scholarly journals The Role of Sequential BMP Signaling in Directing Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Bipotential Gonadal Cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (11) ◽  
pp. 4303-4314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsi Sepponen ◽  
Karolina Lundin ◽  
Katri Knuus ◽  
Pia Väyrynen ◽  
Taneli Raivio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Bmp Signaling

Abstract Context Human gonads arise as a pair of epithelial ridges on the surface of intermediate mesoderm (IM)-derived mesonephros. Toxic environmental factors and mutations in various genes are known to disturb normal gonadal development, but because of a lack of suitable in vitro models, detailed studies characterizing the molecular basis of the observed defects have not been performed. Objective To establish an in vitro method for studying differentiation of bipotential gonadal progenitors by using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and to investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in gonadal differentiation. Design We tested 17 protocols using activin A, CHIR-99021, and varying durations of BMP-7 and the BMP inhibitor dorsomorphin. Activation of activin A, WNT, and BMP pathways was optimized to induce differentiation. Setting Academic research laboratory. Main Outcomes Measures Cell differentiation, gene expression, and flow cytometry. Results The two most efficient protocols consistently upregulated IM markers LHX1, PAX2, and OSR1 at days 2 to 4 and bipotential gonadal markers EMX2, GATA4, WT1, and LHX9 at day 8 of culture. The outcome depended on the combination of the duration, concentration, and type of BMP activation and the length of WNT signaling. Adjusting any of the parameters substantially affected the requirements for other parameters. Conclusions We have established a reproducible protocol for directed differentiation of hESCs into bipotential gonadal cells. The protocol can be used to model early gonadal development in humans and allows further differentiation to mature gonadal somatic cells.

Role of BMP Signaling in Pancreatic Progenitor Differentiation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Sui ◽  
Mieke Geens ◽  
Karen Sermon ◽  
Luc Bouwens ◽  
Josué Kunjom Mfopou
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Bmp Signaling ◽  
Pancreatic Progenitor

scholarly journals Rapid Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Testosterone-Producing Leydig Cell-Like Cells In vitro

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Young Shin ◽  
Seah Park ◽  
Won Yun Choi ◽  
Dong Ryul Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Molecular Compounds

Abstract Background: Leydig cells (LCs) are testicular somatic cells that are the major producers of testosterone in males. Testosterone is essential for male physiology and reproduction. Reduced testosterone levels lead to hypogonadism and are associated with diverse pathologies, such as neuronal dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. LC transplantation is a promising therapy for hypogonadism; however, the number of LCs in the testis is very rare and they do not proliferate in vitro. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative source of LCs. Methods: To develop a safer, simple, and rapid strategy to generate human LC-like cells (LLCs) from stem cells, we first performed preliminary tests under different conditions for the induction of LLCs from human CD34/CD73 double positive-testis-derived stem cells (HTSCs). Based on the embryological sequence of events, we suggested a 3-step strategy for the differentiation of human ESCs into LLCs. We generated the mesendoderm in the first stage and intermediate mesoderm (IM) in the second stage and optimized the conditions for differentiation of IM into LLCs by comparing the secreted testosterone levels of each group. Results: HTSCs and human embryonic stem cells can be directly differentiated into LLCs by defined molecular compounds within a short period. Human ESC-derived LLCs can secrete testosterone and express steroidogenic markers. Conclusion: We developed a rapid and efficient protocol for the production of LLCs from stem cells using defined molecular compounds. These findings provide a new therapeutic cell source for male hypogonadism.

Nanofiber-Based in Vitro System for High Myogenic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 4207-4216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Leung ◽  
Ashleigh Cooper ◽  
Soumen Jana ◽  
Ching-Ting Tsao ◽  
Timothy A. Petrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Myogenic Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
In Vitro System

Smooth-Muscle-Like Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Support and Augment Cord-Like Structures In Vitro

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Vo ◽  
Donny Hanjaya-Putra ◽  
Yuanting Zha ◽  
Sravanti Kusuma ◽  
Sharon Gerecht
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem

scholarly journals Replication Stress and Telomere Dysfunction Are Present in Cultured Human Embryonic Stem Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Janson ◽  
Kristine Nyhan ◽  
John P. Murnane
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Chromosome Instability ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Replication Stress ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Fragile Sites ◽  
Telomere Dysfunction

Replication stress causes DNA damage at fragile sites in the genome. DNA damage at telomeres can initiate breakage-fusion-bridge cycles and chromosome instability, which can result in replicative senescence or tumor formation. Little is known about the extent of replication stress or telomere dysfunction in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). hESCs are grown in culture with the expectation of being used therapeutically in humans, making it important to minimize the levels of replication stress and telomere dysfunction. Here, the hESC line UCSF4 was cultured in a defined medium with growth factor Activin A, exogenous nucleosides, or DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin. We used quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization to analyze individual telomeres for dysfunction and observed that it can be increased by aphidicolin or Activin A. In contrast, adding exogenous nucleosides relieved dysfunction, suggesting that telomere dysfunction results from replication stress. Whether these findings can be applied to other hESC lines remains to be determined. However, because the loss of telomeres can lead to chromosome instability and cancer, we conclude that hESCs grown in culture for future therapeutic purposes should be routinely checked for replication stress and telomere dysfunction.

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