation of murine ES cells conditionally expressing the hrGFP gene at the cell surface. Such ES cells can be differentiated in vitro into neurons displaying GFP activity in neurites. Transgenic mice derived from these ES cells permit the targeting of GFP-expression to specific tissues and provide material from the three germ layers suitable for molecular and biochemical analysis.

Strategies of Conditional Gene Expression in Myocardium

The use of specialized reporter genes to monitor real-time, tissue-specific transgene expression in animal models offers an opportunity to circumvent current limitations associated with the establishment of transgenic mouse models. The Cre-loxP and the tetracycline (Tet)-inducible systems are useful methods of conditional gene expression that allow spatial (cell-type-specific) and temporal (inducer-dependent) control. Most often, the alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MHC) promoter is used in these inducible systems to restrict expression of reporter genes and transgenes to the myocardium. An overview of each inducible system is described, along with suggested reporter genes for real-time, noninvasive imaging in the myocardium. Effective gene delivery of the inducible gene expression system is carried out by lentiviral vectors, which offer high transduction efficiency, long-term transgene expression, and low immunogenicity. This chapter outlines the packaging of myocardium-specific inducible expression systems into lentiviral vectors, in which a transgene and a reporter gene are transduced into cardiomyocytes. In doing so, transgene and reporter expression can be monitored/tracked with bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Navigating the pathway from embryonic stem cells to beta cells

The compelling goal of using in vitro differentiation of stem cells to obtain replacement pancreatic beta cells that are clinically effective in treating diabetes has until now eluded researchers. This difficulty raises the question of whether more effective strategies are available. We propose that the native embryonic pathway leading to the definitive endoderm lineage, and continuing on to the endocrine pancreas, is the one most likely to succeed for the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. We question however whether gain-of-function approaches involving genes necessary for beta cell development are destined to work effectively, and suggest alternative approaches to identifying conditions sufficient for in vitro beta cell differentiation.

Immortalization of hepatic progenitor cells

Development of cell therapy-based strategies for the treatment of liver failures and of inherited metabolic diseases has become a necessity because of the limitations of orthotopic liver transplantation, including shortage of donor livers. This shortage limits also the availability for hepatocytes and these terminally differentiated cells cannot be expanded in vitro. Thus, other alternative sources of hepatocytes have to be explored such as hepatic stem cells. Foetal hepatic cells have specific intrinsic properties compared to adult hepatocytes that should overcome some of their limitations. Thus, the availability of in vitro expandable progenitor cells by means of immortalization and without inducing a transformed phenotype and disrupting their differentiation potential would facilitate studies on cell engraftment and differentiation within the hepatic parenchyma. A temporally controlled expression of the immortalizing transgene would also permit to revert the immortalized phenotype prior to cell transplantation. Since characteristics of murine stem cells cannot readily be extrapolated to their human or other primate counterparts, we have immortalized one clone of primate hepatic progenitor cells using a retroviral vector expressing SV40 Large T flanked by lox P sites. These hepatic cells were bipotent, expressing markers of both hepatocytic and biliary lineages. After transplantation into athymic mice, approximately 50% of immortalized cells engrafted, stopped proliferating after a few days and differentiated in adult hepatocytes, suggesting that the hepatic microenvironment plays an important role in such regulations. Upon infection with a retrovirus expressing the CRE recombinase, immortalized cells stopped growing and died, showing that immortalization was dependant on SV40 Large T. These studies suggest new approaches to expand hepatic progenitor cells, analyse their fate in animal models aiming at cell therapy of hepatic diseases.

Generation and characterization of transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible cre-fusion protein specifically in mouse liver

AIM: To establish transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ERt recombinase specifically in the liver and to provide an efficient animal model for studying gene function in the liver and creating various mouse models mimicking human diseases.

METHODS: Alb-Cre-ERt transgenic mice were produced by microinjecting the construct with Cre-ERt fusion gene of DNA fragments into fertilized eggs derived from inbred C57BL/6 strain. Transgenic mice were identified by using PCR and Southern blotting. Expression of Cre-ERt fusion gene was analyzed in the liver, kidney, brain and lung from F1 generation transgenic mice at 8 weeks of age by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR.

RESULTS: Four hundred and fourteen fertilized eggs of C57 BL/6 mice were microinjected with recombinant Alb-Cre-ERt DNA fragments, and 312 survival eggs injected were transferred to the oviducts of 12 pseudopregnant recipient mice, 6 of 12 recipient mice became pregnant and gave birth to 44 offsprings. Of the 44 offsprings, two males and one female carried the hybrid Cre-ERt fusion gene. Three mice were determined as founders, and were back crossed to set up F1 generations with other inbred C57BL/6 mice. Transmission of Cre-ERt fusion gene in F1 offspring followed Mendelian rules. The expression of Cre-ERt mRNA was detected only in the liver of F1 offspring from two of three founder mice.

CONCLUSION: Transgenic mice expressing tamoxifen-inducible Cre-ERt recombinase under control of the liver-specific promoter are preliminary established.

Induction of cre recombinase activity using modified androgen receptor ligand binding domains: a sensitive assay for ligand-receptor interactions

Novel systems of inducible gene expression are presented in which CRE-M, an altered form of cre recombinase (cre), is fused to and activated by ligand binding to two forms of the androgen receptor (AR) ligand binding domain (LBD). Selective activation or inactivation of gene transcription is induced upon the addition of appropriate ligand. The coupling of this cre-LBD system with our previously reported highly sensitive assay to measure cre activity in vitro using a dual fluorescent gene switch reporter provides a novel, high-throughput assay system for identifying compounds that bind to and activate various forms of the LBD of androgen receptor. This method can similarly be applied to screen compounds for their activating properties on other steroid hormone LBDs. Three different forms of the AR-LBD were fused to CRE-M, including the wild-type AR-LBD (wt), a non-ligand binding truncated form, LBD (T), and a mutated form (Thr-->Ala substitution) identified in the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line, LBD (LNCaP). We demonstrate a 10-fold induction of cre activity by the addition of androgen agonists to the CRE-M-AR-LBD(wt) fusion protein, but not in the presence of the anti-androgen, flutamide. However, cre activity can be induced by flutamide with the CRE-M-AR-LBD(LNCaP) fusion protein. Similar activation properties were obtained when these fusion proteins were expressed using adenoviral vectors. When combined with our previously reported cre-lox gene switch system, the CRE-M-AR-LBD system can be utilized in gene therapy systems in which a therapeutic product may be initially expressed, replaced by a second product, or turned-off following exposure to ligand. This provides an important, additional level of regulation to gene therapy systems.

[Embryonic stem cells and cell replacement therapies in the nervous system]

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotential cells derived from the pre-implantation embryo. They can proliferate indefinitely in vitro while retaining pluripotency. ES cells can also be made to differentiate into a large variety of cell types in vitro. This has paved the way to research aimed at using ES-derived cells for cell replacement therapies. Hence, mouse ES cells can efficiently differentiate into neural precursors which can further generate functional neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Methods have also been developed to coax mouse ES-derived neural stem cells to differentiate into either dopaminergic neurons or motoneurons. Mouse ES-derived neural stem cells, or their fully differentiated progeny, have been shown to survive, integrate, and to some extent, function following transplantation within appropriate rodent host tissue. Research on human ES cells is still in its infancy. Considerable work has to be done: (1) to master growth and genetic manipulation of human ES cells; (2) to master their differentiation into specific cell types; and (3) to demonstrate that they can provide long term therapeutical benefits upon grafting into damaged tissues in humans. From the ethical point of view, the establishment of appropriate primate model will be an obligatory prerequisite to clinical trials based on ES cells derivatives grafting.

Manipulation of the mouse genome: a multiple impact resource for drug discovery and development

Few would deny that the pharmaceutical industry's investment in genomics throughout the 1990s has yet to deliver in terms of drugs on the market. The reasons are complex and beyond the scope of this review. The unique ability to manipulate the mouse genome, however, has already had a positive impact on all stages of the drug discovery process and, increasingly, on the drug development process too. We give an overview of some recent applications of so-called 'transgenic' mouse technology in pharmaceutical research and development. We show how genetic manipulation in the mouse can be employed at multiple points in the drug discovery and development process, providing new solutions to old problems.

Tamoxifen-inducible glia-specific Cre mice for somatic mutagenesis in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells

Inducible transgenesis provides a valuable technique for the analysis of gene function in vivo. We report the generation and characterization of mouse lines carrying glia lineage-specific transgenes expressing an improved variant of the tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase, CreERT2, where the recombinase is fused to a mutated ligand binding domain of the human estrogen receptor. Using a PLP-CreERT2 transgene, we have generated mice that show specific inducible Cre function, as analyzed by cross-breeding experiments into the Rosa26 Cre-LacZ reporter line, in developing and adult Schwann cells, in mature myelinating oligodendrocytes, and in undifferentiated NG2-positive oligodendrocyte precursors in the adult. Using a P0Cx-CreERT2 transgene, we have also established mouse lines with inducible Cre function specifically in the Schwann cell lineage. These tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 lines will allow detailed spatiotemporally controlled analysis of gene functions in loxP-based conditional mutant mice in both developing and adult Schwann cells and in the oligodendrocyte lineage.

SCL/tal-1-dependent process determines a competence to select the definitive hematopoietic lineage prior to endothelial differentiation

Hematopoiesis in most vertebrate species occurs in two distinct phases, primitive and definitive, which diverge from FLK1(+)VE-cadherin(-) mesoderm and FLK1(+)VE-cadherin(+) endothelial cells (EC), respectively. This study aimed at determining the stage at which hematopoietic lineage fate is determined by manipulating the SCL/tal-1 expression that is known to be essential for the early development of the primitive and definitive hematopoietic systems. We established SCL-null ES cell lines in which SCL expression is rescued by tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase-loxP site-mediated recombination. While no hematopoietic cells (HPC) were detected in SCL-null ES cell differentiation cultures, SCL gene reactivation from day 2 to day 4 after initiation of differentiation could rescue both primitive and definitive hematopoiesis. SCL reactivation at later phases was ineffective. Moreover, generation of VE-cadherin(+) EC that can give rise to definitive HPC required SCL reactivation prior to VE-cadherin expression. These results indicated that the competence to become HPC is acquired at the mesodermal stage by a SCL-dependent process that takes place independently of determination of endothelial fate.

Efficient recombination in diverse tissues by a tamoxifen-inducible form of Cre: a tool for temporally regulated gene activation/inactivation in the mouse

In recent years, the Cre integrase from bacteriophage P1 has become an essential tool for conditional gene activation and/or inactivation in mouse. In an earlier report, we described a fusion protein between Cre and a mutated form of the ligand binding domain of the estrogen receptor (Cre-ER) that renders Cre activity tamoxifen (TM) inducible, allowing for conditional modification of gene activity in the mammalian neural tube in utero. In the current work, we have generated a transgenic mouse line in which Cre-ER is ubiquitously expressed to permit temporally regulated Cre-mediated recombination in diverse tissues of the mouse at embryonic and adult stages. We demonstrate that a single, intraperitoneal injection of TM into a pregnant mouse at 8.5 days postcoitum leads to detectable recombination in the developing embryo within 6 h of injection and efficient recombination of a reporter gene in derivatives of all three germ layers within 24 h of injection. In addition, by varying the dose of TM injected, the percentage of cells undergoing a recombination event in the embryo can be controlled. Dose-dependent excision induced by TM was also possible in diverse tissues in the adult mouse, including the central nervous system, and in cultured cells derived from the transgenic mouse line. This inducible Cre system will be a broadly useful tool to modulate gene activity in mouse embryos, adults, and culture systems where temporal control is an important consideration.

Survival and regeneration of rubrospinal neurons 1 year after spinal cord injury

Scientific interest to find a treatment for spinal cord injuries has led to the development of numerous experimental strategies to promote axonal regeneration across the spinal cord injury site. Although these strategies have been developed in acute injury paradigms and hold promise for individuals with spinal cord injuries in the future, little is known about their applicability for the vast majority of paralyzed individuals whose injury occurred long ago and who are considered to have a chronic injury. Some studies have shown that the effectiveness of these approaches diminishes dramatically within weeks after injury. Here we investigated the regenerative capacity of rat rubrospinal neurons whose axons were cut in the cervical spinal cord 1 year before. Contrary to earlier reports, we found that rubrospinal neurons do not die after axotomy but, rather, they undergo massive atrophy that can be reversed by applying brain-derived neurotrophic factor to the cell bodies in the midbrain. This administration of neurotrophic factor to the cell body resulted in increased expression of growth-associated protein-43 and Talpha1 tubulin, genes thought to be related to axonal regeneration. This treatment promoted the regeneration of these chronically injured rubrospinal axons into peripheral nerve transplants engrafted at the spinal cord injury site. This outcome is a demonstration of the regenerative capacity of spinal cord projection neurons a full year after axotomy.

Embryo-derived stem cells: of mice and men

Mouse embryonic stem cells are continuous cell lines derived directly from the fetal founder tissue of the preimplantation embryo. They can be expanded in culture while retaining the functional attributes of pluripotent early embryo cells. In particular, they can participate fully in fetal development when reintroduced into the embryo. The capacity for multilineage differentiation is reproduced in culture where embryonic stem cells can produce a wide range of well-defined cell types. This has stimulated interest in the isolation of analogous cells of human origin. Such human pluripotent stem cells could constitute a renewable source of more differentiated cells that could be employed to replace diseased or damaged tissue by cellular transplantation. In this review, the relationships between mouse embryonic stem cells, resident pluripotent cells in the embryo, and human embryo-derived cell lines are evaluated, and the prospects and challenges of embryo stem cell research are considered.

Transcriptomes, transcription activators and microarrays

Gene-specific transcription activators are among the main factors which specifically shape the transcriptome profiles. It is tempting to take advantage of their properties to decipher the genome expression circuitry. The advent of microarray technology has offered fantastic opportunities to quickly analyze the expression profiles dictated by specific transcription factors. This review will first focus on the strategies which have been devised to control the activity of transcription factors and in the second part on the microarray experiments which addressed the role of these transcription factors in the genome-wide expression profile. This last part will mainly consider the case of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome. All the collected data are available through the on-line database yTAFNET (http://transcriptome.ens.fr/ytafnet/). yTAFNET is designed to help the characterization of connections between the different yeast regulatory networks.