scholarly journals Controlling embryonic stem cell proliferation and pluripotency: the role of PI3K- and GSK-3-dependent signalling

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 674-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie J. Welham ◽  
Emmajayne Kingham ◽  
Yolanda Sanchez-Ripoll ◽  
Benjamin Kumpfmueller ◽  
Michael Storm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Human Escs ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

ESCs (embryonic stem cells) are derived from the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos and are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into all of the cells that make up the adult organism. This property of pluripotency makes ESCs attractive as a model system for studying early development and for the generation of specific cell types for use in regenerative medicine and drug screening. In order to harness their potential, the molecular mechanisms regulating ESC pluripotency, proliferation and differentiation (i.e. cell fate) need to be understood so that pluripotency can be maintained during expansion, while differentiation to specific lineages can be induced accurately when required. The present review focuses on the potential roles that PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3)-dependent signalling play in the co-ordination and integration of mouse ESC pluripotency and proliferation and contrast this with our understanding of their functions in human ESCs.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases and regulation of embryonic stem cell fate

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Welham ◽  
M.P. Storm ◽  
E. Kingham ◽  
H.K. Bone
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Lines ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

ES (embryonic stem) cell lines are derived from the epiblast of pre-implantation embryos and like the inner cell mass cells from which they are derived exhibit the remarkable property of pluripotency, namely the ability to differentiate into all cell lineages comprising the adult organism. ES cells and their differentiated progeny offer tremendous potential to regenerative medicine, particularly as cellular therapies for the treatment of a wide variety of chronic disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and retinal degeneration. In order for this potential to be realized, a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the fundamental properties of ES cells, i.e. pluripotency, proliferation and differentiation, is required. In the present paper, we review the evidence that PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-dependent signalling plays a role in regulation of both ES cell pluripotency and proliferation.

scholarly journals Epigenetic control of embryonic stem cell fate

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (11) ◽  
pp. 2287-2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaj Strøyer Christophersen ◽  
Kristian Helin
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Es Cells ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Polycomb Group ◽  
Es Cell ◽  
Defined Culture

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo and are pluripotent, as they are able to differentiate into all cell types of the adult organism. Once established, the pluripotent ES cells can be maintained under defined culture conditions, but can also be induced rapidly to differentiate. Maintaining this balance of stability versus plasticity is a challenge, and extensive studies in recent years have focused on understanding the contributions of transcription factors and epigenetic enzymes to the “stemness” properties of these cells. Identifying the molecular switches that regulate ES cell self-renewal versus differentiation can provide insights into the nature of the pluripotent state and enhance the potential use of these cells in therapeutic applications. Here, we review the latest models for how changes in chromatin methylation can modulate ES cell fate, focusing on two major repressive pathways, Polycomb group (PcG) repressive complexes and promoter DNA methylation.

Specific expression of a retinoic acid-regulated, zinc-finger gene, Rex-1, in preimplantation embryos, trophoblast and spermatocytes

Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 815-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.B. Rogers ◽  
B.A. Hosler ◽  
L.J. Gudas
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Specific Expression

We have previously isolated a cDNA clone for a gene whose expression is reduced by retinoic acid (RA) treatment of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. The nucleotide sequence indicated that this gene, Rex-1, encodes a zinc-finger protein and thus may be a transcriptional regulator. The Rex-1 message level is high in two lines of embryonic stem cells (CCE and D3) and is reduced when D3 cells are induced to differentiate using four different growth conditions. As expected for a stem-cell-specific message, Rex-1 mRNA is present in the inner cell mass (ICM) of the day 4.5 mouse blastocyst. It is also present in the polar trophoblast of the blastocyst. One and two days later, Rex-1 message is found in the ectoplacental cone and extraembryonic ectoderm of the egg cylinder (trophoblast-derived tissues), but its abundance is much reduced in the embryonic ectoderm which is directly descended from the ICM. Rex-1 is expressed in the day 18 placenta (murine gestation is 18 days), a tissue which is largely derived from trophoblast. The only tested adult tissue that contains detectable amounts of Rex-1 mRNA is the testis. In situ hybridization and northern analyses of RNA from germ-cell-deficient mouse testis and stage-specific germ cell preparations suggest that Rex-1 expression is limited to spermatocytes (germ cells undergoing meiosis). These results suggest that Rex-1 is involved in trophoblast development and spermatogenesis, and is a useful marker for studies of early cell fate determination in the ICM.

scholarly journals Pluripotency and Epigenetic Factors in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Fate Regulation

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (16) ◽  
pp. 2716-2728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lluis Morey ◽  
Alexandra Santanach ◽  
Luciano Di Croce
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Pluripotency Factors ◽  
Perfect System

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by their ability to self-renew and to differentiate into all cell types of a given organism. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the ESC state is of great interest not only for basic research—for instance, ESCs represent a perfect system to study cellular differentiationin vitro—but also for their potential implications in human health, as these mechanisms are likewise involved in cancer progression and could be exploited in regenerative medicine. In this minireview, we focus on the latest insights into the molecular mechanisms mediated by the pluripotency factors as well as their roles during differentiation. We also discuss recent advances in understanding the function of the epigenetic regulators, Polycomb and MLL complexes, in ESC biology.

102. THE EFFECT OF INSULIN ON EMBRYONIC STEM CELL PROGENITOR CELLS IN THE MOUSE BLASTOCYST

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
J. M. Campbell ◽  
I. Vassiliev ◽  
M. B. Nottle ◽  
M. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Stage Of Development

Human ESCs are produced from embryos donated at the mid-stage of pre-implantation development. This cryostorage reduced viability. However, it has been shown that this can be improved by the addition of growth factors to culture medium. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the addition of insulin to embryo culture medium from the 8-cell stage of development increases the number of ES cell progenitor cells in the epiblast in a mouse model. In vivo produced mouse zygotes (C57Bl6 strain) were cultured in G1 medium for 48h to the 8-cell stage, followed by culture in G2 supplemented with insulin (0, 0.17, 1.7 and 1700pM) for 68h, at 37 o C , in 5% O2, 6%CO2, 89% N2 . The number of cells in the inner cell mass (ICM) and epiblast was determined by immunohistochemical staining for Oct4 and Nanog. ICM cells express Oct4, epiblast cells express both Oct4 and Nanog. The addition of insulin at the concentrations examined did not increase the ICM. However, at 1.7pM insulin increased the number of epiblast cells (6.6±0.5 cells vs 4.1±0.5, P=0.001) in the ICM, which increased the proportion of the ICM that was epiblast (38.9±3.7% compared to 25.8±3.4% in the control P=0.01). This indicates that the increase in the epiblast is brought about by a shift in cell fate as opposed to an increase in cell division. The effect of insulin on the proportion of cells in the epiblast was investigated using inhibitors of phosphoinositide3-kinase (PI3K) (LY294002, 50µM); one of insulin's main second messengers, and p53 (pifithrin-α, 30µg/ml); a pro-apoptotic protein inactivated by PI3K. Inhibition of PI3K eliminated the increase caused by insulin (4.5±0.3 cells versus 2.2±0.3 cells, P<0.001), while inhibition of p53 increased the epiblast cell number compared to the control (7.1±0.8 and 4.1±0.7 respectively P=0.001). This study shows that insulin increases epiblast cell number through the activation of PI3K and the inhibition of p53, and may be a strategy for improving ESC isolation from human embryos.

Exploring early differentiation and pluripotency in domestic animals

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Michael Roberts ◽  
Ye Yuan ◽  
Toshihiko Ezashi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Potential Usefulness ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Human Escs ◽  
Domestic Species

This short review describes some general features of the origins of the pluripotent inner cell mass and epiblast during the early development of eutherian mammals and the two kinds of embryonic stem cell (ESC), naïve and primed type, that have been produced from these structures. We point out that the derivation of pluripotent stem cells from domesticated species continues to be fraught with difficulties, most likely because the culture requirements of these cells are distinct from those of mouse and human ESCs. Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the domesticated species has been more straightforward, although the majority of the iPSC lines remain dependent on the continued expression of one or more integrated reprogramming genes. Although hope for the potential usefulness of these cells in genetic modification of livestock and other domestic species has dimmed, ESCs and iPSCs remain our best source of self-renewing populations of pluripotent cells, with potential usefulness in preserving and propagating valuable animal breeds and making contributions to fields such as regenerative medicine, toxicology and even laboratory meat production.

scholarly journals Repression of Nanog Gene Transcription by Tcf3 Limits Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 7479-7491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Pereira ◽  
Fei Yi ◽  
Bradley J. Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Regulatory Region ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Nanog Gene

ABSTRACT The dual function of stem cells requires them not only to form new stem cells through self-renewal but also to form lineage-committed cells through differentiation. Embryonic stem cells (ESC), which are derived from the blastocyst inner cell mass, retain properties of self-renewal and the potential for lineage commitment. To balance self-renewal and differentiation, ESC must carefully control the levels of several transcription factors, including Nanog, Sox2, and Oct4. While molecular mechanisms promoting transcription of these genes have been described, mechanisms preventing excessive levels in self-renewing ESC remain unknown. By examining the function of the TCF family of transcription factors in ESC, we have found that Tcf3 is necessary to limit the steady-state levels of Nanog mRNA, protein, and promoter activity in self-renewing ESC. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter reporter assays showed that Tcf3 bound to a promoter regulatory region of the Nanog gene and repressed its transcriptional activity in ESC through a Groucho interaction domain-dependent process. The absence of Tcf3 caused delayed differentiation of ESC in vitro as elevated Nanog levels persisted through 5 days of embryoid body formation. These new data support a model wherein Tcf3-mediated control of Nanog levels allows stem cells to balance the creation of lineage-committed and undifferentiated cells.

scholarly journals Single-Cell Genomics: Catalyst for Cell Fate Engineering

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boxun Li ◽  
Gary C. Hon
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Cellular Heterogeneity ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
Direct Reprogramming ◽  
Cell State

As we near a complete catalog of mammalian cell types, the capability to engineer specific cell types on demand would transform biomedical research and regenerative medicine. However, the current pace of discovering new cell types far outstrips our ability to engineer them. One attractive strategy for cellular engineering is direct reprogramming, where induction of specific transcription factor (TF) cocktails orchestrates cell state transitions. Here, we review the foundational studies of TF-mediated reprogramming in the context of a general framework for cell fate engineering, which consists of: discovering new reprogramming cocktails, assessing engineered cells, and revealing molecular mechanisms. Traditional bulk reprogramming methods established a strong foundation for TF-mediated reprogramming, but were limited by their small scale and difficulty resolving cellular heterogeneity. Recently, single-cell technologies have overcome these challenges to rapidly accelerate progress in cell fate engineering. In the next decade, we anticipate that these tools will enable unprecedented control of cell state.

scholarly journals β-Catenin safeguards the ground state of mousepluripotency by strengthening the robustness of the transcriptional apparatus

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (29) ◽  
pp. eaba1593
Author(s):  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Yiwei Lai ◽  
Vladislav Krupalnik ◽  
Pengcheng Guo ◽  
Xiangpeng Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ground State ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Glycogen Synthase ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Cycle Gene

Mouse embryonic stem cells cultured with MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) and GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase 3) inhibitors (2i) more closely resemble the inner cell mass of preimplantation blastocysts than those cultured with SL [serum/leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)]. The transcriptional mechanisms governing this pluripotent ground state are unresolved. Release of promoter-proximal paused RNA polymerase II (Pol2) is a multistep process necessary for pluripotency and cell cycle gene transcription in SL. We show that β-catenin, stabilized by GSK3 inhibition in medium with 2i, supplies transcriptional coregulators at pluripotency loci. This selectively strengthens pluripotency loci and renders them addicted to transcription initiation for productive gene body elongation in detriment to Pol2 pause release. By contrast, cell cycle genes are not bound by β-catenin, and proliferation/self-renewal remains tightly controlled by Pol2 pause release under 2i conditions. Our findings explain how pluripotency is reinforced in the ground state and also provide a general model for transcriptional resilience/adaptation upon network perturbation in other contexts.

scholarly journals Clonal culturing of human embryonic stem cells on laminin-521/E-cadherin matrix in defined and xeno-free environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Rodin ◽  
Liselotte Antonsson ◽  
Colin Niaudet ◽  
Oscar E. Simonson ◽  
Elina Salmela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inner Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Hes Cells ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
E Cadherin

Abstract Lack of robust methods for establishment and expansion of pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES) cells still hampers development of cell therapy. Laminins (LN) are a family of highly cell-type specific basement membrane proteins important for cell adhesion, differentiation, migration and phenotype stability. Here we produce and isolate a human recombinant LN-521 isoform and develop a cell culture matrix containing LN-521 and E-cadherin, which both localize to stem cell niches in vivo. This matrix allows clonal derivation, clonal survival and long-term self-renewal of hES cells under completely chemically defined and xeno-free conditions without ROCK inhibitors. Neither LN-521 nor E-cadherin alone enable clonal survival of hES cells. The LN-521/E-cadherin matrix allows hES cell line derivation from blastocyst inner cell mass and single blastomere cells without a need to destroy the embryo. This method can facilitate the generation of hES cell lines for development of different cell types for regenerative medicine purposes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document