BALB／c小鼠胚胎干细胞系的建立及其嵌合体小鼠的获得

目的：建立BALB/c小鼠胚胎干细胞系,并用于制作嵌合体小鼠。方法：从BALB／c小鼠囊胚内分离培养内细胞团块。建系后,进行C57BL／6L小鼠受体囊胚腔注射,制作嵌合体小鼠,结果：建立了我国第一株BALB／c小鼠胚胎干细胞系,该细胞系具有典型的ES细胞形态,碱性磷酸酶强阳性,核型正常以及具有分化为三种胚层组织的能力,并已产生5只嵌合体小鼠,结论：建立的BALB／c小鼠胚胎干细胞系具有胚胎干细胞的各种特点,可用于体内外诱导分化研究,在进一步观察生殖系嵌合情况后,决定是否可应用于基因打靶等转基因动物的制作。     

Tumorigenicity Studies of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Basic studies of human pluripotential stem cells have advanced rapidly and stem cell products are now seeing therapeutic applications. However, questions remain regarding the tumorigenic potential of such cells. Here, we report the tumorigenic potential of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for the treatment of wet-type, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). First, immunodeficient mouse strains (nude, SCID, NOD-SCID and NOG) were tested for HeLa cells’ tumor-forming capacity by transplanting various cell doses subcutaneously with or without Matrigel. The 50% Tumor Producing Dose (TPD₅₀ value) is the minimal dose of transplanted cells that generated tumors in 50% of animals. For HeLa cells, the TPD₅₀ was the lowest when cells were embedded in Matrigel and transplanted into NOG mice (TPD₅₀ = 10^1.1, n = 75). The TPD₅₀ for undifferentiated iPSCs transplanted subcutaneously to NOG mice in Matrigel was 10^2.12; (n = 30). Based on these experiments, 1×10⁶ iPSC-derived RPE were transplanted subcutaneously with Matrigel, and no tumor was found during 15 months of monitoring (n = 65). Next, to model clinical application, we assessed the tumor-forming potential of HeLa cells and iPSC 201B7 cells following subretinal transplantation of nude rats. The TPD₅₀ for iPSCs was 10^4.73 (n = 20) and for HeLa cells 10^1.32 (n = 37) respectively. Next, the tumorigenicity of iPSC-derived RPE was tested in the subretinal space of nude rats by transplanting 0.8–1.5×10⁴ iPSC-derived RPE in a collagen-lined (1 mm×1 mm) sheet. No tumor was found with iPSC-derived RPE sheets during 6–12 months of monitoring (n = 26). Considering the number of rodents used, the monitoring period, the sensitivity of detecting tumors via subcutaneous and subretinal administration routes and the incidence of tumor formation from the iPSC-derived RPE, we conclude that the tumorigenic potential of the iPSC-derived RPE was negligible.     

Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors

Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state by transfer of nuclear contents into oocytes or by fusion with embryonic stem (ES) cells. Little is known about factors that induce this reprogramming. Here, we demonstrate induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic or adult fibroblasts by introducing four factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4, under ES cell culture conditions. Unexpectedly, Nanog was dispensable. These cells, which we designated iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells, exhibit the morphology and growth properties of ES cells and express ES cell marker genes. Subcutaneous transplantation of iPS cells into nude mice resulted in tumors containing a variety of tissues from all three germ layers. Following injection into blastocysts, iPS cells contributed to mouse embryonic development. These data demonstrate that pluripotent stem cells can be directly generated from fibroblast cultures by the addition of only a few defined factors.     

Pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cell ontogeny from renal capsule transplanted embryonic stem cells in streptozocin-injured mice.

In this study, we describe pancreatic cell ontogeny in renal capsule-transplanted embryonic stem cells (ES) after injury by streptozocin (STZ), showing pancreatogenesis in situ. Seven-week-old female BALB/c nude mice were treated with either a single 175- or 200-mg/kg STZ dose, a regimen that induces substantial beta-cell damage without overt hyperglycemia, and transplanted 24 hr later with 1 x 10(5) ES. Immunohistochemistry was performed on ES tissue at 15, 21, and 28 days after transplantation using antibodies against stage- and lineage-specific pancreatic markers. After 21 days, PDX-1+ pancreatic foci first appeared in the renal capsule and expressed both amylase and endocrine hormones (insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin). These foci increased in size by day 28 because of acinar and duct cell proliferation, whereas endocrine cells remained non-dividing, and made up 2-4% of ES tumor volume. PDX-1, Nkx6.1, Ngn3, and ISL-1 protein localization patterns in pancreatic foci were comparable with embryonic pancreatogenesis. A prevalence of multihormonal endocrine cells, a characteristic of adult beta-cell regeneration, indicated a possible divergence from embryonic islet cell development. The results indicate that beta-cell damage, without overt hyperglycemia, induces a process of fetal-like pancreatogenesis in renal capsule-transplanted ES, leading to beta-cell neogenesis.     

Generation of functional human pancreatic organoids by transplants of embryonic stem cell derivatives in a 3D-printed tissue trapper

Organoids can be regarded as a beneficial tool for discovery of new therapeutics for diabetes and/or maturation of pancreatic progenitors (PP) towards β cells. Here, we devised a strategy to enhance maturation of PP by assembly of three-dimensional (3D) pancreatic organoids (PO) containing human embryonic stem (ES) cell derivatives including ES-derived pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) ⁺ early PP, mesenchymal stem cells, and endothelial cells at an optimized cell ratio, on Matrigel. The PO was placed in a 3D-printed tissue trapper and heterotopically implanted into the peritoneal cavity of immunodeficient mice where it remained for 90 days. Our results indicated that, in contrast to corresponding early PP transplants, 3D PO developed more vascularization as indicated by greater area and number of vessels, a higher number of insulin-positive cells and improvement of human C-peptide secretions. Based on our findings, PO-derived β cells could be considered a novel strategy to study human β-cell development, novel therapeutics, and regenerative medicine for diabetes.     

Expression of retrovirus-related, cytotoxic T lymphocyte- and transplantation-defined antigens in NIH/3T3 transfectants after a single passage in nude mice

Transfection of T24c-Ha-ras oncogene into NIH/3T3 fibroblasts resulted in the establishment of a transformed cell line (pT) that was tumorigenic when injected s.c. both into Swiss outbred nude mice and normal NIH inbred mice. The passage into nude mice, however, led to the development of a tumor variant (pT-nude) able to subsequently grow into sublethally x-irradiated but not into immunocompetent NIH mice. NIH mice immunized with this tumor variant developed a strong specific CTL response against the immunizing cell line, whereas the parental transformed pT cell line was not lysed. Clones were derived by limiting dilution from anti-pT-nude bulk population and were tested on a panel of transformed NIH/3T3 lines before and after their growth as tumor into nude mice. All of these lines were lysed by the Lyt-2+ CTL clones as a sole consequence of one in vivo passage into nude mice. The cross-reactive Ag were shown to be related to endogenous retroviral products as assessed by 1) immunoprecipitations of gp70, p15E, and p30 viral proteins in the nude variants but not in parental lines, and 2) by the ability of retroviruses from irradiated pT-nude cells to infect NIH/3T3 or pT lines making them susceptible to lysis by anti-pT-nude CTL clones. These results show that a single passage in nude mice can induce retrovirus-related, cell-surface Ag in transplanted neoplastic cells.     

Increased dosage of tumor suppressors limits the tumorigenicity of iPS cells without affecting their pluripotency

Embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent a promising therapeutic tool for many diseases, including aged tissues and organs at high risk of failure. However, the intrinsic self-renewal and pluripotency of ES and iPS cells make them tumorigenic, and hence, the risk of tumor development hinders their clinical application. Here, we present a novel approach to limit their tumorigenicity and increase their safety through increased copy number of tumor suppressors. iPS containing an extra copy of the p53 or Ink4a/ARF locus show normal pluripotency, as determined by in vitro and in vivo differentiation assays. Yet, while retaining full pluripotency, they also possess an improved engagement of the p53 pathway during teratocarcinoma formation, which leads to a reduced tumorigenic potential in various in vitro and in vivo assays. Furthermore, they show an improved response to anticancer drugs, which could aid in their elimination in case tumors arise with no adverse effects on cell function or aging. Our system provides a model for studying tumor suppressor pathways during reprogramming, differentiation, and cell therapy applications. This offers an improved understanding of the pathways involved in tumor growth from engrafted pluripotent stem cells, which could facilitate the use of ES and iPS cells in regenerative medicine.     

Cell softness regulates tumorigenicity and stemness of cancer cells

Identifying and sorting highly tumorigenic and metastatic tumor cells from a heterogeneous cell population is a daunting challenge. Here, we show that microfluidic devices can be used to sort marker‐based heterogeneous cancer stem cells (CSC) into mechanically stiff and soft subpopulations. The isolated soft tumor cells (< 400 Pa) but not the stiff ones (> 700 Pa) can form a tumor in immunocompetent mice with 100 cells per inoculation. Notably, only the soft, but not the stiff cells, isolated from CD133⁺, ALDH⁺, or side population CSCs, are able to form a tumor with only 100 cells in NOD‐SCID or immunocompetent mice. The Wnt signaling protein BCL9L is upregulated in soft tumor cells and regulates their stemness and tumorigenicity. Clinically, BCL9L expression is correlated with a worse prognosis. Our findings suggest that the intrinsic softness is a unique marker of highly tumorigenic and metastatic tumor cells.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells promoted by mature chondrocytes

In order to direct embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate into chondrocytes, a chondrogenic envi-ronment provided by mature chondrocytes was investigated. Flk-1 positive cells sorted from pre-differentiated mouse ES cells were mixed with adult porcine articular chondrocytes, seeded on biodegradable scaffolds, and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The cell-scaffold com-plexes formed cartilage tissues after 4 weeks, which was demonstrated by histology and anti-type II collagen antibody staining. Positive staining of mouse Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules confirmed that part of the chondrocytes were derived from mouse ES cells. The current study established a new approach for directing ES cell differentiation.     

Chondrogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells promoted by mature chondrocytes

In order to direct embryonic stem (ES) cells to differentiate into chondrocytes, a chondrogenic environment provided by mature chondrocytes was investigated. Flk-1 positive cells sorted from pre-differentiated mouse ES cells were mixed with adult porcine articular chondrocytes, seeded on biodegradable scaffolds, and then implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. The cell-scaffold complexes formed cartilage tissues after 4 weeks, which was demonstrated by histology and anti-type II collagen antibody staining. Positive staining of mouse Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules confirmed that part of the chondrocytes were derived from mouse ES cells. The current study established a new approach for directing ES cell differentiation.     

Effects of thymic polypeptides on the thymopoiesis of mouse embryonic stem cells

The thymus provides a unique cellular and hormonic microenvironment for the development of immunocompetent T cells. Thymic polypeptides have been widely used clinically for the treatment of tumors, infectious diseases and immune deficiency diseases. They have already shown the ability to stimulate the maturation of hematopoietic stem cells towards the CD3+CD4+ T cell lineage. However, their effects on the thymopoiesis of embryonic stem cells are still unexplored. In this paper, we compared the effects of three thymic polypeptides, thymopentin (TP5), thymosin alpha-1 (Talpha-1) and thymopeptides on the in vitro thymopoiesis of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Using the embryoid body induction system, we found that both Talpha-1 and thymopeptides effectively induced ES cells to differentiate sequentially into the CD3+ and CD4+/CD8+ T cells. These T cells had T cell receptor (TCR) Vbeta gene rearrangement and most were TCRalphabeta T cells. We also found that the expression of the Notch receptor and its ligands Delta-like-1 and Delta-like-4 gradually increased during the induction. However, TP5 failed to induce the T cell differentiation of the ES cells. In summary, this is the first report to demonstrate that Talpha-1 can stimulate the T cell early stage differentiation from ES cells using the embryoid body protocol. These findings provide a powerful model for studying T cell development and may open new venues for the clinical application of Talpha-1.     

Cellular tumorigenicity in nude mice. Role of susceptibility to natural killer cells

The athymic nude mouse is a useful animal model for assaying the neoplastic growth potential in vivo of animal cells transformed in vitro. Despite the demonstrated absence of thymus-dependent immunological functions, however, the nude mouse has now been shown to reject transplants of certain highly malignant heterologous tumors. In addition, a few transformed mammalian cell lines that exhibit all or most of the cellular phenotypes usually associated with malignancy fail to grow as tumors when injected into nude mice. In a continuing study to identify the in vitro phenotypes associated with tumor-forming ability in vivo, we investigated the role of cellular susceptibility to the naturally occurring, thymus-independent lymphocytes (natural killer or NK cells) in determining tumor induction by animal cells in nude mice. A representative collection of animal cells (ranging from normal human diploid cell strains to highly tumorigenic clonal cell lines, either transformed in vitro or derived from experimental tumors) was tested to see if the ability of cells to form tumors is consistently correlated with their susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis measured in vitro with splenic leukocytes from nude mice. If the physiological role of the NK cells in vivo were to recognize, and possibly to destroy, incipient tumor cells in situ, a direct association between cellular tumorigenicity and susceptibility to NK activity, might be expected. If, on the other hand, the formation of growing tumors by animal cells in nude mice depended on their ability to escape the cytolytic activity of NK cells, cellular tumorigenicity would be associated with cellular resistance to NK cells. Results obtained in this study failed to confirm either of these associations. Thus, cellular suscepbibility to NK cells, at least as determined by direct cytotoxicity assay in vitro, is not a useful predictive indicator of cellular tumorigenicity in nude mice.     

Analysis of tissue chimerism in nude mouse brain and abdominal xenograft models of human glioblastoma multiforme: what does it tell us about the models and about glioblastoma biology and therapy?

In situ hybridization coupled to immunohistochemistry for antigens of interest allows unequivocal identification of tumor cells from reactive stroma cells and normal adjacent structures in human glioblastoma multiforme grafts transplanted into nude mice. With this methodology, we have explored the development of glioblastoma multiforme solid grafts transplanted into nude mouse brains or flanks. The brain transplants closely resembled the human situation, particularly in relation to differentiation and growth patterns. The morphological features of peritumoral reactive gliosis were similar to those observed in humans. A mouse glial stroma within the main tumor masses was also demonstrated. Kinetic studies showed that the compartment of isolated tumor cells that infiltrated host brains and the reactive gliosis constituted two cycling cell populations. Despite VEGF protein expression by tumor cells and some reactive astrocytes, the abnormally permeable microvascular beds were not hyperplastic. The observation of a non-infiltrative pattern of growth when grafts were established in host flanks demonstrated that the organ-specific environment plays a determining role in the growth and invasive properties of glioblastoma. The phylogenetic distance between man and mouse and the recipient immunoincompetence should not impose serious limitations on the use of this model for studying malignant glioma biology and therapy in vivo.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞在六种培养体系的培养观察

目的　观察小鼠胚胎干细胞在六种培养体系中的生长情况。方法　小鼠胚胎干细胞 (ESD3细胞株 )在以下六种培养体系中培养 :1 .原代小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞 (MEF)有血清培养 ,2 .MEF无血清培养 ,3.SNL细胞有血清培养 ,4.LIF(白血病抑制因子 )有血清无饲养层培养 ,5.LIF无血清无饲养层培养 ,6.大鼠肝细胞 (BRL)条件培养基培养。经体外培养 1 0代后 ,观察其克隆形态 ,同时进行碱性磷酸酶检测并将ES细胞接种于裸小鼠皮下 ,观察ESD3的未分化状态和多潜能性。结果　六种培养体系培养的ESD3具有典型的ES细胞克隆形态 :巢状 (集落状 )隆起生长 ,边缘清楚 ,表面平滑 ,结构致密 ;AKP强阳性 ;裸小鼠体内形成了由多种组织构成的畸胎瘤。结论　六种培养体系均能支持ESD3生长 ,并能保持其未分化性和多潜能性 ,为ES细胞的应用研究奠定了良好的基础。     

Implanted hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells encapsulated in polyvinylidene fluoride membrane cylinders promote effective recovery of peripheral nerve injury

Hair follicle-associated-pluripotent (HAP) stem cells are located in the bulge area of the hair follicle, express the stem-cell marker, nestin, and have been shown to differentiate to nerve cells, glial cells, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and melanocytes. Transplanted HAP stem cells promote the recovery of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries and have the potential for heart regeneration as well. In the present study, we implanted mouse green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing HAP stem-cell spheres encapsulated in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-membrane cylinders into the severed sciatic nerve of immunocompetent and immunocompromised (nude) mice. Eight weeks after implantation, immunofluorescence staining showed that the HAP stem cells differentiated into neurons and glial cells. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the HAP stem cell hair spheres promoted rejoining of the sciatic nerve of both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed that the severed scatic nerves had regenerated. Quantitative walking analysis showed that the transplanted mice recovered the ability to walk normally. HAP stem cells are readily accessible from everyone, do not form tumors, and can be cryopreserved without loss of differentiation potential. These results suggest that HAP stem cells may have greater potential than iPS or ES cells for regenerative medicine.     

The tumorigenicity of mouse embryonic stem cells and in vitro differentiated neuronal cells is controlled by the recipients' immune response

Embryonic stem (ES) cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types and are considered as a valuable source of cells for transplantation therapies. A critical issue, however, is the risk of teratoma formation after transplantation. The effect of the immune response on the tumorigenicity of transplanted cells is poorly understood. We have systematically compared the tumorigenicity of mouse ES cells and in vitro differentiated neuronal cells in various recipients. Subcutaneous injection of 1x10(6) ES or differentiated cells into syngeneic or allogeneic immunodeficient mice resulted in teratomas in about 95% of the recipients. Both cell types did not give rise to tumors in immunocompetent allogeneic mice or xenogeneic rats. However, in 61% of cyclosporine A-treated rats teratomas developed after injection of differentiated cells. Undifferentiated ES cells did not give rise to tumors in these rats. ES cells turned out to be highly susceptible to killing by rat natural killer (NK) cells due to the expression of ligands of the activating NK receptor NKG2D on ES cells. These ligands were down-regulated on differentiated cells. The activity of NK cells which is not suppressed by cyclosporine A might contribute to the prevention of teratomas after injection of ES cells but not after inoculation of differentiated cells. These findings clearly point to the importance of the immune response in this process. Interestingly, the differentiated cells must contain a tumorigenic cell population that is not present among ES cells and which might be resistant to NK cell-mediated killing.     

Restoration of T-cell function in nude mice by grafting the epitheliomesenchymal thymic rudiment from 10-day-old euthymic embryos

The capacity of the uncolonized thymic epithelium to restore immune function in nude mice was demonstrated by grafting the 3rd branchial arch area taken from euthymic 10-day BALB/c embryos into syngeneic newborn nude mice. Twenty-six percent of the operated animals became immunocompetent. T-cell function was tested with skin grafts and the presence of high levels of Thy-1 positive cells plus a variety of in vitro culture assays: Con A stimulation of T lymphocytes, cytotoxicity and alloreactivity in MLR of the recipient toward allogeneic spleen cells. All these tests showed a pattern of response similar to normal euthymic BALB/c mice.     

Immunological surveillance against DNA-virus-transformed cells: correlations between natural killer cell cytolytic competence and tumor susceptibility of athymic rodents.

Adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-transformed hamster and rat cells are susceptible to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells from the host of origin and are nontumorigenic in immunocompetent hamsters and rats, respectively. These NK-cell-susceptible, virus-transformed cells are, however, highly tumorigenic in athymic (nude) mice--animals with intact NK-cell responses. In vitro lysis of these xenogeneic, Ad2-transformed cells by nude-mouse NK cells was found to be defective. In contrast, Ad2-transformed hamster and rat cells were highly susceptible to lysis by nude-rat NK cells. Furthermore, xenogeneic, Ad2-transformed hamster cells were nontumorigenic in nude rats unless the NK-cell responses of the challenged animals were compromised. The results of the nude-rat studies show that thymus-dependent, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated, host cellular immune responses are not essential for rejection of xenogeneic cells transformed by nononcogenic Ad2. The data suggest instead that immunologically nonspecific host cellular immune responses, such as those mediated by NK cells, are sufficient for rejection of Ad2-transformed cells. These results indicate that biologically important differences exist in the NK-cell-mediated defenses mounted by nude mice and nude rats against transformed cells that may account for the different patterns of tumor induction by various neoplastic cell types in these athymic animals.