Regulation of the anaphase-promoting complex-separase cascade by transforming growth factor-beta modulates mitotic progression in bone marrow stromal cells

Alteration of the tumor microenvironment by aberrant stromal cells influences many aspects of cell biology, including differentiation of stem cells and tumor metastasis. The role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling in stromal cells of the tissue microenvironment is critical to both pathways. We examined murine marrow stromal cells with deletion of Smad3 and found that they have an altered cell cycle profile, with a higher fraction of cells in G2/M phase. Deletion of Smad3 significantly abrogates TGF-β signaling and suppresses phosphorylation of CDC27–anaphase-promoting complex (APC) during mitosis, thereby resulting in elevated cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1 activity via increased levels of cyclin B. Enhanced CDK1 activity due to deregulation of APC leads in turn to hyperphosphorylation of separase, impeding chromatid separation. A residue Ser1126Ala mutation in separase specifically abolished separase hyperphosphorylation in Smad3-deficient cells. The present results unveil a new function for the TGF-β pathway in the regulation of APC to mediate chromatid separation during mitosis.     

The Role of NF-κB Signaling in the Maintenance of Pluripotency of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

NF-κB signaling plays an essential role in maintaining the undifferentiated state of embryonic stem (ES) cells. However, opposing roles of NF-κB have been reported in mouse and human ES cells, and the role of NF-κB in human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has not yet been clarified. Here, we report the role of NF-κB signaling in maintaining the undifferentiated state of human iPS cells. Compared with differentiated cells, undifferentiated human iPS cells showed an augmentation of NF-κB activity. During differentiation induced by the removal of feeder cells and FGF2, we observed a reduction in NF-κB activity, the expression of the undifferentiation markers Oct3/4 and Nanog, and the up-regulation of the differentiated markers WT-1 and Pax-2. The specific knockdown of NF-κB signaling using p65 siRNA also reduced the expression of Oct3/4 and Nanog and up-regulated WT-1 and Pax-2 but did not change the ES-like colony formation. Our results show that the augmentation of NF-κB signaling maintains the undifferentiated state of human iPS and suggest the importance of this signaling pathway in maintenance of human iPS cells.     

Pluripotency Gene Expression and Growth Control in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Monocytes during Their Conversion into Programmable Cells of Monocytic Origin (PCMO): Evidence for a Regulatory Role of Autocrine Activin and TGF-β

Previous studies have shown that peripheral blood monocytes can be converted in vitro to a stem cell-like cell termed PCMO as evidenced by the re-expression of pluripotency-associated genes, transient proliferation, and the ability to adopt the phenotype of hepatocytes and insulin-producing cells upon tissue-specific differentiation. However, the regulatory interactions between cultured cells governing pluripotency and mitotic activity have remained elusive. Here we asked whether activin(s) and TGF-β(s), are involved in PCMO generation. De novo proliferation of PCMO was higher under adherent vs. suspended culture conditions as revealed by the appearance of a subset of Ki67-positive monocytes and correlated with down-regulation of p21^WAF1 beyond day 2 of culture. Realtime-PCR analysis showed that PCMO express ActRIIA, ALK4, TβRII, ALK5 as well as TGF-β1 and the β_A subunit of activin. Interestingly, expression of ActRIIA and ALK4, and activin A levels in the culture supernatants increased until day 4 of culture, while levels of total and active TGF-β1 strongly declined. PCMO responded to both growth factors in an autocrine fashion with intracellular signaling as evidenced by a rise in the levels of phospho-Smad2 and a drop in those of phospho-Smad3. Stimulation of PCMO with recombinant activins (A, B, AB) and TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of Smad2 but not Smad3. Inhibition of autocrine activin signaling by either SB431542 or follistatin reduced both Smad2 activation and Oct4A/Nanog upregulation. Inhibition of autocrine TGF-β signaling by either SB431542 or anti-TGF-β antibody reduced Smad3 activation and strongly increased the number of Ki67-positive cells. Furthermore, anti-TGF-β antibody moderately enhanced Oct4A/Nanog expression. Our data show that during PCMO generation pluripotency marker expression is controlled positively by activin/Smad2 and negatively by TGF-β/Smad3 signaling, while relief from growth inhibition is primarily the result of reduced TGF-β/Smad3, and to a lesser extent, activin/Smad2 signaling.     

Spermatogonial Stem Cell Niche and Spermatogonial Stem Cell Transplantation in Zebrafish

Background

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis, and reside within a specific microenvironment in the testes called “niche” which regulates stem cell properties, such as, self-renewal, pluripotency, quiescence and their ability to differentiate.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we introduce zebrafish as a new model for the study of SSCs in vertebrates. Using 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU), we identified long term BrdU-retaining germ cells, type A undifferentiated spermatogonia as putative stem cells in zebrafish testes. Similar to rodents, these cells were preferentially located near the interstitium, suggesting that the SSC niche is related to interstitial elements and might be conserved across vertebrates. This localization was also confirmed by analyzing the topographical distribution of type A undifferentiated spermatogonia in normal, vasa::egfp and fli::egfp zebrafish testes. In the latter one, the topographical arrangement suggested that the vasculature is important for the SSC niche, perhaps as a supplier of nutrients, oxygen and/or signaling molecules. We also developed an SSC transplantation technique for both male and female recipients as an assay to evaluate the presence, biological activity, and plasticity of the SSC candidates in zebrafish.

Conclusions/Significance

We demonstrated donor-derived spermato- and oogenesis in male and female recipients, respectively, indicating the stemness of type A undifferentiated spermatogonia and their plasticity when placed into an environment different from their original niche. Similar to other vertebrates, the transplantation efficiency was low. This might be attributed to the testicular microenvironment created after busulfan depletion in the recipients, which may have caused an imbalance between factors regulating self-renewal or differentiation of the transplanted SSCs.     

Sod2 overexpression preserves myoblast mitochondrial mass and function, but not muscle mass with aging

Mice lacking superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2 or MnSOD) die during embryonic or early neonatal development, with diffuse superoxide-induced mitochondrial damage. Although stem and progenitor cells are exquisitely sensitive to oxidant stress, they have not been well studied in MnSOD2-manipulated mouse models. Patterns of proliferation and differentiation of cultured myoblasts (muscle progenitor cells), PI3-Akt signaling during differentiation, and the maintenance of mitochondrial mass with aging using myoblasts from young (3–4 week old) and aged (27–29 months old) MnSOD2-overexpressing ( Sod2- Tg) and heterozygote ( Sod2 ^{+/ −}) mice were characterized by us. Overexpression of MnSOD2 in myoblasts had a protective effect on mitochondrial DNA abundance and some aspects of mitochondrial function with aging, and preservation of differentiation potential. Sod2 deficiency resulted in defective signaling in the PI3-Akt pathway, specifically impaired phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 and Thr308 in young myoblasts, and decreased differentiation potential. Compared with young myoblasts, aged myoblast Akt was constitutively phosphorylated, unresponsive to mitogen signaling, and indifferent to MnSOD2 levels. These data suggest that specific sites in the PI3K-Akt pathway are more sensitive to increased superoxide levels than to the increased hydrogen peroxide levels generated in Sod2 -transgenic myoblasts. In wild-type myoblasts, aging was associated with significant loss of mitochondrial DNA relative to chromosomal DNA, but MnSOD2 overexpression was associated with maintained myoblast mitochondrial DNA with aging.     

Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) Signaling can Substitute for Oct4 Protein in Reprogramming and Maintain Pluripotency

Mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as ES cells and induced PSCs (iPSCs), are an excellent system to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in early embryonic development. The signaling pathways orchestrated by leukemia inhibitor factor/STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and FGF/MEK/ERK play key roles in the generation of pluripotency. However, the function of TGF-β signaling in this process remains elusive. Here we show that inhibiting TGF-β signaling with its inhibitor SB431542 can substitute for Oct4 during reprogramming. Moreover, inhibiting TGF-β signaling can sustain the pluripotency of iPSCs and ES cells through modulating FGF/MEK/ERK signaling. Therefore, this study reveals a novel function of TGF-β signaling inhibition in the generation and maintenance of PSCs.     

H3K27 Demethylase,JMJD3, Regulates Fragmentation of Spermatogonial Cysts

The spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) compartment is maintained by self-renewal of stem cells as well as fragmentation of differentiating spermatogonia through abscission of intercellular bridges in a random and stochastic manner. The molecular mechanisms that regulate this reversible developmental lineage remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that histone H3K27 demethylase, JMJD3 (KDM6B), regulates the fragmentation of spermatogonial cysts. Down-regulation of Jmjd3 in SSCs promotes an increase in undifferentiated spermatogonia but does not affect their differentiation. Germ cell-specific Jmjd3 null male mice have larger testes and sire offspring for a longer period compared to controls, likely secondary to increased and prolonged maintenance of the spermatogonial compartment. Moreover, JMJD3 deficiency induces frequent fragmentation of spermatogonial cysts by abscission of intercellular bridges. These results suggest that JMJD3 controls the spermatogonial compartment through the regulation of fragmentation of spermatogonial cysts and this mechanism may be involved in maintenance of diverse stem cell niches.     

Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor-mediated RET signaling regulates spermatogonial stem cell fate

Normal spermatogenesis is essential for reproduction and depends on proper spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) function. Genes and signaling pathways that regulate SSC function have not been well defined. We report that glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling through the RET tyrosine kinase/GFRA1 receptor complex is required for spermatogonial self-renewal in mice. GFRA1 and RET expression was identified in a subset of gonocytes at birth, was restricted to SSCs during normal spermatogenesis, and RET expressing cells were abundant in a cryptorchid model of SSC self-renewal. We used the whole-testis transplantation technique to overcome the limitation of neonatal lethality of Gdnf-, Gfra1-, and Ret-deficient mice and found that each of these genes is required for postnatal spermatogenesis and not for embryological testes development. Each mutant testis shows severe SSC depletion by Postnatal Day 7 during the first wave of spermatogenesis. These defects were due to lack of SSC proliferation and an inability of SSCs to maintain an undifferentiated state. Our results demonstrate that GDNF-mediated RET signaling is critical for the fate of undifferentiated spermatogonia and that abnormalities in this pathway may contribute to male infertility and testicular germ cell tumors.     

Long glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (L-GILZ) protein interacts with ras protein pathway and contributes to spermatogenesis control

Correct function of spermatogonia is critical for the maintenance of spermatogenesis throughout life, but the cellular pathways regulating undifferentiated spermatogonia proliferation, differentiation, and survival are only partially known. We show here that long glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (L-GILZ) is highly expressed in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes and controls spermatogenesis. Gilz deficiency in knock-out (gilz KO) mice leads to a complete loss of germ cell lineage within first cycles of spermatogenesis, resulting in male sterility. Spermatogenesis failure is intrinsic to germ cells and is associated with increased proliferation and aberrant differentiation of undifferentiated spermatogonia and with hyperactivity of Ras signaling pathway as indicated by an increase of ERK and Akt phosphorylation. Spermatogonia differentiation does not proceed beyond the prophase of the first meiotic division due to massive apoptosis associated with accumulation of unrepaired chromosomal damage. These results identify L-GILZ as a novel important factor for undifferentiated spermatogonia function and spermatogenesis.     

Identification and In Vitro Derivation of Spermatogonia in Beagle Testis

Background

In vitro culture of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is important for exploration of SSCs self-renewal, differentiation, and manipulation. There are several reports on rodent SSC cultures; however, data on SSC cultures in domestic animals are limited. To provide basic scientific information on canine SSC cultures, we report canine testes development, and the development of spermatogonia-derived colonies (SDCs) for in vitro cultures.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Testes from 2-, 3-, and 12-month-old beagles were used for histology, immunohistochemistry, in vitro culture, immunocytochemistry, and PCR. Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5)-positive spermatogonia, both single and paired, were found to be abundant in the testes of 2-month-old beagles. stempro-34 and Dulbecco''s modified Eagle medium with 5% fetal bovine serum provided as useful substrates for culture of SDCs, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) played a key role in colony formation. Colonies were positive for alkaline phosphatase and anti-PGP9.5 staining. The early spermatogonia and stem cell markers such as octamer binding protein 4 (Oct4), Nanog homeobox (Nanog), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), PGP9.5, and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1) were expressed in the colonies at higher levels than in the testis tissue.

Conclusions

Testes of the 2-month-old beagles had abundant single and paired spermatogonia, which can be used for derivation of SDCs, and FGF was important for colony formation.     

The Fate of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Cryptorchid Testes of RXFP2 Deficient Mice

The environmental niche of the spermatogonial stem cell pool is critical to ensure the continued generation of the germ cell population. To study the consequences of an aberrant testicular environment in cryptorchidism we used a mouse model with a deletion of Rxfp2 gene resulting in a high intra-abdominal testicular position. Mutant males were infertile with the gross morphology of the cryptorchid testis progressively deteriorating with age. Few spermatogonia were identifiable in 12 month old cryptorchid testes. Gene expression analysis showed no difference between mutant and control testes at postnatal day 10. In three month old males a decrease in expression of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) markers Id4, Nanos2, and Ret was shown. The direct counting of ID4+ cells supported a significant decrease of SSCs. In contrast, the expression of Plzf, a marker for undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia was not reduced, and the number of PLZF+ cells in the cryptorchid testis was higher in three month old testes, but equal to control in six month old mutants. The PLZF+ cells did not show a higher rate of apoptosis in cryptorchid testis. The expression of the Sertoli cell FGF2 gene required for SSC maintenance was significantly reduced in mutant testis. Based on these findings we propose that the deregulation of somatic and germ cell genes in the cryptorchid testis, directs the SSCs towards the differentiation pathway. This leads to a depletion of the SSC pool and an increase in the number of PLZF+ spermatogonial cells, which too, eventually decreases with the exhaustion of the stem cell pool. Such a dynamic suggests that an early correction of cryptorchidism is critical for the retention of the SSC pool.