scholarly journals Building Pluripotency Identity in the Early Embryo and Derived Stem Cells

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2049
Author(s):  
Paola Rebuzzini ◽  
Maurizio Zuccotti ◽  
Silvia Garagna

The fusion of two highly differentiated cells, an oocyte with a spermatozoon, gives rise to the zygote, a single totipotent cell, which has the capability to develop into a complete, fully functional organism. Then, as development proceeds, a series of programmed cell divisions occur whereby the arising cells progressively acquire their own cellular and molecular identity, and totipotency narrows until when pluripotency is achieved. The path towards pluripotency involves transcriptome modulation, remodeling of the chromatin epigenetic landscape to which external modulators contribute. Both human and mouse embryos are a source of different types of pluripotent stem cells whose characteristics can be captured and maintained in vitro. The main aim of this review is to address the cellular properties and the molecular signature of the emerging cells during mouse and human early development, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species and between the embryos and their cognate stem cells.

Author(s):  
Eszter Posfai ◽  
John Paul Schell ◽  
Adrian Janiszewski ◽  
Isidora Rovic ◽  
Alexander Murray ◽  
...  

AbstractTotipotency is the ability of a single cell to give rise to all the differentiated cells that build the conceptus, yet how to capture this property in vitro remains incompletely understood. Defining totipotency relies upon a variety of assays of variable stringency. Here we describe criteria to define totipotency. We illustrate how distinct criteria of increasing stringency can be used to judge totipotency by evaluating candidate totipotent cell types in the mouse, including early blastomeres and expanded or extended pluripotent stem cells. Our data challenge the notion that expanded or extended pluripotent states harbor increased totipotent potential relative to conventional embryonic stem cells under in vivo conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laetitia Seguin ◽  
Soline Odouard ◽  
Francesca Corlazzoli ◽  
Sarah Al Haddad ◽  
Laurine Moindrot ◽  
...  

AbstractRecently, we involved the carbohydrate-binding protein Galectin-3 (Gal-3) as a druggable target for KRAS-mutant-addicted lung and pancreatic cancers. Here, using glioblastoma patient-derived stem cells (GSCs), we identify and characterize a subset of Gal-3high glioblastoma (GBM) tumors mainly within the mesenchymal subtype that are addicted to Gal-3-mediated macropinocytosis. Using both genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of Gal-3, we showed a significant decrease of GSC macropinocytosis activity, cell survival and invasion, in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Gal-3 binds to RAB10, a member of the RAS superfamily of small GTPases, and β1 integrin, which are both required for macropinocytosis activity and cell survival. Finally, by defining a Gal-3/macropinocytosis molecular signature, we could predict sensitivity to this dependency pathway and provide proof-of-principle for innovative therapeutic strategies to exploit this Achilles’ heel for a significant and unique subset of GBM patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruijie Zeng ◽  
Jinghua Wang ◽  
Zewei Zhuo ◽  
Yujun Luo ◽  
Weihong Sha ◽  
...  

AbstractNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease predominately affecting neonates. Despite therapeutic advances, NEC remains the leading cause of mortality due to gastrointestinal conditions in neonates. Stem cells have been exploited in various diseases, and the application of different types of stem cells in the NEC therapy is explored in the past decade. However, stem cell transplantation possesses several deficiencies, and exosomes are considered potent alternatives. Exosomes, especially those derived from stem cells and breast milk, demonstrate beneficial effects for NEC both in vivo and in vitro and emerge as promising options for clinical practice. In this review, the function and therapeutic effects of stem cells and exosomes for NEC are investigated and summarized, which provide insights for the development and application of novel therapeutic strategies in pediatric diseases. Further elucidation of mechanisms, improvement in preparation, bioengineering, and administration, as well as rigorous clinical trials are warranted.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 1151-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Rahimi ◽  
Amir-Hassan Zarnani ◽  
Homa Mohseni-Kouchesfehani ◽  
Haleh Soltanghoraei ◽  
Mohammad-Mehdi Akhondi ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 260
Author(s):  
D. A. Anzalone ◽  
D. Iuso ◽  
P. Toschi ◽  
F. Zacchini ◽  
G. E. Ptak ◽  
...  

Pluripotency is the ability of one cell to generate every cell type of the 3 germ layers, a property typically owned by embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), with some exceptions; multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are an example. Muse cells, described as pre-existing pluripotent stem cells in mesenchymal tissues (Kuroda et al. 2010) are able to form clusters from single cells in suspension culture, express pluripotency factors and differentiate into cell types of the 3 germ layers, like ESC and iPSC. In addition, Muse cells are proposed to be the only source of cells capable to generate iPSC by current methodologies (Wakao et al. 2011). However, it is unclear whether they are normally present in adult tissue, derive from precursors stem or differentiated cells, or are induced by the in vitro conditions. In our work, we tested the hypothesis that the transition from a committed (tissue) to an uncommitted (in vitro culture) environment triggers in the cells the activation of a default gene circuitry leading to pluripotency. Adult skin fibroblasts were obtained from sheep ear biopsy (n = 3) and expanded in vitro (A) or cultured in suspension in hanging drops (B) or in nonadherent dishes (C) in MEM with 10% FBS. In a subsequent experiment, clonal expansion was attempted by culturing single suspension cells in drops of medium (D). Pluripotency was assessed analysing Oct4 and Nanog expression, using real-time PCR (mRNA) and Western blotting (protein), in cultured fibroblasts compared to whole ear biopsy (30-day-old fetus was used as positive control, CTR). Furthermore, in adherent cells (A) and in clusters obtained from suspension culture (B, C, D), Oct4 and Nanog expression was compared by immunofluorescence. We found that while in the ear biopsy not one of these pluripotency markers was expressed, in in vitro-expanded fibroblasts both mRNA and protein expression was detected; mRNA expression value (mean ± s.e.m. relative to CTR) was 0.59 ± 0.18 for Nanog and 0.2 ± 0.07 for Oct4. Moreover, fibroblasts in suspension (B, C, D) were able to form clusters [obtained from 32% (16/50) of single cells, D] similar to those normally obtained with ESC, iPSC. and Muse cells. All the clusters (B, C, D) showed a more intensive signal of Oct4 and Nanog protein compared to adherent cells by immunofluorescence. In the present work we demonstrate that adult somatic cells (skin fibroblasts) express key pluripotency factors, such as OCT4 and Nanog, in both adherent and suspension culture, after removal from the tissue (ear). We can conclude that the simple in vitro culture switches on the expression of pluripotency markers in adult somatic cells. Removal from the context of the tissue probably leads the cells to lose their tissue-specific identity and acquire a new undifferentiated one, which in an optimal condition culture could result in pluripotency. Our interpretation is that reprogramming must be an automatic, default response when differentiated cells are removed from the constraints imposed by a multicellular environment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
T. H. Kim ◽  
B. G. Jeon ◽  
S. L. Lee ◽  
G. J. Rho

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are regarded as an attractive source for tissue engineering and regeneration, and bone marrow extract has been commonly used as a source of pluripotent MSC. However, skin tissue has recently been identified as a convenient alternative source of MSC. The present study was focused on the effect of characterised MSC derived from rat on expression of early transcriptional factors, alkaline phosphate (AP) activity, and in vitro differentiation into selected cell lineages. The MSC were isolated from 8-week-old s.d. rat’s ear skin and cultured in advanced DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. To evaluate AP activity, cells were fixed with 3.7% formaldehyde solution and stained with Western Blue® (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). Expressions of early transcriptional factors (Oct-4, Sox2, and Nanog) were evaluated by RT-PCR. Differentiation into distinct mesenchymal lineages such as adipogenic, osteogenic, and neuron was done by following previously described protocols and assessed by lineage-specific stains. The specific genes in the osteocytes (osteocalcin, osteonectin, osteopontin, and Runx2), adipocytes (pparγ2, adiponectin, and aP2) or neuron (nestin, neurogenin 1, β-tublin, and nerve growth factor) were characterised by RT-PCR. The MSC were positive for AP activity and expressed Oct-4, Sox2, and Nanog. Following induction, MSC were successfully differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, and neurons. As adipocytes markers, aP2, pparγ2, and adiponectin were strongly detected in the adipocyte induced cells. Osteonectin, osteocalcin, Runx2, and osteopontin were expressed in the adipocyte induced cells. Futhermore, neuron-specific markers were clearly expressed in the neuronal differentiated cells. In conclusion, MSC have the capability of differentiation into multilineages including adipocytes, osteocytes, and neurons under the specific induction conditions. Skin tissue in rat can serve as an easily accessible and expandable alternative source for MSC harvesting and preclinical applications using an animal model. This work was supported by Grant No. 2007031034040 from Bio-organ and 200908FHT010204005 from Biogreen21, Republic of Korea.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 591-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana I. Teixeira ◽  
Ola Hermanson ◽  
Carsten Werner

AbstractStem cells have received a lot of attention due to great promises in medical treatment, for example, by replacing lost and sick cells and re-constituting cell populations. There are several classes of stem cells, including embryonic, fetal, and adult tissue specific. More recently, the generation of so-called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from differentiated cells has been established. Common criteria for all types of stem cells include their ability to self-renew and to retain their ability to differentiate in response to specific cues. These characteristics, as well as the instructive steering of the cells into differentiation, are largely dependent on the microenvironment surrounding the cells. Such “stem cell friendly” microenvironments, provided by structural and biochemical components, are often referred to as niches. Biomaterials offer attractive solutions to engineer functional stem cell niches and to steer stem cell state and fatein vitroas well asin vivo. Among materials used so far, promising results have been achieved with low-toxicity and biodegradable polymers, such as polyglycolic acid and related materials, as well as other polymers used as structural “scaffolds” for engineering of extracellular matrix components. To improve the efficiency of stem cell control and the design of the biomaterials, interfaces among stem cell research, developmental biology, regenerative medicine, chemical engineering, and materials research are rapidly developing. Here we provide an introduction to stem cell biology and principles of niche engineering and give an overview of recent advancements in stem cell niche engineering from two stem cell systems—blood and brain.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinh Chung Doan ◽  
Thanh Long Le ◽  
Nghia Son Hoang ◽  
Dinh Nguyen Ky ◽  
Hoang Chuong Nguyen ◽  
...  

Background. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue, have been known to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. MSCs can also be easily obtained from umbilical cord lining membrane (CLMSCs). CLMSCs are more primitive MSCs than those isolated from other tissue sources. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro differentiation of CLMSCs into hepatocyte lineage. Materials and Methods. In this study, CLMSCs were isolated through a tissue attachment method. Cells were characterized for expression of MSC-specific markers and differentiation potency. CLMSCs were induced to differentiate into hepatocytes by a simple two-step protocol. Differentiated cells were examined for the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers and hepatocyte functions. Results. CLMSCs expressed MSC-specific markers and differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts. RT-PCR, real-time qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry analyses demonstrated that differentiated CLMSCs, having hepatocyte-like morphology, expressed several liver-specific markers, such as ALB, AFP, CK18, and CK19, at both mRNA and protein levels following hepatocyte differentiation. Furthermore, periodic acid-Schiff staining and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake assay showed that differentiated cells could store glycogen and uptake LDL. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that CLMSCs can differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells. CLMSCs can serve as a favorable cell source for tissue engineering in the treatment of liver disease.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Z Behar ◽  
Yuhuan Wang ◽  
Prue Talbot

BackgroundAs thousands of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill fluids continue to be formulated and distributed, there is a growing need to understand the cytotoxicity of the flavouring chemicals and solvents used in these products to ensure they are safe. The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of e-cigarette refill fluids/solvents and their corresponding aerosols using in vitro cultured cells.MethodsE-cigarette refill fluids and do-it-yourself products were screened in liquid and aerosol form for cytotoxicity using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The sensitivity of human pulmonary fibroblasts, lung epithelial cells (A549) and human embryonic stem cells to liquids and aerosols was compared. Aerosols were produced using Johnson Creek’s Vea cartomizer style e-cigarette.ResultsA hierarchy of potency was established for the aerosolised products. Our data show that (1) e-cigarette aerosols can produce cytotoxic effects in cultured cells, (2) four patterns of cytotoxicity were found when comparing refill fluids and their corresponding aerosols, (3) fluids accurately predicted aerosol cytotoxicity 74% of the time, (4) stem cells were often more sensitive to aerosols than differentiated cells and (5) 91% of the aerosols made from refill fluids containing only glycerin were cytotoxic, even when produced at a low voltage.ConclusionsOur data show that various flavours/brands of e-cigarette refill fluids and their aerosols are cytotoxic and demonstrate the need for further evaluation of e-cigarette products to better understand their potential health effects.


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