ABSTRACT: RNA-Seq transcriptome profiling of in vitro cultures of migrating porcine primordial germ cells and porcine fetal fibroblasts of mini pig embryos between days 17-24 of gestation
Project description:Porcine embryonic germ cells (EGC) are cultured pluripotent cells derived from primordial germ cells (PGC). This study explored the possibilities to establish porcine EGC lines in the domestic breed pig more efficiently and from earlier embryonic stages than reported to date. In vitro culture of PGC from both pooled and individual embryos at days 17-24 of gestation resulted in the successful derivation of putative EGC lines from days 20-24 with high efficiency, while no lines could be established from days 17-18. The EGC-like colonies had characteristic morphology and electron microscopy revealed tight junctions and presence of primary cilia on the cell surfaces. The cells formed simple embryoid bodies in suspension culture and further differentiated into epithelial-like, mesenchymal-like, and neuronal-like cells. Our results show that putative porcine EGC can be derived from migrating PGC with high efficiency using individual embryos from different genetic backgrounds.
Project description:Porcine embryonic germ cells (EGC) are cultured pluripotent cells derived from primordial germ cells (PGC). This study explored the possibilities to establish porcine EGC lines in the domestic breed pig more efficiently and from earlier embryonic stages than reported to date. In vitro culture of PGC from both pooled and individual embryos at days 17-24 of gestation resulted in the successful derivation of putative EGC lines from days 20-24 with high efficiency, while no lines could be established from days 17-18. The EGC-like colonies had characteristic morphology and electron microscopy revealed tight junctions and presence of primary cilia on the cell surfaces. The cells formed simple embryoid bodies in suspension culture and further differentiated into epithelial-like, mesenchymal-like, and neuronal-like cells. Our results show that putative porcine EGC can be derived from migrating PGC with high efficiency using individual embryos from different genetic backgrounds. RNA-Seq profiling of 2 different in vitro cultures of pig embryonic cells. The cells, both the pig Embryonic Germ cells (pEGCs) and the pig Fetal Fibroblasts (pFF) show properties of pluripotency and self renewal.
Project description:ZBTB16, a transcription factor, plays a critical role in the self-renewal and differentiation of mouse primordial germ cells. However, the subcellular localization of ZBTB16 in the porcine testis and its molecular mechanism in regulating the self-renewal of immature porcine germ cells remain unclear. Using immunofluorescence co-staining, we examined the subcellular localization of ZBTB16 and its co-localization with molecular markers for immature porcine germ cells (DBA, ZBTB16, UCHL1) and the proliferation marker Ki67 in the testes of pigs at 7, 30, 70, and 90 days of age. The results showed that ZBTB16-positive cells in the four age groups of pig testes highly overlapped with SALL4/UCHL1-positive cells and partially overlapped with DBA-positive cells, indicating that ZBTB16 is predominantly expressed in immature porcine germ cells, including pig primordial germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells, and undifferentiated spermatogonia. Furthermore, the immunofluorescence co-staining of ZBTB16 and Ki67 revealed that ZBTB16-positive cells in pig testes at different developmental stages exhibited proliferative activity, but with significant fluctuations. RNA-seq analysis identified 5931 differentially expressed genes in ZBTB16-knockdown immature porcine germ cells, while CUT&Tag analysis identified 5409 ZBTB16 target genes, with 2084 of them overlapping with the differentially expressed genes. ZBTB16 preferentially bound to gene promoters. Knockdown of ZBTB16 expression resulted in the suppression of mRNA levels of target genes involved in the self-renewal of immature germ cells. Additionally, we found that ZBTB16 regulates the self-renewal of immature porcine germ cells through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. These findings reveal the expression pattern of ZBTB16 in the porcine testis and its regulation of target genes and pathways involved in the self-renewal of immature germ cells. This contributes to the understanding of the function and regulatory network of the transcription factor ZBTB16 in porcine germ cell development and spermatogenesis, and holds significant implications for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying porcine germ cell development and sperm production.
Project description:Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of eggs and sperm, are a unique model for identifying and studying regulatory mechanisms in singly migrating cells. From their time of specification to eventual colonization of the gonad, mouse PGCs traverse through and interact with many different cell types, including epithelial cells and mesenchymal tissues. Work in drosophila and zebrafish have identified many genes and signaling pathways involved in PGC migration, but little is known about this process in mammals. We have generated a point mutation in the Ror2 gene that we know disrupts primordial germ cell migration in the developing mouse embryo. We used microarray analysis to determine if this defect is mediated through genome-wide or pathway-specific transcriptional changes. We analyzed primordial germ cells (PGCs) from 4 wild-type (WT) and 4 Ror2Y324C/Y324C mutant embryos using Oct4-DPE-EGFP. PGCs were collected during their active migratory state at embryonic day 9.5 (somite range 20-25).
Project description:Germ cells are vital for transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next and for maintaining the continuation of species. Here, we analyze the transcriptome of human primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the migrating stage to the gonadal stage at single-cell and single-base resolutions. Human PGCs show unique transcription patterns involving the simultaneous expression of both pluripotency genes and germline-specific genes, with a subset of them displaying developmental stage-specific features. Furthermore, we analyze the DNA methylome of human PGCs and find global demethylation of their genomes. Approximately 10-11 weeks after gestation, the PGCs are nearly devoid of any DNA methylation; with only 7.8% and 6.0% of the median methylation levels in male and female PGCs, respectively. Our work paves the way toward deciphering the complex epigenetic reprogramming of the germline with the aim of restoring totipotency in fertilized oocytes.
Project description:DNA methylation reprogramming of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is an essential step that affects the activation and inactivation of certain genes, therefore having a direct impact on the transcriptome of an individual. In this study, we have described the methylome landscape of porcine PGCs, characterizing the genomic elements that resist methylation erasure.
Project description:Primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of eggs and sperm, are a unique model for identifying and studying regulatory mechanisms in singly migrating cells. From their time of specification to eventual colonization of the gonad, mouse PGCs traverse through and interact with many different cell types, including epithelial cells and mesenchymal tissues. Work in drosophila and zebrafish have identified many genes and signaling pathways involved in PGC migration, but little is known about this process in mammals. We have generated a point mutation in the Ror2 gene that we know disrupts primordial germ cell migration in the developing mouse embryo. We used microarray analysis to determine if this defect is mediated through genome-wide or pathway-specific transcriptional changes.
Project description:Studies on porcine induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells served as a great reference for human clinical research due to the similarity in organ size, physiology, anatomy, and heredity between pig and human. However, the reprogramming efficiency of iPS cells was currently poor. In this study, we reported the induction of iPS cells from porcine Sertoli cells (SCs) via infecting with four separate lentiviral vectors expressing pig OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC. Typical embryonic stem-like cells began to form on day 3 after infection, and alkaline phosphatase (AP)-positive colonies were picked up on 7 days. The porcine iPS cells derived from SCs, termed SC-iPS cells, strongly expressed pluripotent markers, showed a normal karyotype, and had differentiation characteristics to the three germ layers and primordial germ cell-like cells via an incipient mesoderm-like cell state. Further results showed that OCT4 was the core factor for AP-positive colonies formation, and the OCT4 and c-MYC were the minimum combination group to achieve the SCs reprogramming process. RNA-seq results showed that SCs could express BMP4 and activate the Wnt signaling pathway, which promoted reprogramming process. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the SCs could efficiently serve as a better cell source for reprogramming than porcine embryonic fibroblasts and lay a foundation of achieving the trans-differentiation capacity from SCs to germ cells.