Prospects for the Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Animal Conservation and Environmental Protection

Stem cells are unique cell populations able to copy themselves exactly as well as specialize into new cell types. Stem cells isolated from early stages of embryo development are pluripotent, i.e., can be differentiated into multiple different cell types. In addition, scientists have found a way of reverting specialized cells from an adult into an embryonic-like state. These cells, that are as effective as cells isolated from early embryos, are termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The potency of iPSC technology is recently being employed by researchers aimed at helping wildlife and environmental conservation efforts. Ambitious attempts using iPSCs are being made to preserve endangered animals as well as reanimate extinct species, merging science fiction with reality. Other research to sustain natural resources and promote animal welfare are exploring iPSCs for laboratory grown animal products without harm to animals offering unorthodox options for creating meat, leather, and fur. There is great potential in iPSC technology and what can be achieved in consumerism, animal welfare, and environmental protection and conservation. Here, we discuss current research in the field of iPSCs and how these research groups are attempting to achieve their goals. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:7-13.

Induced pluripotent stem cell line from an atopic dermatitis patient heterozygous for c.2282del4 mutation in filaggrin: KCLi001-A

We have generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line KCLi001-A (iOP118) from a female atopic dermatitis (AD) patient, heterozygous for the loss-of-function mutation c.2282del4 in the filaggrin gene (FLG). Epidermal keratinocytes were reprogrammed using non-integrating Sendai virus vectors. The entire process of derivation and expansion of AD-iPSCs were performed under xeno-free culture conditions. Characterization of KCLi001-A line included molecular karyotyping, mutation screening using restriction enzyme digestion and Sanger sequencing, while pluripotency and differentiation potential were confirmed by expression of associated markers in vitro and by in vivo teratoma assay.

Bi-allelic Loss of CDKN2A Initiates Melanoma Invasion via BRN2 Activation

Loss of the CDKN2A tumor suppressor is associated with melanoma metastasis, but the mechanisms connecting the phenomena are unknown. Using CRISPR-Cas9 to engineer a cellular model of melanoma initiation from primary human melanocytes, we discovered that a lineage-restricted transcription factor, BRN2, is downstream of CDKN2A and directly regulated by E2F1. In a cohort of melanocytic tumors that capture distinct progression stages, we observed that CDKN2A loss coincides with both the onset of invasive behavior and increased BRN2 expression. Loss of the CDKN2A protein product p16^INK4A permitted metastatic dissemination of human melanoma lines in mice, a phenotype rescued by inhibition of BRN2. These results demonstrate a mechanism by which CDKN2A suppresses the initiation of melanoma invasion through inhibition of BRN2.

Abstract 5518: Bi-allelic loss of CDKN2A initiates melanoma invasion and metastasis via E2F1-BRN2 axis

CDKN2A acts as a critical tumor suppressor in melanoma, as evidenced by frequent loss of function mutations and deletion. Loss of CDKN2A is believed to permit escape from senescent pre-neoplastic cell populations through relieve of a cell cycle block mediated by its two gene products. We performed a comprehensive analysis of CDKN2A gene status, mRNA and protein expression levels of p16 and p14 in a cohort of melanomas and their adjacent pre-neoplastic lesions and observed that bi-allelic CDKN2A loss coincides with the progression stage when primary melanomas become invasive. In melanoma lines, p16INK4A, one of the protein products of the CDKN2A locus, is a potent barrier to metastasis, independent of its known role inhibiting cell proliferation. We genetically engineered primary human melanocytes to harbor CDKN2A deletions and/or BRAF V600E mutation at their endogenous BRAF locus. Using this physiologic model for the early phases of neoplastic transformation, we found no evidence for BRAF-induced senescence, rather observing that p16INK4A loss activates a master regulator of melanoma invasion, BRN2, through Rb-E2F1 pathway. These results demonstrate that one of the most frequently altered genes across human cancers, CDKN2A, has an unexpected novel role in inhibiting cellular invasion through lineage specific transcription factors and acts as an essential gatekeeper of early metastatic dissemination.

Citation Format: Hanlin Zeng, Aparna Jorapur, A. Hunter Shain, Ursula E. Lang, Rodrigo Torres, Yuntian Zhang, Thomas Botton, Jue Lin, Andrew S. Mcneal, Matthew Donne, Ingmar N. Bastian, Jeffrey North, Laura Pincus, Richard Yu, Beth S. Ruben, Nancy Joseph, Iwei Ye, Boris C. Bastian, Robert L. Judson. Bi-allelic loss of CDKN2A initiates melanoma invasion and metastasis via E2F1-BRN2 axis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5518.

Human stem cells from single blastomeres reveal pathways of embryonic or trophoblast fate specification

Mechanisms of initial cell fate decisions differ among species. To gain insights into lineage allocation in humans, we derived ten human embryonic stem cell lines (designated UCSFB1-10) from single blastomeres of four 8-cell embryos and one 12-cell embryo from a single couple. Compared with numerous conventional lines from blastocysts, they had unique gene expression and DNA methylation patterns that were, in part, indicative of trophoblast competence. At a transcriptional level, UCSFB lines from different embryos were often more closely related than those from the same embryo. As predicted by the transcriptomic data, immunolocalization of EOMES, T brachyury, GDF15 and active β-catenin revealed differential expression among blastomeres of 8- to 10-cell human embryos. The UCSFB lines formed derivatives of the three germ layers and CDX2-positive progeny, from which we derived the first human trophoblast stem cell line. Our data suggest heterogeneity among early-stage blastomeres and that the UCSFB lines have unique properties, indicative of a more immature state than conventional lines.

Establishment of human trophoblast progenitor cell lines from the chorion

Placental trophoblasts are key determinants of in utero development. Mouse trophoblast (TB) stem cells, which were first derived over a decade ago, are a powerful cell culture model for studying their self-renewal or differentiation. Our attempts to isolate an equivalent population from the trophectoderm of human blastocysts generated colonies that quickly differentiated in vitro. This finding suggested that the human placenta has another progenitor niche. Here, we show that the chorion is one such site. Initially, we immunolocalized pluripotency factors and TB fate determinants in the early gestation placenta, amnion, and chorion. Immunoreactive cells were numerous in the chorion. We isolated these cells and plated them in medium containing fibroblast growth factor which is required for human embryonic stem cell self-renewal, and an inhibitor of activin/nodal signaling. Colonies of polarized cells with a limited lifespan emerged. Trypsin dissociation yielded continuously self-replicating monolayers. Colonies and monolayers formed the two major human TB lineages-multinucleate syncytiotrophoblasts and invasive cytotrophoblasts (CTBs). Transcriptional profiling experiments revealed the factors associated with the self-renewal or differentiation of human chorionic TB progenitor cells (TBPCs). They included imprinted genes, NR2F1/2, HMGA2, and adhesion molecules that were required for TBPC differentiation. Together, the results of these experiments suggested that the chorion is one source of epithelial CTB progenitors. These findings explain why CTBs of fully formed chorionic villi have a modest mitotic index and identify the chorionic mesoderm as a niche for TBPCs that support placental growth.