A mouse embryonic stem cell line was generated which stably expressed the ngn3 transcription factor under the control of the Tet-On inducible system using knock-ins in the ROSA26 and the HPRT loci. The undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells were then differentiated into Embryoid Bodies in suspension culture and were either treated with Doxycycline to induce NGN3 expression or left untreated as a contol. Cells were harvested at 12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours.
A shift from reversible to irreversible X inactivation is triggered during ES cell differentiation.
Sex, Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Time
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Chromatin structure and gene expression programs of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.
Cell line
View SamplesKnowledge of both the global chromatin structure and the gene expression programs of human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells should provide a robust means to assess whether the genomes of these cells have similar pluripotent states. Recent studies have suggested that ES and iPS cells represent different pluripotent states with substantially different gene expression profiles. We describe here a comparison of global chromatin structure and gene expression data for a panel of human ES and iPS cells. Genome-wide maps of nucleosomes with histone H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 modifications indicate that there is little difference between ES and iPS cells with respect to these marks. Gene expression profiles confirm that the transcriptional programs of ES and iPS cells show very few consistent differences. Although some variation in chromatin structure and gene expression was observed in these cell lines, these variations did not serve to distinguish ES from iPS cells.
Chromatin structure and gene expression programs of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells.
Cell line
View SamplesGene expression heterogeneity in the pluripotent state of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) has been increasingly well-characterized. In contrast, exit from pluripotency and lineage commitment have not been studied systematically at the single-cell level. Here we measured the gene expression dynamics of retinoic acid driven mESC differentiation using an unbiased single-cell transcriptomics approach. We found that the exit from pluripotency marks the start of a lineage bifurcation as well as a transient phase of susceptibility to lineage specifying signals. Our study revealed several transcriptional signatures of this phase, including a sharp increase of gene expression variability and a handover between two classes of transcription factors. In summary, we provide a comprehensive analysis of lineage commitment at the single cell level, a potential stepping stone to improved lineage control through timing of differentiation cues. Overall design: Bulk and single-cell RNA-seq (SCRB-seq and SMART-seq) of mouse embryonic stem cells after different periods of continuous exposure to retinoic acid. Bulk RNA-seq of cell lines derived after retinoic exposure and after differentiation with retinoic acid and MEK inhibitor combined.
Dynamics of lineage commitment revealed by single-cell transcriptomics of differentiating embryonic stem cells.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesESCs and NPCs are two setm cell types which rely on expression of the transcription factor Sox2. We profilled gene expression in ESCs and NPCs to correlate genome-wide Sox2 ChIP-Seq data in these cells with expression of putative targets
SOX2 co-occupies distal enhancer elements with distinct POU factors in ESCs and NPCs to specify cell state.
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View SamplesMicroRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of thousands of distinct mRNAs. While some regulatory interactions help to maintain basal cellular functions, others are likely relevant in more specific settings, such as response to stress. Here we describe such a role for the mir-290-295 cluster, the dominant miRNA cluster in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Examination of a target list generated from bioinformatic prediction, as well as expression data following miRNA loss, revealed strong enrichment for apoptotic regulators, two of which we validated directly: Caspase 2, the most highly conserved mammalian caspase, and Ei24, a p53 transcriptional target. Consistent with these predictions, mESCs lacking miRNAs were more likely to initiate apoptosis following genotoxic exposure to gamma irradiation or doxorubicin. Knockdown of either candidate partially rescued this pro-apoptotic phenotype, as did transfection of members of the mir-290-295 cluster. These findings were recapitulated in a specific mir-290-295 deletion line, confirming that they reflect miRNA functions at physiological levels. In contrast to the basal regulatory roles previously identified, the pro-survival phenotype shown here may be most relevant to stressful gestations, where pro-oxidant metabolic states induce DNA damage. Similarly, this cluster may mediate chemotherapeutic resistance in a neoplastic context, making it a useful clinical target.
A latent pro-survival function for the mir-290-295 cluster in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman and mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from blastocyst stage embryos but have very different biological properties, and molecular analyses suggest that the pluripotent state of human ESCs isolated so far corresponds to that of mouse derived epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). Here we rewire the identity of conventional human ESCs into a more immature state that extensively shares defining features with pluripotent mouse ESCs. This was achieved by exogenous induction of Oct4, Klf4 and Klf2 factors combined with LIF and inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Forskolin, a protein kinase A pathway agonist that induces Klf4 and Klf2 expression, can transiently substitute for the requirement for ectopib transgene expression. In contrast to conventional human ESCs, these epigenetically converted cells have growth properties, an X chromosome activation state (XaXa), a gene expression profile, and signaling pathway dependence that are highly similar to that of mouse ESCs. Finally, the same growth conditions allow the derivation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells with similar properties as mouse iPS cells. The generation of nave human ESCs will allow the molecular dissection of a previously undefined pluripotent state in humans, and may open up new opportunities for patient-specific, disease-relevant research.
Human embryonic stem cells with biological and epigenetic characteristics similar to those of mouse ESCs.
Specimen part
View SamplesMicroglia-like cells and neural cells were generated from several hES and hIPS lines. As subset was characterized by RNA seq and compared to expression profiles of published primary and induced samples. ABSTRACT: Microglia, the only lifelong resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are highly specialized macrophages which have been recognized to play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). However, in contrast to other cell types of the human CNS, bona fide microglia have not yet been derived from cultured human pluripotent stem cells. Here we establish a robust and efficient protocol for the rapid production of microglia-like cells from human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that uses defined serum-free culture conditions. These in vitro pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia-like cells (termed pMGLs) faithfully recapitulate the expected ontogeny and characteristics of their in vivo counterparts and resemble primary fetal human and mouse microglia. We generated these cells from multiple disease-specific cell lines, and find that pMGLs derived from MeCP2 mutant hES cells are smaller than their isogenic controls. We further describe a culture platform to study integration and live behavior of pMGLs in organotypic 3D-cultures. This modular differentiation system allows the study of microglia in highly defined conditions, as they mature in response to developmentally relevant cues, and provides a framework to study the long-term interaction of microglia residing in a tissue-like environment. Overall design: Individual donors/genetic backgrounds. Dataset inlcudes 4 differentiated neural progenitor biological replicates (NPC1-4), 2 primary fetal microglia samples as reference, 5 induced microglia samples grown in basal medium (pMGL1-5), 3 induced microglia samples grown in neural conditioned medium (pMGL1-3+NCM)
Efficient derivation of microglia-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells.
Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Direct lineage conversion of adult mouse liver cells and B lymphocytes to neural stem cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesFragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic form of intellectual disability in male, is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene by hypermethylation of the CGG expansion mutation in the 5'UTR region of FMR1 in FXS patients. Here, we applied recently developed DNA methylation editing tools to reverse this hypermethylation event. Targeted demethylation of the CGG expansion by dCas9-Tet1/sgRNA switched the heterochromatin status of the upstream FMR1 promoter to an active chromatin state restoring a persistent expression of FMR1 in FXS iPSCs. Neurons derived from methylation edited FXS iPSCs rescued the electrophysiological abnormalities and restored a wild-type phenotype upon the mutant neurons. FMR1 expression in edited neurons was maintained in vivo after engrafting into the mouse brain. Finally, demethylation of the CGG repeats in post-mitotic FXS neurons also reactivated FMR1. Our data establish demethylation of the CGG expansion is sufficient for FMR1 reactivation, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for FXS. Overall design: RNA-seq of FXS iPSC and neurons derived from FXS iPSC infected with lentiviruses expressing dCas9-Tet1-P2A-tBFP (dC-T) and a mCherry-expressing sgRNA targeting CGG repeats.
Rescue of Fragile X Syndrome Neurons by DNA Methylation Editing of the FMR1 Gene.
Specimen part, Subject
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