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Begovich K, Schoolmeesters A, Rajapakse N, Martinez-Terroba E, Kumar M, Shakya A, Lai C, Greene S, Whitefield B, Okano A, Mali V, Huang S, Chourasia AH, Fung L. Cereblon-based Bifunctional Degrader of SOS1, BTX-6654, Targets Multiple KRAS Mutations and Inhibits Tumor Growth. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:407-420. [PMID: 38224565 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Mutations within the oncogene KRAS drive an estimated 25% of all cancers. Only allele-specific KRAS G12C inhibitors are currently available and are associated with the emergence of acquired resistance, partly due to upstream pathway reactivation. Given its upstream role in the activation of KRAS, son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1), has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target. Agents that target SOS1 for degradation could represent a potential pan-KRAS modality that may be capable of circumventing certain acquired resistance mechanisms. Here, we report the development of two SOS1 cereblon-based bifunctional degraders, BTX-6654 and BTX-7312, cereblon-based bifunctional SOS1 degraders. Both compounds exhibited potent target-dependent and -specific SOS1 degradation. BTX-6654 and BTX-7312 reduced downstream signaling markers, pERK and pS6, and displayed antiproliferative activity in cells harboring various KRAS mutations. In two KRAS G12C xenograft models, BTX-6654 degraded SOS1 in a dose-dependent manner correlating with tumor growth inhibition, additionally exhibiting synergy with KRAS and MEK inhibitors. Altogether, BTX-6654 provided preclinical proof of concept for single-agent and combination use of bifunctional SOS1 degraders in KRAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chon Lai
- BioTheryx, Inc., San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leah Fung
- BioTheryx, Inc., San Diego, California
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2
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Kawakami H, Chen KQ, Zhang R, Pappas MP, Bailey A, Reisz JA, Corcoran D, Nishinakamura R, D'Alessandro A, Kawakami Y. Sall4 restricts glycolytic metabolism in limb buds through transcriptional regulation of glycolytic enzyme genes. Dev Biol 2023; 501:28-38. [PMID: 37301463 PMCID: PMC10330914 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.06.004] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies illustrate the importance of regulation of cellular metabolism, especially glycolysis and pathways branching from glycolysis, during vertebrate embryo development. For example, glycolysis generates cellular energy ATP. Glucose carbons are also directed to the pentose phosphate pathway, which is needed to sustain anabolic processes in the rapidly growing embryos. However, our understanding of the exact status of glycolytic metabolism as well as genes that regulate glycolytic metabolism are still incomplete. Sall4 is a zinc finger transcription factor that is highly expressed in undifferentiated cells in developing mouse embryos, such as blastocysts and the post-implantation epiblast. TCre; Sall4 conditional knockout mouse embryos exhibit various defects in the posterior part of the body, including hindlimbs. Using transcriptomics approaches, we found that many genes encoding glycolytic enzymes are upregulated in the posterior trunk, including the hindlimb-forming region, of Sall4 conditional knockout mouse embryos. In situ hybridization and qRT-PCR also confirmed upregulation of expression of several glycolytic genes in hindlimb buds. A fraction of those genes are bound by SALL4 at the promoters, gene bodies or distantly-located regions, suggesting that Sall4 directly regulates expression of several glycolytic enzyme genes in hindlimb buds. To further gain insight into the metabolic status associated with the observed changes at the transcriptional level, we performed a comprehensive analysis of metabolite levels in limb buds in wild type and Sall4 conditional knockout embryos by high-resolution mass spectrometry. We found that the levels of metabolic intermediates of glycolysis are lower, but glycolytic end-products pyruvate and lactate did not exhibit differences in Sall4 conditional knockout hindlimb buds. The increased expression of glycolytic genes would have caused accelerated glycolytic flow, resulting in low levels of intermediates. This condition may have prevented intermediates from being re-directed to other pathways, such as the pentose phosphate pathway. Indeed, the change in glycolytic metabolite levels is associated with reduced levels of ATP and metabolites of the pentose phosphate pathway. To further test whether glycolysis regulates limb patterning downstream of Sall4, we conditionally inactivated Hk2, which encodes a rate-limiting enzyme gene in glycolysis and is regulated by Sall4. The TCre; Hk2 conditional knockout hindlimb exhibited a short femur, and a lack of tibia and anterior digits in hindlimbs, which are defects similarly found in the TCre; Sall4 conditional knockout. The similarity of skeletal defects in Sall4 mutants and Hk2 mutants suggests that regulation of glycolysis plays a role in hindlimb patterning. These data suggest that Sall4 restricts glycolysis in limb buds and contributes to patterning and regulation of glucose carbon flow during development of limb buds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Katherine Q Chen
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ruizhi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew P Pappas
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Abigail Bailey
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Julie A Reisz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dylan Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ryuichi Nishinakamura
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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3
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Krasic J, Skara Abramovic L, Himelreich Peric M, Vanjorek V, Gangur M, Zovko D, Malnar M, Masic S, Demirovic A, Juric B, Ulamec M, Coric M, Jezek D, Kulis T, Sincic N. Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Tissue Biomarker Analysis: A Comparison of Human Protein Atlas and Individual Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Component Immunohistochemistry. Cells 2023; 12:1841. [PMID: 37508506 PMCID: PMC10378501 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141841] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate management of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) depends on identifying the individual histological tumor components. Currently available data on protein expression in TGCTs are limited. The human protein atlas (HPA) is a comprehensive resource presenting the expression and localization of proteins across tissue types and diseases. In this study, we have compared the data from the HPA with our in-house immunohistochemistry on core TGCT diagnostic genes to test reliability and potential biomarker genes. We have compared the protein expression of 15 genes in TGCT patients and non-neoplastic testicles with the data from the HPA. Protein expression was converted into diagnostic positivity. Our study discovered discrepancies in three of the six core TGCT diagnostic genes, POU5F1, KIT and SOX17 in HPA. DPPA3, CALCA and TDGF1 were presented as potential novel TGCT biomarkers. MGMT was confirmed while RASSF1 and PRSS21 were identified as biomarkers of healthy testicular tissue. Finally, SALL4, SOX17, RASSF1 and PRSS21 dysregulation in the surrounding testicular tissue with complete preserved spermatogenesis of TGCT patients was detected, a potential early sign of neoplastic transformation. We highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to fully understand the protein landscape of human testis and its pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jure Krasic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lucija Skara Abramovic
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Virology, Croatian Institute of Public Health, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marta Himelreich Peric
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Health Centre Zagreb-West, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedran Vanjorek
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Gangur
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dragana Zovko
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Malnar
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Silvija Masic
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alma Demirovic
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bernardica Juric
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Ulamec
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Clinical Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marijana Coric
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Jezek
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Kulis
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Munyoki SK, Orwig KE. Perspectives: Methods for Evaluating Primate Spermatogonial Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2656:341-364. [PMID: 37249880 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3139-3_18] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex, highly productive process generating millions of sperm per day. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are at the foundation of spermatogenesis and can either self-renew, producing more SSCs, or differentiate to initiate spermatogenesis and produce sperm. The biological potential of SSCs to produce and maintain spermatogenesis makes them a promising tool for the treatment of male infertility. However, translating knowledge from rodents to higher primates (monkeys and humans) is challenged by different vocabularies that are used to describe stem cells and spermatogenic lineage development in those species. Furthermore, while rodent SSCs are defined by their biological potential to produce and maintain spermatogenesis in a transplant assay, there is no equivalent routine and accessible bioassay to test monkey and human SSCs or replicate their functions in vitro. This chapter describes progress characterizing, isolating, culturing, and transplanting SSCs in higher primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Lakpour N, Ghods R, Sadeghi MR, Ranjbar MM, Abolhasani M, Kiani J, Saliminejad K, Balay-Goli L, Bayat AA, Souri F, Madjd Z. Production and characterization of a new specific monoclonal antibody against A-isoform of SALL4: A novel emerging testicular cancer marker. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14608. [PMID: 36229227 DOI: 10.1111/and.14608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
SALL4 transcription factor plays an important role to maintain the pluripotent and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. It contributes to the growth of many cancers and embryonic development. With the exception of spermatogonia, SALL4 expression is silenced in most adult tissues after birth; nevertheless, it is re-expressed in a subset of different solid malignancies. SALL4 is a new, precise biomarker for testicular germ cell cancers that was just introduced. The whole isoform of SALL4 is called SALL4-A. Regarding the lack of antibody against human SALL4 isoforms, the pattern of expression, the role of each isoform remain unknown. Furthermore, in isoform specific evaluations, we aimed, for the first time, to produce and characterize mAb against human SALL4-A. Immunization of mice were performed with a selected 33-mer synthetic peptide of SALL4-A conjugated with KLH. Hybridoma cells were screened by ELISA for positive reactivity with SALL4-A peptide. From the ascites fluid of mice that had been injected with hybridoma cells, anti-SALL4-A mAbs were isolated using a protein G column. Reactivity of the mAbs was evaluated using the peptide and SALL4-A recombinant protein by ELISA and IHC on testicular cancer tissue as positive control, and normal kidney, stomach and prostate tissues as negative control. The produced mAb could well detect SALL4-A in testicular cancer tissues using IHC, while the reactivity was negative in normal kidney, stomach and prostate tissues. Using ELISA, the mAb affinity for the peptide and SALL4-A recombinant protein was assessed, and it was shown to be reasonably high. The mAb detected SALL4-A in nucleus and cytoplasm of several cancer cells and spermatogonia in testicular cancer tissue. In addition, it could recognize SALL4-A recombinant protein. Our produced monoclonal antibody against isoform-A of human SALL4 can specifically recognize SALL4-A using either IHC or ELISA. We hope that this mAb could help researchers in isoform-specific study of human SALL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niknam Lakpour
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Sadeghi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Abolhasani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Kiani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kioomars Saliminejad
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Balay-Goli
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahmad Bayat
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Souri
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
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6
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Normal embryonic development and neonatal digit regeneration in mice overexpressing a stem cell factor, Sall4. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267273. [PMID: 35482646 PMCID: PMC9049339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sall4 encodes a transcription factor and is known to participate in the pluripotency network of embryonic stem cells. Sall4 expression is known to be high in early stage post-implantation mouse embryos. During early post-gastrulation stages, Sall4 is highly expressed in the tail bud and distal limb buds, where progenitor cells are maintained in an undifferentiated status. The expression of Sall4 is rapidly downregulated during embryonic development. We previously demonstrated that Sall4 is required for limb and posterior axial skeleton development by conditional deletion of Sall4 in the T (Brachyury) lineage. To gain insight into Sall4 functions in embryonic development and postnatal digit regeneration, we genetically overexpressed Sall4 in the mesodermal lineage by the TCre transgene and a novel knockin allele of Rosa26-loxP-stop-loxP-Sall4. In significant contrast to severe defects by Sall4 loss of function reported in previous studies, overexpression of Sall4 resulted in normal morphology and pattern in embryos and neonates. The length of limb long bones showed subtle reduction in Sall4-overexpression mice. It is known that the digit tip of neonatal mice has level-specific regenerative ability after experimental amputation. We observed Sall4 expression in the digit tip by using a sensitive Sall4-LacZ knock-in reporter expression. Sall4 overexpression did not alter the regenerative ability of the terminal phalange that normally regenerates after amputation. Moreover, Sall4 overexpression did not confer regenerative ability to the second phalange that normally does not regenerate after amputation. These genetic experiments show that overexpression of Sall4 does not alter the development of the appendicular and axial skeleton, or neonatal digit regeneration. The results suggest that Sall4 acts as a permissive factor rather than playing an instructive role.
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Rengaraj D, Cha DG, Lee HJ, Lee KY, Choi YH, Jung KM, Kim YM, Choi HJ, Choi HJ, Yoo E, Woo SJ, Park JS, Park KJ, Kim JK, Han JY. Dissecting chicken germ cell dynamics by combining a germ cell tracing transgenic chicken model with single-cell RNA sequencing. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:1654-1669. [PMID: 35465157 PMCID: PMC9010679 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian germ cells can be distinguished by certain characteristics during development. On the basis of these characteristics, germ cells can be used for germline transmission. However, the dynamic transcriptional landscape of avian germ cells during development is unknown. Here, we used a novel germ-cell-tracing method to monitor and isolate chicken germ cells at different stages of development. We targeted the deleted in azoospermia like (DAZL) gene, a germ-cell-specific marker, to integrate a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene without affecting endogenous DAZL expression. The resulting transgenic chickens (DAZL::GFP) were used to uncover the dynamic transcriptional landscape of avian germ cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of 4,752 male and 13,028 female DAZL::GFP germ cells isolated from embryonic day E2.5 to 1 week post-hatch identified sex-specific developmental stages (4 stages in male and 5 stages in female) and trajectories (apoptosis and meiosis paths in female) of chicken germ cells. The male and female trajectories were characterized by a gradual acquisition of stage-specific transcription factor activities. We also identified evolutionary conserved and species-specific gene expression programs during both chicken and human germ-cell development. Collectively, these novel analyses provide mechanistic insights into chicken germ-cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deivendran Rengaraj
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Dong Gon Cha
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, South Korea
| | - Hong Jo Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kyung Youn Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Yoon Ha Choi
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, South Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, South Korea
| | - Kyung Min Jung
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Young Min Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hee Jung Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Eunhui Yoo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Seung Je Woo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jin Se Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kyung Je Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu 42988, South Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, South Korea
- Corresponding authors at: POSTECH, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673, South Korea (J.K. Kim). Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea (J.Y. Han).
| | - Jae Yong Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Corresponding authors at: POSTECH, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673, South Korea (J.K. Kim). Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea (J.Y. Han).
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8
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Ben Maamar M, Beck D, Nilsson E, McCarrey JR, Skinner MK. Developmental alterations in DNA methylation during gametogenesis from primordial germ cells to sperm. iScience 2022; 25:103786. [PMID: 35146397 PMCID: PMC8819394 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Because epigenetics is a critical component for gene expression, the hypothesis was tested that DNA methylation alterations are dynamic and continually change throughout gametogenesis to generate the mature sperm. Developmental alterations and stage-specific DNA methylation during gametogenesis from primordial germ cells (PGCs) to mature sperm are investigated. Individual developmental stage germ cells were isolated and analyzed for differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs). The number of DMRs was highest in the first three comparisons with mature PGCs, prospermatogonia, and spermatogonia. The most statistically significant DMRs were present at all stages of development and had variations involving both increases or decreases in DNA methylation. DMR-associated genes were identified and correlated with gene functional categories, pathways, and cellular processes. Observations identified a dynamic cascade of epigenetic changes during development that is dramatic during the early developmental stages. Complex epigenetic alterations are required to regulate genome biology and gene expression during gametogenesis. A dynamic cascade of epigenetic change throughout gametogenesis from PGC to sperm Most dramatic epigenetic alterations in PGC and spermatogenic stem cell stages Different DNA methylation regions between and within stages were identified Complex epigenetic alterations required for gene expression during gametogenesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Daniel Beck
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - Eric Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4236, USA
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9
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Wang D, Hildorf S, Ntemou E, Dong L, Pors SE, Mamsen LS, Fedder J, Hoffmann ER, Clasen-Linde E, Cortes D, Thorup J, Andersen CY. Characterization and Survival of Human Infant Testicular Cells After Direct Xenotransplantation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:853482. [PMID: 35360067 PMCID: PMC8960121 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.853482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryopreservation of prepubertal testicular tissue preserves spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that may be used to restore fertility in men at risk of infertility due to gonadotoxic treatments for either a malignant or non-malignant disease. Spermatogonial stem cell-based transplantation is a promising fertility restoration technique. Previously, we performed xenotransplantation of propagated SSCs from prepubertal testis and found human SSCs colonies within the recipient testes six weeks post-transplantation. In order to avoid the propagation step of SSCs in vitro that may cause genetic and epigenetic changes, we performed direct injection of single cell suspension in this study, which potentially may be safer and easier to be applied in future clinical applications. METHODS Testis biopsies were obtained from 11 infant boys (median age 1.3 years, range 0.5-3.5) with cryptorchidism. Following enzymatic digestion, dissociated single-cell suspensions were prelabeled with green fluorescent dye and directly transplanted into seminiferous tubules of busulfan-treated mice. Six to nine weeks post-transplantation, the presence of gonocytes and SSCs was determined by whole-mount immunofluorescence for a number of germ cell markers (MAGEA, GAGE, UCHL1, SALL4, UTF1, and LIN28), somatic cell markers (SOX9, CYP17A1). RESULTS Following xenotransplantation human infant germ cells, consisting of gonocytes and SSCs, were shown to settle on the basal membrane of the recipient seminiferous tubules and form SSC colonies with expression of MAGEA, GAGE, UCHL1, SALL4, UTF1, and LIN28. The colonization efficiency was approximately 6%. No human Sertoli cells were detected in the recipient mouse testes. CONCLUSION Xenotransplantation, without in vitro propagation, of testicular cell suspensions from infant boys with cryptorchidism resulted in colonization of mouse seminiferous tubules six to nine weeks post-transplantation. Spermatogonial stem cell-based transplantation could be a therapeutic treatment for infertility of prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism and boys diagnosed with cancer. However, more studies are required to investigate whether the low number of the transplanted SSC is sufficient to secure the presence of sperm in the ejaculate of those patients over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Danyang Wang,
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elissavet Ntemou
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lihua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linn Salto Mamsen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva R. Hoffmann
- Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Clasen-Linde
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Thorup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Campbell KM, Xu Y, Patel C, Rayl JM, Zomer HD, Osuru HP, Pratt M, Pramoonjago P, Timken M, Miller LM, Ralph A, Storey KM, Peng Y, Drnevich J, Lagier-Tourenne C, Wong PC, Qiao H, Reddi PP. Loss of TDP-43 in male germ cells causes meiotic failure and impairs fertility in mice. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101231. [PMID: 34599968 PMCID: PMC8569592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic arrest is a common cause of human male infertility, but the causes of this arrest are poorly understood. Transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is highly expressed in spermatocytes in the preleptotene and pachytene stages of meiosis. TDP-43 is linked to several human neurodegenerative disorders wherein its nuclear clearance accompanied by cytoplasmic aggregates underlies neurodegeneration. Exploring the functional requirement for TDP-43 for spermatogenesis for the first time, we show here that conditional KO (cKO) of the Tardbp gene (encoding TDP-43) in male germ cells of mice leads to reduced testis size, depletion of germ cells, vacuole formation within the seminiferous epithelium, and reduced sperm production. Fertility trials also indicated severe subfertility. Spermatocytes of cKO mice showed failure to complete prophase I of meiosis with arrest at the midpachytene stage. Staining of synaptonemal complex protein 3 and γH2AX, markers of the meiotic synaptonemal complex and DNA damage, respectively, and super illumination microscopy revealed nonhomologous pairing and synapsis defects. Quantitative RT-PCR showed reduction in the expression of genes critical for prophase I of meiosis, including Spo11 (initiator of meiotic double-stranded breaks), Rec8 (meiotic recombination protein), and Rad21L (RAD21-like, cohesin complex component), as well as those involved in the retinoic acid pathway critical for entry into meiosis. RNA-Seq showed 1036 upregulated and 1638 downregulated genes (false discovery rate <0.05) in the Tardbp cKO testis, impacting meiosis pathways. Our work reveals a crucial role for TDP-43 in male meiosis and suggests that some forms of meiotic arrest seen in infertile men may result from the loss of function of TDP-43.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn M Campbell
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Yiding Xu
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Chintan Patel
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeremy M Rayl
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Helena D Zomer
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Hari Prasad Osuru
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Michael Pratt
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Patcharin Pramoonjago
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Madeline Timken
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Lyndzi M Miller
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Abigail Ralph
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Kathryn M Storey
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Yiheng Peng
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Jenny Drnevich
- High-Performance Biological Computing (HPCBio) Group, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip C Wong
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Huanyu Qiao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Prabhakara P Reddi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
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11
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Rodriguez-Polo I, Mißbach S, Petkov S, Mattern F, Maierhofer A, Grządzielewska I, Tereshchenko Y, Urrutia-Cabrera D, Haaf T, Dressel R, Bartels I, Behr R. A piggyBac-based platform for genome editing and clonal rhesus macaque iPSC line derivation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15439. [PMID: 34326359 PMCID: PMC8322147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94419-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-human primates (NHPs) are, due to their close phylogenetic relationship to humans, excellent animal models to study clinically relevant mutations. However, the toolbox for the genetic modification of NHPs is less developed than those for other species like mice. Therefore, it is necessary to further develop and refine genome editing approaches in NHPs. NHP pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) share key molecular signatures with the early embryo, which is an important target for genomic modification. Therefore, PSCs are a valuable test system for the validation of embryonic genome editing approaches. In the present study, we made use of the versatility of the piggyBac transposon system for different purposes in the context of NHP stem cell technology and genome editing. These include (1) Robust reprogramming of rhesus macaque fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs); (2) Culture of the iPSCs under feeder-free conditions even after removal of the transgene resulting in transgene-free iPSCs; (3) Development of a CRISPR/Cas-based work-flow to edit the genome of rhesus macaque PSCs with high efficiency; (4) Establishment of a novel protocol for the derivation of gene-edited monoclonal NHP-iPSC lines. These findings facilitate efficient testing of genome editing approaches in NHP-PSC before their in vivo application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Rodriguez-Polo
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sophie Mißbach
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stoyan Petkov
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felix Mattern
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universität Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Maierhofer
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universität Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Iga Grządzielewska
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Molecular Biology Program (M.Sc./Ph.D.), Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yuliia Tereshchenko
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Max Planck Molecular Biology Program (M.Sc./Ph.D.), Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Urrutia-Cabrera
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Cellular Reprogramming Unit, Center for Eye Research Australia, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universität Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Dressel
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtalle 34, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Iris Bartels
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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12
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Xie Y, Wei BH, Ni FD, Yang WX. Conversion from spermatogonia to spermatocytes: Extracellular cues and downstream transcription network. Gene 2020; 764:145080. [PMID: 32858178 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145080] [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] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spermatocyte (spc) formation from spermatogonia (spg) differentiation is the first step of spermatogenesis which produces prodigious spermatozoa for a lifetime. After decades of studies, several factors involved in the functioning of a mouse were discovered both inside and outside spg. Considering the peculiar expression and working pattern of each factor, this review divides the whole conversion of spg to spc into four consecutive development processes with a focus on extracellular cues and downstream transcription network in each one. Potential coordination among Dmrt1, Sohlh1/2 and BMP families mediates Ngn3 upregulation, which marks progenitor spg, with other changes. After that, retinoic acid (RA), as a master regulator, promotes A1 spg formation with its helpers and Sall4. A1-to-B spg transition is under the control of Kitl and impulsive RA signaling together with early and late transcription factors Stra8 and Dmrt6. Finally, RA and its responsive effectors conduct the entry into meiosis. The systematic transcription network from outside to inside still needs research to supplement or settle the controversials in each process. As a step further ahead, this review provides possible drug targets for infertility therapy by cross-linking humans and mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xie
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bang-Hong Wei
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fei-Da Ni
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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13
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Wahab F, Drummer C, Mätz-Rensing K, Fuchs E, Behr R. Irisin is expressed by undifferentiated spermatogonia and modulates gene expression in organotypic primate testis cultures. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 504:110670. [PMID: 31801682 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.110670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms regulating undifferentiated spermatogonial cell proliferation and differentiation are still not fully understood. Irisin is an exercise-induced hormone, which is a cleaved and secreted fragment of the fibronectin type III repeat containing 5 (FNDC5) transmembrane protein. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of irisin in cell proliferation and differentiation in various tissues. However, testicular irisin expression and its potential action have not been analyzed. Here, we demonstrate expression of irisin in undifferentiated spermatogonia of primates and in the tree shrew, a bridging species between primates and insectivores. Rhesus monkeys are seasonal breeders with annual phases of high and low testicular activity and germ cell proliferation. Interestingly, expression of both FNDC5 mRNA and irisin is altered between breeding (high spermatogenesis) and nonbreeding seasons (low spermatogenesis). Organotypic testis culture in the presence of irisin increased the expression levels of the Sertoli cell (GDNF) and spermatogonial transcripts Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), Inhibitor of differentiation 4 (ID4), Cluster of differentiation 117 (cKIT), and SALL4, compared to untreated controls, while irisin suppressed its own FNDC5 mRNA. Our data suggest that irisin is a novel endocrine factor involved in the regulation of spermatogonial activities in the testes of primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazal Wahab
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Charis Drummer
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Mätz-Rensing
- Pathology Unit, German Primate Center- Leibniz-Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Eberhard Fuchs
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
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14
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La HM, Hobbs RM. Mechanisms regulating mammalian spermatogenesis and fertility recovery following germ cell depletion. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4071-4102. [PMID: 31254043 PMCID: PMC11105665 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a highly complex multi-step process sustained by a population of mitotic germ cells with self-renewal potential known as spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The maintenance and regulation of SSC function are strictly dependent on a supportive niche that is composed of multiple cell types. A detailed appreciation of the molecular mechanisms underpinning SSC activity and fate is of fundamental importance for spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, different models of SSC identity and spermatogonial hierarchy have been proposed and recent studies indicate that cell populations supporting steady-state germline maintenance and regeneration following damage are distinct. Importantly, dynamic changes in niche properties may underlie the fate plasticity of spermatogonia evident during testis regeneration. While formation of spermatogenic colonies in germ-cell-depleted testis upon transplantation is a standard assay for SSCs, differentiation-primed spermatogonial fractions have transplantation potential and this assay provides readout of regenerative rather than steady-state stem cell capacity. The characterisation of spermatogonial populations with regenerative capacity is essential for the development of clinical applications aimed at restoring fertility in individuals following germline depletion by genotoxic treatments. This review will discuss regulatory mechanisms of SSCs in homeostatic and regenerative testis and the conservation of these mechanisms between rodent models and man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hue M La
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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15
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Rodriguez-Polo I, Stauske M, Becker A, Bartels I, Dressel R, Behr R. Baboon induced pluripotent stem cell generation by piggyBac transposition of reprogramming factors. Primate Biol 2019; 6:75-86. [PMID: 32110718 PMCID: PMC7041535 DOI: 10.5194/pb-6-75-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical application of regenerative therapies using embryonic or induced
pluripotent stem cells is within reach. Progress made during recent years
has encouraged researchers to address remaining open questions in order to
finally translate experimental cell replacement therapies into application
in patients. To achieve this, studies in translationally relevant animal
models are required to make the final step to the clinic. In this context,
the baboon (Papio anubis) may represent a valuable nonhuman primate (NHP) model to test
cell replacement therapies because of its close evolutionary relationship to
humans and its large body size. In this study, we describe the
reprogramming of adult baboon skin fibroblasts using the piggyBac transposon system.
Via transposon-mediated overexpression of six reprogramming factors, we
generated five baboon induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. The iPSC
lines were characterized with respect to alkaline phosphatase activity,
pluripotency factor expression analysis, teratoma formation potential, and
karyotype. Furthermore, after initial cocultivation with mouse embryonic
fibroblasts, we were able to adapt iPSC lines to feeder-free conditions. In
conclusion, we established a robust and efficient protocol for iPSC
generation from adult baboon fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Rodriguez-Polo
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Stauske
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site, Göttingen, Germany.,current address: BlueRock Therapeutics, 101 College St, PMCRT 14-301, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Alexander Becker
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Iris Bartels
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Dressel
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site, Göttingen, Germany
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16
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Zhou F, Chen W, Jiang Y, He Z. Regulation of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in spermatogonial stem cells. Reproduction 2019; 158:R15-R25. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are one of the most significant stem cells with the potentials of self-renewal, differentiation, transdifferentiation and dedifferentiation, and thus, they have important applications in reproductive and regenerative medicine. They can transmit the genetic and epigenetic information across generations, which highlights the importance of the correct establishment and maintenance of epigenetic marks. Accurate transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation is required to support the highly coordinated expression of specific genes for each step of spermatogenesis. Increasing evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play essential roles in controlling gene expression and fate determination of male germ cells. These ncRNA molecules have distinct characteristics and biological functions, and they independently or cooperatively modulate the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of SSCs. In this review, we summarized the features, biological function and fate of mouse and human SSCs, and we compared the characteristics of lncRNAs and circRNAs. We also addressed the roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs and circRNAs in regulating mouse and human SSCs, which would add novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying mammalian spermatogenesis and provide new approaches to treat male infertility.
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17
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Larose H, Shami AN, Abbott H, Manske G, Lei L, Hammoud SS. Gametogenesis: A journey from inception to conception. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 132:257-310. [PMID: 30797511 PMCID: PMC7133493 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Gametogenesis, the process of forming mature germ cells, is an integral part of both an individual's and a species' health and well-being. This chapter focuses on critical male and female genetic and epigenetic processes underlying normal gamete formation through their differentiation to fertilization. Finally, we explore how knowledge gained from this field has contributed to progress in areas with great clinical promise, such as in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Larose
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Haley Abbott
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gabriel Manske
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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18
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Winge SB, Dalgaard MD, Jensen JM, Graem N, Schierup MH, Juul A, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Almstrup K. Transcriptome profiling of fetal Klinefelter testis tissue reveals a possible involvement of long non-coding RNAs in gonocyte maturation. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:430-439. [PMID: 29186436 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the most common sex chromosomal disorder is Klinefelter syndrome (KS), caused by the presence of one or more extra X-chromosomes. KS patients display a varying adult phenotype but usually present with azoospermia due to testicular degeneration, which accelerates at puberty. The timing of the germ cell loss and whether it is caused by dysgenetic fetal development of the testes is not known. We investigated eight fetal KS testes and found a marked reduction in MAGE-A4-positive pre-spermatogonia compared with testes from 15 age-matched controls, indicating a failure of the gonocytes to differentiate into pre-spermatogonia. Transcriptome analysis by RNA-sequencing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded testes originating from four fetal KS and five age-matched controls revealed 211 differentially expressed transcripts in the fetal KS testis. We found a significant enrichment of upregulated X-chromosomal transcripts and validated the expression of the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) gene, AKAP17A. Moreover, we found enrichment of long non-coding RNAs in the KS testes (e.g. LINC01569 and RP11-485F13.1). In conclusion, our data indicate that the testicular phenotype observed among adult men with KS is initiated already in fetal life by failure of the gonocyte differentiation into pre-spermatogonia, which could be due to aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia B Winge
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marlene D Dalgaard
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,DTU Multi-Assay Core, DTU Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jacob M Jensen
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Niels Graem
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel H Schierup
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Tahara N, Kawakami H, Zhang T, Zarkower D, Kawakami Y. Temporal changes of Sall4 lineage contribution in developing embryos and the contribution of Sall4-lineages to postnatal germ cells in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16410. [PMID: 30401915 PMCID: PMC6219540 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34745-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SALL4 gene cause human syndromes with defects in multiple organs. Sall4 expression declines rapidly in post-gastrulation mouse embryos, and our understanding of the requirement of Sall4 in animal development is still limited. To assess the contributions of Sall4 expressing cells to developing mouse embryos, we monitored temporal changes of the contribution of Sall4 lineages using a Sall4 GFP-CreERT2 knock-in mouse line and recombination-dependent reporter lines. By administering tamoxifen at various time points we observed that the contributions of Sall4 lineages to the axial level were rapidly restricted from the entire body to the posterior part of the body. The contribution to forelimbs, hindlimbs, craniofacial structures and external genitalia also declined after gastrulation with different temporal dynamics. We also detected Sall4 lineage contributions to the extra-embryonic tissues, such as the yolk sac and umbilical cord, in a temporal manner. These Sall4 lineage contributions provide insights into potential roles of Sall4 during mammalian embryonic development. In postnatal males, long-term lineage tracing detected Sall4 lineage contributions to the spermatogonial stem cell pool during spermatogenesis. The Sall4 GFP-CreERT2 line can serve as a tool to monitor spatial-temporal contributions of Sall4 lineages as well as to perform gene manipulations in Sall4-expressing lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoyuki Tahara
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hiroko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Teng Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David Zarkower
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Kawakami
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Developmental Biology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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20
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SALL4 mediates teratogenicity as a thalidomide-dependent cereblon substrate. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:981-987. [PMID: 30190590 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation via small-molecule modulation of cereblon offers vast potential for the development of new therapeutics. Cereblon-binding therapeutics carry the safety risks of thalidomide, which caused an epidemic of severe birth defects characterized by forelimb shortening or phocomelia. Here we show that thalidomide is not teratogenic in transgenic mice expressing human cereblon, indicating that binding to cereblon is not sufficient to cause birth defects. Instead, we identify SALL4 as a thalidomide-dependent cereblon neosubstrate. Human mutations in SALL4 cause Duane-radial ray, IVIC, and acro-renal-ocular syndromes with overlapping clinical presentations to thalidomide embryopathy, including phocomelia. SALL4 is degraded in rabbits but not in resistant organisms such as mice because of SALL4 sequence variations. This work expands the scope of cereblon neosubstrate activity within the formerly 'undruggable' C2H2 zinc finger family and offers a path toward safer therapeutics through an improved understanding of the molecular basis of thalidomide-induced teratogenicity.
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21
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Fayomi AP, Orwig KE. Spermatogonial stem cells and spermatogenesis in mice, monkeys and men. Stem Cell Res 2018; 29:207-214. [PMID: 29730571 PMCID: PMC6010318 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous spermatogenesis in post-pubertal mammals is dependent on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which balance self-renewing divisions that maintain stem cell pool with differentiating divisions that sustain continuous sperm production. Rodent stem and progenitor spermatogonia are described by their clonal arrangement in the seminiferous epithelium (e.g., Asingle, Apaired or Aaligned spermatogonia), molecular markers (e.g., ID4, GFRA1, PLZF, SALL4 and others) and most importantly by their biological potential to produce and maintain spermatogenesis when transplanted into recipient testes. In contrast, stem cells in the testes of higher primates (nonhuman and human) are defined by description of their nuclear morphology and staining with hematoxylin as Adark and Apale spermatogonia. There is limited information about how dark and pale descriptions of nuclear morphology in higher primates correspond with clone size, molecular markers or transplant potential. Do the apparent differences in stem cells and spermatogenic lineage development between rodents and primates represent true biological differences or simply differences in the volume of research and the vocabulary that has developed over the past half century? This review will provide an overview of stem, progenitor and differentiating spermatogonia that support spermatogenesis; identifying parallels between rodents and primates where they exist as well as features unique to higher primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adetunji P Fayomi
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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22
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Yang J. SALL4 as a transcriptional and epigenetic regulator in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Biomark Res 2018; 6:1. [PMID: 29308206 PMCID: PMC5751604 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-017-0115-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been substantial progress in our knowledge of the molecular pathways by which stem cell factor SALL4 regulates the embryonic stem cell (ESC) properties, developmental events, and human cancers. This review summarizes recent advances in the biology of SALL4 with a focus on its regulatory functions in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. In the normal hematopoietic system, expression of SALL4 is mainly enriched in the bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs/HPCs), but is rapidly silenced following lineage differentiation. In hematopoietic malignancies, however, SALL4 expression is abnormally re-activated and linked with deteriorated disease status in patients. Further, SALL4 activation participates in the pathogenesis of tumor initiation and disease progression. Thus, a better understanding of SALL4's biologic functions and mechanisms will facilitate development of advanced targeted anti-leukemia approaches in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianchang Yang
- Department of Surgery and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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23
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Kilic E, Schmidt T, Dänicke S, Schmicke M, Schneider E, Vissiennon T, Freick M. Sertoli cell tumour in a neonate calf: an unusual congenital tumour. Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2017; 44:371-378. [DOI: 10.15653/tpg-150982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
SummaryCongenital testicular tumours are seldom reported in bovine species. This case report describes the clinical, sonographical, haematological, pathomorphological and immunohistological features of a Sertoli cell tumour in a neonatal German Holstein calf. Microscopically, the enlarged testicle was composed of neoplastic cells, which were packed in well-formed tubules. The mostly polygonal shaped cells had round to elongated nuclei and a scanty eosinophilic cytoplasm. Some cells were arranged perpendicularly to the light PAS-positive basement membrane. These cells were packed in broad sheets separated by dense fibrous stroma. Mitotic figures were present. The features described above are indicative of a Sertoli cell tumour. The contralateral testicle showed a well formed rete testis, fusiform cells and a dense central capillary convolute and haemorrhagic foci. The features are indicative of an extensive fibrosis and older haemorrhage. The neoplasia was immunopositive for vimentin, α-oestrogen receptor, α-inhibin and S-100 protein, but immunonegative for cytokeratine, CD30, progesterone receptor, α-fetoprotein, SALL4, OCT4 and glypican-3. The myco - toxicological investigations revealed the presence of residues of zea - ra lenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin, HT2 toxin and their metabolites in feeds and urine of heavily pregnant cows of the herd. Furthermore, information is provided about oestrogen and testosterone levels of the affected and healthy neonatal calves. A possible influence of mycotoxins on the cancerogenesis is discussed.
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24
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Gassei K, Sheng Y, Fayomi A, Mital P, Sukhwani M, Lin CC, Peters KA, Althouse A, Valli H, Orwig KE. DDX4-EGFP transgenic rat model for the study of germline development and spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2017; 96:707-719. [PMID: 28339678 PMCID: PMC5803776 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.142828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. In addition, these adult tissue stem cells can be used as vehicles for germline modification in animal models and may have application for treating male infertility. To facilitate the investigation of SSCs and germ lineage development in rats, we generated a DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) (VASA) promoter-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter transgenic rat. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence confirmed that EGFP was expressed in the germ cells of the ovaries and testes and was absent in somatic cells and tissues. Germ cell transplantation demonstrated that the EGFP-positive germ cell population from DDX4-EGFP rat testes contained SSCs capable of establishing spermatogenesis in experimentally infertile mouse recipient testes. EGFP-positive germ cells could be easily isolated by fluorescence-activated cells sorting, while simultaneously removing testicular somatic cells from DDX4-EGFP rat pup testes. The EGFP-positive fraction provided an optimal cell suspension to establish rat SSC cultures that maintained long-term expression of zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16) and spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4), two markers of mouse SSCs that are conserved in rats. The novel DDX4-EGFP germ cell reporter rat described here combined with previously described GCS-EGFP rats, rat SSC culture and gene editing tools will improve the utility of the rat model for studying stem cells and germ lineage development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gassei
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Yi Sheng
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - Payal Mital
- Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Meena Sukhwani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Chih-Cheng Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen A Peters
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Althouse
- Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hanna Valli
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
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25
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Rodriguez-Polo I, Nielsen M, Debowski K, Behr R. The ubiquitin ligase c-CBL is expressed in undifferentiated marmoset monkey pluripotent stem cells but is not a general stem cell marker. Primate Biol 2017; 4:231-240. [PMID: 32110709 PMCID: PMC7041541 DOI: 10.5194/pb-4-231-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein c-CBL is a ubiquitin ligase. It catalyzes the last step of the
transfer of ubiquitin to target proteins. Upon completion of
polyubiquitination, the target proteins are degraded. Clinically, it is
important that c-CBL is mutated in a subset of patients who develop myeloid
malignancies, which are diseases of the hematopoietic stem or progenitor
cells. c-CBL has also been shown to be expressed by human spermatogonia. The
whole spermatogonial cell population possesses a subset that comprises also
the spermatogonial stem cells. Based on these findings we hypothesized that
c-CBL might be a general stem cell marker. To test this, we first validated
the antibody using marmoset bone marrow and adult testis. In both tissues,
the expected staining pattern was observed. Western blot analysis revealed
only one band of the expected size. Then, we examined the expression of c-CBL
in marmoset monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells, induced pluripotent stem (iPS)
cells and adult stem cells. We found that c-CBL is strongly expressed in
undifferentiated marmoset iPS cells and ES cells. However, adult stem cells
in the gut and the stomach did not express c-CBL, indicating that c-CBL is not
a general stem cell marker. In summary, c-CBL is strongly expressed in
pluripotent stem cells of the marmoset monkey as well as in selected adult
stem cell types. Future studies will define the function of c-CBL in
pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Rodriguez-Polo
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center (DPZ), Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Maike Nielsen
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center (DPZ), Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Katharina Debowski
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center (DPZ), Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,present address: STEMCELL Technologies Germany GmbH, Stolberger Str. 200, 50933 Cologne, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center (DPZ), Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,DZHK, German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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26
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von Kopylow K, Spiess AN. Human spermatogonial markers. Stem Cell Res 2017; 25:300-309. [PMID: 29239848 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we provide an up-to-date compilation of published human spermatogonial markers, with focus on the three nuclear subtypes Adark, Apale and B. In addition, we have extended our recently published list of putative spermatogonial markers with protein expression and RNA-sequencing data from the Human Protein Atlas and supported these by literature evidence. Most importantly, we have put substantial effort in acquiring a comprehensive list of new and potentially interesting markers by refiltering the raw data of 15 published germ cell expression datasets (four human, eleven rodent) and subsequent building of intersections to acquire a robust, cross-species set of spermatogonia-enriched or -specific transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrein von Kopylow
- Department of Andrology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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27
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DMRTC2, PAX7, BRACHYURY/T and TERT Are Implicated in Male Germ Cell Development Following Curative Hormone Treatment for Cryptorchidism-Induced Infertility. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8100267. [PMID: 29019938 PMCID: PMC5664117 DOI: 10.3390/genes8100267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Defective mini-puberty results in insufficient testosterone secretion that impairs the differentiation of gonocytes into dark-type (Ad) spermatogonia. The differentiation of gonocytes into Ad spermatogonia can be induced by administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, GnRHa (Buserelin, INN)). Nothing is known about the mechanism that underlies successful GnRHa treatment in the germ cells. Using RNA-sequencing of testicular biopsies, we recently examined RNA profiles of testes with and without GnRHa treatment. Here, we focused on the expression patterns of known gene markers for gonocytes and spermatogonia, and found that DMRTC2, PAX7, BRACHYURY/T, and TERT were associated with defective mini-puberty and were responsive to GnRHa. These results indicate novel testosterone-dependent genes and provide valuable insight into the transcriptional response to both defective mini-puberty and curative GnRHa treatment, which prevents infertility in man with one or both undescended (cryptorchid) testes.
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28
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Lee WY, Park HJ, Lee R, Lee JH, Jhun H, Hur TY, Song H. Analysis of putative biomarkers of undifferentiated spermatogonia in dog testis. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 185:174-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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29
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Park HJ, Lee R, Lee WY, Kim JH, Do JT, Park C, Song H. Stage-specific expression of Sal-like protein 4 in boar testicular germ cells. Theriogenology 2017; 101:44-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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30
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Sharma S, Portela JMD, Langenstroth-Röwer D, Wistuba J, Neuhaus N, Schlatt S. Male germline stem cells in non-human primates. Primate Biol 2017; 4:173-184. [PMID: 32110705 PMCID: PMC7041516 DOI: 10.5194/pb-4-173-2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, several studies have attempted to decipher the
biology of mammalian germline stem cells (GSCs). These studies provide
evidence that regulatory mechanisms for germ cell specification and migration
are evolutionarily conserved across species. The characteristics and
functions of primate GSCs are highly distinct from rodent species; therefore
the findings from rodent models cannot be extrapolated to primates. Due to
limited availability of human embryonic and testicular samples for research
purposes, two non-human primate models (marmoset and macaque monkeys) are
extensively employed to understand human germline development and
differentiation. This review provides a broader introduction to the in vivo
and in vitro germline stem cell terminology from primordial to
differentiating germ cells. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the most
immature germ cells colonizing the gonad prior to sex differentiation into
testes or ovaries. PGC specification and migratory patterns among different
primate species are compared in the review. It also reports the distinctions
and similarities in expression patterns of pluripotency markers (OCT4A,
NANOG, SALL4 and LIN28) during embryonic developmental stages, among
marmosets, macaques and humans. This review presents a comparative summary
with immunohistochemical and molecular evidence of germ cell marker
expression patterns during postnatal developmental stages, among humans and
non-human primates. Furthermore, it reports findings from the recent
literature investigating the plasticity behavior of germ cells and stem cells
in other organs of humans and monkeys. The use of non-human primate models
would enable bridging the knowledge gap in primate GSC research and
understanding the mechanisms involved in germline development. Reported
similarities in regulatory mechanisms and germ cell expression profile in
primates demonstrate the preclinical significance of monkey models for
development of human fertility preservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building D11, Münster, Germany.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Joana M D Portela
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Daniel Langenstroth-Röwer
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building D11, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, Building D11, Münster, Germany
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31
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Xu L, Xu H, Cao Y, Yang P, Feng Y, Tang Y, Yuan S, Ming J. Validation of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR during Bicolor Tepal Development in Asiatic Hybrid Lilies ( Lilium spp.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:669. [PMID: 28487721 PMCID: PMC5404265 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a reliable and high-throughput technique for gene expression studies, but its accuracy depends on the expression stability of reference genes. To date, several reliable reference gene identifications have been reported in Lilium spp., but none has been obtained for lily tepals at different developmental stages. In this study, ten candidate reference genes were selected and evaluated for their expression stability in Lilium 'Tiny Padhye' during the process of bicolor tepal development. The expression stability of these candidates was evaluated by three software programs (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper) and the comparative ΔCt method, and comprehensive stability rankings were generated by RefFinder. As a result, TIP41-like family gene (TIP41) and actin (ACT) were the best combination of reference genes for tepals at different developmental stages; TIP41 and F-box family gene (F-box) for tepals under shading treatment; ACT, actin11 (ACT11), and elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) for different tissues; and ACT, TIP41, and ACT11 for all samples. The selected optimal reference genes were further verified by analyzing the expression levels of flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (LhF3'H) and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransfersae (LhUFGT) in tepals at different developmental stages. This study provides useful information for gene expression characterization in lilies under different experimental conditions, and can serve as a basis for similar research in other closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leifeng Xu
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Hua Xu
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yuwei Cao
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Panpan Yang
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
- College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Yayan Feng
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Yuchao Tang
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Suxia Yuan
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
| | - Jun Ming
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Ming,
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32
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Comprehensive Immunophenotypic Characterization of Adult and Fetal Testes, the Excretory Duct System, and Testicular and Epididymal Appendages. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2016; 24:e50-68. [DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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33
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Spermatogonial cells: mouse, monkey and man comparison. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 59:79-88. [PMID: 26957475 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In all mammals, spermatogonia are defined as constituting the mitotic compartment of spermatogenesis including stem, undifferentiated and differentiating cell types, possessing distinct morphological and molecular characteristics. Even though the real nature of the spermatogonial stem cell and its regulation is still debated the general consensus holds that in steady-state spermatogenesis the stem cell compartment needs to balance differentiation versus self-renewal. This review highlights current understanding of spermatogonial biology, the kinetics of amplification and the signals directing spermatogonial differentiation in mammals. The focus will be on relevant similarities and differences between rodents and non human and human primates.
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34
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Tatetsu H, Kong NR, Chong G, Amabile G, Tenen DG, Chai L. SALL4, the missing link between stem cells, development and cancer. Gene 2016; 584:111-9. [PMID: 26892498 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence supporting that cancer cells share many similarities with embryonic stem cells (ESCs). For example, aggressive cancers and ESCs share a common gene expression signature that includes hundreds of genes. Since ESC genes are not present in most adult tissues, they could be ideal candidate targets for cancer-specific diagnosis and treatment. This is an exciting cancer-targeting model. The major hurdle to test this model is to identify the key factors/pathway(s) within ESCs that are responsible for the cancer phenotype. SALL4 is one of few genes that can establish this link. The first publication of SALL4 is on its mutation in a human inherited disorder with multiple developmental defects. Since then, over 300 papers have been published on various aspects of this gene in stem cells, development, and cancers. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of SALL4, including a SALL4-based approach to classify and target cancers. Many questions about this important gene still remain unanswered, specifically, on how this gene regulates cell fates at a molecular level. Understanding SALL4's molecular functions will allow development of specific targeted approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiro Tatetsu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, New Research Building Room 652D, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Nikki R Kong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, New Research Building Room 652D, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Gao Chong
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, New Research Building Room 652D, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Daniel G Tenen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine (MD6), #12-01, 14 Medical Drive, 117599, Singapore; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Center for Life Science Room 437, 3 Blackfan Circle Room 437, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Chai
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, New Research Building Room 652D, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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35
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Fereydouni B, Salinas-Riester G, Heistermann M, Dressel R, Lewerich L, Drummer C, Behr R. Long-Term Oocyte-Like Cell Development in Cultures Derived from Neonatal Marmoset Monkey Ovary. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:2480298. [PMID: 26664406 PMCID: PMC4655298 DOI: 10.1155/2016/2480298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We use the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) as a preclinical nonhuman primate model to study reproductive and stem cell biology. The neonatal marmoset monkey ovary contains numerous primitive premeiotic germ cells (oogonia) expressing pluripotent stem cell markers including OCT4A (POU5F1). This is a peculiarity compared to neonatal human and rodent ovaries. Here, we aimed at culturing marmoset oogonia from neonatal ovaries. We established a culture system being stable for more than 20 passages and 5 months. Importantly, comparative transcriptome analysis of the cultured cells with neonatal ovary, embryonic stem cells, and fibroblasts revealed a lack of germ cell and pluripotency genes indicating the complete loss of oogonia upon initiation of the culture. From passage 4 onwards, however, the cultured cells produced large spherical, free-floating cells resembling oocyte-like cells (OLCs). OLCs strongly expressed several germ cell genes and may derive from the ovarian surface epithelium. In summary, our novel primate ovarian cell culture initially lacked detectable germ cells but then produced OLCs over a long period of time. This culture system may allow a deeper analysis of early phases of female primate germ cell development and-after significant refinement-possibly also the production of monkey oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bentolhoda Fereydouni
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas-Riester
- Microarray and Deep-Sequencing Core Facility, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Heistermann
- Endocrinology Laboratory, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Dressel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University of Göttingen, Humboldtallee 34, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucia Lewerich
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Charis Drummer
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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Zhou K, Salamov A, Kuo A, Aerts AL, Kong X, Grigoriev IV. Alternative splicing acting as a bridge in evolution. Stem Cell Investig 2015; 2:19. [PMID: 27358887 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2015.10.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative splicing (AS) regulates diverse cellular and developmental functions through alternative protein structures of different isoforms. Alternative exons dominate AS in vertebrates; however, very little is known about the extent and function of AS in lower eukaryotes. To understand the role of introns in gene evolution, we examined AS from a green algal and five fungal genomes using a novel EST-based gene-modeling algorithm (COMBEST). METHODS AS from each genome was classified with COMBEST that maps EST sequences to genomes to build gene models. Various aspects of AS were analyzed through statistical methods. The interplay of intron 3n length, phase, coding property, and intron retention (RI) were examined with Chi-square testing. RESULTS With 3 to 834 times EST coverage, we identified up to 73% of AS in intron-containing genes and found preponderance of RI among 11 types of AS. The number of exons, expression level, and maximum intron length correlated with number of AS per gene (NAG), and intron-rich genes suppressed AS. Genes with AS were more ancient, and AS was conserved among fungal genomes. Among stopless introns, non-retained introns (NRI) avoided, but major RI preferred 3n length. In contrast, stop-containing introns showed uniform distribution among 3n, 3n+1, and 3n+2 lengths. We found a clue to the intron phase enigma: it was the coding function of introns involved in AS that dictates the intron phase bias. CONCLUSIONS Majority of AS is non-functional, and the extent of AS is suppressed for intron-rich genes. RI through 3n length, stop codon, and phase bias bridges the transition from functionless to functional alternative isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemin Zhou
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
| | - Asaf Salamov
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
| | - Alan Kuo
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
| | - Andrea L Aerts
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
| | - Xiangyang Kong
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- 1 US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA ; 2 Roche Molecular Diagnostics, 4300 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588, USA ; 3 Department of Clinical Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031, China
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Gely-Pernot A, Raverdeau M, Teletin M, Vernet N, Féret B, Klopfenstein M, Dennefeld C, Davidson I, Benoit G, Mark M, Ghyselinck NB. Retinoic Acid Receptors Control Spermatogonia Cell-Fate and Induce Expression of the SALL4A Transcription Factor. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005501. [PMID: 26427057 PMCID: PMC4591280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is instrumental to male germ cell differentiation, but its mechanism of action remains elusive. To address this question, we have analyzed the phenotypes of mice lacking, in spermatogonia, all rexinoid receptors (RXRA, RXRB and RXRG) or all ATRA receptors (RARA, RARB and RARG). We demonstrate that the combined ablation of RXRA and RXRB in spermatogonia recapitulates the set of defects observed both upon ablation of RAR in spermatogonia. We also show that ATRA activates RAR and RXR bound to a conserved regulatory region to increase expression of the SALL4A transcription factor in spermatogonia. Our results reveal that this major pluripotency gene is a target of ATRA signaling and that RAR/RXR heterodimers are the functional units driving its expression in spermatogonia. They add to the mechanisms through which ATRA promote expression of the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor to trigger a critical step in spermatogonia differentiation. Importantly, they indicate also that meiosis eventually occurs in the absence of a RAR/RXR pathway within germ cells and suggest that instructing this process is either ATRA-independent or requires an ATRA signal originating from Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Gely-Pernot
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Mathilde Raverdeau
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Marius Teletin
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Nadège Vernet
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Betty Féret
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Muriel Klopfenstein
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Christine Dennefeld
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Irwin Davidson
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Gérard Benoit
- Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (GCPhiMC), UMR5534 CNRS, Université de Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manuel Mark
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
- Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Norbert B. Ghyselinck
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Génétique Fonctionnelle et Cancer, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Illkirch Cedex, France
- * E-mail:
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Vigueras-Villaseñor RM, Cortés-Trujillo L, Chávez-Saldaña M, Vázquez FG, Carrasco-Daza D, Cuevas-Alpuche O, Rojas-Castañeda JC. Analysis of POU5F1, c-Kit, PLAP, AP2γ and SALL4 in gonocytes of patients with cryptorchidism. Acta Histochem 2015; 117:752-61. [PMID: 26315991 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is a risk factor for the development of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). The most common type of TGCT in cryptorchidism is seminoma. The intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (ITGCNU) is a histological pattern preceding the development of seminomas and non-seminomas. It was suggested that in patients with cryptorchidism, the gonocytes remained undifferentiated with pluripotent abilities expressing proteins like POU domain class 5 transcription factor 1 (POU5F1), tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit, placental-like alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), the transcription factor AP2γ and sal-like protein 4 (SALL4) that confer to the gonocytes this ability and therefore make them susceptible to develop ITGCNU. The aim of the present study was to determine if the gonocytes of patients with cryptorchidism express POU5F1, c-Kit, PLAP, AP2γ and SALL4 proteins after their differentiation period. Based on this, we evaluated samples of testicular tissue from newborns to 16-year old subjects with or without cryptorchidism in search of POU5F1, c-Kit, PLAP, AP2γ and SALL4 using immunocytochemical method, the results of which were validated by RT-PCR. The results showed that control subjects witnessed a down-regulation in the expression of these five proteins in the first year of life, which eventually disappeared. On the other hand, it was determined that 21.6% (8/37) of the patients with cryptorchidism continued to express, at least, one of the proteins analyzed in this study after the second year of life. And only 5.4% (2/37) of the patients were positive to the five markers. These data sustain the proposed hypothesis that in cryptorchid patients, ITGCNU arises from gonocytes that fail in their differentiation process to spermatogonia with conservation of the proteins (POU5F1, c-Kit, PLAP, AP2γ and SALL4) that maintain pluripotency and undifferentiated characteristics and which are responsible for making the gonocytes susceptible to malignancy. However, we cannot guarantee that these patients present neoplastic transformation.
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Schneider F, Redmann K, Wistuba J, Schlatt S, Kliesch S, Neuhaus N. Comparison of enzymatic digestion and mechanical dissociation of human testicular tissues. Fertil Steril 2015; 104:302-11.e3. [PMID: 26056924 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare mechanical dissociation, employing the Medimachine system, and enzymatic digestion of human testicular tissues with respect to the proportion of spermatogonia and somatic cells, with the long-term objective of establishing human spermatogonial cultures. DESIGN Experimental basic science study. SETTING Reproductive biology laboratory. PATIENT(S) Testicular tissues were obtained from patients with gender dysphoria on the day of sex reassignment surgery. On the basis of the histological evaluation, tissue samples with complete spermatogenesis (fresh, n = 6; cryopreserved, n = 7) and with meiotic arrest (cryopreserved, n = 4) were selected. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The composition of testicular cell suspensions was assessed performing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses for germ cell-specific (FGFR3, SALL4, UTF1, MAGE-A4) and somatic marker genes (ACTA2 and VIM). Additionally, flow-cytometric analyses were used to evaluate the percentage of SALL4-and vimentin-positive cells. RESULT(S) While Medimachine dissociation yielded higher cell numbers in all patient groups, viability of cells was highly variable and correlated with the histological status of the tissue. Interestingly, qPCR analysis revealed a significantly decreased expression of the somatic marker genes ACTA2 and VIM and an increased expression of the spermatogonial marker genes FGFR3 and SALL4 after Medimachine dissociation. These findings were corroborated by flow-cytometric analyses that demonstrated that the proportion of SALL4-positive cells was up to 4 times higher after mechanical dissociation. CONCLUSION(S) Medimachine dissociation of human testicular tissues is comparably fast and leads to an enrichment of SALL4-positive spermatogonia. The use of this method may therefore constitute an advantage for the establishment of human spermatogonial cell cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Schneider
- Institute for Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany; Department of Clinical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus Redmann
- Institute for Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Institute for Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Institute for Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Department of Clinical Andrology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Institute for Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus, Münster, Germany.
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Debowski K, Warthemann R, Lentes J, Salinas-Riester G, Dressel R, Langenstroth D, Gromoll J, Sasaki E, Behr R. Non-viral generation of marmoset monkey iPS cells by a six-factor-in-one-vector approach. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118424. [PMID: 25785453 PMCID: PMC4365012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Groundbreaking studies showed that differentiated somatic cells of mouse and human origin could be reverted to a stable pluripotent state by the ectopic expression of only four proteins. The resulting pluripotent cells, called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, could be an alternative to embryonic stem cells, which are under continuous ethical debate. Hence, iPS cell-derived functional cells such as neurons may become the key for an effective treatment of currently incurable degenerative diseases. However, besides the requirement of efficacy testing of the therapy also its long-term safety needs to be carefully evaluated in settings mirroring the clinical situation in an optimal way. In this context, we chose the long-lived common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) as a non-human primate species to generate iPS cells. The marmoset monkey is frequently used in biomedical research and is gaining more and more preclinical relevance due to the increasing number of disease models. Here, we describe, to our knowledge, the first-time generation of marmoset monkey iPS cells from postnatal skin fibroblasts by non-viral means. We used the transposon-based, fully reversible piggyback system. We cloned the marmoset monkey reprogramming factors and established robust and reproducible reprogramming protocols with a six-factor-in-one-construct approach. We generated six individual iPS cell lines and characterized them in comparison with marmoset monkey embryonic stem cells. The generated iPS cells are morphologically indistinguishable from marmoset ES cells. The iPS cells are fully reprogrammed as demonstrated by differentiation assays, pluripotency marker expression and transcriptome analysis. They are stable for numerous passages (more than 80) and exhibit euploidy. In summary, we have established efficient non-viral reprogramming protocols for the derivation of stable marmoset monkey iPS cells, which can be used to develop and test cell replacement therapies in preclinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Debowski
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center—Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail: (KD); (RB)
| | - Rita Warthemann
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center—Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jana Lentes
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center—Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas-Riester
- Microarray and Deep-Sequencing Core Facility, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Dressel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Langenstroth
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Erika Sasaki
- Department of Applied Developmental Biology, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, Keio Advanced Research Center, Keio University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center—Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail: (KD); (RB)
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Lin ZYC, Hirano T, Shibata S, Seki NM, Kitajima R, Sedohara A, Siomi MC, Sasaki E, Siomi H, Imamura M, Okano H. Gene expression ontogeny of spermatogenesis in the marmoset uncovers primate characteristics during testicular development. Dev Biol 2015; 400:43-58. [PMID: 25624265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Revised: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis has been investigated extensively in rodents and a strictly controlled developmental process has been defined at cellular and molecular levels. In comparison, primate spermatogenesis has been far less well characterized. However, important differences between primate and rodent spermatogenesis are emerging so it is not always accurate to extrapolate findings in rodents to primate systems. Here, we performed an extensive immunofluorescence study of spermatogenesis in neonatal, juvenile, and adult testes in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) to determine primate-specific patterns of gene expression that underpin primate germ cell development. Initially we characterized adult spermatogonia into two main classes; mitotically active C-KIT(+)Ki67(+) cells and mitotically quiescent SALL4(+)PLZF(+)LIN28(+)DPPA4(+) cells. We then explored the expression of a set of markers, including PIWIL1/MARWI, VASA, DAZL, CLGN, RanBPM, SYCP1 and HAPRIN, during germ cell differentiation from early spermatocytes through round and elongating spermatids, and a clear program of gene expression changes was determined as development proceeded. We then examined the juvenile marmoset testis. Markers of gonocytes demonstrated two populations; one that migrates to the basal membrane where they form the SALL4(+) or C-KIT(+) spermatogonia, and another that remains in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. This later population, historically identified as pre-spermatogonia, expressed meiotic and apoptotic markers and were eliminated because they appear to have failed to correctly migrate. Our findings provide the first platform of gene expression dynamics in adult and developing germ cells of the common marmoset. Although we have characterized a limited number of genes, these results will facilitate primate spermatogenesis research and understanding of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Yu-Ching Lin
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Takamasa Hirano
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Naomi M Seki
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Kitajima
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan
| | - Ayako Sedohara
- Department of Applied Developmental Biology, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Erika Sasaki
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Department of Applied Developmental Biology, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; PRESTO Japan Science and Technology Agency, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Siomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masanori Imamura
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Molecular Biology Section, Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan.
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
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Abstract
Spermatocytic seminomas affect 0.3-0.8 per one million men. This tumor is not, as the name might suggest, a variant of classical seminoma but a distinct nosological entity, which differs markedly from all other germ cell tumors in its epidemiology, peculiar morphology, oncogenesis and clinical outcome. There are no racial differences in the incidence and risk factors are completely unknown. Patients are significantly older than is the case for other germ cell tumors with an average of 53.5 years; nevertheless, more than 25 % are younger than 40 years. Spermatocytic seminoma arises from differentiated spermatogonia, not from intratubular germ cell neoplasms. The tumor-specific gain of chromosome 9 seems to be the most important event in the oncogenesis. Conventional spermatocytic seminoma consists of three different cell types which give the tumor a highly aggressive appearance, although in actual fact, the tumor has a very favorable outcome, with few reported cases of general metastatic spread. Anaplastic spermatocytic seminoma, a recently described variant, also takes mostly a benign course; however, spermatocytic seminomas combined with sarcomas are extremely malignant.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Mikuz
- Institut für Pathologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Müllerstr. 44, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich,
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43
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Abstract
The embryonic stem (ES) cell gene SALL4 has recently been identified as a new target for cancer therapy, including leukemia. SALL4 is expressed in ES cells and during embryonic development, but is absent in most adult tissues. It is, however, aberrantly expressed in various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Aberrant expression of SALL4 is frequently associated with a more aggressive cancer phenotype, which includes high-risk MDS and its progression to AML. SALL4 contributes to leukemogenesis through multiple pathways including the repression of PTEN and the activation of HOXA9 expression. Targeting the SALL4/PTEN pathway by blocking the protein–protein interaction of SALL4 and its associated epigenetic complex, nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex (NuRD), might be a novel approach to treating AML and holds great potential for the treatment of other SALL4-mediated oncogenic processes such as high-risk MDS and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Department of Pathology Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA USA ; Department of Clinical Laboratory; Peking Union Medical College Hospital; Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing, China
| | - Wenxiu Zhao
- Department of Pathology Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA USA
| | - Nikki Kong
- Department of Pathology Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA USA
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory; Peking Union Medical College Hospital; Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing, China
| | - Li Chai
- Department of Pathology Brigham and Women's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA USA
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44
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Zhou Q, Guo Y, Zheng B, Shao B, Jiang M, Wang G, Zhou T, Wang L, Zhou Z, Guo X, Huang X. Establishment of a proteome profile and identification of molecular markers for mouse spermatogonial stem cells. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 19:521-34. [PMID: 25352495 PMCID: PMC4369810 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated cells that are required to maintain spermatogenesis throughout the reproductive life of mammals. Although SSC transplantation and culture provide a powerful tool to identify the mechanisms regulating SSC function, the precise signalling mechanisms governing SSC self-renewal and specific surface markers for purifying SSCs remain to be clearly determined. In the present study, we established a steady SSC culture according to the method described by Shinohara's lab. Fertile progeny was produced after transplantation of cultured SSCs into infertile mouse testis, and the red fluorescence exhibited by the culture cell membranes was stably and continuously transmitted to the offspring. Next, via advanced mass spectrometry and an optimized proteomics platform, we constructed the proteome profile, with 682 proteins expressed in SSCs. Furthermore bioinformatics analysis showed that the list contained several known molecules that are regulated in SSCs. Several nucleoproteins and membrane proteins were chosen for further exploration using immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The results showed that SALL1, EZH2, and RCOR2 are possibly involved in the self-renewal mechanism of SSCs. Furthermore, the results of tissue-specific expression analysis showed that Gpat2 and Pld6 were uniquely and highly expressed in mouse testes and cultured SSCs. The cellular localization of PLD6 was further explored and the results showed it was primarily expressed in the spermatogonial membrane of mouse testes and cultured SSCs. The proteins identified in this study form the basis for further exploring the molecular mechanism of self-renewal in SSCs and for identifying specific surface markers of SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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45
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Zheng Y, Thomas A, Schmidt CM, Dann CT. Quantitative detection of human spermatogonia for optimization of spermatogonial stem cell culture. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:2497-511. [PMID: 25267789 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can human spermatogonia be detected in long-term primary testicular cell cultures using validated, germ cell-specific markers of spermatogonia? SUMMARY ANSWER Germ cell-specific markers of spermatogonia/spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are detected in early (1-2 weeks) but not late (> 6 weeks) primary testicular cell cultures; somatic cell markers are detected in late primary testicular cell cultures. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The development of conditions for human SSC culture is critically dependent on the ability to define cell types unequivocally and to quantify spermatogonia/SSCs. Growth by somatic cells presents a major challenge in the establishment of SSC cultures and therefore markers that define spermatogonia/SSCs, but are not also expressed by testicular somatic cells, are essential for accurate characterization of SSC cultures. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Testicular tissue from eight organ donors with normal spermatogenesis was used for assay validation and establishing primary testicular cell cultures. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immunofluorescence analysis of normal human testicular tissue was used to validate antibodies (UTF1, SALL4, DAZL and VIM) and then the antibodies were used to demonstrate that primary testicular cells cultured in vitro for 1-2 weeks were composed of somatic cells and rare germ cells. Primary testicular cell cultures were further characterized by comparing to testicular somatic cell cultures using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (UTF1, FGFR3, ZBTB16, GPR125, DAZL, GATA4 and VIM) and flow cytometry (CD9 and SSEA4). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE UTF1, FGFR3, DAZL and ZBTB16 qRT-PCR and SSEA4 flow cytometry were validated for the sensitive, quantitative and specific detection of germ cells. In contrast, GPR125 mRNA and CD9 were found to be not specific to germ cells because they were also expressed in testicular somatic cell cultures. While the germ cell-specific markers were detected in early primary testicular cell cultures (1-2 weeks), their expression steadily declined over time in vitro. After 6 weeks in culture only somatic cells were detected. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Different groups attempting SSC culture have utilized different sources of human testes and minor differences in the preparation and maintenance of the testicular cell cultures. Differences in outcome may be explained by genetic background of the source tissue or technical differences. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The ability to propagate human SSCs in vitro is a prerequisite for proposed autologous transplantation therapy aimed at restoring fertility to men who have been treated for childhood cancer. By applying the assays validated here it will be possible to quantitatively compare human SSC culture conditions. The eventual development of conditions for long-term propagation of human SSCs in vitro will greatly facilitate learning about the basic biology of these cells and in turn the ability to use human SSCs in therapy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The experiments presented in this manuscript were funded by a Project Development Team within the ICTSI NIH/NCRR Grant Number TR000006. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zheng
- Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - A Thomas
- Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - C M Schmidt
- Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
| | - C T Dann
- Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405-7102, USA
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46
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Aeckerle N, Drummer C, Debowski K, Viebahn C, Behr R. Primordial germ cell development in the marmoset monkey as revealed by pluripotency factor expression: suggestion of a novel model of embryonic germ cell translocation. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 21:66-80. [PMID: 25237007 PMCID: PMC4275041 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic progenitors of sperm and egg cells. Mammalian PGCs are thought to actively migrate from the yolk sac endoderm over long distances across the embryo to reach the somatic genital ridges. The general principles of mammalian PGC development were discovered in mice. In contrast, little is known about PGC development in primates due to extremely limited access to primate embryos. Here, we analyzed 12 well preserved marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) embryos covering the phase from PGC emergence in the endoderm to the formation of the sexually differentiated gonad (embryonic day (E) 50 to E95). We show using immunohistochemistry that the pluripotency factors OCT4A and NANOG specifically mark PGCs throughout the period studied. In contrast, SALL4 and LIN28 were first expressed ubiquitously and only later down-regulated in somatic tissues. We further show, for the first time, that PGCs are located in the endoderm in E50 embryos in close spatial proximity to the prospective genital ridge, making a long-range migration of PGCs dispensable. At E65, PGCs are already present in the primitive gonad, while significantly later embryonic stages still exhibit PGCs at their original endodermal site, revealing a wide spatio-temporal window of PGC distribution. Our findings challenge the ‘dogma’ of active long-range PGC migration from the endoderm to the gonads. We therefore favor an alternative model based primarily on passive translocation of PGCs from the mesenchyme that surrounds the gut to the prospective gonad through the intercalar expansion of mesenchymal tissue which contains the PGCs. In summary, we (i) show differential pluripotency factor expression during primate embryo development and (ii) provide a schematic model for embryonic PGC translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Aeckerle
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - C Drummer
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - K Debowski
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - C Viebahn
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Center of Anatomy, University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 36, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - R Behr
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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47
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Langenstroth D, Kossack N, Westernströer B, Wistuba J, Behr R, Gromoll J, Schlatt S. Separation of somatic and germ cells is required to establish primate spermatogonial cultures. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:2018-31. [PMID: 24963164 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can primate spermatogonial cultures be optimized by application of separation steps and well defined culture conditions? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified the cell fraction which provides the best source for primate spermatogonia when prolonged culture is desired. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Man and marmoset show similar characteristics in regard to germ cell development and function. Several protocols for isolation and culture of human testis-derived germline stem cells have been described. Subsequent analysis revealed doubts on the germline origin of these cells and characterized them as mesenchymal stem cells or fibroblasts. Studies using marmosets as preclinical model confirmed that the published isolation protocols did not lead to propagation of germline cells. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Testicular cells derived from nine adult marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) were cultured for 1, 3, 6 and 11 days and consecutively analyzed for the presence of spermatogonia, differentiating germ cells and testicular somatic cells. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Testicular tissue of nine adult marmoset monkeys was enzymatically dissociated and subjected to two different cell culture approaches. In the first approach all cells were kept in the same dish (non-separate culture, n = 5). In the second approach the supernatant cells were transferred into a new dish 24 h after seeding and subsequently supernatant and attached cells were cultured separately (separate culture, n = 4). Real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence were used to analyze the expression of reliable germ cell and somatic markers throughout the culture period. Germ cell transplantation assays and subsequent wholemount analyses were performed to functionally evaluate the colonization of spermatogonial cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE This is the first report revealing an efficient isolation and culture of putative marmoset spermatogonial stem cells with colonization ability. Our results indicate that a separation of spermatogonia from testicular somatic cells is a crucial step during cell preparation. We identified the overgrowth of more rapidly expanding somatic cells to be a major problem when establishing spermatogonial cultures. Initiating germ cell cultures from the supernatant and maintaining germ cells in suspension cultures minimized the somatic cell contamination and provided enriched germ cell fractions which displayed after 11 days of culture a significantly higher expression of germ cell markers genes (DDX-4, MAGE A-4; P < 0.05) compared with separately cultured attached cells. Additionally, germ cell transplantation experiments demonstrated a significantly higher absolute number of cells with colonization ability (P < 0.001) in supernatant cells after 11 days of separate culture. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study presents a relevant aspect for the successful setup of spermatogonial cultures but provides limited data regarding the question of whether the long-term maintenance of spermatogonia can be achieved. Transfer of these preclinical data to man may require modifications of the protocol. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Spermatogonial cultures from rodents have become important and innovative tools for basic and applied research in reproductive biology and veterinary medicine. It is expected that spermatogonia-based strategies will be transformed into clinical applications for the treatment of male infertility. Our data in the marmoset monkey may be highly relevant to establish spermatogonial cultures of human testes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS Funding was provided by the DFG-Research Unit FOR 1041 Germ Cell Potential (SCHL394/11-2) and by the Graduate Program Cell Dynamics and Disease (CEDAD) together with the International Max Planck Research School - Molecular Biomedicine (IMPRS-MBM). The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Langenstroth
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Kossack
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Birgit Westernströer
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Stem Cell Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jörg Gromoll
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Institute of Reproduction and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Valli H, Sukhwani M, Dovey SL, Peters KA, Donohue J, Castro CA, Chu T, Marshall GR, Orwig KE. Fluorescence- and magnetic-activated cell sorting strategies to isolate and enrich human spermatogonial stem cells. Fertil Steril 2014; 102:566-580.e7. [PMID: 24890267 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2014.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the molecular characteristics of human spermatogonia and optimize methods to enrich spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). DESIGN Laboratory study using human tissues. SETTING Research institute. PATIENT(S) Healthy adult human testicular tissue. INTERVENTION(S) Human testicular tissue was fixed or digested with enzymes to produce a cell suspension. Human testis cells were fractionated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Immunostaining for selected markers, human-to-nude mouse xenotransplantation assay. RESULT(S) Immunohistochemistry costaining revealed the relative expression patterns of SALL4, UTF1, ZBTB16, UCHL1, and ENO2 in human undifferentiated spermatogonia as well as the extent of overlap with the differentiation marker KIT. Whole mount analyses revealed that human undifferentiated spermatogonia (UCHL1+) were typically arranged in clones of one to four cells whereas differentiated spermatogonia (KIT+) were typically arranged in clones of eight or more cells. The ratio of undifferentiated-to-differentiated spermatogonia is greater in humans than in rodents. The SSC colonizing activity was enriched in the THY1dim and ITGA6+ fractions of human testes sorted by FACS. ITGA6 was effective for sorting human SSCs by MACS; THY1 and EPCAM were not. CONCLUSION(S) Human spermatogonial differentiation correlates with increased clone size and onset of KIT expression, similar to rodents. The undifferentiated-to-differentiated developmental dynamics in human spermatogonia is different than rodents. THY1, ITGA6, and EPCAM can be used to enrich human SSC colonizing activity by FACS, but only ITGA6 is amenable to high throughput sorting by MACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Valli
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Meena Sukhwani
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Serena L Dovey
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen A Peters
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Julia Donohue
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Carlos A Castro
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tianjiao Chu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gary R Marshall
- Department of Natural Sciences, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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49
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Fereydouni B, Drummer C, Aeckerle N, Schlatt S, Behr R. The neonatal marmoset monkey ovary is very primitive exhibiting many oogonia. Reproduction 2014; 148:237-47. [PMID: 24840529 PMCID: PMC4086814 DOI: 10.1530/rep-14-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oogonia are characterized by diploidy and mitotic proliferation. Human and mouse oogonia express several factors such as OCT4, which are characteristic of pluripotent cells. In human, almost all oogonia enter meiosis between weeks 9 and 22 of prenatal development or undergo mitotic arrest and subsequent elimination from the ovary. As a consequence, neonatal human ovaries generally lack oogonia. The same was found in neonatal ovaries of the rhesus monkey, a representative of the old world monkeys (Catarrhini). By contrast, proliferating oogonia were found in adult prosimians (now called Strepsirrhini), which is a group of ‘lower’ primates. The common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) belongs to the new world monkeys (Platyrrhini) and is increasingly used in reproductive biology and stem cell research. However, ovarian development in the marmoset monkey has not been widely investigated. Herein, we show that the neonatal marmoset ovary has an extremely immature histological appearance compared with the human ovary. It contains numerous oogonia expressing the pluripotency factors OCT4A, SALL4, and LIN28A (LIN28). The pluripotency factor-positive germ cells also express the proliferation marker MKI67 (Ki-67), which has previously been shown in the human ovary to be restricted to premeiotic germ cells. Together, the data demonstrate the primitiveness of the neonatal marmoset ovary compared with human. This study may introduce the marmoset monkey as a non-human primate model to experimentally study the aspects of primate primitive gonad development, follicle assembly, and germ cell biology in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fereydouni
- Stem Cell Biology UnitGerman Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyCentre of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - C Drummer
- Stem Cell Biology UnitGerman Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyCentre of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - N Aeckerle
- Stem Cell Biology UnitGerman Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyCentre of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - S Schlatt
- Stem Cell Biology UnitGerman Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyCentre of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - R Behr
- Stem Cell Biology UnitGerman Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyCentre of Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of Münster, Domagkstraße 11, 48149 Münster, Germany
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50
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Abstract
CONTEXT The field of ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCTs) has remained relatively unchanged in the last 2 decades. However, the introduction of new stem cell pluripotency markers has provided a new understanding into the identification and taxonomy of OGCT types. New data have provided new insights into unusual teratoma-associated autoimmune disorders and the origin of gliomatosis peritonei. OBJECTIVE To review the impact of new pluripotency markers in the diagnosis of malignant OGCT (MOGCT) and analyze new nomenclature proposals and clinicopathologic entities. DATA SOURCES Ovarian germ cell tumors from routine material and expert consultation files at San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain, and the relevant literature were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Although a correct diagnosis of MOGCT can often be made with histologic and classic immunohistochemical studies, the new immunohistochemical pluripotency markers give higher diagnostic accuracy. Germ cell tumors represent a caricature of the phases of normal embryonic differentiation from primordial germ and stem cells to extraembryonal and somatic tissue differentiation. Since every stage of differentiation and its related tumor type exhibit characteristic markers, the analysis of their expression facilitates tumor typing, thus complementing the use of classic antibodies. They also allow a more precise evaluation of the degree of immaturity in teratoma. The new term, primitive endodermal tumors, simplifies the understanding of the complex histology of the yolk sac tumor group, as this terminology encompasses its multiple endodermal differentiations. Recently described autoimmune encephalitis due to antibodies against the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor has become the most frequent autoimmune disorder associated with ovarian teratoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco F Nogales
- From the Department of Pathology, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain (Drs Nogales and Dulcey); and Department of Research and Development, Master Diagnostica, Granada, Spain (Dr Preda)
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