Retinoic Acid Receptor-Dependent,Cell-Autonomous,Endogenous Retinoic Acid Signaling and Its Target Genes in Mouse Collecting Duct Cells

Background

Vitamin A is necessary for kidney development and has also been linked to regulation of solute and water homeostasis and to protection against kidney stone disease, infection, inflammation, and scarring. Most functions of vitamin A are mediated by its main active form, all-trans retinoic acid (tRA), which binds retinoic acid receptors (RARs) to modulate gene expression. We and others have recently reported that renal tRA/RAR activity is confined to the ureteric bud (UB) and collecting duct (CD) cell lineage, suggesting that endogenous tRA/RARs primarily act through regulating gene expression in these cells in embryonic and adult kidney, respectively.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To explore target genes of endogenous tRA/RARs, we employed the mIMCD-3 mouse inner medullary CD cell line, which is a model of CD principal cells and exhibits constitutive tRA/RAR activity as CD principal cells do in vivo. Combining antagonism of RARs, inhibition of tRA synthesis, exposure to exogenous tRA, and gene expression profiling techniques, we have identified 125 genes as candidate targets and validated 20 genes that were highly regulated (Dhrs3, Sprr1a, and Ppbp were the top three). Endogenous tRA/RARs were more important in maintaining, rather than suppressing, constitutive gene expression. Although many identified genes were expressed in UBs and/or CDs, their exact functions in this cell lineage are still poorly defined. Nevertheless, gene ontology analysis suggests that these genes are involved in kidney development, renal functioning, and regulation of tRA signaling.

Conclusions/Significance

A rigorous approach to defining target genes for endogenous tRA/RARs has been established. At the pan-genomic level, genes regulated by endogenous tRA/RARs in a CD cell line have been catalogued for the first time. Such a catalogue will guide further studies on molecular mediators of endogenous tRA/RARs during kidney development and in relation to renal defects associated with vitamin A deficiency.     

Ethanol Inactivated Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts Maintain the Self-Renew and Proliferation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Conventionally, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) inactivated by mitomycin C or irradiation were applied to support the self-renew and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). To avoid the disadvangtages of mitomycin C and irradiation, here MEFs were treated by ethanol (ET). Our data showed that 10% ET-inactivated MEFs (eiMEFs) could well maintain the self-renew and proliferation of hESCs. hESCs grown on eiMEFs expressed stem cell markers of NANOG, octamer-binding protein 4 (OCT4), stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA4) and tumour related antigen-1-81 (TRA-1-81), meanwhile maintained normal karyotype after long time culture. Also, hESCs cocultured with eiMEFs were able to form embryoid body (EB) in vitro and develop teratoma in vivo. Moreover, eiMEFs could keep their nutrient functions after long time cryopreservation. Our results indicate that the application of eiMEF in hESCs culture is safe, economical and convenient, thus is a better choice.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞的培养

目的:建立小鼠胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ES)的培养方法。方法:制备G418抗性的原代小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞,经丝裂霉素C处理后成滋养层细胞,将小鼠胚胎干细胞复苏后,应用含白血病抑制因子的ES细胞培养液,培养小鼠ES细胞,观察集落的生长情况,并在光镜下观察细胞形态。结果:小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞生长良好,ES细胞呈克隆状生长,且保持未分化状态。结论:建立了小鼠胚胎干细胞培养的有效方法,为下一步基因打靶奠定基础。     

Noggin Over-Expressing Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts and MS5 Stromal Cells Enhance Directed Differentiation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Directed methods for differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into dopaminergic (DA) precursor cells using stromal cells co-culture systems are already well established. However, not all of the hESCs differentiate into DA precursors using these methods. HSF6, H1, H7, and H9 cells differentiate well into DA precursors, but CHA13 and CHA15 cells hardly differentiate. To overcome this problem, we modified the differentiation system to include a co-culturing step that exposes the cells to noggin early in the differentiation process. This was done using γ-irradiated noggin-overexpressing CF1-mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF-noggin) and MS5 stromal cells (MS5-noggin and MS5-sonic hedgehog). After directed differentiation, RT-PCR analyses revealed that engrailed-1 (En-1), Lmx1b, and Nurr1, which are midbrain DA markers, were expressed regardless of differentiation stage. Moreover, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) and an A9 midbrain-specific DA marker (Girk2) were expressed during differentiation, whereas levels of Oct3/4, an undifferentiated marker, decreased. Immunocytochemical analyses revealed that protein levels of the neuronal markers TH and TuJ1 increased during the final differentiation stage. These results demonstrate that early noggin exposure may play a specific role in the directed differentiation of DA cells from human embryonic stem cells.     

Functional Genomics Screening Utilizing Mutant Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Identifies Novel Radiation-Response Genes

Elucidating the genetic determinants of radiation response is crucial to optimizing and individualizing radiotherapy for cancer patients. In order to identify genes that are involved in enhanced sensitivity or resistance to radiation, a library of stable mutant murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs), each with a defined mutation, was screened for cell viability and gene expression in response to radiation exposure. We focused on a cancer-relevant subset of over 500 mutant ESC lines. We identified 13 genes; 7 genes that have been previously implicated in radiation response and 6 other genes that have never been implicated in radiation response. After screening, proteomic analysis showed enrichment for genes involved in cellular component disassembly (e.g. Dstn and Pex14) and regulation of growth (e.g. Adnp2, Epc1, and Ing4). Overall, the best targets with the highest potential for sensitizing cancer cells to radiation were Dstn and Map2k6, and the best targets for enhancing resistance to radiation were Iqgap and Vcan. Hence, we provide compelling evidence that screening mutant ESCs is a powerful approach to identify genes that alter radiation response. Ultimately, this knowledge can be used to define genetic variants or therapeutic targets that will enhance clinical therapy.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞建系技术研究进展

目前,对小鼠胚胎干细胞的研究较为深入,并已成为研究细胞分化及信号转导、新基因发现及功能鉴定、器官发生、人类疾病和药物开发等的有效手段。胚胎干细胞建系是一项基础性工作。虽然技术日趋成熟,有些品系小鼠的胚胎干细胞建系已是常规技术,但不同品系小鼠胚胎干细胞的建系效率仍有很大差异,建系途径和方法各有特点,一个品系胚胎干细胞的建系方法不一定都适用于其他品系。本文从小鼠胚胎干细胞建系的途径、分离操作技术、培养体系等方面进行综述,并就与之相关的有些问题提出思考和对策。     

小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞毒蕈碱受体的表达特征

为了探讨胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞（ESCM）毒蕈碱受体的表达规律及β肾上腺素能系统对M2受体表达的影响,采用10^－4 mol/L维生素C体外诱导小鼠M13胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞,用RT-PCR检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性基因Nkx2.5和β肌球蛋白重链;用免疫荧光法检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性标志物α辅肌动蛋白.小鼠胚胎干细胞分化前表达M₁和M₂毒蕈碱受体,在分化过程中,M₁受体表达逐渐下降, M₂受体表达在第3 d显著下降,此后表达逐渐增加,在第14 d达到高峰;Western印迹结果显示,异丙肾上腺素明显抑制M₂受体的表达,选择性β₁肾上腺素受体拮抗剂CGP20712A明显上调其表达,而选择性β₂肾上腺素受体拮抗剂 ICI118551对其表达无影响.本实验表明,小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞表达毒蕈碱受体, β肾上腺素能系统对M₂受体表达有调控作用.     

Targeting Neuroblastoma Stem Cells with Retinoic Acid and Proteasome Inhibitor

Background

Neuroblastma cell lines contain a side-population of cells which express stemness markers. These stem-like cells may represent the potential underlying mechanism for resistance to conventional therapy and recurrence of neuroblastoma in patients.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To develop novel strategies for targeting the side-population of neurobastomas, we analyzed the effects of 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) combined with the proteasome inhibitor MG132. The short-term action of the treatment was compared with effects after a 5-day recovery period during which both chemicals were withdrawn. RA induced growth arrest and differentiation of SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2) neuroblastoma cell lines. Inhibition of the proteasome caused apoptosis in both cell lines, thus, revealing the critical role of this pathway in the regulated degradation of proteins involved in neuroblastoma proliferation and survival. The combination of RA with MG132 induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, in addition to promoting G2/M arrest in treated cultures. Interestingly, expression of stem cell markers such as Nestin, Sox2, and Oct4 were reduced after the recovery period of combined treatment as compared with untreated cells or treated cells with either compound alone. Consistent with this, neurosphere formation was significantly impaired by the combined treatment of RA and MG132.

Conclusions

Given that stem-like cells are associated with resistant to conventional therapy and are thought to be responsible for relapse, our results suggest that dual therapy of RA and proteasome inhibitor might be beneficial for targeting the side-population of cells associated residual disease in high-risk neuroblastoma.     

无血清无饲养层条件下培养小鼠胚胎干细胞

目的研究在无血清无饲养层条件下小鼠胚胎干细胞的培养方法,为最终建立无血清无饲养层培养系统打下基础。方法比较小鼠胚胎干细胞ES-S8株在无血清培养体系和有血清培养体系中的生长情况,分析ES-S8细胞克隆形成效率,测定其生长速度;然后在撤去血清和饲养层的条件下培养ES-S8细胞,进行AKP染色和表面标记物SSEA-1免疫荧光检测。结果ES-S8细胞在无血清培养条件下细胞生长速度减缓,克隆形成率降低,但AKP染色、SSEA-1免疫荧光均显阳性;在无血清无饲养层条件下ES-S8细胞培养仍能形成克隆,且AKP染色、SSEA-1免疫荧光均显阳性。结论研究表明ES-S8细胞能够在无血清无饲养层的培养条件下生长,保持其良好的未分化特性。     

对小鼠ES细胞进行特异性的标记

虽然ES细胞技术的应用十分广泛,对ES细胞多能性本质的研究还不是很深入,体外培养的ES细胞群体的不均一性加大了这方面研究的难度,报道了对ES细胞中特异表达的基因,将报告基因βgeo插入oct-基因转录元件中构建了标记载体pG18NG,转染ES细胞MESPU22和MESPU13后获得了稳定整合的细胞克隆,经体外培养、诱导分化、嵌入体制作等实验,证明利用该载体对ES细胞中的未分化细胞成功进行了标记,该标记在体内、体外都是有效的。     

ISL1与PHF8相互作用促进小鼠胚胎干细胞向心肌细胞的分化

近年的研究发现,在心肌细胞分化过程中,转录因子可以与表观修饰蛋白质结合进行更为精细的转录调控.作为转录因子的胰岛素基因增强子结合蛋白1（islet1, ISL1）,在心血管发育过程中发挥至关重要的作用.然而, ISL1是否能够与表观修饰蛋白质相互作用,从而发挥更为精细的调控作用,目前尚未明确.本室研究发现,ISL1在小鼠胚胎干细胞向心肌细胞分化过程中,能够与组蛋白去甲基化酶PHD指蛋白8(PHF8)相互作用从而促进分化. 实时RT-PCR和Western 印迹的方法检测显示,ES细胞向心肌细胞分化过程中ISL1和PHF8具有相似的表达谱.通过免疫共沉淀的方法检测分化过程中ISL1与PHF8的结合,通过染色质免疫沉淀的方法对二者在ISL1下游靶基因增强子区的结合水平进行检测,利用实时RT-PCR检测二者的相互结合对心肌细胞分化的影响.结果显示,ISL1能够与PHF8相互作用,共同结合在ISL1下游靶基因Mef2c和Myocd的增强子区,协同促进ES细胞向心肌细胞的分化.本研究证实,在心肌细胞分化过程中,ISL1存在与表观修饰蛋白质PHF8的相互作用,从而进一步促进心肌细胞的分化.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞对黑色素瘤细胞体外生物学行为的影响

探讨体外共培养环境中小鼠胚胎干细胞对小鼠黑色素瘤B16细胞的影响。建立C57BL/6小鼠胚胎干细胞系,通过小鼠胚胎干细胞与肿瘤细胞体外共培养模型观察小鼠胚胎干细胞对肿瘤细胞的形态及生长行为的影响,MTT法与transwell小室法分别检测共培养后肿瘤细胞粘附性、迁移性及侵袭性的变化。共培养中小鼠胚胎干细胞能够侵入并推开小鼠黑色素瘤细胞形成自己的生长空间,与对照组比较共培养后肿瘤细胞的粘附性、迁移性及侵袭性均显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结果表明体外共培养体系中小鼠胚胎干细胞能够侵袭肿瘤细胞,并降低细胞粘附、迁移及侵袭相关恶性生物学行为。     

人类及小鼠胚胎干细胞的不同多能性状态

胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells,ESCs)是来源于早期胚胎的全能性细胞,在合适条件下具有分化为任何一类成体细胞的潜力。在小鼠中,根据细胞来源的胚胎发育时间,ESCs可以被分为原始态多能性(na(?)ve pluripotency)和始发态多能性(primed pluripotency)两种状态。这两种状态的细胞在发育上相互联系,具有不同的形态、信号依赖、发育性质、基因表达及表观遗传学性质,并且在特定的条件下可以相互转化。人类胚胎干细胞(human embryonic stem cells,hESCs)的发育潜能曾一度被认为低于小鼠胚胎干细胞(mouse embryonic stem cells,mESCs),直到人类原始态胚胎干细胞的发现证明了hESCs可以表现出与mESCs相似的性质。这对于人类胚胎发育的研究及ESCs在临床治疗上的实际应用都具有重要的意义。     

Derivation of T Cells In Vitro from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

The OP9/OP9-DL1 co-culture system has become a well-established method for deriving differentiated blood cell types from embryonic and hematopoietic progenitors of both mouse and human origin. It is now used to address a growing variety of complex genetic, cellular and molecular questions related to hematopoiesis, and is at the cutting edge of efforts to translate these basic findings to therapeutic applications. The procedures are straightforward and routinely yield robust results. However, achieving successful hematopoietic differentiation in vitro requires special attention to the details of reagent and cell culture maintenance. Furthermore, the protocol features technique sensitive steps that, while not difficult, take care and practice to master. Here we focus on the procedures for differentiation of T lymphocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). We provide a detailed protocol with discussions of the critical steps and parameters that enable reproducibly robust cellular differentiation in vitro. It is in the interest of the field to consider wider adoption of this technology, as it has the potential to reduce animal use, lower the cost and shorten the timelines of both basic and translational experimentation.     

小鼠胚胎干细胞在单层粘附培养中向神经细胞的分化

目的 :探讨小鼠胚胎干 (ES)细胞在无血清培养基中以单层粘附培养方式向神经分化的方法。方法 :比较ES细胞在不同培养基中的生长情况 ,分析ES细胞在不同时间分化形成神经细胞的比例。结果 :( 1 )DMEM F1 2和Neurobasal B2 7的 1∶1混合培养基最适合ES的生长。 ( 2 )单层粘附的ES细胞表达神经细胞粘附分子 (NCAM)的比例随时间增长而增加 ,而nestin的表达先增加后下降。 ( 3)ES细胞可在两周分化为神经胶质及神经元 ,形成神经网络。结论 :小鼠ES细胞可在单层粘附培养中获得向神经的高效分化。     

齐墩果酸诱导多种小鼠胚胎干细胞向生殖细胞方向分化研究

目的：寻找一种能诱导多种胚胎干细胞向生殖细胞方向分化的化合物,并以常用的诱导物维甲酸（Retinoic Acid, RA）作为阳性参照物。方法：分别培养小鼠胚胎干细胞1 B10、D3、R1／E,诱导它们形成拟胚体,让拟胚体贴壁生长,加入特定化合物诱导贴壁细胞分化,诱导72 h后,提取被诱导细胞的RNA,再合成cDNA,最后利用实时荧光定量PCR检测各被诱导细胞中与生殖分化相关的基因的表达水平的变化。结果：发现齐墩果酸（Oleanolic Acid,OA）显著上调了所有被研究的小鼠胚胎干细胞的生殖分化关键基因的表达水平,同时发现阳性参照物RA仅能诱导1 B10、R1／E ,而不能诱导D3向生殖细胞方向分化。结论：OA能诱导多种胚胎干细胞向生殖细胞方向分化,诱导能力方面具有比常用诱导物维甲酸更广泛的普遍性。