Project description:The use of models of stem cell differentiation to trophoblastic cells provides an effective perspective for understanding the early molecular events in the establishment and maintenance of human pregnancy. In combination with the newly developed deep learning technology, the automated identification of this process can greatly accelerate the contribution to relevant knowledge. Based on the transfer learning technique, we used a convolutional neural network to distinguish the microscopic images of Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from differentiated trophoblast -like cells (TBL). To tackle the problem of insufficient training data, the strategies of data augmentation were used. The results showed that the convolutional neural network could successfully recognize trophoblast cells and stem cells automatically, but could not distinguish TBL from the immortalized trophoblast cell lines in vitro (JEG-3 and HTR8-SVneo).
Project description:We explored the trophoblast differentiation model using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to gain new insights into the early development of human placenta. In our previous study, we have optimized culture conditions for hiPSC-derived trophoblasts. To identify the characteristics of trophoblast lineage cells derived from BMP4-treated hiPSCs, we collected cells using a pan-trophoblast marker, KRT7, with flow cytometry and performed comprehensive gene expression analysis.
Project description:Here we demonstrate the generation of stable induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) from fibroblasts by the transient expression of Gata3, Eomes and Tfap2c. Transcriptome and methylome analyses and functional assays such as hemorrhagic lesion formation and placenta contribution suggested a high degree of conversion. Careful examination of the reprogramming process indicated that the cells did not go through a transient pluripotent state. Detect and compare different H2A.X deposition patterns in ES cells,MEFs and iTSC and TS cells, with Illumina HiSeq 2000
Project description:The arising of trophectoderm (TE) is a hallmark event in preimplantation development during embryogenesis. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying TE specification. Our findings demonstrate that depletion of Rif1 breaks down the barriers to conversion of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). Rif1-null induced TSCs show typical TE properties, and differentiation potentials to terminal trophoblast lineages. Global transcriptome analysis reveals that Rif1-null activates 2-cell embryo (2C) related genes and induces a totipotent-like state, which is probably the main reason for the conversion of TSCs from Rif1-null embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Chimeric assays further confirm that Rif1-null ESCs can contribute to TE, further yielding TSCs in vitro. Over-expression of a downstream gene of Rif1, Hmgn3, can also activate 2C related genes and facilitate induction of TSCs. Here, we report two pioneer genes regulating conversion of TSCs and provide insights for investigating the mechanisms of TE specification.
Project description:Here we demonstrate the generation of stable induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) from fibroblasts by the transient expression of Gata3, Eomes and Tfap2c. Transcriptome and methylome analyses and functional assays such as hemorrhagic lesion formation and placenta contribution suggested a high degree of conversion. Careful examination of the reprogramming process indicated that the cells did not go through a transient pluripotent state.
Project description:Extraembryonic trophoblast stem cells (TSC) can be converted to induced pluripotent stem cells (TSC-iPSCs) by overexpressing Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and cMyc. TSC lines were derived from mice harboring a doxycycline inducible Oct4 allele and an Oct4-GFP reporter that has been demonstrated to be activated in cells upon acquisition of pluripotency. Oct4-GFP-positive blastocysts were collected at 3.5 dpc and transduced with lentiviruses encoding doxycycline inducible Sox2, Klf4 and cMyc transgenes (4FTSC). 4FTSC lines were passaged 10 times to establish a population of constantly growing, self-renewing TSCs in the presence of FGF4 and fibroblast conditioned media. To induce lineage conversion, 4FTSCs were cultured under ESC/Lif conditions and doxycycline. After 28 days, several colonies displaying ESC-characteristic dome-shaped colony morphology and bright Oct4-GFP fluorescence could be detected. The 4FTSC-derived colonies were isolated mechanically, dissociated by trypsinization, and plated onto MEFs in ESC medium without doxycycline demonstrating the independence of exogenous factors. They will be called TSC-iPSCs (Trophoblast stem cell derived induced pluripotent stem cells). To examine if the extraembryonic lineage-specific mRNA profile was overcome, the gene-expression profiles of TSC-iPSCs and their parental 4FTSCs were analyzed by microarray analyses and compared to control ESCs.
Project description:Porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) could serve as a great model system for human stem cell pre-clinical research. However, the pluripotency gene network of piPSCs, especially the function for the core transcription factor ESRRB, was poorly understood. Here, we constructed ESRRB-overexpressing piPSCs (ESRRB-piPSCs). Compared with the control piPSCs (CON-piPSCs), the ESRRB-piPSCs showed flat, monolayered colony morphology. Moreover, the ESRRB-piPSCs showed greater chimeric capacity into trophectoderm than CON-piPSCs. We found that ESRRB could directly regulate the expressions of trophoblast stem cell (TSC)-specific markers, including KRT8, KRT18 and CDX2, through binding to their promoter regions. Mutational analysis proved that the N-terminus zinc finger domain is indispensable for ESRRB to regulate the TSC markers. Furthermore, this regulation needs the participation of OCT4. Accordingly, the cooperation between ESRRB and OCT4 facilitates the conversion from pluripotent state to the trophoblast-like state.
Project description:The excitement and controversy surrounding the potential role of human embryonic stem (ES) cells in transplantation therapy have often overshadowed their potentially more important use as a basic research tool for understanding the development and function of human tissues. Human ES cells can proliferate without a known limit and can form advanced derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers. What is less widely appreciated is that human ES cells can also form the extra-embryonic tissues that differentiate from the embryo before gastrulation. The use of human ES cells to derive early human trophoblast is particularly valuable, because it is difficult to obtain from other sources and is significantly different from mouse trophoblast. Here we show that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, induces the differentiation of human ES cells to trophoblast. DNA microarray, RT-PCR, and immunoassay analyses demonstrate that the differentiated cells express a range of trophoblast markers and secrete placental hormones. When plated at low density, the BMP4-treated cells form syncytia that express chorionic gonadotrophin (CG). These results underscore fundamental differences between human and mouse ES cells, which differentiate poorly, if at all, to trophoblast. Human ES cells thus provide a tool for studying the differentiation and function of early human trophoblast and could provide a new understanding of some of the earliest differentiation events of human postimplantation development. Groups of assays that are related as part of a time series. Using regression correlation