Activation of protein kinases A and C promoted proliferation of chicken primordial germ cells

Many growth factors or cytokines regulate cell proliferation via different intracellular signaling pathways. The mechanisms remained quite unclear in avian primordial germ cells (PGCs). In the present study, two major protein kinases, PKA and PKC, were investigated to be involved in signal transduction of PGC proliferation. PGCs were isolated from genital ridge of 3.5-day chicken embryos and primary culture was performed with 5% fetal calf serum (FCS)-supplemented medium 199. After culture for 24 h, PGCs were subcultured on chicken embryonic fibroblast feeder (CEF) and the cells were characterized by histochemical stainings of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent as well as immunocytochemical stainings of c-kit and stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-I). In addition, cells were challenged with adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (FRSK) and PKC activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) alone or in combinations with PKA inhibitor H(89) and PKC inhibitor H(7), respectively. Results showed that subcultured PGCs on CEF displayed positive histochemical and immunocytochemical stainings for ALP, PAS, c-kit and SSEA-I and manifested intensive proliferating activity by colony formation. Downstream activation of PKA by FRSK (10(-7) to 10(-5)M) significantly promoted the proliferation of PGCs by increasing colony number (ALP-stained) in a dose-dependant manner. PMA (10(-8)M) also increased PGC colony number (P<0.05). However, the proliferating effects elicited by FRSK or PMA could be inhibited by the respective protein kinase inhibitor H(89) or H(7). Therefore, the above results suggest that activation of intracellular protein kinases A and C by external factors may promote proliferation of cultured PGCs and PKA represents the most likely mediator of PGC proliferation in embryonic chickens.     

The promoting effect of retinoic acid on proliferation of chicken primordial germ cells by increased expression of cadherin and catenins

Proliferation and cellular aggregation are both crucial features for survival and self-renewal of primordial germ cells (PGCs). Adhesive proteins play pivotal roles in cell–cell adhesion and signal exchanges under the influence of cytokines, growth factors and bioactive metabolites such as retinoic acid (RA). In this study, proliferation-promoting effect of RA on chicken PGCs was investigated by revealing changes in adhesive proteins E-cadherin and α/β catenins. PGCs were isolated from the genital ridge of 4-day-old chicken embryos and cultured on embryonic fibroblast feeder. RA (10⁻⁷–10⁻⁵ M) increased PGCs aggregation and mRNA expression of E-cadherin and α/β-catenins. Furthermore, E-cadherin and β-catenin protein expression levels were increased by RA treatment. However, RA-elicited effect was significantly attenuated by a PKC inhibitor H₇. In addition, the number and area of PGC colonies were increased by RA treatment at 10⁻⁷–10⁻⁵ M. Again, this increase was reduced by combined treatment of H₇. The proliferating effect of RA on PGCs was further confirmed by increased mRNA expression of cyclins, CCND1 and CCNE1, and cyclin-dependent kinases 6 and 2, which are critical for G1–S progression in cell cycle. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis confirmed that RA-treated PGC populations displayed a significant increase in the proportion of S and G2 phase cells. Likewise, this stimulating action was hindered by combined H₇ treatment. These results indicate that RA, as a bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, may promote PGC proliferation and increase intercellular aggregation of PGCs via E-cadherin and α/β-catenins expression through the PKC signaling pathway.     

Proliferating effects of the flavonoids daidzein and quercetin on cultured chicken primordial germ cells through antioxidant action

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells, whose proliferation is influenced by many internal and external factors. In the present study, a PGC-somatic cell co-culture model was established to evaluate effects of the flavonoids daidzein (DAI) and quercetin (QUE) on proliferation of PGCs from embryonic chickens. PGCs were isolated from the germinal ridge of 3.5-4day embryos and cultured in 5% fetal calf serum (FCS)-supplemented Medium 199. PGC subculture was carried out on chicken embryonic fibroblast feeder (CEF) or follicular granulosa cell feeder (GCF) layers. The subcultured PGCs were challenged with flavonoids alone or in combination with a reactive oxygen substance (ROS)-producing system on CEF for 48h. The results showed a better supporting effect of CEF than GCF. Flavonoids (1microg/ml) significantly promoted PGC proliferation, which could be markedly inhibited by ROS. The oxidative damage by ROS was further manifest by decreased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels. In addition, activation of protein kinase A (PKA) by forskolin significantly stimulated PGC proliferation, but PKA inhibitor H89 inhibited the proliferating effects induced by DAI and QUE. These results indicated that cultured PGCs respond to exogenous agents on proliferation and that antioxidant flavonoids could restore the intracellular antioxidant system and promote PGC proliferation via their antioxidant action involving the PKA signaling pathway.     

Production of quail (Coturnix japonica) germline chimeras derived from in vitro-cultured gonadal primordial germ cells

A previous report from our laboratory documented successful production of quail (Coturnix japonica) germline chimeras by transfer of gonadal primordial germ cells (gPGCs). Subsequently, this study was designed to evaluate whether gPGCs can be maintained in vitro for extended period, and furthermore, these cultured PGCs can induce germline transmission after transfer into recipient embryos. In experiment 1, gonadal cells from the two strains (wild-type plumage (WP) and black (D) quail) were cultured in vitro for 10 days. Using antibody QCR1, we detected a continuous, significant (P = 0.0002) increase in the number of WP, but not D, PGCs. QCR1-positive WP colonies began to form after 7 days in culture. On Day 10 of culture, 803 WP PGCs were present as a result of a continuous increase, whereas no D PGC colonies could be detected and the D gonadal stroma cells were rolled up. Differences in the PGCs or the gonadal stroma cells of the two different strains might account for these differences. In experiment 2, WP PGC colonies were maintained in vitro up to Day 20 of culture, and 10- or 20-day-cultured PGCs were microinjected into dorsal aortas of 181 recipient D embryos. Thirty-five (19.3%) of the transplanted embryos hatched after incubation, and 25 (71.4%) of the hatchlings reached sexual maturity. Testcrossing of the sexually mature hatchlings resulted in three (10 days, 33.3%) and eight (20 days, 50.0%) germline chimeras respectively. This report is the first to describe successful production of germline chimera by transfer of in vitro-cultured gPGCs in quail.     

影响鸡原始生殖细胞分离克隆因素的研究（简报）

具有多向分化潜能的胚胎干细胞有两种来源：一是来自于早期胚胎内细胞团的胚胎干细胞(Em．bryonic Stem Cells,ESCs),另一种是来自于胚胎生殖腺原始生殖细胞(Primordial Germ Cells,PGCs)的胚胎生殖细胞(Embryonic Germ Cells,EGCs)。     

Ginsenosides promote proliferation of granulosa cells from chicken prehierarchical follicles through PKC activation and up‐regulated cyclin gene expression

The effect of GS (ginsenosides) on proliferation of chicken GCs (granulosa cells) from prehierarchical SYF (small yellow follicles) was evaluated, and involvement of the PKC (protein kinase C) signalling pathway as well as mRNA expression of cyclins and CDK (cyclin‐dependent kinase) were investigated. Whole SYF or GCs isolated from SYF were cultured in Medium 199 supplemented with 0.5% FCS (fetal calf serum). After 16 h, the cells were challenged with GS alone or in combination with PKC inhibitor H₇ or activator PMA (phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate) for 24 h in serum‐free medium. Results showed that in both whole follicles and pure GCs monolayer culture system, GS (0.1–10 μg/ml) significantly increased the number of GCs in SYF in a dose‐dependent manner, and this stimulatory effect was inhibited by H₇, but enhanced by PMA. Meanwhile, the PCNA‐LI (proliferating cell nuclear antigen labelling index) of GCs displayed similar changes with the cell number. Mechanism of GS action was further evaluated in cultured GCs separated from SYF. Western blot analysis showed that 10 μg/ml GS increased PKC translocation from cytoplasm to the plasma membrane of the GCs to become the active state. This effect was blocked by H₇. Furthermore, GS up‐regulated the expression of cyclin D1/CDK6 and cyclin E/CDK2 mRNAs in GCs; however, inhibition of PKC with H₇ attenuated this stimulatory effect. These results indicated that GS could stimulate proliferation of chicken GCs through activated PKC‐involved up‐regulation of cyclin D1/CDK6 and cyclin E/CDK2 genes, subsequently promoting development of the chicken prehierarchical follicles.     

PKC-beta1 isoform activation is required for EGF-induced NF-kappaB inactivation and IkappaBalpha stabilization and protection of F-actin assembly and barrier function in enterocyte monolayers

Using monolayers of intestinal Caco-2 cells, we reported that activation of NF-kappaB is required for oxidative disruption and that EGF protects against this injury but the mechanism remains unclear. Activation of the PKC-beta1 isoform is key to monolayer barrier integrity. We hypothesized that EGF-induced activation of PKC-beta1 prevents oxidant-induced activation of NF-kappaB and the consequences of NF-kappaB activation, F-actin, and barrier dysfunction. We used wild-type (WT) and transfected cells. The latter were transfected with varying levels of cDNA to overexpress or underexpress PKC-beta1. Cells were pretreated with EGF or PKC modulators +/- oxidant. Pretreatment with EGF protected monolayers by increasing native PKC-beta1 activity, decreasing IkappaBalpha phosphorylation/degradation, suppressing NF-kappaB activation (p50/p65 subunit nuclear translocation/activity), enhancing stable actin (increased F-actin-to-G-actin ratio), increasing stability of actin cytoskeleton, and reducing barrier hyperpermeability. Cells stably overexpressing PKC-beta1 were protected by low, previously nonprotective doses of EGF or modulators. In these clones, we found enhanced IkappaBalpha stabilization, NF-kappaB inactivation, actin stability, and barrier function. Low doses of the modulators led to increases in PKC-beta1 in the particulate fractions, indicating activation. Stably inhibiting endogenous PKC-beta1 substantially prevented all measures of EGF's protection against NF-kappaB activation. We conclude that EGF-mediated protection against oxidant disruption of the intestinal barrier function requires PKC-beta1 activation and NF-kappaB suppression. The molecular event underlying this unique effect of PKC-beta1 involves inhibition of phosphorylation and increases in stabilization of IkappaBalpha. The ability to inhibit the dynamics of NF-kappaB/IkappaBalpha and F-actin disassembly is a novel mechanism not previously attributed to the classic subfamily of PKC isoforms.     

Pro-proliferating effect of homologous somatic cells on chicken primordial germ cells

Many studies demonstrated that chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) could maintain undifferentiated state on mouse embryonic fibroblast feeders supplemented with growth factors and cytokines. However, the xenosupport systems may run risk of cross-transfer of animal pathogens from the other animal feeder, matrix to the PGCs, then influencing later transgenic technology. In this study, chicken PGCs were identified by alkaline phosphatase, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 and Oct-4 immunocytochemical stainings. Three different homologous somatic cell feeder layers (chicken embryonic fibroblast feeder layer, CEF; embryonic skeletal myoblast feeder layer; follicular granulosa cell feeder layer) were used to support growth and proliferation of PGCs to find a better supporting culture system. In addition, the effects of fetal calf serum (FCS), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and the combination of insulin, transferring and selenite (ITS) on PGC proliferation were compared. Results showed that CEF was the best supporter for PGC growth and proliferation, which was verified by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation stain. FCS alone or in combination with LIF could significantly promote PGC proliferation in the presence of CEF in ITS medium. This study will contribute to providing a safer supporting system for chicken PGC amplification in vitro, and may be applied in transgenic chicken production and transplantation therapy.     

Thalidomide suppresses NF-kappa B activation induced by TNF and H2O2, but not that activated by ceramide, lipopolysaccharides, or phorbol ester

Thalidomide ([+]-alpha-phthalimidoglutarimide), a psychoactive drug that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and immunosuppressive properties through a mechanism that is not fully established. Due to the central role of NF-kappaB in these responses, we postulated that thalidomide mediates its effects through suppression of NF-kappaB activation. We investigated the effects of thalidomide on NF-kappaB activation induced by various inflammatory agents in Jurkat cells. The treatment of these cells with thalidomide suppressed TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation, with optimum effect occurring at 50 microg/ml thalidomide. These effects were not restricted to T cells, as other hematopoietic and epithelial cell types were also inhibited. Thalidomide suppressed H(2)O(2)-induced NF-kappaB activation but had no effect on NF-kappaB activation induced by PMA, LPS, okadaic acid, or ceramide, suggesting selectivity in suppression of NF-kappaB. The suppression of TNF-induced NF-kappaB activation by thalidomide correlated with partial inhibition of TNF-induced degradation of an inhibitory subunit of NF-kappaB (IkappaBalpha), abrogation of IkappaBalpha kinase activation, and inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression. Thalidomide abolished the NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression activated by overexpression of TNFR1, TNFR-associated factor-2, and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase, but not that activated by the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that thalidomide suppresses NF-kappaB activation specifically induced by TNF and H(2)O(2) and that this may contribute to its role in suppression of proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and the immune system.     

Transient nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation stimulated by interleukin-1beta may be partly dependent on proteasome activity, but not phosphorylation and ubiquitination of the IkappaBalpha molecule, in C6 glioma cells. Regulation of NF-kappaB linked to chemokine production.

We previously reported that several stresses can induce cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant expression in a nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent manner. In this study, we focused further on the regulation of NF-kappaB. The activation of NF-kappaB and the subsequent cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant induction in response to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) were inhibited by proteasome inhibitors, MG132 and proteasome inhibitor I. Translocation of NF-kappaB into nuclei occurs by the phosphorylation, multi-ubiquitination, and degradation of IkappaBalpha, a regulatory protein of NF-kappaB. Nascent IkappaBalpha began to degrade 5 min after treatment with IL-1beta and disappeared completely after 15 min. However, IkappaBalpha returned to basal levels after 45-60 min. Interestingly, resynthesized IkappaBalpha was already phosphorylated at Ser-32. These results suggest that 1) the upstream signals are still activated, although the translocation of NF-kappaB peaks at 15 min; and 2) the regulated protein(s) acts downstream of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. Western blotting showed that the resynthesized and phosphorylated IkappaB molecules were also upward-shifted by multi-ubiquitination in response to IL-1beta treatment. On the other hand, ATP-dependent Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr cleaving activity transiently increased, peaked at 15 min, and then decreased to basal levels at 60 min. Furthermore, the cytosolic fraction that was stimulated by IL-1beta for 15 min, but not for 0 and 60 min, could degrade phosphorylated and multi-ubiquitinated IkappaBalpha. These results indicate that the transient translocation of NF-kappaB in response to IL-1beta may be partly dependent on transient proteasome activation.