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Zhang M, Reis AH, Simunovic M. Human embryoids: A new strategy of recreating the first steps of embryonic development in vitro. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:14-22. [PMID: 35871155 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms surrounding early human embryonic events such as blastocyst formation, implantation, and the specification of the body axes are some of the most attractive research questions of developmental biology today. A knowledge on the detailed signaling landscape underlying these critical events in the human could impact the way we treat early pregnancy disorders and infertility, and considerably advance our abilities to make precise human tissues in a lab. However, owing to ethical, technical, and policy restrictions, research on early human embryo development historically stalled behind animal models. The rapid progress in 3D culture of human embryonic stem cells over the past years created an opportunity to overcome this critical challenge. We review recently developed strategies of making 3D models of the human embryo built from embryonic stem cells, which we refer to as embryoids. We focus on models aimed at reconstituting the 3D epithelial characteristics of the early human embryo, namely the intra/extraembryonic signaling crosstalk, tissue polarity, and embryonic cavities. We identify distinct classes of embryoids based on whether they explicitly include extraembryonic tissues and we argue for the merit of compromising on certain aspects of embryo mimicry in balancing the experimental feasibility with ethical considerations. Human embryoids open gates toward a new field of synthetic human embryology, allowing to study the long inaccessible stages of early human development at unprecedented detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaoci Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA
| | - Alice H Reis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA
| | - Mijo Simunovic
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York 10027, USA; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia Irving Medical Center, New York 10032, USA.
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Cai Y, Li N, Li H. Combining Endometrial Assembloids and Blastoids to Delineate the Molecular Roadmap of Implantation. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10527-z. [PMID: 36920621 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10527-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Implantation is the process by which a competent blastocyst burrows into the receptive uterus to support embryo development. Successful implantation is of the utmost importance to pregnancy. However, due to the short window and difficulty in accessing the uterus in vivo during implantation, including ethical considerations, our understanding of the molecular network that safeguards this process remains incomplete. The use of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems has significant advantages as it recapitulates many aspects of the tissue organization and cell composition seen in vivo. With the recent advent of endometrial organoids and blastoids, it is now feasible to establish an in vitro implantation culture model to dissect the molecular signaling networks that are critical for implantation. In this review, we briefly summarize the current methodology for generating endometrial organoids and blastoids, along with the applications of these organoids for research on implantation. Incorporating stromal and immune cells, blood vessels, and others into the current endometrial organoid could build a more complete model of the endometrium, which can be combined with blastoids to model blastocyst implantation in vitro. We envision that this novel 3D system can be employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms required for successful implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Na Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Huaibiao Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Abstract
The complex process by which a single-celled zygote develops into a viable embryo is nothing short of a miraculous wonder of the natural world. Elucidating how this process is orchestrated in humans has long eluded the grasp of scientists due to ethical and practical limitations. Thankfully, pluripotent stem cells that resemble early developmental cell types possess the ability to mimic specific embryonic events. As such, murine and human stem cells have been leveraged by scientists to create in vitro models that aim to recapitulate different stages of early mammalian development. Here, we examine the wide variety of stem cell-based embryo models that have been developed to recapitulate and study embryonic events, from pre-implantation development through to early organogenesis. We discuss the applications of these models, key considerations regarding their importance within the field, and how such models are expected to grow and evolve to achieve exciting new milestones in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan H. Terhune
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jeyoon Bok
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Shiyu Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Abstract
In the last decade, organoids have become emerging novel models for biomedical research. Organoids are small, self-organized three-dimensional (3D) tissue cultures derived from stem cells that mimic certain tissues or organs. In reproductive medicine, researchers have generated numerous organoids including blastoid (blastocyst organoid), endometrial organoid, and trophoblast organoid. These organdies provide useful models for studying the embryo implantation mechanism through observation of cell differentiation, gene expression, and epigenetic profiles at the implantation stage. As in vitro tissue models, organoids could be coupled with many other frontier technologies such as gene editing and genomic sequencing. However, the main drawback of organoids is that they do not fully mimic their counterparts in vivo tissues. Furthermore, there is a consensus of research ethics on organoids that may limit the types of studies that scientists perform with. Nevertheless, all discoveries and efforts surrounding organoids still greatly benefit therapy development for reproductive clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubao Wei
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| | - Guoping Fan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Li Meng
- Incinta Fertility Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90503, USA
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Aukema SM, Croci GA, Bens S, Oehl-Huber K, Wagener R, Ott G, Rosenwald A, Kluin PM, van den Berg E, Bosga-Bouwer AG, Hoogendoorn M, Hoster E, Bittmann I, Nagel I, Murga Penas EM, Kreuz M, Bausinger J, Belder W, Oschlies I, Dyer MJS, Jayne S, Siebert R, Klapper W. Mantle cell lymphomas with concomitant MYC and CCND1 breakpoints are recurrently TdT positive and frequently show high-grade pathological and genetic features. Virchows Arch 2021; 479:133-45. [PMID: 33528622 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal breakpoints involving the MYC gene locus, frequently referred to as MYC rearrangements (MYC - R+), are a diagnostic hallmark of Burkitt lymphoma and recurrent in many other subtypes of B-cell lymphomas including follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other high-grade B-cell lymphomas and are associated with an aggressive clinical course. In remarkable contrast, in MCL, only few MYC - R+ cases have yet been described. In the current study, we have retrospectively analysed 16 samples (MYC - R+, n = 15, MYC - R-, n = 1) from 13 patients and describe their morphological, immunophenotypic and (molecular) genetic features and clonal evolution patterns. Thirteen out of fifteen MYC - R+ samples showed a non-classical cytology including pleomorphic (centroblastic, immunoblastic), anaplastic or blastoid. MYC translocation partners were IG-loci in 4/11 and non-IG loci in 7/11 analysed cases. The involved IG-loci included IGH in 3 cases and IGL in one case. PAX5 was the non-IG partner in 2/7 patients. The MYC - R+ MCL reported herein frequently displayed characteristics associated with an aggressive clinical course including high genomic-complexity (6/7 samples), frequent deletions involving the CDKN2A locus (7/10 samples), high Ki-67 proliferation index (12/13 samples) and frequent P53 expression (13/13 samples). Of note, in 4/14 samples, SOX11 was not or only focally expressed and 3/13 samples showed focal or diffuse TdT-positivity presenting a diagnostic challenge as these features could point to a differential diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and/or lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukaemia.
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Abstract
Blastoid and pleomorphic mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are among the worst prognostic, aggressive histology, high-risk variants of MCL, and, in this article, they are presented as blastoid MCL. Blastoid MCL have not been systematically studied, probably due to their rarity. De novo blastoid MCLs have superior outcomes compared with transformed MCL. Compared with classic MCL, extranodal involvement (mainly skin, central nervous system), frequent relapses, and inferior responses to conventional chemoimmunotherapy, BTK inhibitors and venetoclax are frequent in blastoid MCL. KTE-X19 induces excellent response in blastoid MCL. Combinations with novel agents are actively investigated. This article presents a comprehensive review on blastoid MCL in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preetesh Jain
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 429, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael Wang
- Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 429, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Baillie-Benson P, Moris N, Martinez Arias A. Pluripotent stem cell models of early mammalian development. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 66:89-96. [PMID: 32645551 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells derived from the early mammalian embryo offer a convenient model system for studying cell fate decisions in embryogenesis. The last 10 years have seen a boom in the popularity of two-dimensional micropatterns and three-dimensional stem cell culture systems as a way to recreate the architecture and interactions of particular cell populations during development. These methods enable the controlled exploration of cellular organization and patterning during development, using cell lines instead of embryos. They have established a new class of in vitro model system for pre-implantation and peri-implantation embryogenesis, ranging from models of the blastocyst stage, through gastrulation and toward early organogenesis. This review aims to set these systems in context and to highlight the strengths and suitability of each approach in modelling early mammalian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Baillie-Benson
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Naomi Moris
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Alfonso Martinez Arias
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.
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Sozen B, Cox AL, De Jonghe J, Bao M, Hollfelder F, Glover DM, Zernicka-Goetz M. Self-Organization of Mouse Stem Cells into an Extended Potential Blastoid. Dev Cell 2020; 51:698-712.e8. [PMID: 31846649 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian blastocysts comprise three distinct cell lineages essential for development beyond implantation: the pluripotent epiblast, which generates the future embryo, and surrounding it the extra-embryonic primitive endoderm and the trophectoderm tissues. Embryonic stem cells can reintegrate into embryogenesis but contribute primarily to epiblast lineages. Here, we show that mouse embryonic stem cells cultured under extended pluripotent conditions (EPSCs) can be partnered with trophoblast stem cells to self-organize into blastocyst-like structures with all three embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages. Morphogenetic and transcriptome profiling analyses reveal that these blastocyst-like structures show distinct embryonic-abembryonic axes and primitive endoderm differentiation and can initiate the transition from the pre- to post-implantation egg cylinder morphology in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna Sozen
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Andy L Cox
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Joachim De Jonghe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Min Bao
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Florian Hollfelder
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK
| | - David M Glover
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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