技术资料

Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (Shp2),encoded by Ptpn11,is a member of the nonreceptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase family,and functions in cell survival,proliferation,migration,and differentiation in many tissues. Here we report that loss of Ptpn11 in murine hematopoietic cells leads to bone marrow aplasia and lethality. Mutant mice show rapid loss of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and immature progenitors of all hematopoietic lineages in a gene dosage-dependent and cell-autonomous manner. Ptpn11-deficient HSCs and progenitors undergo apoptosis concomitant with increased Noxa expression. Mutant HSCs/progenitors also show defective Erk and Akt activation in response to stem cell factor and diminished thrombopoietin-evoked Erk activation. Activated Kras alleviates the Ptpn11 requirement for colony formation by progenitors and cytokine/growth factor responsiveness of HSCs,indicating that Ras is functionally downstream of Shp2 in these cells. Thus,Shp2 plays a critical role in controlling the survival and maintenance of HSCs and immature progenitors in vivo. View Publication

A metabolic biomarker-based in vitro assay utilizing human embryonic stem (hES) cells was developed to identify the concentration of test compounds that perturbs cellular metabolism in a manner indicative of teratogenicity. This assay is designed to aid the early discovery-phase detection of potential human developmental toxicants. In this study,metabolomic data from hES cell culture media were used to assess potential biomarkers for development of a rapid in vitro teratogenicity assay. hES cells were treated with pharmaceuticals of known human teratogenicity at a concentration equivalent to their published human peak therapeutic plasma concentration. Two metabolite biomarkers (ornithine and cystine) were identified as indicators of developmental toxicity. A targeted exposure-based biomarker assay using these metabolites,along with a cytotoxicity endpoint,was then developed using a 9-point dose–response curve. The predictivity of the new assay was evaluated using a separate set of test compounds. To illustrate how the assay could be applied to compounds of unknown potential for developmental toxicity,an additional 10 compounds were evaluated that do not have data on human exposure during pregnancy,but have shown positive results in animal developmental toxicity studies. The new assay identified the potential developmental toxicants in the test set with 77% accuracy (57% sensitivity,100% specificity). The assay had a high concordance (≥75%) with existing in vivo models,demonstrating that the new assay can predict the developmental toxicity potential of new compounds as part of discovery phase testing and provide a signal as to the likely outcome of required in vivo tests. View Publication

Pluripotent human embryonic stem (hES) cells are an important experimental tool for basic and applied research,and a potential source of different tissues for transplantation. However,one important challenge for the clinical use of these cells is the issue of immunocompatibility,which may be dealt with by the establishment of hES cell banks to attend different populations. Here we describe the derivation and characterization of a line of hES cells from the Brazilian population,named BR-1,in commercial defined medium. In contrast to the other hES cell lines established in defined medium,BR-1 maintained a stable normal karyotype as determined by genomic array analysis after 6 months in continuous culture (passage 29). To our knowledge,this is the first reported line of hES cells derived in South America. We have determined its genomic ancestry and compared the HLA-profile of BR-1 and another 22 hES cell lines established elsewhere with those of the Brazilian population,finding they would match only 0.011% of those individuals. Our results highlight the challenges involved in hES cell banking for populations with a high degree of ethnic admixture. View Publication

STUDY QUESTION Can human embryonic stem cell-derived trophoblastic spheroids be used to study the early stages of implantation? SUMMARY ANSWER We generated a novel human embryonic stem cell-derived trophoblastic spheroid model mimicking human blastocysts in the early stages of implantation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Both human embryos and choriocarcinoma cell line derived spheroids can attach onto endometrial cells and are used as models to study the early stages of implantation. However,human embryos are limited and the use of cancer cell lines for spheroid generation remains sub-optimal for research. STUDY DESIGN,SIZE,DURATION Experimental induced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into trophoblast and characterization of the trophoblast. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS,SETTING,METHODS Trophoblastic spheroids (BAP-EB) were generated by inducing differentiation of a human embryonic stem cell line,VAL3 cells with bone morphogenic factor-4,A83-01 (a TGF-$\$),and PD173074 (a FGF receptor-3 inhibitor) after embryoid body formation. The expressions of trophoblastic markers and hCG levels were studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. BAP-EB attachment and invasion assays were performed on different cell lines and primary endometrial cells. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE After 48 h of induced differentiation,the BAP-EB resembled early implanting human embryos in terms of size and morphology. The spheroids derived from embryonic stem cells (VAL3),but not from several other cell lines studied,possessed a blastocoel-like cavity. BAP-EB expressed several markers of trophectoderm of human blastocysts on Day 2 of induced differentiation. In the subsequent days of differentiation,the cells of the spheroids differentiated into trophoblast-like cells expressing trophoblastic markers,though at levels lower than that in the primary trophoblasts or in a choriocarcinoma cell line. On Day 3 of induced differentiation,BAP-EB selectively attached onto endometrial epithelial cells,but not other non-endometrial cell lines or an endometrial cell line that had lost its epithelial character. The attachment rates of BAP-EB was significantly higher on primary endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) taken from 7 days after hCG induction of ovulation (hCG+7 day) when compared with that from hCG+2 day. The spheroids also invaded through Ishikawa cells and the primary endometrial stromal cells in the co-culture. LIMITATIONS,REASONS FOR CAUTION The attachment rates of BAP-EB were compared between EEC obtained from Day 2 and Day 7 of the gonadotrophin stimulated cycle,but not the natural cycles. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS BAP-EB have the potential to be used as a test for predicting endometrial receptivity in IVF cycles and provide a novel approach to study early human implantation,trophoblastic cell differentiation and trophoblastic invasion into human endometrial cells. View Publication

Due to their broad differentiation potential,pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) offer a promising approach for generating relevant cellular models for various applications. While human PSC-based cellular models are already advanced,similar systems for non-human primates (NHPs) are still lacking. However,as NHPs are the most appropriate animals for evaluating the safety of many novel pharmaceuticals,the availability of in vitro systems would be extremely useful to bridge the gap between cellular and animal models. Here,we present a NHP in vitro endothelial cell system using induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) from Cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Based on an adapted protocol for human IPSCs,we directly differentiated macaque IPSCs into endothelial cells under chemically defined conditions. The resulting endothelial cells can be enriched using immuno-magnetic cell sorting and display endothelial marker expression and function. RNA sequencing revealed that the differentiation process closely resembled vasculogenesis. Moreover,we showed that endothelial cells derived from macaque and human IPSCs are highly similar with respect to gene expression patterns and key endothelial functions,such as inflammatory responses. These data demonstrate the power of IPSC differentiation technology to generate defined cell types for use as translational in vitro models to compare cell type-specific responses across species. View Publication

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from a clinically characterized patient with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The PMBCs were reprogrammed with the human OSKM transcription factors using the Sendai-virus delivery system. The pluripotency of transgene-free iPSCs was verified by immunocytochemistry for pluripotency markers and by spontaneous in vitro differentiation towards the 3 germ layers. Furthermore,the iPSC line showed normal karyotype. Our model might offer a good platform to study the pathomechanism of ASD,also for drug testing,early biomarker discovery and gene therapy studies. View Publication

Peripheral blood was collected from a clinically characterized female Kleefstra syndrome patient with a heterozygous,de novo,premature termination codon (PTC) mutation (NM024757.4(EHMT1):c.3413GtextgreaterA; p.Trp1138Ter). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were reprogrammed with the human OSKM transcription factors using the Sendai-virus (SeV) delivery system. The pluripotency of transgene-free iPSC line was verified by the expression of pluripotency-associated markers and by in vitro spontaneous differentiation towards the 3 germ layers. Furthermore,the iPSC line showed normal karyotype. Our model might offer a good platform to study the pathomechanism of Kleefstra syndrome,also for drug testing,early biomarker discovery and gene therapy studies. View Publication

More than 600 human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines have been reported today at the human European Embryonic Stem Cell Registry ( http://www.hescreg.eu/ ). Despite these high numbers,there are currently no general protocols for derivation,culture,and characterization of hESC. Moreover,data on the culture of the embryo used for the derivation (medium,day of ICM isolation) are usually not available but can have an impact on the derivation rate. We present here the protocols for derivation,culture and characterization as we applied them for the 22 hESC lines (named VUB-hESC) in our laboratory. View Publication

Glioma tumour-initiating cells (GTICs) can originate upon the transformation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Studies on GTICs have focused on primary tumours from which GTICs could be isolated and the use of human embryonic material. Recently,the somatic genomic landscape of human gliomas has been reported. RTK (receptor tyrosine kinase) and p53 signalling were found dysregulated in ∼90% and 86% of all primary tumours analysed,respectively. Here we report on the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for modelling gliomagenesis. Dysregulation of RTK and p53 signalling in hiPSC-derived NPCs (iNPCs) recapitulates GTIC properties in vitro. In vivo transplantation of transformed iNPCs leads to highly aggressive tumours containing undifferentiated stem cells and their differentiated derivatives. Metabolic modulation compromises GTIC viability. Last,screening of 101 anti-cancer compounds identifies three molecules specifically targeting transformed iNPCs and primary GTICs. Together,our results highlight the potential of hiPSCs for studying human tumourigenesis. View Publication

Although since 1998 more than 1,200 different hESC lines have been established worldwide,there is still a recognized interest in the establishment of new lines of hESC,particularly from HLA types and ethnic groups underrepresented among the currently available lines. The methodology of hESC derivation has evolved significantly since the initial derivations using human LIF (hLIF) for maintenance of pluripotency. However,there are still a number of alternative strategies for the different steps involved in establishing a new line of hESC. We have analyzed the different strategies/parameters used between 1998 and 2010 for the derivation of the 375 hESC lines able to form teratomas in immunocompromised mice deposited in two international stem cell registries. Here we describe some trends in the methodology for establishing hESC lines,discussing the developments in the field. Nevertheless,we describe a much greater heterogeneity of strategies for hESCs derivation than what is used for murine ESC lines,indicating that optimum conditions have not been identified yet,and thus,hESC establishment is still an evolving field of research. View Publication

BACKGROUND Alcohol abuse produces an enormous impact on health,society,and the economy. Currently,there are very limited therapies available,largely due to the poor understanding of mechanisms underlying alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in humans. Oxidative damage of mitochondria and cellular proteins aggravates the progression of neuroinflammation and neurological disorders initiated by alcohol abuse. RESULTS Here we show that ethanol exposure causes neuroinflammation in both human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and human neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Ethanol exposure for 24 hours or 7 days does not affect the proliferation of iPS cells and NPCs,but primes an innate immune-like response by activating the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. This leads to an increase of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3(+) (LC3B(+)) autophagic puncta and impairment of the mitochondrial and lysosomal distribution. In addition,a decrease of mature neurons derived from differentiating NPCs is evident in ethanol pre-exposed compared to control NPCs. Moreover,a second insult of a pro-inflammatory factor in addition to ethanol preexposure enhances innate cellular inflammation in human iPS cells. CONCLUSIONS This study provides strong evidence that neuronal inflammation contributes to the pathophysiology of AUDs through the activation of the inflammasome pathway in human cellular models. View Publication

MLL rearrangements are hallmark genetic abnormalities in infant leukemia known to arise in utero. They can be induced during human prenatal development upon exposure to etoposide. We also hypothesize that chronic exposure to etoposide might render cells more susceptible to other genomic insults. Here,for the first time,human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were used as a model to test the effects of etoposide on human early embryonic development. We addressed whether: (i) low doses of etoposide promote MLL rearrangements in hESCs and hESCs-derived hematopoietic cells; (ii) MLL rearrangements are sufficient to confer hESCs with a selective growth advantage and (iii) continuous exposure to low doses of etoposide induces hESCs to acquire other chromosomal abnormalities. In contrast to cord blood-derived CD34(+) and hESC-derived hematopoietic cells,exposure of undifferentiated hESCs to a single low dose of etoposide induced a pronounced cell death. Etoposide induced MLL rearrangements in hESCs and their hematopoietic derivatives. After long-term culture,the proportion of hESCs harboring MLL rearrangements diminished and neither cell cycle variations nor genomic abnormalities were observed in the etoposide-treated hESCs,suggesting that MLL rearrangements are insufficient to confer hESCs with a selective proliferation/survival advantage. However,continuous exposure to etoposide induced MLL breaks and primed hESCs to acquire other major karyotypic abnormalities. These data show that chronic exposure of developmentally early stem cells to etoposide induces MLL rearrangements and make hESCs more prone to acquire other chromosomal abnormalities than postnatal CD34(+) cells,linking embryonic genotoxic exposure to genomic instability. View Publication