技术资料

Cellular therapy using stem cells in bone regeneration has gained increasing interest. Various studies suggest the clinical utility of osteoprogenitors-like mesenchymal stem cells in bone regeneration. However,limited availability of mesenchymal stem cells and conflicting evidence on their therapeutic efficacy limit their clinical application. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are potentially an unlimited source of healthy and functional osteoprogenitors (OPs) that could be utilized for bone regenerative applications. However,limited ability to track hESC-derived progenies in vivo greatly hinders translational studies. Hence,in this study,we aimed to establish hESC-derived OPs (hESC-OPs) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and to investigate their osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro. We fluorescently labelled H9-hESCs using a plasmid vector encoding GFP. The GFP-expressing hESCs were differentiated into hESC-OPs. The hESC-OPs(GFP+) stably expressed high levels of GFP,CD73,CD90,and CD105. They possessed osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro as demonstrated by increased expression of COL1A1,RUNX2,OSTERIX,and OPG transcripts and mineralized nodules positive for Alizarin Red and immunocytochemical expression of osteocalcin,alkaline phosphatase,and collagen-I. In conclusion,we have demonstrated that fluorescently labelled hESC-OPs can maintain their GFP expression for the long term and their potential for osteogenic differentiation in vitro. In future,these fluorescently labelled hESC-OPs could be used for noninvasive assessment of bone regeneration,safety,and therapeutic efficacy. View Publication

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) are used for the culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). MEFs and HFFs differed in their capacity to support the proliferation and pluripotency of hESCs and could affect cardiac differentiation potential of hESCs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MEFs and HFFs feeders on dopaminergic differentiation of hESCs lines. To minimize the impact of culture condition variation,two hESCs lines were cultured on mixed feeder cells (MFCs,MEFs: HFFs = 1:1) and HFFs feeder,respectively,and then were differentiated into dopaminergic (DA) neurons under the identical protocol. Dopaminergic differentiation was evaluated by immunocytochemistry,quantitative fluorescent real-time PCR,transmission and scanning electron microscopy,and patch clamp. Our results demonstrated that these hESCs-derived neurons were genuine and functional DA neurons. However,compared to hESCs line on MFCs feeder,hESCs line on HFFs feeder had a higher proportion of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells and expressed higher levels of FOXA2,PITX3,NURR1,and TH genes. In addition,the values of threshold intensity and threshold membrane potential of DA neurons from hESCs line on HFFs feeder were lower than those of DA neurons from hESCs line on the MFCs feeder. In conclusion,HFFs feeder not only facilitated the differentiation of hESCs cells into dopaminergic neurons,but also induced hESCs-derived DA neurons to express higher electrophysiological excitability. Therefore,feeder cells could affect not only dopaminergic differentiation potential of different hESCs lines,but also electrophysiological properties of hESCs-derived DA neurons. View Publication

X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) is an immune deficiency resulting from defective production of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS) by phagocytes. Causative mutations occur throughout the CYBB gene,resulting in absent or defective gp91(phox) protein expression. To correct CYBB exon 5 mutations while retaining normal gene regulation,we utilized TALEN or Cas9 for exon 5 replacement in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients,which restored gp91(phox) expression and ROS production in iPSC-derived granulocytes. Alternate approaches for correcting the majority of X-CGD mutations were assessed,involving TALEN- or Cas9-mediated insertion of CYBB minigenes at exon 1 or 2 of the CYBB locus. Targeted insertion of an exon 1-13 minigene into CYBB exon 1 resulted in no detectable gp91(phox) expression or ROS activity in iPSC-derived granulocytes. In contrast,targeted insertion of an exon 2-13 minigene into exon 2 restored both gp91(phox) and ROS activity. This demonstrates the efficacy of two correction strategies: seamless repair of specific CYBB mutations by exon replacement or targeted insertion of an exon 2-13 minigene to CYBB exon 2 while retaining exon/intron 1. Furthermore,it highlights a key issue for targeted insertion strategies for expression from an endogenous promoter: retention of intronic elements can be necessary for expression. View Publication

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA),an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease,is the leading monogenic cause of infant mortality. Homozygous loss of the gene survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) causes the selective degeneration of lower motor neurons and subsequent atrophy of proximal skeletal muscles. The SMN1 protein product,survival of motor neuron (SMN),is ubiquitously expressed and is a key factor in the assembly of the core splicing machinery. The molecular mechanisms by which disruption of the broad functions of SMN leads to neurodegeneration remain unclear. We used an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based inducible mouse model of SMA to investigate the SMN-specific transcriptome changes associated with neurodegeneration. We found evidence of widespread intron retention,particularly of minor U12 introns,in the spinal cord of mice 30 d after SMA induction,which was then rescued by a therapeutic ASO. Intron retention was concomitant with a strong induction of the p53 pathway and DNA damage response,manifesting as γ-H2A.X positivity in neurons of the spinal cord and brain. Widespread intron retention and markers of the DNA damage response were also observed with SMN depletion in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons. We also found that retained introns,high in GC content,served as substrates for the formation of transcriptional R-loops. We propose that defects in intron removal in SMA promote DNA damage in part through the formation of RNA:DNA hybrid structures,leading to motor neuron death. View Publication

GABAergic interneurons are essential for neural circuit function,and their loss or dysfunction is implicated in human neuropsychiatric disease. In vitro methods for interneuron generation hold promise for studying human cellular and functional properties and,ultimately,for therapeutic cell replacement. Here we describe a protocol for generating cortical interneurons from hESCs and analyze the properties and maturation time course of cell types using single-cell RNA-seq. We find that the cell types produced mimic in vivo temporal patterns of neuron and glial production,with immature progenitors and neurons observed early and mature cortical neurons and glial cell types produced late. By comparing the transcriptomes of immature interneurons to those of more mature neurons,we identified genes important for human interneuron differentiation. Many of these genes were previously implicated in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. View Publication

Forward genetic screens are powerful tools for the unbiased discovery and functional characterization of specific genetic elements associated with a phenotype of interest. Recently,the RNA-guided endonuclease Cas9 from the microbial CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) immune system has been adapted for genome-scale screening by combining Cas9 with pooled guide RNA libraries. Here we describe a protocol for genome-scale knockout and transcriptional activation screening using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Custom- or ready-made guide RNA libraries are constructed and packaged into lentiviral vectors for delivery into cells for screening. As each screen is unique,we provide guidelines for determining screening parameters and maintaining sufficient coverage. To validate candidate genes identified by the screen,we further describe strategies for confirming the screening phenotype,as well as genetic perturbation,through analysis of indel rate and transcriptional activation. Beginning with library design,a genome-scale screen can be completed in 9-15 weeks,followed by 4-5 weeks of validation. View Publication

A fast track Hot Start" process was implemented to launch the European Bank for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC) to provide early release of a range of established control and disease linked human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines. Established practice amongst consortium members was surveyed to arrive at harmonised and publically accessible Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) for tissue procurement View Publication

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from a clinically diagnosed 64-year old male Parkinson's disease (PD) patient with N551K variant in the LRRK2 gene. The PMBCs were reprogrammed with the human OSKM transcription factors using the Sendai-virus reprogramming system. The transgene-free iPSC showed pluripotency confirmed by immunofluorescent staining for pluripotency markers and differentiated into the 3 germ layers in vivo. The iPSC line also showed normal karyotype. This cellular model can complement in vivo PD models for pathophysiological studies and drug screening. View Publication

Urine resource cells were collected from a 59-year-old female patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) for generating iPS cells with episomal plasmids carrying Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 and miR-302-367. The patient sustained a heterozygous GtextgreaterT transition mutation on the exon 9 of Men1 gene that was confirmed by sequencing analysis on the obtained iPSC lines. Karyotyping indicated the chromosomes with normal appearances and numbers. Their pluripotency was demonstrated by gene expression,as well as their abilities for differentiating into three germ layers. This cell line provides an ideal model for studying MEN1. View Publication

Peripheral blood was collected from a clinically diagnosed 72-year old male patient with later onset Alzheimer's disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were reprogrammed with the Yamanaka KMOS reprogramming factors using the Sendai-virus reprogramming system. The transgene-free iPSC line showed pluripotency verified by immunofluorescent staining for pluripotency markers,and the iPSC line was able to differentiate into the 3 germ layers in vivo. The iPSC line also showed normal karyotype. This in vitro cellular model will be useful for studying the pathological mechanism of Alzheimer's disease. View Publication

Peripheral blood was collected from a clinically diagnosed 64-year old male multiple schwannoma patient. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were reprogrammed with the Yamanaka KMOS reprogramming factors using the Sendai-virus reprogramming system. The transgene-free iPSC line showed pluripotency verified by immunofluorescent staining for pluripotency markers,and the iPSC line was able to differentiate into the 3 germ layers in vivo. The iPSC line also showed normal karyotype. This in vitro cellular model will be useful for further pathological studies of multiple schwannoma. View Publication

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked,neurodevelopmental disorder caused primarily by mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene,which encodes a multifunctional epigenetic regulator with known links to a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders. Although postnatal functions of MeCP2 have been thoroughly investigated,its role in prenatal brain development remains poorly understood. Given the well-established importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in neurogenesis,we employed isogenic human RTT patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and MeCP2 short hairpin RNA knockdown approaches to identify novel MeCP2-regulated miRNAs enriched during early human neuronal development. Focusing on the most dysregulated miRNAs,we found miR-199 and miR-214 to be increased during early brain development and to differentially regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) signaling. In parallel,we characterized the effects on human neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation brought about by MeCP2 deficiency using both monolayer and three-dimensional (cerebral organoid) patient-derived and MeCP2-deficient neuronal culture models. Inhibiting miR-199 or miR-214 expression in iPSC-derived neural progenitors deficient in MeCP2 restored AKT and ERK activation,respectively,and ameliorated the observed alterations in neuronal differentiation. Moreover,overexpression of miR-199 or miR-214 in the wild-type mouse embryonic brains was sufficient to disturb neurogenesis and neuronal migration in a similar manner to Mecp2 knockdown. Taken together,our data support a novel miRNA-mediated pathway downstream of MeCP2 that influences neurogenesis via interactions with central molecular hubs linked to autism spectrum disorders.Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication,25 April 2017; doi:10.1038/mp.2017.86. View Publication