技术资料

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) have been shown to be useful for the development of cell-based regenerative strategies and for modelling drug discovery. However,stem cell-derived HLCs are not identical in nature to primary human hepatocytes (PHHs),which could affect the cell phenotype and,potentially,model reliability. Therefore,we employed the in-depth gene expression profiling of HLCs and other important and relevant cell types,which led to the identification of clear similarities and differences between them at the transcriptional level. Through gene set enrichment analysis,we identified that genes that are critical for immune signalling pathways become downregulated upon HLC differentiation. Our analysis also found that TAV.HLCs exhibit a mild gene signature characteristic of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia,but not other selected cancers. Importantly,HLCs present significant similarity to PHHs,making them genuinely valuable for modelling human liver biology in vitro and for the development of prototype cell-based therapies for pre-clinical testing. View Publication

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) control organ morphogenesis during development as well as tissue homeostasis and repair in the adult organism. Despite their importance,many mechanisms that regulate FGF function are still poorly understood. Interestingly,the thermodynamic stability of 22 mammalian FGFs varies widely,with some FGFs remaining stable at body temperature for more than 24 h,while others lose their activity within minutes. How thermodynamic stability contributes to the function of FGFs during development remains unknown. Here we show that FGF10,an important limb and lung morphogen,exists as an intrinsically unstable protein that is prone to unfolding and is rapidly inactivated at 37?°C. Using rationally driven directed mutagenesis,we have developed several highly stable (STAB) FGF10 variants with a melting temperature of over 19?°C more than that of wildtype FGF10. In cellular assays in vitro,the FGF10-STABs did not differ from wildtype FGF10 in terms of binding to FGF receptors,activation of downstream FGF receptor signaling in cells,and induction of gene expression. In mouse embryonal lung explants,FGF10-STABs,but not wildtype FGF10,suppressed branching,resulting in increased alveolarization and expansion of epithelial tissue. Similarly,FGF10-STAB1,but not FGF10 wildtype,inhibited the growth of mouse embryonic tibias and markedly altered limb morphogenesis when implanted into chicken limb buds,collectively demonstrating that thermal instability should be considered an important regulator of FGF function that prevents ectopic signaling. Furthermore,we show enhanced differentiation of human iPSC-derived lung organoids and improved regeneration in ex vivo lung injury models mediated by FGF10-STABs,suggesting an application in cell therapy.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-025-05681-1. View Publication

SummaryCardiac fibrosis is a key characteristic of heart failure. CTPR390,an experimental anti-fibrotic inhibitor targeting Hsp90,has shown success in animal models,but remains unexplored in human cardiac models. This study evaluated an engineered cardiac connective tissue (ECCT) model,focusing on changes in the extracellular matrix and fibroblasts. Results showed that CTPR390 prevented architectural changes in TGF?1-activated ECCT,preserving tissue perimeter,collagen fibers alignment while reducing structured areas and degree of collagen structuration. CTPR390 treatment reduced cell area of fibroblasts under tension,without changes in the internal rounded cells devoid of tension. Fibroblast recruitment to tension areas was diminished,showing biomechanical behavior similar to control ECCT. This treatment also lowered the gene and protein expression of key pro-fibrotic markers. Here,advanced biotechnology was employed to detect the detailed structure of tissue fibrosis reduction after administering CTPR390,representing a significant advancement toward clinical application for cardiac fibrosis treatment. Graphical abstract Highlights•CTPR390 prevented architectural changes in TGF?1-activated ECCT•CTPR390 preserves tissue perimeter,collagen fibers alignment•CTPR390 reduces structured areas and degree of collagen structuration•CTPR390-trested ECCTs presented a biomechanical behavior similar to control ECCT Molecular biology; Cell biology View Publication

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurological disorder caused by epigenetic silencing of the FMR1 gene. Reactivation of FMR1 is a potential therapeutic approach for FXS that would correct the root cause of the disease. Here,using a candidate-based shRNA screen,we identify nine epigenetic repressors that promote silencing of FMR1 in FXS cells (called FMR1 Silencing Factors,or FMR1- SFs). Inhibition of FMR1-SFs with shRNAs or small molecules reactivates FMR1 in cultured undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells,neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and post-mitotic neurons derived from FXS patients. One of the FMR1-SFs is the histone methyltransferase EZH2,for which an FDA-approved small molecule inhibitor,EPZ6438 (also known as tazemetostat),is available. We show that EPZ6438 substantially corrects the characteristic molecular and electrophysiological abnormalities of cultured FXS neurons. Unfortunately,EZH2 inhibitors do not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier,limiting their therapeutic use for FXS. Recently,antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based approaches have been developed as effective treatment options for certain central nervous system disorders. We therefore derived efficacious ASOs targeting EZH2 and demonstrate that they reactivate FMR1 expression and correct molecular and electrophysiological abnormalities in cultured FXS neurons,and reactivate FMR1 expression in human FXS NPCs engrafted within the brains of mice. Collectively,our results establish EZH2 inhibition in general,and EZH2 ASOs in particular,as a therapeutic approach for FXS. View Publication

In mammals,early embryonic gastrulation process is high energy demanding. Previous studies showed that,unlike endoderm and mesoderm cells,neuroectoderm differentiated from human embryonic stem cells relied on aerobic glycolysis as the major energy metabolic process,which generates lactate as the final product. Here we explored the function of intracellular lactate during neuroectoderm differentiation. Our results revealed that the intracellular lactate level was elevated in neuroectoderm and exogenous lactate could further promote hESCs differentiation towards neuroectoderm. Changing intracellular lactate levels by sodium lactate or LDHA inhibitors had no obvious effect on BMP or WNT/?-catenin signaling during neuroectoderm differentiation. Notably,histone lactylation,especially H3K18 lactylation was significant upregulated during this process. We further performed CUT&Tag experiments and the results showed that H3K18la is highly enriched at gene promoter regions. By analyzing data from CUT&Tag and RNA-seq experiments,we further identified that four genes,including PAX6,were transcriptionally upregulated by lactate during neuroectoderm differentiation. A H3K18la modification site at PAX6 promoter was verified and exogenous lactate could also rescue the level of PAX6 after shPAX6 inhibition.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-024-05510-x. View Publication

Pancreatic islets are densely packed cellular aggregates containing various hormonal cell types essential for blood glucose regulation. Interactions among these cells markedly affect the glucoregulatory functions of islets along with the surrounding niche and pancreatic tissue-specific geometrical organization. However,stem cell (SC)-derived islets generated in vitro often lack the three-dimensional extracellular microenvironment and peri-vasculature,which leads to the immaturity of SC-derived islets,reducing their ability to detect glucose fluctuations and insulin release. Here,we bioengineer the in vivo-like pancreatic niches by optimizing the combination of pancreatic tissue-specific extracellular matrix and basement membrane proteins and utilizing bioprinting-based geometrical guidance to recreate the spatial pattern of islet peripheries. The bioprinted islet-specific niche promotes coordinated interactions between islets and vasculature,supporting structural and functional features resembling native islets. Our strategy not only improves SC-derived islet functionality but also offers significant potential for advancing research on islet development,maturation,and diabetic disease modeling,with future implications for translational applications. The glucoregulatory functions of pancreatic islets are affected by their surrounding niche and spatial organization. Here,bioengineered stem-cell derived islet niches use bioprinting-based geometrical guidance to promote islet maturation for improved functionality and diabetes research. View Publication

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by repeat expansion of the CAG trinucleotide within exon 10 of the ATXN3 gene. This mutation results in the production of an abnormal ataxin-3 protein containing an extended polyglutamine tract,referred to as mutant ataxin-3. In this study,we investigated the therapeutic potential of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing for SCA3. First,we designed a specific single-guide RNA targeting the ATXN3 gene and constructed the corresponding targeting vector. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a SCA3 patient were then electroporated with the CRISPR/Cas9 components. Positive clones were screened and validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing to obtain genome-editing iPSCs (GE-iPSCs). Subsequently,the pluripotency of GE-iPSCs was confirmed,and the effects of genome editing on mutant ataxin-3 protein expression and Golgi apparatus morphology were assessed using Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses. Our results demonstrated that targeted insertion of polyadenylation signals (PAS) upstream of the abnormal CAG repeats effectively suppressed the production of mutant ataxin-3. This intervention also reduced the formation of neuronal nuclear inclusions in differentiated neurons,restored the structural integrity of the Golgi apparatus (which exhibited a loose and enlarged morphology in SCA3 cells),and increased the expression levels of Golgi structural proteins (GM130 and GORASP2). In conclusion,our findings indicate that the targeted insertion of PAS upstream of the abnormal CAG repeats in the ATXN3 gene represents a promising therapeutic strategy for SCA3 through genome editing.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-93369-8. View Publication

SUMMARYUnderstanding how human gene expression is coordinately regulated by functional units of proteins across the genome remains a major biological goal. Here,we present COMET,a high-throughput screening platform for combinatorial effector targeting for the identification of transcriptional modulators. We generate libraries of combinatorial dCas9-based fusion proteins,containing two to six effector domains,allowing us to systematically investigate more than 110,000 combinations of effector proteins at endogenous human loci for their influence on transcription. Importantly,we keep full proteins or domains intact,maintaining catalytic cores and surfaces for protein-protein interactions. We observe more than 5800 significant hits that modulate transcription,we demonstrate cell type specific transcriptional modulation,and we further investigate epistatic relationships between our effector combinations. We validate unexpected combinations as synergistic or buffering,emphasizing COMET as both a method for transcriptional effector discovery,and as a functional genomics tool for identifying novel domain interactions and directing locus-specific biochemistry. View Publication

Ribosome profiling,which is based on deep sequencing of ribosome footprints,has served as a powerful tool for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of protein synthesis. However,the current method has substantial issues: contamination by rRNAs and the lack of appropriate methods to measure ribosome numbers in transcripts. Here,we overcome these hurdles through the development of “Ribo-FilterOut”,which is based on the separation of footprints from ribosome subunits by ultrafiltration,and “Ribo-Calibration”,which relies on external spike-ins of stoichiometrically defined mRNA-ribosome complexes. A combination of these approaches estimates the number of ribosomes on a transcript,the translation initiation rate,and the overall number of translation events before its decay,all in a genome-wide manner. Moreover,our method reveals the allocation of ribosomes under heat shock stress,during aging,and across cell types. Our strategy of modified ribosome profiling measures kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of cellular translation across the transcriptome. Ribosome profiling faces issues with rRNA contamination and measurements of ribosome numbers on transcripts. Here,the authors develop Ribo-FilterOut and Ribo-Calibration,methods which can be used to estimate kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of translation under various conditions. View Publication

BackgroundCHD7 encodes an ATP-dependent chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein; mutations in this gene lead to multiple developmental disorders,including CHARGE (Coloboma,Heart defects,Atresia of the choanae,Retardation of growth and development,Genital hypoplasia,and Ear anomalies) syndrome. How the mutations cause multiple defects remains largely unclear. Embryonic definitive endoderm (DE) generates the epithelial compartment of vital organs such as the thymus,liver,pancreas,and intestine.MethodsIn this study,we used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technique to delete the CHD7 gene in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to generate CHD7 homozygous mutant (CHD7?/?),heterozygous mutant (CHD7+/?),and control wild-type (CHD7+/+) cells. We then investigated the ability of the hESCs to develop into DE and the other two germ layers,mesoderm and ectoderm in vitro. We also compared global gene expression and chromatin accessibility among the hESC-DE cells by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq).ResultsWe found that deletion of CHD7 led to reduced capacity to develop into DE and mesoderm in a dose-dependent manner. Loss of CHD7 led to significant changes in the expression and chromatin accessibility of genes associated with several pathways. We identified 40 genes that were highly down-regulated in both the expression and chromatin accessibility in CHD7 deleted hESC-DE cells.ConclusionsCHD7 is critical for DE and mesodermal development from hESCs. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms by which CHD7 mutations cause multiple congenital anomalies.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-025-04437-9. View Publication

The spatial organization of molecules in a cell is essential for their functions. While current methods focus on discerning tissue architecture,cell–cell interactions,and spatial expression patterns,they are limited to the multicellular scale. We present Bento,a Python toolkit that takes advantage of single-molecule information to enable spatial analysis at the subcellular scale. Bento ingests molecular coordinates and segmentation boundaries to perform three analyses: defining subcellular domains,annotating localization patterns,and quantifying gene–gene colocalization. We demonstrate MERFISH,seqFISH +,Molecular Cartography,and Xenium datasets. Bento is part of the open-source Scverse ecosystem,enabling integration with other single-cell analysis tools.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-024-03217-7. View Publication

Huntington’s disease and other disorders of the basal ganglia create challenges for biomolecule-based medicines given the poor accessibility of these deep brain structures following intracerebral or intravascular delivery. Here,we found that low dose,low volume delivery of unbiased AAV libraries into the globus pallidus allowed recovery of novel capsids capable of broad access to key deep brain and cortical structures relevant for human therapies. One such capsid,AAV-DB-3,provided transduction of up to 45% of medium spiny neurons in the adult NHP striatum,along with substantial transduction of relevant deep layer neurons in the cortex. Notably,AAV-DB-3 behaved similarly in mice as in NHPs and potently transduced human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. Thus,AAV-DB-3 provides a unique AAV for network level brain gene therapies that translates up and down the evolutionary scale for preclinical studies and eventual clinical use. To date,brain gene therapies require high vector doses. Here,authors devised an AAV capsid screen and found variants with unprecedented potency for transduction of deep brain and cortical neurons and human iPSC-neurons with cell tropism relevant for Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. View Publication