Scientific Resources

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (iPSC-CM)-based assays are emerging as a promising tool for the in vitro preclinical screening of QT interval-prolonging side effects of drugs in development. A major impediment to the widespread use of human iPSC-CM assays is the low throughput of the currently available electrophysiological tools. To test the precision and applicability of the near-infrared fluorescent voltage-sensitive dye 1-(4-sulfanatobutyl)-4-β[2-(di-n-butylamino)-6-naphthyl]butadienylquinolinium betaine (di-4-ANBDQBS) for moderate-throughput electrophysiological analyses,we compared simultaneous transmembrane voltage and optical action potential (AP) recordings in human iPSC-CM loaded with di-4-ANBDQBS. Optical AP recordings tracked transmembrane voltage with high precision,generating nearly identical values for AP duration (AP durations at 10%,50%,and 90% repolarization). Human iPSC-CMs tolerated repeated laser exposure,with stable optical AP parameters recorded over a 30-min study period. Optical AP recordings appropriately tracked changes in repolarization induced by pharmacological manipulation. Finally,di-4-ANBDQBS allowed for moderate-throughput analyses,increasing throughput textgreater10-fold over the traditional patch-clamp technique. We conclude that the voltage-sensitive dye di-4-ANBDQBS allows for high-precision optical AP measurements that markedly increase the throughput for electrophysiological characterization of human iPSC-CMs. View Publication

In this study,we focused on two biological products as ideal tools for toxicological assessment: long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). lncRNAs are an important class of pervasive non-protein-coding transcripts involved in the molecular mechanisms associated with responses to cellular stresses. hiPSCs possess the capabilities of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell types,and they are free of the ethical issues associated with human embryonic stem cells. Here,we identified six novel lncRNAs (CDKN2B-AS1,MIR22HG,GABPB1-AS1,FLJ33630,LINC00152,and LINC0541471v2) that respond to model chemical stresses (cycloheximide,hydrogen peroxide,cadmium,or arsenic) in hiPSCs. Our results indicated that the lncRNAs responded to general and specific chemical stresses. Compared with typical mRNAs such as p53-related mRNAs,the lncRNAs highly and rapidly responded to chemical stresses. We propose that these lncRNAs have the potential to be surrogate indicators of chemical stress responses in hiPSCs. View Publication

Trisomy 21 is the most common chromosomal abnormality and is associated primarily with cardiovascular,hematological,and neurological complications. A robust patient-derived cellular model is necessary to investigate the pathophysiology of the syndrome because current animal models are limited and access to tissues from affected individuals is ethically challenging. We aimed to derive induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from trisomy 21 human mid-trimester amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) and describe their hematopoietic and neurological characteristics. Human AFSCs collected from women undergoing prenatal diagnosis were selected for c-KIT(+) and transduced with a Cre-lox-inducible polycistronic lentiviral vector encoding SOX2,OCT4,KLF-4,and c-MYC (50,000 cells at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1-5 for 72 h). The embryonic stem cell (ESC)-like properties of the AFSC-derived iPSCs were established in vitro by embryoid body formation and in vivo by teratoma formation in RAG2(-/-),$\$-chain(-/-),C2(-/-) immunodeficient mice. Reprogrammed cells retained their cytogenetic signatures and differentiated into specialized hematopoietic and neural precursors detected by morphological assessment,immunostaining,and RT-PCR. Additionally,the iPSCs expressed all pluripotency markers upon multiple rounds of freeze-thawing. These findings are important in establishing a patient-specific cellular platform of trisomy 21 to study the pathophysiology of the aneuploidy and for future drug discovery. View Publication

AIM To enumerate and characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) for clinical application. MATERIALS & METHODS hESC were differentiated into hESC-MSC and characterized by the expression of surface markers using flow cytometry. hESC-MSC were evaluated with respect to growth kinetics,colony-forming potential,as well as osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity. Immunosuppressive effects were assessed using peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. RESULTS hESC-MSC showed similar morphology,and cell surface markers as adipose (AMSC) and bone marrow-derived MSC (BMSC). hESC-MSC exhibited a higher growth rate during early in vitro expansion and equivalent adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation and colony-forming potential as AMSC and BMSC. hESC-MSC demonstrated similar immunosuppressive effects as AMSC and BMSC. CONCLUSION hESC-MSC were comparable to BMSC and AMSC and hence can be used as an alternative source of MSC for clinical applications. View Publication

Chromatin structure determines DNA accessibility. We compare nucleosome occupancy in mouse and human embryonic stem cells (ESCs),induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated cell types using MNase-seq. To address variability inherent in this technique,we developed a bioinformatic approach to identify regions of difference (RoD) in nucleosome occupancy between pluripotent and somatic cells. Surprisingly,most chromatin remains unchanged; a majority of rearrangements appear to affect a single nucleosome. RoDs are enriched at genes and regulatory elements,including enhancers associated with pluripotency and differentiation. RoDs co-localize with binding sites of key developmental regulators,including the reprogramming factors Klf4,Oct4/Sox2 and c-Myc. Nucleosomal landscapes in ESC enhancers are extensively altered,exhibiting lower nucleosome occupancy in pluripotent cells than in somatic cells. Most changes are reset during reprogramming. We conclude that changes in nucleosome occupancy are a hallmark of cell differentiation and reprogramming and likely identify regulatory regions essential for these processes. View Publication

Despite significant advances in commercially available media and kits and the differentiation approaches for human neural stem cell (NSC) generation,NSC production from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) is complicated by its time-consuming procedure,complex medium composition,and purification step. In this study,we developed a convenient and simplified NSC production protocol to meet the demand of NSC production. We demonstrated that NSCs can be generated efficiently without requirement of specific small molecules or embryoid body formation stage. Our experimental results suggest that a short suspension culture period may facilitate ectoderm lineage specification rather than endoderm or mesoderm lineage specification from hPSCs. The method developed in this study shortens the turnaround time of NSC production from both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiation. It provides a straightforward and useful strategy for generating NSCs that can benefit a wide range of research applications for human brain research. View Publication

BACKGROUND Whole-lung scaffolds can be created by perfusion decellularization of cadaveric donor lungs. The resulting matrices can then be recellularized to regenerate functional organs. This study evaluated the capacity of acellular lung scaffolds to support recellularization with lung progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). METHODS Whole rat and human lungs were decellularized by constant-pressure perfusion with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. Resulting lung scaffolds were cryosectioned into slices or left intact. Human iPSCs were differentiated to definitive endoderm,anteriorized to a foregut fate,and then ventralized to a population expressing NK2 homeobox 1 (Nkx2.1). Cells were seeded onto slices and whole lungs,which were maintained under constant perfusion biomimetic culture. Lineage specification was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescent staining. Regenerated left lungs were transplanted in an orthotopic position. RESULTS Activin-A treatment,followed by transforming growth factor-$\$,induced differentiation of human iPSCs to anterior foregut endoderm as confirmed by forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2),SRY (Sex Determining Region Y)-Box 17 (SOX17),and SOX2 expression. Cells cultured on decellularized lung slices demonstrated proliferation and lineage commitment after 5 days. Cells expressing Nkx2.1 were identified at 40% to 60% efficiency. Within whole-lung scaffolds and under perfusion culture,cells further upregulated Nkx2.1 expression. After orthotopic transplantation,grafts were perfused and ventilated by host vasculature and airways. CONCLUSIONS Decellularized lung matrix supports the culture and lineage commitment of human iPSC-derived lung progenitor cells. Whole-organ scaffolds and biomimetic culture enable coseeding of iPSC-derived endothelial and epithelial progenitors and enhance early lung fate. Orthotopic transplantation may enable further in vivo graft maturation. View Publication

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an important epigenetic reader implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of different cancers and other diseases. Brd4-null mouse embryos die shortly after implantation and are compromised in their ability to maintain the inner cell mass,which gives rise to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here we report that BRD4 regulates expression of the pluripotency factor Nanog in mouse ESCs and preimplantation embryos,as well as in human ESCs and embryonic cancer stem cells. Inhibition of BRD4 function using a chemical inhibitor,small interfering RNAs,or a dominant-negative approach suppresses Nanog expression,and abolishes the self-renewal ability of ESCs. We also find that BRD4 associates with BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1,aka Smarca4 (SWI/SNF-related,matrix-associated,actin-dependent regulator of chromatin,subfamily a,member 4)),a key regulator of ESC self-renewal and pluripotency,in the Nanog regulatory regions to regulate Nanog expression. Our study identifies Nanog as a novel BRD4 target gene,providing new insights for the biological function of BRD4 in stem cells and mouse embryos. Knowledge gained from these non-cancerous systems will facilitate future investigations of how Brd4 dysfunction leads to cancers.Cell Death and Differentiation advance online publication,22 August 2014; doi:10.1038/cdd.2014.124. View Publication

MED13L is a component subunit of the Mediator complex,an important regulator of transcription that is highly conserved across eukaryotes. Here we report MED13L disruption in a translocation t(12;19) breakpoint of a patient with Pierre-Robin syndrome,moderate intellectual disability (ID),craniofacial anomalies,and muscular defects. The phenotype is similar to previously described patients with MED13L haploinsufficiency. Knockdown of MED13L orthologue in zebrafish,med13b,showed early defective migration of cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) that contributed into cartilage structure deformities in the later stage,recapitulating craniofacial anomalies seen in human patients. Notably,we observed abnormal distribution of developing neurons in different brain regions of med13b morphant embryos,which could be rescued upon introduction of full-length human MED13L mRNA. To compare with mammalian system,we suppressed MED13L expression by short-hairpin RNA in ES-derived human neural progenitors,and differentiated them into neurons. Transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of components of Wnt and FGF signalling pathways in MED13L-deficient neurons. Our finding provides a novel insight into the mechanism of overlapping phenotypic outcome targeting NCCs derivatives organs in patients with MED13L haploinsufficiency,and emphasizes a clinically recognizable syndromic phenotype in these patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View Publication

Differentiation of pluripotent cells into endoderm-related cell types initially requires in vitro gastrulation into the definitive endoderm (DE). Most differentiation protocols are initiated from colonies of pluripotent cells complicating their adaption due to insufficiently defined starting conditions. The protocol described here was initiated from a defined cell number of dispersed single cells and tested on three different human embryonic stem cell lines and one human induced pluripotent stem cell line. Combined activation of ActivinA/Nodal signaling and GSK3 inhibition for the first 24 h,followed by ActivinA/Nodal signaling efficiently induced the DE state. Activation of ActivinA/Nodal signaling alone was not effective. Efficient GSK3 inhibition allowed the reduction of the ActivinA concentration during the entire protocol. A feeder-independent cultivation of pluripotent cells was preferred to achieve the high efficiency and robustness since feeder cells hindered the differentiation process. Additionally,inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway was not required,nonetheless yielding high cell numbers efficiently committed toward the DE. Finally,the endoderm generated could be differentiated further into PDX1-positive pan-pancreatic cells and NGN3-positive endocrine progenitors. Thus,this efficient and robust DE differentiation protocol is a step forward toward better reproducibility due to the well-defined conditions based on dispersed single cells from feeder-free-cultivated human pluripotent cells. View Publication

Dysregulated neurodevelopment with altered structural and functional connectivity is believed to underlie many neuropsychiatric disorders,and /`a disease of synapses/' is the major hypothesis for the biological basis of schizophrenia. Although this hypothesis has gained indirect support from human post-mortem brain analyses and genetic studies,little is known about the pathophysiology of synapses in patient neurons and how susceptibility genes for mental disorders could lead to synaptic deficits in humans. Genetics of most psychiatric disorders are extremely complex due to multiple susceptibility variants with low penetrance and variable phenotypes. Rare,multiply affected,large families in which a single genetic locus is probably responsible for conferring susceptibility have proven invaluable for the study of complex disorders. Here we generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from four members of a family in which a frameshift mutation of disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) co-segregated with major psychiatric disorders and we further produced different isogenic iPS cell lines via gene editing. We showed that mutant DISC1 causes synaptic vesicle release deficits in iPS-cell-derived forebrain neurons. Mutant DISC1 depletes wild-type DISC1 protein and,furthermore,dysregulates expression of many genes related to synapses and psychiatric disorders in human forebrain neurons. Our study reveals that a psychiatric disorder relevant mutation causes synapse deficits and transcriptional dysregulation in human neurons and our findings provide new insight into the molecular and synaptic etiopathology of psychiatric disorders. View Publication

The complement activation product,C5a,is a pivotal member of the innate immune response; however,a diverse number of nonimmune functions are now being ascribed to C5a signaling,including roles during embryonic development. Here,we identify the expression of the C5a precursor protein,C5,as well as the C5a receptors,C5aR and C5L2,in both human embryonic stem cells and human-induced pluripotent stem cells. We show that administration of a physiologically relevant dose of purified human C5a (1 nM) stimulates activation of ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways,and is able to promote maintenance of the pluripotent state in the absence of FGF2. C5a also reduced cell loss following dissociation of human pluripotent stem cells. Our results reveal that complement C5a signaling supports human stem cell pluripotency and survival,and thus may play a key role in shaping early human embryonic development. Stem Cells 2014;32:3278-3284. View Publication