Project description:The generation of pancreatic organoids from human pluripotent stem cells represents a major breakthrough for regenerative medicine and the modeling of diseases such as diabetes. However, current approaches remain inefficient due to lengthy multi-step differentiation protocols and limited functional maturity in the organoids. In this study, we overcome these challenges using multi-phase optimization screens to achieve rapid generation of functionally mature pancreatic organoids from a stable endocrine progenitor culture. We conducted stepwise culture condition screens that enabled the stable culture of multiple pancreatic progenitor cell states, including the unprecedented stable propagation of NEUROD1-expressing endocrine progenitor-like cells (EpSCs). Further transcriptomic profiling of EpSC confirmed similarity of that to previously reported endocrine progenitor populations. Using EpSCs, we significantly reduced the number of steps and timing required to generate pancreatic organoids, enabling rapid testing of conditions for organoid maturation. Utilizing this optimized protocol, we further tested conditions to promote pancreatic organoid maturation. We identified that exosome-delivered WNT5B, in combination with RSPO1 (exoW/R), could strongly induce non-canonical WNT/JNK signaling, promoting pancreatic organoid maturation. This combinatorial exosome treatment enhances epithelial organization, reduces immature cell states, and significantly improves glucose responsiveness and insulin secretion. Collectively, our work establishes a robust pancreatic differentiation platform that integrates long-term progenitor expansion with optimized organoid maturation. This system provides a reproducible experimental framework for studying pancreatic development, investigating disease mechanisms, and facilitating future translational applications involving pancreatic organoids.
Project description:Endometrial gland cultures were established from human non-pregnant endometrium and decidua. We analysed the global gene expression profile of the human endometrial gland organoid cultures to assess the similarity of their molecular signature to the tissue of origin. Organoid cultures established from decidua were also included in the analysis to assess their similarity to endometrial dervied cultures.
Project description:The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by agenesis of the uterus and upper part of the vagina in females with normal ovarian function. The cause of the disease is still enigmatic. Here, we developed organoid cultures from endometrium found in uterine rudiment horns of MRKH patients. Phenotypically they share great similarity between healthy control organoids and are fully hormone responsive. Transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq identified possible disease-causing pathways altered in MRKH patients during development of the female reproductive tract. Thus, the organoid cultures provide a powerful research model for further insight into disease-causing alterations.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of stimulation of human endometrial organoids with estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) In humans, the endometrium, the uterine mucosal lining, undergoes dynamic changes throughout the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy. We adapted conditions used to establish human adult stem cell-derived organoid cultures to generate 3D cultures of human endometrium. Unlike other mucosal epithelia, the endometrium responds dramatically to ovarian sex hormones, estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4), which regulate cyclical proliferation and differentiation of endometrial glands with concomitant dynamic temporal and spatial expression of their receptors, ERalpha and PR.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.