Differential transcriptional regulation of the NANOG gene in chicken primordial germ cells and embryonic stem cells

Background:NANOG is a core transcription factor(TF)in embryonic stem cells(ESCs)and primordial germ cells(PGCs).Regulation of the NANOG gene by TFs,epigenetic factors,and autoregulatory factors is well characterized in ESCs,and transcriptional regulation of NANOG is well established in these cells.Although NANOG plays a key role in germ cells,the molecular mechanism underlying its transcriptional regulation in PGCs has not been studied.Therefore,we investigated the mechanism that regulates transcription of the chicken NANOG(cNANOG)gene in PGCs and ESCs.Results:We first identified the transcription start site of cNANOG by 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR analysis.Then,we measured the promoter activity of various 5′flanking regions of cNANOG in chicken PGCs and ESCs using the luciferase reporter assay.cNANOG expression required transcriptional regulatory elements,which were positively regulated by POU5F3(OCT4)and SOX2 and negatively regulated by TP53 in PGCs.The proximal region of the cNANOG promoter contains a positive transcriptional regulatory element(CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein(CEBP)-binding site)in ESCs.Furthermore,small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown demonstrated that POU5F3,SOX2,and CEBP played a role in cell type-specific transcription of cNANOG.Conclusions:We show for the first time that different trans-regulatory elements control transcription of cNANOG in a cell type-specific manner.This finding might help to elucidate the mechanism that regulates cNANOG expression in PGCs and ESCs.

Developmental potency of mouse primitive ectoderm cells, embryonic ectoderm cells and primordial germ cells after blastocyst injection

Developmental potency of primitive and embryonic ectoderm cells from 4.50-day to 6.25-day post-coitum (p.c.) mouse embryos and primordial germ cells from 12.50-day p.c.male genital ridges of fetal mice were studied by direct introducing them into 3.50-day p.c.blastocysts.Sixteen (61.5) overt chimaeras out of 26(50%) offsprings were obtained after transfer of 52 blastocysts injected with 4.50-day primitive ectoderm cells;four (16.0%) overt chimaeras were obtained out of 25 (51.0%) offsprings with 4.75-day primitive ectoderm cells from 49 transferred blastocysts.However,no overt chimaera was obtained with either 5.25-day or 6.25-day embryonic ectoderm cells or 12.50-day male primordial germ cells.GPI analysis of mid-gestation conceptuses developed from injected blastocysts showedthat 5.25-day embryonic ectoderm cells could only contributed to yolk sac of conceptus.Results suggested that implantation acts as a trigger for the determination of primitive ectoderm cells,and their developmental potency becomes limited within a short period of time in normal development.

Establishment of Germ-line Competent C57BL/6J Embryonic Stem Cell Lines

Objective To establish C57BL/6J embryonic stem （ES） cell lines with potential germ- line contribution Methods ES cells were isolated from blastocyst inner cell mass of C5 7BL/6J mice, and cultured for 15 passages, and then injected into blastococels of ICR mice blastocysts to establish chimeric mice. Results Three ES cell lines （mC57ES1,mC57ES3, mC57ES7） derived from the inner cell mass of C57BL/6J mice blastocysts were established. They were characteristic of undifferentiated state, including normal XY karyotype, expression of a specific cell surface marker “stage-specific embryonic antigen-I” and alkaline phosphatase in continuous passage. When injected into immunodeficient mice, mC57ES1 cells consistently differentiated into derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers. When mC57ES1 cells were transferred into ICR mice blastocysts, 4 chimeric mice have been obtained. One male of them revealed successful germ-line transmission. Conclussion We have obtained C57BL/6J ES cell lines with a potential germ-line contribution, which can be used to generate transgenic and gene knock-out mice.

Reprogramming of germ cells into pluripotency

Primordial germ cells(PGCs) are precursors of all gametes, and represent the founder cells of the germline. Although developmental potency is restricted to germ-lineage cells, PGCs can be reprogrammed into a pluripotent state. Specifically, PGCs give rise to germ cell tumors, such as testicular teratomas, in vivo, and to pluripotent stem cells known as embryonic germ cells in vitro. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge on signaling pathways, transcriptional controls, and post-transcriptional controls that govern germ cell differentiation and de-differentiation. These regulatory processes are common in the reprogramming of germ cells and somatic cells, and play a role in the pathogenesis of human germ cell tumors.

Stem cells of the reproductive tract of women

Research in stem cells is one of the most rapidly evolving fields of investigation in medicine today. Stem cells are defined as cells that have the capacity to both generate daughter cells identical to the cell of origin (self-renewal) and to produce progeny with more restricted, specialized potential (differentiated cells). This dual ability to self-renew and differentiate offers great promise for expanding our understanding of organ systems, elucidating disease pathophysiology, and creating therapeutic approaches to difficult diseases. The goal of this review is to offer an overview of the different types of stem cells and to provide an introduction to the applications of stem cells to the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Types of Human Stem Cells and Their Therapeutic Applications

The present review examines in the first place various kinds of naturally occurring stem cells, including germ cells and embryonic stem cells (ES cells), as well as haemopoietic stem cells, which are historically the first to be used for medical treatment. Attention is also given to cancer stem cells, as a source of perseverant malignant disease. The main interest is now represented by the variety of somatic cells, which can be re-programmed to different types of differentiated cells, the so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC’s). Focus is now directed not only to the factors which make such events possible like de-differentiation and reconversion but also to the stages involved in this process. It is actually postulated that the transition from differentiated cells to pluripotent cells follows a definite sequence with evidence of two waves of gene regulations. Main applications of stem cell therapy are reviewed, from the established use of haemopoietic stem cells for clinical transplantation in a variety of haematological disorders to the initial attempts to employ stem cells for the treatment of other disparate conditions. Problems related to stem cell treatment with both ES and IPS cells, like the necessity of a large in vitro expansion to provide sufficient amounts of cells and the related risk of genomic abnormalities are illustrated. The necessity of safe procedures for the development of this venture is also outlined.

山羊PGCs用于分离与克隆类ES细胞

选择健康成年本地白山羊 ,自然发情、配种后 4 4 d取胎儿 ,以传统的原始生殖细胞 (PGCs)分离与克隆的方法和PGCs与其胎儿生殖嵴周围组织细胞共同培养的方法获得类胚胎干细胞 (类 ES细胞 ) ,并对山羊类 ES细胞在不同饲养层上进行培养。结果表明 ,采用传统方法和共培养的方法并添加细胞因子均能分离获得类 ES细胞。分离获得的类ES细胞在同源 (山羊 )胎儿细胞饲养层上生长效果较好 ,可传 4代或 5代 ,而在小鼠原代成纤维细胞饲养层上类 ES细胞仅传 3代。另外 ,共培养不添加细胞因子组仅获 1个类 ES细胞集落 。

Study on Transplanting Germ Like Cells Differentiated from Embryonic Stem Cell into Mouse Seminiferous Tubules

Objective To investigate whether germ like cells isolated from embryoid body formed by mouse embryonic stem cells could survive and initiate spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of adult mice. Methods SSEA-1＋ cells were isolated from embryoid bodies prepared from mouse EGFP-ES cells, after retinoic acid treatment, the cells were detected for the expression of alkaline phosphatase, Rnh2, stella, fragilis, Tex14, Sry, Hsp90-a, Stra8 and integrin a6, and then, the cells were transplanted into seminiferous tubules of busulfan-treated adult mice. Results Six days after retinoic acid treatment, alkaline phosphatase expressing cells could still be found in embryoid body （EB） derived cells, indicating the existence of retinoic acid-resistant primordial germ cells. When the SSEA-1＋ cells isolated from embryoid bodies were stimulated with retinoic acid for 6 days, some of these cells expressed cell markers of Hsp90-a, Stra8 and integrin a6, resembling the expression profile of spermatogonial stem cells. Forty-five days after cell transplantation, a little amount of GFP-expressing cells attached to the basement membrane of seminiferous tubule and formed small colonies; Three months later, these cells started amplification in the form of cell chains with varied length, and moving towards the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Five months after the transplantation, multilayered cell mass was found in seminiferous tubules of two, out of four recipient mice. There was no GFP-expressing cells existed in non-cell-transplanted seminiferous tubules. Conclusion In our study, although full-termed spermatogenesis was not observed in all of the recipients, the results did indicate that the embryoid body contains germ like cells, and these cells can survive and initiate amplification in seminiferous tubules of adult mouse.

Generation of developmentally competent oocytes and fertile mice from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells

Parthenogenetic embryos,created by activation and diploidization of oocytes,arrest at mid-gestation for defective paternal imprints,which impair placental development.Also,viable offspring has not been obtained without genetic manipulation from parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells(pESCs)derived from parthenogenetic embryos,presumably attributable to their aberrant imprinting.We show that an unlimited number of oocytes can be derived from pESCs and produce healthy offspring.Moreover,normal expression of imprinted genes is found in the germ cells and the mice.pESCs exhibited imprinting consistent with exclusively maternal lineage,and higher X-chromosome activation compared to female ESCs derived from the same mouse genetic background.pESCs differentiated into primordial germ cell-like cells(PGCLCs)and formed oocytes following in vivo transplantation into kidney capsule that produced fertile pups and reconstituted ovarian endocrine function.The transcriptome and methylation of imprinted and X-linked genes in pESC-PGCLCs closely resembled those of in vivo produced PGCs,consistent with efficient reprogramming of methylation and genomic imprinting.These results demonstrate that amplification of germ cells through parthenogenesis faithfully maintains maternal imprinting,offering a promising route for deriving functional oocytes and having potential in rebuilding ovarian endocrine function.

The role of sex chromosomes in mammalian germ cell differentiation： can the germ cells carrying X and Y chromosomes differentiate into fertile oocytes？

The sexual differentiation of germ cells into spermatozoa or oocytes is strictly regulated by their gonadal environment, testis or ovary, which is determined by the presence or absence of the Y chromosome, respectively. Hence, in normal mammalian development, male germ cells differentiate in the presence of X and Y chromosomes, and female germ cells do so in the presence of two X chromosomes. However, gonadal sex reversal occurs in humans as well as in other mammalian species, and the resultant XX males and XY females can lead healthy lives, except for a complete or partial loss of fertility. Germ cells carrying an abnormal set of sex chromosomes are efficiently eliminated by multilayered surveillance mechanisms in the testis, and also, though more variably, in the ovary. Studying the molecular basis for sex-specific responses to a set of sex chromosomes during gametogenesis will promote our understanding of meiotic processes contributing to the evolution of sex determining mechanisms. This review discusses the fate of germ cells carrying various sex chromosomal compositions in mouse models, the limitation of which may be overcome by recent successes in the differentiation of functional germ cells from embryonic stem cells under experimental conditions.

Porcine pluripotent stem cells: progress, challenges and prospects

Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs) are characterized by their capacity for high self-renewal and multiple differentiation potential and include embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells and induced PSCs. PSCs provide a very suitable model for the studies of human diseases, drugs screening, regenerative medicine and developmental biology research. Pigs are considered as an ideal model for preclinical development of human xenotransplantation, therapeutic approaches and regenerative medicine because of their size and physiological similarity to humans. However, lack of knowledge about the derivation, characterization and pluripotency mechanisms of porcine PSCs hinders progress in these biotechnologies. In this review, we discuss the latest progress on porcine PSCs generation, evaluation criteria for pluripotency, the scienti?c and technical questions arising from these studies. We also introduce our perspectives on porcine PSC research, in the hope of providing new ideas for generating naive porcine PSCs and animal breeding.

牛原始生殖细胞的分离与培养

从4～15周龄的牛胎儿生殖嵴中分离得到牛原始生殖细胞,以STO(一种建系的小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞)及MEF(小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞)为饲养层抑制分化培养,其中1个细胞系传至4代。研究发现,STO较MEF更有利于牛类EG细胞的分离与培养,体长小于5cm的胎儿适合牛EG细胞分离与克隆。同时观察到这些细胞在体外进行自发性分化,可形成上皮样细胞、神经样细胞和成纤维样细胞。

人胚胎生殖干细胞的分离和体外培养

目的:体外培养人胚胎生殖干细胞(EG),在不添加细胞因子的培养条件下,观察细胞生长情况。方法:取5～10周人胚胎的生殖腺嵴和肠背系膜,进行组织块培养,采用组织化学及免疫细胞化学技术对培养的细胞进行鉴定。结果:培养4d后,在成纤维细胞的上面出现EG细胞集落;培养2周后,显示细胞呈圆形,胞质染成深蓝色;细胞染色体均为正常的二倍体核型;碱性磷酸酶活性强阳性;并检测到SSEA-1。结论:体外培养人胚胎生殖腺嵴,利用源于自身胚胎组织的成纤维细胞作为饲养层,可观察到EG细胞集落的形成;培养的细胞初步鉴定为人胚胎干细胞。

影响牛胚胎干细胞分离克隆因素的研究

采用与同源胎儿成纤维细胞共同培养及传统饲养层培养方式 ,以高糖DMEM ,添加 0 .1mM2 -巯基乙醇、犊牛血清、细胞因子为培养基 ,以 4～ 13周龄屠宰牛胎儿为实验材料 ,探讨影响牛原始生殖细胞分离克隆胚胎干细胞的相关因素。结果发现 :当犊牛血清为 15 %时效果最好 ;细胞因子添加与否对胚胎干细胞的分离及同源牛胎儿成纤维细胞的贴壁与生长影响并不显著 ,而在传代过程中有一定影响 ;以 0 .2 %胰酶 +0 .0 4 %EDTA为细胞消化液效果最佳 ;以同源胎儿成纤维细胞共培养的方式分离克隆牛胚胎干细胞 。

原始生殖细胞的人类胚胎干细胞克隆

取材于妊娠终止胚胎生殖腺或生殖嵴及其周围组织，用ＤＭＥＭ＋ＮＣＳ培养液体外培养，分离由人ＰＧＣｓ转化成的类ＥＳ细胞，并将其与同源胚胎成纤维细胞一起用胰蛋白酶＋ＥＤＴＡ的无钙镁ＰＢＳ液消化传代。在原代培养１２ｈ观察到胞体较大、边缘不整、贴壁分裂增殖的ＰＧＣｓ样细胞，４８ｈ后观察到２６处紧密排列呈鸟巢状的类ＥＳ细胞集落及集落团。第６ｄ传代成功，第１６ｄ传至第４代。结果表明，体外培养附植后胚胎能够建成人的类ＥＳ细胞系。

慢病毒介导的外源基因体外投递系统的建立

目的针对不同哺乳类细胞建立相应的慢病毒体外感染体系,以建立慢病毒介导的外源基因体外投递系统。方法按Invitrogen公司推荐的标准程序进行慢病毒(携带EGFP基因)包装(脂质体介导的瞬时转染)、超速离心浓缩和保存等,随后用病毒上清或浓缩后的病毒感染293FT细胞,24～48h后荧光显微镜下观察是否见绿色荧光以证实慢病毒是否成功生产;将携带EGFP基因的病毒上清或浓缩后的病毒分别加入内含293FT细胞、小鼠ES细胞、小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(MEFs)或小鼠睾丸生殖细胞的培养板孔内,感染6～12h后,用相应培养基替换感染液,数天后荧光显微镜下观察是否见绿色荧光以证实慢病毒是否成功感染不同哺乳类细胞。结果按标准程序生产的携带EGFP基因慢病毒(病毒上清或浓缩后的病毒)成功高效率感染293FT细胞、MEFs或小鼠睾丸生殖细胞;用浓缩后的病毒(携带EGFP基因)感染小鼠ES细胞,亦可获得EGFP阳性的ES细胞克隆。结论熟练掌握了慢病毒包装、浓缩及鉴定等技术,同时针对不同哺乳类细胞建立了相应的慢病毒介导的外源基因体外传递系统,这些为相关后续研究打下了良好的基础。

BMP4诱导鸡胚胎干细胞向雄性生殖细胞分化的研究

旨在探讨BMP4诱导鸡胚胎干细胞向雄性生殖细胞分化的作用机理。采用单层贴壁培养作为分化模式，分别采用10、20、30和40ng·mL-1 BMP4浓度诱导雄性鸡胚胎干细胞，通过形态学、荧光定量PCR和免疫细胞化学检测诱导效果。根据细胞形态变化和差异基因表达量变化，确定了BMP4的适宜诱导浓度为40ng·mL-1。在适宜浓度诱导过程中，诱导4d类胚体开始出现，6～8d类胚体逐渐增大，数量增多，10d部分类胚体开始散开，变为小的圆形细胞，12d在散开后的类胚体周围可观察到少量生殖样细胞，14d生殖样细胞数目增多，且呈聚团生长的趋势。诱导过程中相应基因表达量也发生变化：胚胎干细胞标记基因Nanog、Sox2表达量显著下降（P〈O．01），生殖细胞特异基因Stra8、Dazl、integrina6、c-kit表达量均呈显著上升趋势（P〈O．01）。BMP4可以引起生殖细胞相应基因的表达，促进雄性鸡胚胎干细胞向雄性生殖细胞方向分化，结果为雄性生殖细胞的体外诱导研究提供试验参考，为进一步研究雄性生殖细胞发生和调控机制提供理论基础。

自原始生殖细胞分离克隆小鼠ES细胞研究初报

自交配后 9.5～ 13.5 d小鼠胎儿生殖嵴 /腺或其类似物及周围组织 ,采用与其同源胎儿成纤维细胞共培养的方式分离克隆到具小鼠 ES细胞诸多特征的胚胎生殖细胞 ( EG细胞 )系。即具有连续传代的能力 ( 1例来自交配后 11.5 d胎儿类 ES细胞传至 10代 ) ,部分细胞集落呈典型鸟巢状结构 ,AP染色呈阳性 ,体外分化或延迟传代、堆叠培养具有分化形成类胚体、上皮细胞、成纤维细胞或神经细胞等的能力。同样培养交配后 7.5～ 8.5 d和14.5～ 15 .5 d的小鼠胎儿 ,原代观察到类 ES细胞集落 ,继代培养未观察到类 ES细胞集落 ,16 .5～ 18.5 d小鼠胎儿原代培养未观察到

牛胚胎生殖细胞的分离与培养

胚胎生殖细胞 (Embryonicgermcells,EG)是由生殖嵴原始生殖细胞 (Primordialgermcells,PGCs)中分离得到的一种未分化而多潜能的干细胞。牛EG细胞的研究在EG细胞核移植、转基因及建立生物反应器方面具有广阔的应用前景。本研究从 2 9- 70日龄牛胎儿PGCs分离得到EG细胞 ,经过抑制分化培养 ,其中一个细胞系传至 6代。所分离得到的EG细胞具有典型的EG细胞形态 ,AP及PAS染色呈阳性 ,核型正常 ,同时观察到这些细胞在体外进行自发性分化 ,可形成类胚体。