Dppa2 and Dppa4 are closely linked SAP motif genes restricted to pluripotent cells and the germ line

Despite the enormous medical potential of ESCs, the molecular mechanisms conferring the ability to differentiate into all cell types of the embryo remain elusive. We used an in silico approach to identify genes expressed exclusively in mouse preimplantation embryos and pluripotent cell lines. Two of these genes were developmental pluripotency-associated gene 2 (Dppa2) and Dppa4, which we show are closely linked genes encoding putative nuclear SAP domain proteins expressed in human and mouse pluripotent stem cells and germ cell tumor-derived embryonal carcinoma cells. In the mouse, these genes are transcribed in germinal vesicle-stage oocytes and throughout the cleavage stages of embryogenesis. They then become restricted to the pluripotent inner cell mass of blastocysts and are subsequently downregulated. After gastrulation, Dppa2 and Dppa4 are expressed only in the developing germ line, showing that these genes mark cells of the pluripotent cycle. In the germ line, both genes are downregulated as the germ cells commit to the oogenic pathway or soon after commitment to the spermatogenic pathway. We have observed similar germ line expression profiles for other pluripotent markers, and these results are consistent with the hypothesis that pluripotent markers must be downregulated during fetal germ line development, a process that may be required to facilitate appropriate germ line differentiation. The study of expression and function of pluripotent markers such as Dppa2 and Dppa4 is likely to unveil new aspects of the regulation of pluripotency and germ line development in mammals.     

Expression of pluripotent stem cell markers in the human fetal testis

Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) have proven to be a source of pluripotent stem cells called embryonic germ cells (EGCs). However, the developmental potency of these cells in the fetal gonad still remains elusive. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of pluripotent and germ cell marker expression in human fetal testis 7-15 weeks postfertilization (pF) and compares this expression to their ability to derive EGCs. Although the majority of germ cells expressed stem cell markers stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA) 1, SSEA4, EMA-1, and alkaline phosphatase, only a small percentage of those (<1%) expressed OCT4, CKIT, and NANOG. Specifically, the number of OCT4(+)/CKIT(+)/NANOG(+) cells significantly increased in the developing cords during weeks 7-9, followed by a gradual decline into week 15 pF. By week 15 pF, the remaining OCT4(+)/CKIT(+)/NANOG(+) cells were found in the cords surrounding the periphery of the testis, and the predominant germ cells, CKIT(+) cells, no longer expressed OCT4 or NANOG. Based on morphology and early germ cell marker expression, including VASA, PUM2, and DAZL, we suggest these cells are mitotically active gonocytes or prespermatogonia. Importantly, the number of OCT4(+) cells correlated with an increase in the number of EGC colonies derived in culture. Interestingly, two pluripotent markers, Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81, although highly expressed in EGCs, were not expressed by PGCs in the gonad. Together, these results suggest that PGCs maintain expression of pluripotent stem cell markers during and after sexual differentiation of the gonad, albeit in very low numbers.     

小鼠胚胎生殖细胞的建立及其印记状态

目的 成功建立小鼠胚胎生殖细胞（EGCs）系,并初步分析小鼠胚胎生殖细胞的印记状态。方法 建立交配后12.5d（12.5dpc）原始生
殖细胞 (PGCs）来源的小鼠EGCs,通过碱性磷酸酶（AKP）染色、免疫荧光细胞化学、体内分化及体外分化等方法检测EGCs的多能性,并以小鼠
胚胎干细胞（ESCs）为对照,应用Real-time PCR检测EGCs中与发育相关的Ins2、Lgf2、H19、Lgf2r等11个父源与母源印记基因的表达情况。结果
成功建立小鼠EG细胞系,EGCs克隆AKP染色显示有高水平的AKP活性,免疫荧光细胞化学方法显示克隆表达小鼠ESCs多能性标记物Oct4及细胞表面
标记SSEA-1。核型分析检测显示,小鼠EGCs为正常的40条染色体,体内可分化出3个胚层来源的组织,说明小鼠EGCs具有多能性;Real-time PCR
结果显示EGCs的印记基因表达量显著高于ESCs。结论 12.5dpc PGC来源的EGCs的印记基因处于擦除状态。     

Analysis of Esg1 expression in pluripotent cells and the germline reveals similarities with Oct4 and Sox2 and differences between human pluripotent cell lines

Establishment of pluripotent epiblast cells is a critical event during early mammalian development because all somatic lineages and the primordial germ cells (PGCs) are derived from them. The epiblast and PGCs are in turn the precursors of pluripotent embryonic stem cells and embryonic germ cells, respectively. Although PGCs are specialized cells, they express several key pluripotency-related genes, such as Oct4 and Sox2. We have analyzed Esg1 expression in mouse and human cells and shown that in the mouse the gene is specifically expressed in preimplantation embryos, stem cells, and the germline. Moreover, Esg1 coexpresses with Oct4 and Sox2, confirming its identity as a marker of the pluripotent cycle. Esg1 is also expressed with Oct4 and Sox2 by human embryonic stem cells and in germ cell carcinoma tissue but not by all human embryonal carcinoma cell lines. These data suggest that together with Oct4 and Sox2, Esg1 plays a conserved role in the pluripotent pathway of mouse and human stem and germ cells.     

Expression of pluripotent stem cell markers in the human fetal ovary

BACKGROUND: Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) can give rise to pluripotentstem cells such as embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) and embryonicgerm cells (EGCs). METHODS: In order to determine whether PGCs express markers associatedwith pluripotency in EGCs and ECCs, the following study crossexamines the expression patterns of multiple pluripotent markersin the human fetal ovary, 5.5–15 weeks post-fertilizaton(pF) and relates this expression with the ability to derivepluripotent EGCs in vitro. RESULTS: Specific subpopulations were identified which included OCT4⁺/Nanog⁺/cKIT⁺/VASA⁺PGCs and oogonia. Interestingly, these cells also expressedSSEA1 and alkaline phosphatase (AP) and SSEA4 expression occurredthroughout the entire gonad. Isolation of SSEA1⁺ cells fromthe gonad resulted in AP⁺ EGC colony formation. The number ofOCT4⁺ or Nanog⁺ expressing cells peaked by week 8 and then diminishedafter week 9 pF, as oogonia enter meiosis. In addition, theefficiency of EGC derivation was associated with the numberof OCT4⁺ cells. TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 were only detected inthe lining of the mesonephric ducts and occasionally in thegonad. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that PGCs, a unipotent cell, expressmost, but not all, of the markers associated with pluripotentcells in the human fetal ovary.     

Cyclin a(1) is essential for setting the pluripotent state and reducing tumorigenicity of induced pluripotent stem cells

The proper differentiation and threat of cancer rising from the application of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are major bottlenecks in the field and are thought to be inherently linked to the pluripotent nature of iPS cells. To address this question, we have compared iPS cells to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), the gold standard of ground state pluripotency, in search for proteins that may improve pluripotency of iPS cells. We have found that when reprogramming somatic cells toward pluripotency, 1%-5% of proteins of 5 important cell functions are not set to the correct expression levels compared to ESCs, including mainly cell cycle proteins. We have shown that resetting cyclin A(1) protein expression of early-passage iPS cells closer to the ground state pluripotent state of mouse ESCs improves the pluripotency and reduces the threat of cancer of iPS cells. This work is a proof of principle that reveals that setting expression of certain proteins correctly during reprogramming is essential for achieving ESC-state pluripotency. This finding would be of immediate help to those researchers in different fields of iPS cell work that specializes in cell cycle, apoptosis, cell adhesion, cell signaling, and cytoskeleton.     

人胚胎干细胞表达生殖细胞分化相关基因的研究

目的 探讨人胚胎干细胞(hES)系H1生殖细胞分化相关基因的表达.方法 免疫荧光、碱性磷酸酶检测和核型分析等方法联合鉴定H1的基本生物学特性,RT-PCR方法检测未分化H1的生殖细胞分化相关基因的基本表达模式,分别以人正常睾丸组织和人胚胎成纤维细胞株HFF-1作为阳性和阴性对照组织.结果 H1保持正常核型并维持未分化状态.未分化H1表达减数分裂前生殖细胞标志基因STELLAR、DAZL、FRAGILIS、PUM1、PUM2和GDF3;不表达原始生殖细胞(PGCs)标志基因BLIMP-1、减数分裂特异标志基因SCP1、减数分裂启动标志基因STRA8以及生殖细胞分化后期标志基因VASA.结论 未分化Hl细胞表达生殖细胞减数分裂前标志基因,但不表达分化后期基因,BLIMP-1可能成为区分未分化hES细胞与PGCs的特异性标志基因.     

Identification and characterisation of mRif1: a mouse telomere-associated protein highly expressed in germ cells and embryo-derived pluripotent stem cells.

We have identified a mouse ortholog of the yeast Rif1 family of telomere-associated proteins on the basis of its high expression in primordial germ cells and embryo-derived pluripotent stem cell lines. mRif1 is also highly expressed in totipotent and pluripotent cells during early mouse development, and in male and female germ cells in adult mice. mRif1 expression is induced during derivation of embryonic stem cells and is rapidly down-regulated upon differentiation of embryonic stem cells in vitro. Furthermore, we show that mRif1 physically interacts with the telomere-associated protein mTrf2 and can be cross-linked to telomeric repeat DNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. mRif1 may be involved in the maintenance of telomere length or pluripotency in the germline and during early mouse development.     

Evaluating human embryonic germ cells: concord and conflict as pluripotent stem cells

The realization of cell replacement therapy derived from human pluripotent stem cells requires full knowledge of the starting cell types as well as their differentiated progeny. Alongside embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells (EGCs) are an alternative source of pluripotent stem cell. Since 1998, four groups have described the derivation of human EGCs. This review analyzes the progress on derivation, culture, and differentiation, drawing comparison with other pluripotent stem cell populations.     

Multipotent adult germline stem cells and embryonic stem cells have similar microRNA profiles

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) isolated from the adult mouse testis and cultured have been shown to respond to culture conditions and become pluripotent, so called multipotent adult germline stem cells (maGSCs). microRNAs (miRNAs) belonging to the 290 and 302 miRNA clusters have been previously classified as embryonic stem cell (ESC) specific. Here, we show that these miRNAs generally characterize pluripotent cells. They are expressed not only in ESCs but also in maGSCs as well as in the F9 embryonic carcinoma cell (ECC) line. In addition, we tested the time-dependent influence of different factors that promote loss of pluripotency on levels of these miRNAs in all three pluripotent cell types. Despite the differences regarding time and extent of differentiation observed between ESCs and maGSCs, expression profiles of both miRNA families showed similarities between these two cell types, suggesting similar underlying mechanisms in maintenance of pluripotency and differentiation. Our results indicate that the 290-miRNA family is connected with Oct-4 and maintenance of the pluripotent state. In contrast, members of the 302-miRNA family are induced during first stages of in vitro differentiation in all cell types tested. Therefore, detection of miRNAs of miR-302 family in pluripotent cells can be attributed to the proportion of spontaneously differentiating cells in cultures of pluripotent cells. These results are consistent with ESC-like nature of maGSCs and their potential as an alternative source of pluripotent cells from non-embryonic tissues.