Growth and differentiation of embryoid bodies derived from human embryonic stem cells: effect of glucose and basic fibroblast growth factor

Differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells generally occurs after formation of three-dimensional cell aggregates, known as embryoid bodies (EBs). This differentiation occurs following suspension culturing of EBs in media containing a high (25 mM) glucose concentration. Although high-glucose-containing media is used for maintenance and proliferation of ES cells, it has not been demonstrated whether this is a necessary requirement for EB development. To address this, we examined the growth and differentiation of EBs established in 0-mM, 5.5-mM (physiological), and 25-mM (high) glucose concentrations, through morphometric analysis and examination of gene and protein expression. The effect on EB development of supplementation with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) was also studied. We report that the greatest rate of EB growth occurs in 5.5 mM glucose media. A morphological study of EBs over 104 days duration under glucose-containing conditions demonstrated the development of all three major embryonic cell types. The difference from normal human development was obvious in the lack of rostrocaudal control by the notochord. In the latest stages of development, the main tissue observed appeared to be cartilage and cells of a mesodermal lineage. We conclude that physiological glucose concentrations are suitable for the culturing of EBs, that the addition of FGF2 enhances the temporal expression of genes including POU5F1, nestin, FOXA2, ONECUT1, NEUROD1, PAX6, and insulin, and that EBs can be cultured in vitro for long periods, allowing for further examination of developmental processes.     

A proteome analysis of conditioned media from human neonatal fibroblasts used in the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells

The pathways involved in the maintenance of human embryonic stem (hES) cells remain largely unknown, although some signaling pathways have been identified in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. Fibroblast feeder layers are used to maintain the undifferentiated growth of hES cells and an examination of the conditioned media (CM) of human neonatal fibroblasts (HNFs) could provide insights into the maintenance of hES cells. The neonatal foreskin fibroblast line (HNF02) used in this study was shown to have a normal 2n = 46, XY chromosomal complement and to support the undifferentiated growth of the Embryonic Stem Cell International Pte. Ltd.-hES3 cell line. The CM of HNF02 was examined using two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (2-D LCMS) and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (2-DE/MALDI). A total of 102 proteins were identified, 19 by 2-DE/MALDI, 53 by 2-D LCMS and 30 by both techniques. These proteins were classified into 15 functional groups. Proteins identified in the extracellular matrix and differentiation and growth factor functional categories were considered most likely to be involved in the maintenance of hES cell growth, differentiation and pluripotency as these groups contained proteins involved in a variety of events including cell adhesion, cell proliferation and inhibition of cell proliferation, Wnt signaling and inhibition of bone morphogenetic proteins.     

Effect of phorbol and glucose on insulin secretion from the human fetal pancreas

It has been reported previously that 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate is capable of stimulating the release of insulin from adult and neonatal pancreatic tissue. The data from this study show that this agent at a concentration of 1.3 uM, in the presence of 2.8 mM glucose, was unable to cause significant secretion of insulin from cultured human fetal pancreatic explants. By contrast 20 mM glucose was able to cause a small but significant immediate increase in secretion of insulin, but was unable to maintain this response beyond ten minutes. When the two agents were combined, a synergistic effect was seen throughout the entire 50 minute period of stimulation. The reason for this synergism is unclear since, whilst both secretagogues were able to cause a rise in the levels of diacylglycerol, together no extra effect was observed.     

Chronic stimulation of human fetal pancreas with phorbol inhibits insulin secretion

Acute exposure to agents that activate protein kinase C is known to cause insulin release both from the fetal and adult pancreas. These experiments were designed to test the effect of chronic exposure of the human fetal pancreas to such agents. Nine to twelve days after commencement of culture of this tissue, exposed to 0.165-1.3 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, insulin secretion was reduced and remained less than that for controls thereafter. Exchange of the test for the control medium resulted in partial recovery of insulin release. Insulin content of the treated explants was also significantly reduced. The insulinogenic response to an acute challenge of either 20 mM glucose or 10 mM theophylline/2.8 mM glucose at the end of the culture was no different from that for controls.