技术资料

Human blastocyst-derived,pluripotent cell lines are described that have normal karyotypes,express high levels of telomerase activity,and express cell surface markers that characterize primate embryonic stem cells but do not characterize other early lineages. After undifferentiated proliferation in vitro for 4 to 5 months,these cells still maintained the developmental potential to form trophoblast and derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers,including gut epithelium (endoderm); cartilage,bone,smooth muscle,and striated muscle (mesoderm); and neural epithelium,embryonic ganglia,and stratified squamous epithelium (ectoderm). These cell lines should be useful in human developmental biology,drug discovery,and transplantation medicine. View Publication

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers are molecules specifically expressed in ES cells. Understanding of the functions of these markers is critical for characterization and elucidation for the mechanism of ESC pluripotent maintenance and self-renewal,therefore helping to accelerate the clinical application of ES cells. Unfortunately,different cell types can share single or sometimes multiple markers; thus the main obstacle in the clinical application of ESC is to purify ES cells from other types of cells,especially tumor cells. Currently,the marker-based flow cytometry (FCM) technique and magnetic cell sorting (MACS) are the most effective cell isolating methods,and a detailed maker list will help to initially identify,as well as isolate ESCs using these methods. In the current review,we discuss a wide range of cell surface and generic molecular markers that are indicative of the undifferentiated ESCs. Other types of molecules,such as lectins and peptides,which bind to ESC via affinity and specificity,are also summarized. In addition,we review several markers that overlap with tumor stem cells (TSCs),which suggest that uncertainty still exists regarding the benefits of using these markers alone or in various combinations when identifying and isolating cells. View Publication

Murine embryonic stem cells can differentiate in vitro to form cystic embryoid bodies (CEB) that contain different structures and cell types. The blood islands are one such structure that consist of immature hematopoietic cells surrounded by endothelial cells,the first identifiable vascular cells. CEBs differentiated in vitro developed blood islands initially,and subsequently these blood islands matured to form vascular channels containing hematopoietic cells. Phase contrast microscopy demonstrated the presence of channels in mature CEBs grown in suspension culture,and high resolution light and electron microscopy showed that the cells lining these channels were endothelial cells. The channels appeared less organized than the vasculature of the mature yolk sac. The hematopoietic cells were occasionally seen 'flowing' through the CEB channels,although their numbers were reduced relative to the yolk sac. Analysis of primary CEB cultures showed the presence of cells with two characteristics of endothelial cells: approximately 30% of the cells labelled with fluorescent acetylated low density lipoprotein and a small number of cells were positive for von Willebrand's factor by immunostaining. Thus we conclude that a primitive vasculature forms in CEBs differentiated in vitro,and that not only primary differentiation of endothelial cells but also some aspects of vascular maturation are intrinsic to this cell culture system. CEBs are therefore a useful model for the study of developmental blood vessel formation. View Publication

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) inhibit cholinergic synaptic transmission by specifically cleaving proteins that are crucial for neurotransmitter exocytosis. Due to the lethality of these toxins,there are elevated concerns regarding their possible use as bioterrorism agents. Moreover,their widespread use for cosmetic purposes,and as medical treatments,has increased the potential risk of accidental overdosing and environmental exposure. Hence,there is an urgent need to develop novel modalities to counter BoNT intoxication. Mammalian motoneurons are the main target of BoNTs; however,due to the difficulty and poor efficiency of the procedures required to isolate the cells,they are not suitable for high-throughput drug screening assays. Here,we explored the suitability of embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived motoneurons as a renewable,reproducible,and physiologically relevant system for BoNT studies. We found that the sensitivity of ES-derived motoneurons to BoNT/A intoxication is comparable to that of primary mouse spinal motoneurons. Additionally,we demonstrated that several BoNT/A inhibitors protected SNAP-25,the BoNT/A substrate,in the ES-derived motoneuron system. Furthermore,this system is compatible with immunofluorescence-based high-throughput studies. These data suggest that ES-derived motoneurons provide a highly sensitive system that is amenable to large-scale screenings to rapidly identify and evaluate the biological efficacies of novel therapeutics. View Publication

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder resulting from defects in both insulin secretion and insulin activity. The deficit and dysfunction of insulin secreting $\$-cells are signature symptoms of T2D. Additionally,in pancreatic $\$-cells,a small group of genes that are abundantly expressed in most other tissues is highly selectively repressed. Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) is one of these genes. In this study,we identified an MCT1-suppressing microRNA (hsa-miR-495) and used this microRNA together with human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived pancreatic endoderm (PE) cells transplanted into a high-fat diet induced T2D mouse model. Glucose metabolism significantly improved and other symptoms of T2D were attenuated after the procedure. Our findings support the potential for T2D treatment using the combination of microRNA and hESC differentiated PE cells. View Publication

While the determination of the trophoblast lineage and the facilitation of placental morphogenesis by trophoblast interactions with other cells of the placenta are crucial components for the establishment of pregnancy,these processes are not tractable at the time of human implantation. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide an embryonic surrogate to derive insights into these processes. In this review,we will summarize current paradigms which promote trophoblast differentiation from ESCs,and potential opportunities for their use to further define signals directing morphogenesis of the placenta following implantation of the embryo into the endometrium. View Publication

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC,ES cells) of line D3 were differentiated in vitro and via embryo-like aggregates (embryoid bodies) of defined cell number into spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes. By using RT-PCR technique,alpha- and beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes were found to be expressed in embryoid bodies of early to terminal differentiation stages. The exclusive expression of the beta-cardiac MHC gene detected in very early differentiated embryoid bodies proved to be dependent on the number of ES cells developing in the embryoid body. Cardiomyocytes enzymatically isolated from embryoid body outgrowths at different stages of development were further characterized by immunocytological and electrophysiological techniques. All cardiomyocytes appeared to be positive in immunofluorescence assays with monoclonal antibodies against cardiac-specific alpha-cardiac MHC,as well as muscle-specific sarcomeric myosin heavy chain and desmin. The patch-clamp technique allowed a more detailed characterization of the in vitro differentiated cardiomyocytes which were found to represent phenotypes corresponding to sinusnode,atrium or ventricle of the heart. The cardiac cells of early differentiated stage expressed pacemaker-like action potentials similar to those described for embryonic cardiomyocytes. The action potentials of terminally differentiated cells revealed shapes,pharmacological characteristics and hormonal regulation inherent to adult sinusnodal,atrial or ventricular cells. In cardiomyocytes of intermediate differentiation state,action potentials of very long duration (0.3-1 s) were found,which may represent developmentally controlled transitions between different types of action potentials. Therefore,the presented ES cell differentiation system permits the investigation of commitment and differentiation of embryonic cells into the cardiomyogenic lineage in vitro. View Publication

The mechanisms involved in the regulation of vasculogenesis still remain unclear in mammals. Totipotent embryonic stem (ES) cells may represent a suitable in vitro model to study molecular events involved in vascular development. In this study,we followed the expression kinetics of a relatively large set of endothelial-specific markers in ES-derived embryoid bodies (EBs). Results of both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and/or immunofluorescence analysis show that a spontaneous endothelial differentiation occurs during EBs development. ES-derived endothelial cells express a full range of cell lineage-specific markers: platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM),Flk-1,tie-1,tie-2,vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin,MECA-32,and MEC-14.7. Analysis of the kinetics of endothelial marker expression allows the distinction of successive maturation steps. Flk-1 was the first to be detected; its mRNA is apparent from day 3 of differentiation. PECAM and tie-2 mRNAs were found to be expressed only from day 4,whereas VE-cadherin and tie-1 mRNAs cannot be detected before day 5. Immunofluorescence stainings of EBs with antibodies directed against Flk-1,PECAM,VE-cadherin,MECA-32,and MEC-14.7 confirmed that the expression of these antigens occurs at different steps of endothelial cell differentiation. The addition of an angiogenic growth factor mixture including erythropoietin,interleukin-6,fibroblast growth factor 2,and vascular endothelial growth factor in the EB culture medium significantly increased the development of primitive vascular-like structures within EBs. These results indicate that this in vitro system contains a large part of the endothelial cell differentiation program and constitutes a suitable model to study the molecular mechanisms involved in vasculogenesis. View Publication

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells cultured as aggregates and exposed to retinoic acid are induced to express multiple phenotypes normally associated with neurons. A large percentage of treated aggregates produce a rich neuritic outgrowth. Dissociating the induced aggregates with trypsin and plating the cells as a monolayer results in cultures in which a sizable percentage of the cells have a neuronal appearance. These neuron-like cells express class III beta-tubulin and the neurofilament M subunit. Induced cultures express transcripts for neural-associated genes including the neurofilament L subunit,glutamate receptor subunits,the transcription factor Brn-3,and GFAP. Levels of neurofilament L and GAD67 and GAD65 transcripts rise dramatically upon induction. Physiological studies show that the neuron-like cells generate action potentials and express TTX-sensitive sodium channels,as well as voltage-gated potassium channels and calcium channels. We conclude that a complex system of neuronal gene expression can be activated in cultured ES cells. This system should be favorable for investigating some of the mechanisms that regulate neuronal differentiation. View Publication

Pluripotent stem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine,due to their unlimited self-renewal potential and the ability to differentiate into all somatic cell types. Differences between the rodent disease models and the situation in humans can be narrowed down with non-human primate models. The common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus) is an interesting model for biomedical research because these animals are easy to breed,get relatively old (≤ 13 years),are small in size,are relatively cost-effective and have a high genetic proximity to the human. In particular,diseases of the liver and pancreas are interesting for cell replacement therapies but the in vitro differentiation of ESCs into the definitive endoderm germ layer is still a demanding task. Membrane-permeable,chemically defined small molecules can possibly replace recombinant growth factors used in most directed differentiation protocols. However,the potent small molecules IDE-1 and IDE-2 were not able to induce definitive endoderm-like cells when ESCs from the common marmoset were treated with these compounds,whereas the recombinant growth factor Activin A could force the differentiation into this lineage. Our results indicate that ESCs from the common marmoset are less sensitive or even insensitive to these small molecules. Thus,differences between the species of human ESCs and ESCs of this non-human primate might be a useful model to further evaluate the exact mode of action of these compounds. View Publication

BackgroundSpinal ventral root avulsion results in massive motoneuron degeneration with poor prognosis and high costs. In this study,we compared different isoforms of basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2),overexpressed in stably transfected Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs),following motor root avulsion and repair with a heterologous fibrin biopolymer (HFB).MethodsIn the present work,hESCs bioengineered to overexpress 18,23,and 31 kD isoforms of FGF2,were used in combination with reimplantation of the avulsed roots using HFB. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism software with one-way or two-way ANOVA,followed by Tukey’s or Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests. Significance was set at *p < 0.05,**p < 0.01,***p < 0.001,and ****p < 0.0001.ResultsFor the first set of experiments,rats underwent avulsion of the ventral roots with local administration of HFB and engraftment of hESCs expressing the above-mentioned FGF2 isoforms. Analysis of motoneuron survival,glial reaction,and synaptic coverage,two weeks after the lesion,indicated that therapy with hESCs overexpressing 31 kD FGF2 was the most effective. Consequently,the second set of experiments was performed with that isoform,so that ventral root avulsion was followed by direct spinal cord reimplantation. Motoneuron survival,glial reaction,synaptic coverage,and gene expression were analyzed 2 weeks post-lesion; while the functional recovery was evaluated by the walking track test and von Frey test for 12 weeks. We showed that engraftment of hESCs led to significant neuroprotection,coupled with immunomodulation,attenuation of astrogliosis,and preservation of inputs to the rescued motoneurons. Behaviorally,the 31 kD FGF2 - hESC therapy enhanced both motor and sensory recovery.ConclusionTransgenic hESCs were an effective delivery platform for neurotrophic factors,rescuing axotomized motoneurons and modulating glial response after proximal spinal cord root injury,while the 31 kD isoform of FGF2 showed superior regenerative properties over other isoforms in addition to the significant functional recovery.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-024-03676-6. View Publication

Pluripotent stem cells exist in naive and primed states,epitomized by mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the developmentally more advanced epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs; ref. 1). In the naive state of ESCs,the genome has an unusual open conformation and possesses a minimum of repressive epigenetic marks. In contrast,EpiSCs have activated the epigenetic machinery that supports differentiation towards the embryonic cell types. The transition from naive to primed pluripotency therefore represents a pivotal event in cellular differentiation. But the signals that control this fundamental differentiation step remain unclear. We show here that paracrine and autocrine Wnt signals are essential self-renewal factors for ESCs,and are required to inhibit their differentiation into EpiSCs. Moreover,we find that Wnt proteins in combination with the cytokine LIF are sufficient to support ESC self-renewal in the absence of any undefined factors,and support the derivation of new ESC lines,including ones from non-permissive mouse strains. Our results not only demonstrate that Wnt signals regulate the naive-to-primed pluripotency transition,but also identify Wnt as an essential and limiting ESC self-renewal factor. View Publication