技术资料

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary pediatric brain tumor and is currently divided into four subtypes based on different genomic alterations,gene expression profiles and response to treatment: WNT,Sonic Hedgehog (SHH),Group 3 and Group 4. This extensive heterogeneity has made it difficult to assess the functional relevance of genes to malignant progression. For example,expression of the transcription factor Orthodenticle homeobox2 (OTX2) is frequently dysregulated in multiple MB variants; however,its role may be subtype specific. We recently demonstrated that neural precursors derived from transformed human embryonic stem cells (trans-hENs),but not their normal counterparts (hENs),resemble Groups 3 and 4 MB in vitro and in vivo. Here,we tested the utility of this model system as a means of dissecting the role of OTX2 in MB using gain- and loss-of-function studies in hENs and trans-hENs,respectively. Parallel experiments with MB cells revealed that OTX2 exerts inhibitory effects on hEN and SHH MB cells by regulating growth,self-renewal and migration in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. This was accompanied by decreased expression of pluripotent genes,such as SOX2,and was supported by overexpression of SOX2 in OTX2+ SHH MB and hENs that resulted in significant rescue of self-renewal and cell migration. By contrast,OTX2 is oncogenic and promotes self-renewal of trans-hENs and Groups 3 and 4 MB independent of pluripotent gene expression. Our results demonstrate a novel role for OTX2 in self-renewal and migration of hENs and MB cells and reveal a cell-context-dependent link between OTX2 and pluripotent genes. Our study underscores the value of human embryonic stem cell derivatives as alternatives to cell lines and heterogeneous patient samples for investigating the contribution of key developmental regulators to MB progression. View Publication

How BMP signaling integrates into and destabilizes the pluripotency circuitry of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to initiate differentiation into individual germ layers is a long-standing puzzle. Here we report muscle segment homeobox 2 (MSX2),a homeobox transcription factor of msh family,as a direct target gene of BMP signaling and a master mediator of hPSCs' differentiation to mesendoderm. Enforced expression of MSX2 suffices to abolish pluripotency and induce directed mesendoderm differentiation of hPSCs,while MSX2 depletion impairs mesendoderm induction. MSX2 is a direct target gene of the BMP pathway in hPSCs,and can be synergistically activated by Wnt signals via LEF1 during mesendoderm induction. Furthermore,MSX2 destabilizes the pluripotency circuitry through direct binding to the SOX2 promoter and repression of SOX2 transcription,while MSX2 controls mesendoderm lineage commitment by simultaneous suppression of SOX2 and induction of NODAL expression through direct binding and activation of the Nodal promoter. Interestingly,SOX2 can promote the degradation of MSX2 protein,suggesting a mutual antagonism between the two lineage-specifying factors in the control of stem cell fate. Together,our findings reveal crucial new mechanisms of destabilizing pluripotency and directing lineage commitment in hPSCs. View Publication

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with mutations in either MECP2,CDKL5 or FOXG1. The precise molecular mechanisms that lead to the pathogenesis of RTT have yet to be elucidated. We recently reported that expression of GluD1 (orphan glutamate receptor $\$-1 subunit) is increased in iPSC-derived neurons obtained from patients with mutations in either MECP2 or CDKL5. GluD1 controls synaptic differentiation and shifts the balance between excitatory and inhibitory synapses toward the latter. Thus,an increase in GluD1 might be a critical factor in the etiology of RTT by affecting the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the developing brain. To test this hypothesis,we generated iPSC-derived neurons from FOXG1(+/-) patients. We analyzed mRNA and protein levels of GluD1 together with key markers of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in these iPSC-derived neurons and in Foxg1(+/-) mouse fetal (E11.5) and adult (P70) brains. We found strong correlation between iPSC-derived neurons and fetal mouse brains,where GluD1 and inhibitory synaptic markers (GAD67 and GABA AR-$\$1) were increased,whereas the levels of a number of excitatory synaptic markers (VGLUT1,GluA1,GluN1 and PSD-95) were decreased. In adult mice,GluD1 was decreased along with all GABAergic and glutamatergic markers. Our findings further the understanding of the etiology of RTT by introducing a new pathological event occurring in the brain of FOXG1(+/-) patients during embryonic development and its time-dependent shift toward a general decrease in brain synapses. View Publication

Oncogenic transformation in Ewing sarcoma tumors is driven by the fusion oncogene EWS-FLI1. However,despite the well-established role of EWS-FLI1 in tumor initiation,the development of models of Ewing sarcoma in human cells with defined genetic elements has been challenging. Here,we report a novel approach to model the initiation of Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis that exploits the developmental and pluripotent potential of human embryonic stem cells. The inducible expression of EWS-FLI1 in embryoid bodies,or collections of differentiating stem cells,generates cells with properties of Ewing sarcoma tumors,including characteristics of transformation. These cell lines exhibit anchorage-independent growth,a lack of contact inhibition and a strong Ewing sarcoma gene expression signature. Furthermore,these cells also demonstrate a requirement for the persistent expression of EWS-FLI1 for cell survival and growth,which is a hallmark of Ewing sarcoma tumors.Oncogene advance online publication,12 October 2015; doi:10.1038/onc.2015.368. View Publication

Replication stress causes DNA damage at fragile sites in the genome. DNA damage at telomeres can initiate breakage-fusion-bridge cycles and chromosome instability,which can result in replicative senescence or tumor formation. Little is known about the extent of replication stress or telomere dysfunction in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). hESCs are grown in culture with the expectation of being used therapeutically in humans,making it important to minimize the levels of replication stress and telomere dysfunction. Here,the hESC line UCSF4 was cultured in a defined medium with growth factor Activin A,exogenous nucleosides,or DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin. We used quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization to analyze individual telomeres for dysfunction and observed that it can be increased by aphidicolin or Activin A. In contrast,adding exogenous nucleosides relieved dysfunction,suggesting that telomere dysfunction results from replication stress. Whether these findings can be applied to other hESC lines remains to be determined. However,because the loss of telomeres can lead to chromosome instability and cancer,we conclude that hESCs grown in culture for future therapeutic purposes should be routinely checked for replication stress and telomere dysfunction. View Publication

Fibroblasts from patients with Type I bipolar disorder (BPD) and their unaffected siblings were obtained from an Old Order Amish pedigree with a high incidence of BPD and reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Established iPSCs were subsequently differentiated into neuroprogenitors (NPs) and then to neurons. Transcriptomic microarray analysis was conducted on RNA samples from iPSCs,NPs and neurons matured in culture for either 2 weeks (termed early neurons,E) or 4 weeks (termed late neurons,L). Global RNA profiling indicated that BPD and control iPSCs differentiated into NPs and neurons at a similar rate,enabling studies of differentially expressed genes in neurons from controls and BPD cases. Significant disease-associated differences in gene expression were observed only in L neurons. Specifically,328 genes were differentially expressed between BPD and control L neurons including GAD1,glutamate decarboxylase 1 (2.5 fold) and SCN4B,the voltage gated type IV sodium channel beta subunit (-14.6 fold). Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the up-regulation of GAD1 in BPD compared to control L neurons. Gene Ontology,GeneGo and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of differentially regulated genes in L neurons suggest that alterations in RNA biosynthesis and metabolism,protein trafficking as well as receptor signaling pathways may play an important role in the pathophysiology of BPD. View Publication

Pig induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) offer a great opportunity and a number of advantages in the generation of transgenic animals. These immortalized cells can undergo multiple rounds of genetic modifications (e.g.,gene knock-in,knockout) and selection leading to animals that have optimized traits of biomedical or agricultural interests. In this chapter we describe the production and characterization of piPSCs,microinjection of piPSCs into embryos,embryo transfer and production of chimeric animals based on successful protocols. View Publication

In this study,we trace developmental stages using epigenome changes in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) treated with drugs modulating either self-renewal or differentiation. Based on microscopy,qPCR and flow cytometry,we classified the treatment outcome as inducing pluripotency (hESC,flurbiprofen and gatifloxacin),mesendoderm (sinomenine),differentiation (cyamarin,digoxin,digitoxin,selegeline and theanine) and lineage-commitment (RA). When we analyzed histone PTMs that imprinted these gene and protein expressions,the above classification was reassorted. Hyperacetylation at H3K4,9,14,18,56 and 122 as well as H4K5,8,12 and 16 emerged as the pluripotency signature of hESCs. Methylations especially of H3 at K9,K20,K27 and K36 characterized differentiation initiation as seen in no-drug control and fluribiprofen. Sinomenine-treated cells clustered close to differentiation initiators"� View Publication

FTIR micro-spectroscopy is a sensitive,non-destructive and label-free method offering diffraction-limited resolution with high signal-to-noise ratios when combined with a synchrotron radiation source. The vibrational signature of individual cells was used to validate an alternative strategy for reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells generated from amniocytes. The iPSC lines PB09 and PB10,were reprogrammed from the same amniocyte cell line using respectively the Oct54,Sox2,Lin28,and Nanog and the Oct4 and Sox2 transcription factor cocktail. We show that cells reprogrammed by the two different sets of transfection factors have similar spectral signatures after reprogramming,except for a small subpopulation of cells in one of the cell lines. Mapping HeLa cells at subcellular resolution,we show that the Golgi apparatus,the cytoplasm and the nucleus have a specific spectral signature. The CH(3):CH(2) ratio is the highest in the nucleus and the lowest in the Golgi apparatus/endoplasmic reticulum,in agreement with the membrane composition of these organelles. This is confirmed by specific staining of the organelles with fluorescent dyes. Subcellular differentiation of cell compartments is also demonstrated in living cells. View Publication

This protocol describes an EDTA-based passaging procedure to be used with chemically defined E8 medium that serves as a tool for basic and translational research into human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). In this protocol,passaging one six-well or 10-cm plate of cells takes about 6-7 min. This enzyme-free protocol achieves maximum cell survival without enzyme neutralization,centrifugation or drug treatment. It also allows for higher throughput,requires minimal material and limits contamination. Here we describe how to produce a consistent E8 medium for routine maintenance and reprogramming and how to incorporate the EDTA-based passaging procedure into human induced PSC (iPSC) derivation,colony expansion,cryopreservation and teratoma formation. This protocol has been successful in routine cell expansion,and efficient for expanding large-volume cultures or a large number of cells with preferential dissociation of PSCs. Effective for all culture stages,this procedure provides a consistent and universal approach to passaging human PSCs in E8 medium. View Publication

Recent evidence suggests human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines have differences in their epigenetic marks and transcriptomes,yet the impact of these differences on subsequent terminally differentiated cells is less well understood. Comparison of purified,homogeneous populations of somatic cells derived from multiple independent human iPS and ES lines will be required to address this critical question. Here,we report a differentiation protocol based on embryonic development that consistently yields large numbers of endothelial cells (ECs) derived from multiple hESCs or iPS cells. Mesoderm differentiation of embryoid bodies was maximized,and defined growth factors were used to generate KDR+ EC progenitors. Magnetic purification of a KDR+ progenitor subpopulation resulted in an expanding,homogeneous pool of ECs that expressed EC markers and had functional properties of ECs. Comparison of the transcriptomes revealed limited gene expression variability between multiple lines of human iPS-derived ECs or between lines of ES- and iPS-derived ECs. These results demonstrate a method to generate large numbers of pure human EC progenitors and differentiated ECs from pluripotent stem cells and suggest individual lineages derived from human iPS cells may have significantly less variance than their pluripotent founders. STEM Cells2013;31:92–103 View Publication

AIM: Commercial regenerative medicine will require large quantities of clinical-specification human cells. The cost and quality of manufacture is notoriously difficult to control due to highly complex processes with poorly defined tolerances. As a step to overcome this,we aimed to demonstrate the use of 'quality-by-design' tools to define the operating space for economic passage of a scalable human embryonic stem cell production method with minimal cell loss. MATERIALS & METHODS: Design of experiments response surface methodology was applied to generate empirical models to predict optimal operating conditions for a unit of manufacture of a previously developed automatable and scalable human embryonic stem cell production method. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Two models were defined to predict cell yield and cell recovery rate postpassage,in terms of the predictor variables of media volume,cell seeding density,media exchange and length of passage. Predicted operating conditions for maximized productivity were successfully validated. Such 'quality-by-design' type approaches to process design and optimization will be essential to reduce the risk of product failure and patient harm,and to build regulatory confidence in cell therapy manufacturing processes. View Publication