Stem cell: balancing aging and cancer

Stem cells are defined by their self-renewing capacity and the ability to differentiate into one or more cell types. Stem cells can be divided, depending on their origin, into embryonic or adult. Embryonic stem cells derive from early stage embryos and can give rise to cells from all three germ layers. Adult stem cells, first identified in hematopoietic tissue, reside in a variety of adult tissues. Under normal physiologic conditions, adult stem cells are capable of differentiating into the limited cell types that comprise the particular tissue or organ. Adult stem cells are responsible for tissue renewal and exhaustion of their replicative capacity may contribute to tissue aging. Loss of unlimited proliferative capacity in some of the adult stem cells and/or their progenitors may have involved the evolutionary trade-off: senescence prevents cancer but may promote aging. Embryonic stem cells exhibit unlimited self-renewal capacity due to the expression of telomerase. Although they possess some cancer cell characteristics, embryonic stem cells exhibit a remarkable resistance to genomic instability and malignant transformation. Understanding the tumor suppressive mechanisms employed by embryonic stem cells may contribute to the development of novel cancer treatments and safe cell-based therapies for age-related diseases.     

Metastable primordial germ cell-like state induced from mouse embryonic stem cells by Akt activation

Specification to primordial germ cells (PGCs) is mediated by mesoderm-induction signals during gastrulation. We found that Akt activation during in vitro mesodermal differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) generated self-renewing spheres with differentiation states between those of ESCs and PGCs. Essential regulators for PGC specification and their downstream germ cell-specific genes were expressed in the spheres, indicating that the sphere cells had commenced differentiation to the germ lineage. However, the spheres did not proceed to spermatogenesis after transplantation into testes. Sphere cell transfer to the original feeder-free ESC cultures resulted in chaotic differentiation. In contrast, when the spheres were cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts or in the presence of ERK-cascade and GSK3 inhibitors, reversion to the ESC-like state was observed. These results indicate that Akt signaling promotes a novel metastable and pluripotent state that is intermediate to those of ESCs and PGCs.     

极小胚胎样干细胞与神经再生

再生医学的目的是为了减轻组织损伤所致的不可逆性功能损害,多种类型的干细胞可促进神经再生,发挥治疗作用。近来,在骨髓和其他组织中发现了一种数量极少的极小胚胎样干细胞(VSELs),其分子标志为Oct-4+CXCR4+SSEA-1+Sca-1+lin-CD45-,它们可动员到外周血中。在给予动员剂或组织损伤等应激情况下可向损伤区迁移,现在认为它是高度迁移的外胚层/生殖系源性的干细胞群,具有多能干细胞特征,能分化为三个胚层细胞,综上所述,极小胚胎样干细胞可能通过促进神经再生修复中枢神经系统损伤。     

Adaptation to culture of human embryonic stem cells and oncogenesis in vivo

The application of human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) to provide differentiated cells for regenerative medicine will require the continuous maintenance of the undifferentiated stem cells for long periods in culture. However, chromosomal stability during extended passaging cannot be guaranteed, as recent cytogenetic studies of HESCs have shown karyotypic aberrations. The observed karyotypic aberrations probably reflect the progressive adaptation of self-renewing cells to their culture conditions. Genetic change that increases the capacity of cells to proliferate has obvious parallels with malignant transformation, and we propose that the changes observed in HESCs in culture reflect tumorigenic events that occur in vivo, particularly in testicular germ cell tumors. Further supporting a link between culture adaptation and malignancy, we have observed the formation of a chromosomal homogeneous staining region in one HESC line, a genetic feature almost a hallmark of cancer cells. Identifying the genes critical for culture adaptation may thus reveal key players for both stem cell maintenance in vitro and germ cell tumorigenesis in vivo.     

Stem cells in reproductive strategy of asexually reproducing invertebrates

Original and literature data supporting the evolutionary conservation of the morphofunctional organization of totipotent cells of germ and stem lineages in metazoan animals are reviewed. We studied stem cells of the colonial rhizocephalans, Peltogasterella gracilis, Polyascus polygenea and Thylacoplethus isaevae, the turbellarian Dugesia tigrina, the colonial hydroid Obelia longissima, and cultured embryonic stem cells of mouse. The typical germinal granules of germ plasm, selective expression of the activity of alkaline phosphatase and of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which are known as markers of stem and primary germ cells of vertebrates, and the specific expression of the protein product of the vasa gene in cells of rhizocephalans, which is a marker of cells of germ and stem lineages of various metazoans, specified the stem cells of invertebrates of such different taxa. The self-renewing pool of totipotent stem cells is the cellular basis of the reproductive strategy, including sexual and asexual reproduction; such cells share morphofunctional features of embryonic stem and germline cells of Metazoa.     

Epigenetic modifications and self-renewal regulation of mouse germline stem cells

Germline stem (GS) cells were established from gonocytes and spermatogonia of postnatal mouse testes. GS cells proliferate in the presence of several kinds of cytokines, and a small percentage of GS cells also show spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) activity, i.e., they differentiate into sperm after being transplanted into infertile mouse testes without endogenous spermatogenesis. Interestingly, in GS cell culture, we also found that pluripotent stem cells (multipotent germline stem cells (mGS cells)) could be derived and these mGS cells do not have normal androgenetic genomic imprinting marks that are shown in GS cells, e.g., H19 hypermethylation. A new culture system for fetal male germ cells (embryonic GS (eGS) cells) has also been recently developed. Although these cells exhibited SSC potential, the offspring from cultured cells showed heritable imprinting defects in their DNA methylation patterns. In an attempt to understand the self-renewal machinery in SSCs, we transfected H-Ras and cylin D2 into GS cells, and successfully reconstructed the SSC self-renewal ability without using exogenous cytokines. Although these cells showed SSC activity in germ cell transplantation assays, we also found development of seminomatous tumors, possibly induced by excessive self-renewing signal. These stem cell culture systems are useful tools not only for understanding the mechanisms of self-renewal or epigenetic reprogramming but also for clarifying the mechanism of germ cell tumor development.     

Placental-derived stem cells: Culture,differentiation and challenges

Stem cell therapy is a promising approach to clinical healing in several diseases. A great variety of tissues (bone marrow, adipose tissue, and placenta) are potentially sources of stem cells. Placenta-derived stem cells (p-SCs) are in between embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells, sharing characteristics with both, such as non-carcinogenic status and property to differentiate in all embryonic germ layers. Moreover, their use is not ethically restricted as fetal membranes are considered medical waste after birth. In this context, the present review will be focused on the biological properties, culture and potential cell therapy uses of placental-derived stem cells. Immunophenotype characterization, mainly for surface marker expression, and basic principles of p-SC isolation and culture (mechanical separation or enzymatic digestion of the tissues, the most used culture media, cell plating conditions) will be presented. In addition, some preclinical studies that were performed in different medical areas will be cited, focusing on neurological, liver, pancreatic, heart, muscle, pulmonary, and bone diseases and also in tissue engineering field. Finally, some challenges for stem cell therapy applications will be highlighted. The understanding of the mechanisms involved in the p-SCs differentiation and the achievement of pure cell populations (after differentiation) are key points that must be clarified before bringing the preclinical studies, performed at the bench, to the medical practice.     

Germinal granules in interstitial cells of the colonial hydroids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Obelia longissima</Emphasis> pallas, 1766 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ectopleura crocea</Emphasis> Agassiz, 1862

Electron-dense germinal granules, which are usually regarded as markers and key organelles of germline cells, were revealed in the interstitial (stem) cells of the colonial hydroids Obelia longissima and Ectopleura crocea. The interstitial cells of O. longissima displayed intense alkaline phosphatase activity, a histochemical marker for vertebrate embryonic stem and primary germ cells, as well as positive reaction to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which is an immunochemical marker for cell reproduction. Our findings and the literature data suggest the evolutionary conservation and similarity of the morphological and functional organization of potentially gametogenic stem cells in asexually reproducing invertebrates and germ cells in all studied Metazoa. The self-renewing pool of such stem cells provides the cellular source for blastogenesis and gametogenesis and the cellular basis for life functions, including both asexual and sexual reproduction.     

Intermolecular interactions of homologs of germ plasm components in mammalian germ cells

In some species such as flies, worms, frogs and fish, the key to forming and maintaining early germ cell populations is the assembly of germ plasm, microscopically distinct egg cytoplasm that is rich in RNAs, RNA-binding proteins and ribosomes. Cells which inherit germ plasm are destined for the germ cell lineage. In contrast, in mammals, germ cells are formed and maintained later in development as a result of inductive signaling from one embryonic cell type to another. Research advances, using complementary approaches, including identification of key signaling factors that act during the initial stages of germ cell development, differentiation of germ cells in vitro from mouse and human embryonic stem cells and the demonstration that homologs of germ plasm components are conserved in mammals, have shed light on key elements in the early development of mammalian germ cells. Here, we use FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer) to demonstrate that living mammalian germ cells possess specific RNA/protein complexes that contain germ plasm homologs, beginning in the earliest stages of development examined. Moreover, we demonstrate that, although both human and mouse germ cells and embryonic stem cells express the same proteins, germ cell-specific protein/protein interactions distinguish germ cells from precursor embryonic stem cells in vitro; interactions also determine sub-cellular localization of complex components. Finally, we suggest that assembly of similar protein complexes may be central to differentiation of diverse cell lineages and provide useful diagnostic tools for isolation of specific cell types from the assorted types differentiated from embryonic stem cells.     

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Supportive and Unsupportive Extracellular Matrix Substrates for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells that have indefinite replicative potential and the ability to differentiate into derivatives of all three germ layers. hESCs are conventionally grown on mitotically inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or feeder cells of human origin. In addition, feeder-free culture systems can be used to support hESCs, in which the adhesive substrate plays a key role in the regulation of stem cell self-renewal or differentiation. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components define the microenvironment of the niche for many types of stem cells, but their role in the maintenance of hESCs remains poorly understood. We used a proteomic approach to characterize in detail the composition and interaction networks of ECMs that support the growth of self-renewing hESCs. Whereas many ECM components were produced by supportive and unsupportive MEF and human placental stromal fibroblast feeder cells, some proteins were only expressed in supportive ECM, suggestive of a role in the maintenance of pluripotency. We show that identified candidate molecules can support attachment and self-renewal of hESCs alone (fibrillin-1) or in combination with fibronectin (perlecan, fibulin-2), in the absence of feeder cells. Together, these data highlight the importance of specific ECM interactions in the regulation of hESC phenotype and provide a resource for future studies of hESC self-renewal.     

Biological activity of cryopreserved bovine spermatogonial stem cells during in vitro culture

Functional roles of spermatogonial stem cells in spermatogenesis are self-renewing proliferation and production of differentiated daughter progeny. The ability to recapitulate these actions in vitro is important for investigating their biology and inducing genetic modification that could potentially lead to an alternative means of generating transgenic animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the survival and proliferation of frozen-thawed bovine spermatogonial stem cells in vitro and investigate the effects of exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). In order to accomplish this objective we developed a bovine embryonic fibroblast feeder cell line, termed BEF, to serve as feeder cells in a coculture system with bovine germ cells. Bovine spermatogonial stem cell survival and proliferation in vitro were evaluated by xenogeneic transplantation into the seminiferous tubules of immunodeficient mice. Bovine germ cells cocultured for 1 wk resulted in significantly more round cell donor colonies in recipient mouse testes compared to donor cells transplanted just after thawing. Bovine germ cells cocultured for 2 wk had fewer colony-forming cells than the freshly thawed cell suspensions or cells cultured for 1 wk. Characterization of the feeder cell line revealed endogenous expression of Gdnf mRNA and protein. Addition of exogenous GDNF to the culture medium decreased the number of stem cells present at 1 wk of coculture, but enhanced stem cell maintenance at 2 wk compared to cultures without added GDNF. These data indicate that frozen-thawed bovine spermatogonial stem cells survive cryopreservation and can be maintained during coculture with a feeder cell line in which the maintenance is influenced by GDNF.     

Repression of primordial germ cell differentiation parallels germ line stem cell maintenance

In Drosophila, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are set aside from somatic cells and subsequently migrate through the embryo and associate with somatic gonadal cells to form the embryonic gonad. During larval stages, PGCs proliferate in the female gonad, and a subset of PGCs are selected at late larval stages to become germ line stem cells (GSCs), the source of continuous egg production throughout adulthood. However, the degree of similarity between PGCs and the self-renewing GSCs is unclear. Here we show that many of the genes that are required for GSC maintenance in adults are also required to prevent precocious differentiation of PGCs within the larval ovary. We show that following overexpression of the GSC-differentiation gene bag of marbles (bam), PGCs differentiate to form cysts without becoming GSCs. Furthermore, PGCs that are mutant for nanos (nos), pumilio (pum) or for signaling components of the decapentaplegic (dpp) pathway also differentiate. The similarity in the genes necessary for GSC maintenance and the repression of PGC differentiation suggest that PGCs and GSCs may be functionally equivalent and that the larval gonad functions as a "PGC niche".     

Proteomic analyses reveal common promiscuous patterns of cell surface proteins on human embryonic stem cells and sperms

Background

It has long been proposed that early embryos and reproductive organs exhibit similar gene expression profiles. However, whether this similarity is propagated to the protein level remains largely unknown. We have previously characterised the promiscuous expression pattern of cell surface proteins on mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. As cell surface proteins also play critical functions in human embryonic stem (hES) cells and germ cells, it is important to reveal whether a promiscuous pattern of cell surface proteins also exists for these cells.

Methods and Principal Findings

Surface proteins of hES cells and human mature sperms (hSperms) were purified by biotin labelling and subjected to proteomic analyses. More than 1000 transmembrane or secreted cell surface proteins were identified on the two cell types, respectively. Proteins from both cell types covered a large variety of functional categories including signal transduction, adhesion and transporting. Moreover, both cell types promiscuously expressed a wide variety of tissue specific surface proteins, and some surface proteins were heterogeneously expressed.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings indicate that the promiscuous expression of functional and tissue specific cell surface proteins may be a common pattern in embryonic stem cells and germ cells. The conservation of gene expression patterns between early embryonic cells and reproductive cells is propagated to the protein level. These results have deep implications for the cell surface signature characterisation of pluripotent stem cells and germ cells and may lead the way to a new area of study, i.e., the functional significance of promiscuous gene expression in pluripotent and germ cells.     

Essential role of mouse Dead end1 in the maintenance of spermatogonia

Dead end is a vertebrate-specific RNA-binding protein implicated in germ cell development. We have previously shown that mouse Dead end1 (DND1) is expressed in male embryonic germ cells and directly interacts with NANOS2 to cooperatively promote sexual differentiation of fetal germ cells. In addition, we have also reported that NANOS2 is expressed in self-renewing spermatogonial stem cells and is required for the maintenance of the stem cell state. However, it remains to be determined whether DND1 works with NANOS2 in the spermatogonia. Here, we show that DND1 is expressed in a subpopulation of differentiating spermatogonia and undifferentiated spermatogonia, including NANOS2-positive spermatogonia. Conditional disruption of DND1 depleted both differentiating and undifferentiated spermatogonia; however, the numbers of A_single and A_paired spermatogonia were preferentially decreased as compared with those of A_aligned spermatogonia. Finally, we found that postnatal DND1 associates with NANOS2 in vivo, independently of RNA, and interacts with some of NANOS2-target mRNAs. These data not only suggest that DND1 is a partner of NANOS2 in undifferentiated spermatogonia as well as in male embryonic germ cells, but also show that DND1 plays an essential role in the survival of differentiating spermatogonia.     

Prospective identification, isolation by flow cytometry, and in vivo self-renewal of multipotent mammalian neural crest stem cells

Multipotent and self-renewing neural stem cells have been isolated in culture, but equivalent cells have not yet been prospectively identified in neural tissue. Using cell surface markers and flow cytometry, we have isolated neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) from mammalian fetal peripheral nerve. These cells are phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from NCSCs previously isolated by culturing embryonic neural tube explants. Moreover, in vivo BrdU labeling indicates that these stem cells self-renew in vivo. NCSCs freshly isolated from nerve tissue can be directly transplanted in vivo, where they generate both neurons and glia. These data indicate that neural stem cells persist in peripheral nerve into late gestation by undergoing self-renewal. Such persistence may explain the origins of some PNS tumors in humans.     

Differentiation of monkey embryonic stem cells into neural lineages

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are self-renewing, pluripotent, and capable of differentiating into all of the cell types found in the adult body. Therefore, they have the potential to replace degenerated or damaged cells, including those in the central nervous system. For ES cell-based therapy to become a clinical reality, translational research involving nonhuman primates is essential. Here, we report monkey ES cell differentiation into embryoid bodies (EBs), neural progenitor cells (NPCs), and committed neural phenotypes. The ES cells were aggregated in hanging drops to form EBs. The EBs were then plated onto adhesive surfaces in a serum-free medium to form NPCs and expanded in serum-free medium containing fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 before neural differentiation was induced. Cells were characterized at each step by immunocytochemistry for the presence of specific markers. The majority of cells in complex/cystic EBs expressed antigens (alpha-fetal protein, cardiac troponin I, and vimentin) representative of all three embryonic germ layers. Greater than 70% of the expanded cell populations expressed antigenic markers (nestin and musashi1) for NPCs. After removal of FGF-2, approximately 70% of the NPCs differentiated into neuronal phenotypes expressing either microtubule-associated protein-2C (MAP2C) or neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), and approximately 28% differentiated into glial cell types expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein. Small populations of MAP2C/NeuN-positive cells also expressed tyrosine hydroxylase (approximately 4%) or choline acetyltransferase (approximately 13%). These results suggest that monkey ES cells spontaneously differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, can be induced and maintained as NPCs, and can be further differentiated into committed neural lineages, including putative neurons and glial cells.     

Regenerative medicine in Parkinson's disease: generation of mesencephalic dopaminergic cells from embryonic stem cells

Cell replacement therapy has been proposed as a means of replacing specific populations of cells lost through trauma, disease or ageing. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Intrastriatal transplants of human foetal mesencephalic tissue in Parkinson's patients have demonstrated clinical efficacy, but the limited availability of tissue precludes systematic use of this treatment. Human embryonic stem cells are capable of unlimited self-renewal and can differentiate into cells representative of all three germ layers, including cells of the central nervous system. These cells may thus provide a relatively unlimited source of cells for transplantation, if appropriate differentiation protocols to generate highly enriched and specific populations of neural cells can be developed.