Genetic engineering of mammalian cells by direct delivery of FLP recombinase protein

Protein transduction is based on the ability of certain peptides, designated as cell penetrating peptides (CPPs), to intracellularly deliver cargo molecules, such as peptides and proteins. In combination with site specific recombination, CPP-mediated delivery of recombinases enables a precise and highly efficient control of gene expression in cultured cells and mice. Herein, we provide detailed protocols for engineering and purification of a cell-permeant FLP recombinase protein. Two examples describe the use of cell permeant FLP for excising prespecified fragments from transgenes expressed in fibroblasts and mouse embryonic stem cells. A third example describes the combined use of cell-permeant Cre and FLP recombinases to reversibly induce transgenes in embryonic stem cells. We anticipate that the protocols described herein will be widely used for various genetic interventions addressing complex biological questions.     

Short-circuiting epiblast development

Although human and mouse embryonic stem cells share many characteristics, their behaviors are not identical. Two recent papers describe the derivation of stem cell lines from mouse epiblast that may provide an explanation for the unique character of human embryonic stem cells.     

Embryonic stem cells (from fundamental biology to medicine)

The recent achievements in isolation, primary and long term culturing, cell Immunophenotyping, SAGE--mRNA--profiling, the clonogenic growth parameters of embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells have been outlined in connection with cell pluripotency and restricted differentiation, mediated by signals both in culture and in situ. Multidisciplinary data obtained by cell biologists, embryologists with recent functional genomic data give the new way for practical implementation of bioimplants derived from embryonic stem cell for cell-replacement therapy.     

Diploid,but not haploid,human embryonic stem cells can be derived from microsurgically repaired tripronuclear human zygotes

Human embryonic stem cells have shown tremendous potential in regenerative medicine, and the recent progress in haploid embryonic stem cells provides new insights for future applications of embryonic stem cells. Disruption of normal fertilized embryos remains controversial; thus, the development of a new source for human embryonic stem cells is important for their usefulness. Here, we investigated the feasibility of haploid and diploid embryo reconstruction and embryonic stem cell derivation using microsurgically repaired tripronuclear human zygotes. Diploid and haploid zygotes were successfully reconstructed, but a large proportion of them still had a tripolar spindle assembly. The reconstructed embryos developed to the blastocyst stage, although the loss of chromosomes was observed in these zygotes. Finally, triploid and diploid human embryonic stem cells were derived from tripronuclear and reconstructed zygotes (from which only one pronucleus was removed), but haploid human embryonic stem cells were not successfully derived from the reconstructed zygotes when two pronuclei were removed. Both triploid and diploid human embryonic stem cells showed the general characteristics of human embryonic stem cells. These results indicate that the lower embryo quality resulting from abnormal spindle assembly contributed to the failure of the haploid embryonic stem cell derivation. However, the successful derivation of diploid embryonic stem cells demonstrated that microsurgical tripronuclear zygotes are an alternative source of human embryonic stem cells. In the future, improving spindle assembly will facilitate the application of triploid zygotes to the field of haploid embryonic stem cells.     

植物体细胞胚发生中ATP酶活性时空分布动态与内源激素的变化

本文以我们的研究结果为基础,并结合国内外近几年有关研究报道,对植物体细胞胚发生中的超微结构和ATP酶活性时空分布动态及内源激素的变化和作用进行专题评述。⑴ 超微结构的变化：当植物体细胞一旦转化为胚性细胞后,各种细胞器相继增加,不仅丰富而且活跃,特别是线粒体内嵴发达,有的正处于分裂状态;核糖体聚集成多聚核糖体;质体中含大量淀粉粒,接着出现高尔基体等。早期胚性细胞与周围细胞还存在胞间连丝,随着胚性细胞壁的加厚,胞间连丝也随之消失。⑵ ATP酶时空分布动态：早期的胚性细胞中ATP酶反应产物主要沉积于质膜和液泡膜上,后期ATP酶活性转入细胞内,液泡和细胞核中,而且在胚性细胞壁加厚处有活跃的ATP酶活性反应,并证明ATP酶活性是在胚性细胞发生过程中形成的。⑶ 内源激素的变化与作用：在体细胞胚诱导过程中内源激素起着关键性作用,内源生长素含量的提高为胚性细胞的诱导奠定了基础,细胞分裂素含量的增加可促进胚性细胞的分裂和增殖,ABA不仅提高了体细胞胚的诱导频率,而且促进了体细胞胚的正常发育。     

Recombinant maxi-K channels on transistor, a prototype of iono-electronic interfacing

We report on the direct electrical interfacing of a recombinant ion channel to a field-effect transistor on a silicon chip. The ion current through activated maxi-K(Ca) channels in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells gives rise to an extracellular voltage between cell and chip that controls the electronic source-drain current. A comparison with patch-clamp recording shows that the channels at the cell/chip interface are fully functional and that they are significantly accumulated there. The direct coupling of potassium channels to a semiconductor on the level of an individual cell is the prototype for an iono-electronic interface of ligand-gated or G protein-coupled ion channels and the development of screening biosensors with many transfected cells on a chip with a large array of transistors.     

Guiding embryonic stem cells towards differentiation: lessons from molecular embryology

Embryonic stem cells are uniquely endowed with the capacity of self-renewal and the potential to give rise to all possible cell types, including germ cells. These qualities have made mouse embryonic stem cells a valuable resource for genetic manipulation of the mouse genome. In addition, they present a powerful system for the in vitro dissection of mammalian embryonic development. The recent isolation of human embryonic stem cells has raised a lot of interest for the potential of transposing our knowledge of lineage-specific differentiation of embryonic stem cells to cell-based therapy of human disease. Recent reports have provided insights into the specific differentiation of embryonic stem cells to different cell types of the embryo. However, progress in this direction seems to depend on the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling lineage decisions during embryogenesis.     

植物体细胞胚发生中ATP酶活性时空分布动态与内源激素的变化

本文以我们的研究结果为基础,并结合国内外近几年有关研究报道,对植物体细胞胚发生中的超策结构和ATP酶活性时空分布动脉及内源激素的变化和作用进行专题评述。（1）超微结构的变化：当植物体细胞一量转化为胚性细胞后,各种细胞器相继增加,不仅丰富而且活跃,特别是线粒体内发达,有的正处于分裂状态;核糖体聚集成多聚核糖体;质体中含大量淀粉粒,接着出现高尔基体等。早期胚性细胞与周围细胞还存在胞间连丝,随着胚性细胞壁的加厚,胞间连丝也随之消失。（2）ATP酶时空分布动态：早期的胚性细胞中ATP酶反应产物主要沉积于质和液泡上,后期ATP酶活性转入细胞内,液泡和细胞核中,而且在胚性细胞壁加厚处有活跃的A5P酶活性反应,并证明ATP酶活性是在胚性细胞发生过程中形成的。（3）内源激素的变化与作用：在体细胞胚诱导过程中内源激素起着关键性作用,内源生长素含量的提高为胚性细胞的诱导奠定了基础,细胞分裂素含量的增加可促进胚性细胞的分裂和增殖,ABA不仅提高了体细胞胚的诱导频率,而且促进了体细胞胚的正常发育。     

A population of serum deprivation-induced bone marrow stem cells (SD-BMSC) expresses marker typical for embryonic and neural stem cells

The bone marrow represents an easy accessible source of adult stem cells suitable for various cell based therapies. Several studies in recent years suggested the existence of pluripotent stem cells within bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) expressing marker proteins of both embryonic and tissue committed stem cells. These subpopulations were referred to as MAPC, MIAMI and VSEL-cells. Here we describe SD-BMSC (serumdeprivation-induced BMSC) which are induced as a distinct subpopulation after complete serumdeprivation. SD-BMSC are generated from small-sized nestin-positive BMSC (S-BMSC) organized as round-shaped cells in the top layer of BMSC-cultures. The generation of SD-BMSC is caused by a selective proliferation of S-BMSC and accompanied by changes in both morphology and gene expression. SD-BMSC up-regulate not only markers typical for neural stem cells like nestin and GFAP, but also proteins characteristic for embryonic cells like Oct4 and SOX2. We hypothesize, that SD-BMSC like MAPC, MIAMI and VSEL-cells represent derivatives from a single pluripotent stem cell fraction within BMSC exhibiting characteristics of embryonic and tissue committed stem cells. The complete removal of serum might offer a simple way to specifically enrich this fraction of pluripotent embryonic like stem cells in BMSC cultures.     

从人胚胎干细胞获得胰岛素阳性细胞的研究进展

人胚胎干细胞(hESCs)因具有无限增殖能力以及多向分化潜能,使其能为糖尿病的细胞治疗提供充足且功能完备的替代细胞。近年来,虽然有许多成功将人胚胎干细胞诱导为胰岛素阳性细胞的报道,但诱导所得的胰岛素阳性细胞仍存在很多缺陷,如效率较低,细胞功能不完备等。本文将关注人们在提高人胚胎干细胞向胰岛素阳性细胞的诱导效率及获得具有成熟β细胞功能的胰岛素阳性细胞的各种努力和尝试。     

Novel Rath peptide for intracellular delivery of protein and nucleic acids

In the present study, a novel cell penetrating peptide (CPP) named as Rath, has been identified from the avian infectious bursal disease virus. It has the potential to penetrate and translocate cargo molecules into cells independent of temperature. Additionally, it can deliver oligonucleotide in 30 min and antibodies within an hour intracellular to chicken embryonic fibroblast primary cells. As an ideal delivery vehicle, it has the ability to protect the cargo molecules in the presence of serum, nucleases and has minimal or no cytotoxicity at even higher peptide concentrations studied. The biophysical characterizations showed that Rath has a dominant β structure with a small α helix and has remarkable binding ability with protein and DNA. Thus, the characterization of unique Rath peptide to deliver protein or nucleic acid into the cells with non-covalent interaction could be used as an effective delivery method for various cell based assays.     

Gene targeting and somatic cell genetics--a rebirth or a coming of age?

A number of recent advances have significantly facilitated gene targeting in somatic cells. Gene targeting can now be performed with the same ease and efficiency in somatic cells as in murine embryonic stem cells. Rigorous genetic analyses can therefore be applied for the first time to the large number of excellent human cell culture systems. These tools will be important in areas where rodent models do not adequately represent human biology.     

Cardiomyocyte differentiation from embryonic and adult stem cells

In recent years multiple reports indicating that embryonic as well as adult stem cells can differentiate to cardiomyocytes have ignited discussions on whether these stem cells could lead to new therapies for patients with heart disease. Recent developments have been made in the generation of cardiomyocytes from both embryonic and adult stem cells, and progress towards clinical applications in patients with heart failure has been made. Nevertheless, controversies surrounding safety and transdifferentiation issues will need to be overcome before these stem cell approaches can reach their full potential.     

Ultrastructural and immunocharacterization of undifferentiated myocardial cells in the developing mouse heart

The recent discovery of several myogenic cardiac progenitor cells in the post-natal heart suggests that some myocardial cells may remain undifferentiated during embryonic development. In this study, we examined the subcellular characteristics of the embryonic (E) mouse ventricular myocardial cells using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At the ultrastructural level, we identified three different cell populations within the myocardial layer of the E11.5 heart. These cells were designated as undifferentiated cells (43 +/- 6%), moderately differentiated cells (43 +/- 2%) and mature cardiomyocytes (14 +/- 4%). Undifferentiated cells contained a large nucleus and sparse cytoplasm with no myofibrillar bundles. Moderately differentiated cells contained randomly arranged myofilaments in the cytoplasm. In contrast, mature cardiomyocytes contained well-developed sarcomere structures. We also confirmed the presence of similar undifferentiated cells albeit at low levels in the E16.5 ( approximately 20%) and E18.5 ( approximately 7%) myocardium. Further we used immunogold labeling technique to test whether these distinct cell populations were also positive for markers such as Nkx2.5, ISL1 and ANF. A preponderance of anti-Nkx2.5 label was found in the undifferentiated and moderately differentiated cell types. Anti-ANF label was found only in the cytoplasmic compartment of moderately differentiated and mature myocardial cells. All of the undifferentiated cells were negative for anti-ANF labeling. We did not find immuno-gold labeling with ISL1 in any of the three myocardial cell types. Based on these results, we suggest that embryonic myocardial cell differentiation is a gradual process and undifferentiated cells expressing Nkx2.5 in post-chamber myocardium may represent a progenitor cell population while cells expressing Nkx2.5 and ANF represent differentiating myocytes.     

Tumorigenesis as a process of gradual loss of original cell identity and gain of properties of neural precursor/progenitor cells

Cancer is a complex disease without a unified explanation for its cause so far. Our recent work demonstrates that cancer cells share similar regulatory networks and characteristics with embryonic neural cells. Based on the study, I will address the relationship between tumor and neural cells in more details. I collected the evidence from various aspects of cancer development in many other studies, and integrated the information from studies on cancer cell properties, cell fate specification during embryonic development and evolution. Synthesis of the information strongly supports that cancer cells share much more similarities with neural progenitor/stem cells than with mesenchymal-type cells and that tumorigenesis represents a process of gradual loss of cell or lineage identity and gain of characteristics of neural cells. I also discuss cancer EMT, a concept having been under intense debate, and possibly the true meaning of EMT in cancer initiation and development. This synthesis provides fresh insights into a unified explanation for and a previously unrecognized nature of tumorigenesis, which might not be revealed by studies on individual molecular events. The review will also present some brief suggestions for cancer research based on the proposed model of tumorigenesis.     

Embryonic and fetal hemopoiesis: an overview

Our current knowledge of embryonic and fetal hemopoiesis is critically reviewed in this article. In both murine and human systems, embryonic and fetal development is associated with multiple switching in the sites of hemopoiesis. The phenomenon is first extraembryonic, occurring in blood islands of the yolk sac. Hemopoietic stem cells (HSC) appear to derive from hemangioblasts that are of mesodermal origin. Yolk sac milieu is permissive only for erythropoiesis which proceeds synchronously and may be erythropoietin-insensitive. Yolk sac milieu is not permissive for the development of other cell lines. The final product is nucleated red cells. Yolk sac hemopoiesis is an example par excellence of primitive (as compared to definitive) form of hemopoiesis. HSC then seem to migrate via the bloodstream to the liver and spleen to seed these tissues, which then carry the burden of hemopoiesis until birth and for some time thereafter. Here also erythropoiesis predominates, but some granulopoiesis also occurs. Thus, the milieu is not totally impermissive. Hemopoiesis is in definitive form, lacking synchronicity of cell growth with the end product being anucleated cells and synthesized hemoglobin not limited to embryonic type. The site of hemopoiesis is finally transferred to the bone marrow, which is predominantly granulopoietic. Certain cellular and embryological features of these types of hemopoiesis in the context of more recent molecular understanding of stem cell homing are discussed.     

带有穿膜肽重组PTD-KLF4的制备及活性鉴定

KLF4是Kruppel样转录因子(kruppel-like factors, KLF)家族中的一员,是维持胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells, ESCs)全能性的重要转录因子。蛋白质转导结构域(protein transd uction domain, PTD)能够携带大分子进入细胞。为了获得具有穿膜功能的重组KLF4蛋白,利用原核表达载体PKYB表达KLF4与PTD的融合蛋白PTD-KLF4,用Ni柱纯化融合蛋白并作Western blotting鉴定。利用异硫氰酸荧光素(fluorescein isothiocyanate, FITC)标记PTD-KLF4检测其穿越中国仓鼠卵巢(chinese hamster ovary, CHO)细胞细胞膜的能力;用荧光共振能量转移(fluorescence resonance energy transfer, FRET)检测重组融合蛋白PTD-KLF4结合目的DNA的活性。结果表明:重组PTD-KLF4可以成功进入细胞、定位细胞核内,穿膜效率为(22.29±2.1)%。重组融合蛋白PTD-KLF4引起细胞形态变化,并具有与目标DNA序列特异结合的能力。重组PTD-KLF4的制备为外源蛋白诱导多能干细胞(induced pluripotent stem cells, IPSCs)奠定基础。